Genre Conventions

Genre convention mind-map 

(Found Online)

Codes and Conventions of a Thriller

What is a thriller?

Thrillers & Sub-genres 
Thriller films are very similar to horror films in alot of ways, but they can easily be distinguished by looking for some key points. A thrillers main goal is to keep the audience on edge as the plot and tension builds towards a climax. Allot of thrillers end with cliff hangers which suggests that a second film is in the making. Thriller films are not always scary as there are more than one type of thriller. These are called sub-genres. 

Thriller Sub-genres

Action Thriller

Action thrillers combines action and suspense to make a tense atmosphere for the audience. An example of this is "The Bourne Supremacy".

Crime Thriller

Crime thrillers combine  crime drama and thriller suspense. These films usually focus on the convict rather than the person after them. A well known crime thriller is 'SE7EN' 

Mystery Thriller

A mystery thriller is a combination of both mystery and thriller suspense. Mystery thriller films often have great story plots that the viewer needs to pay attention to in order to get the most out of the movie. An example of a mystery thriller film is also "SEVEN".

Psychological Thriller

A psychological thriller is usually based on the mental state of characters . The protagonist usually becomes involved in a situation which affects their sanity causing them to act differently to how they usually do. An example of a psychological thriller is the film "Black Swan"

Iconography

Shadows and Silhouettes 

Shadows and silhouettes are often used to create mystery and a dark atmosphere. They are often used to keep someones identity hidden which keeps the audience interested. Shadow distorts objects or people which causes it to look awkward and confusing the audience, whereas silhouettes give a clearer look of the outline of the the hidden object or person.

Weapons

Weapons are often used in thriller films, even more so in action thrillers. These are usually used to assert authority in the films and create a high amount of tension at certain points.

Dark settings

 A dark setting are used in thriller movies as well. Dark settings are often associated with criminal activity. The dark atmosphere bring a sense of confusion and mystery to the audience, and foreshadows something more sinister.

Setting & Sound

Most thrillers are set busy cities and usually take place at night time. Films set in the city usually have more variations in the background sound such as: people, cars, normal dialogue, various weathers and violence. Films set in rural areas usually have less background sounds but have sound that may include: crickets, trees swaying and other wildlife. 

Lighting 

Low key lighting 

low key lighting is used often used in thriller films to create a tense atmosphere for the particular scene. when low key lighting is used is foreshadows to the audience thats something bad is going to happen.

Camera shot and angles

Extreme long shot

Extreme long shot also known as an establishing shot is used to capture a large landscape. This is usually used at the beginning of a film or scene to show the general location

Medium shot

This camera shot shows the character with the lower part of the body cut off leaving the upper part to be seen. this shot can show a bit of the setting in the background while showing the facial expressions of the characters.

Long shot

This type of shot is similar to an extreme long shot but shows less landscape. This camera shot gives a more specific idea of the location.

Low angle shot

The camera is usually placed below the character looking upward to the character. This camera shot can make the a character look bigger, stronger or have authority.

High angle shot

The camera is usually is placed at a higher level above a character looking downward towards the character. This shot can show the character to be smaller or weaker.

Close up

A close up of shot usually emphasizes the emotional state of a character by filming up close to a characters face. The viewer is drawn into the subject's personal space and shares their feelings.

Over the shoulder shot

This camera shot shows a character over the shoulder of another character. This is often used when two characters are having a conversation.

Characters

Criminal

A criminal is someone who has been found guilty of committing a crime. Criminals can appear in any kind of thriller but are most common in crime thrillers.

Psychotic Character

A psychotic character usually isnt perfectly sane in the mind. This normally means that the character starts to loose grip on what is right and wrong and start acting dangerously which endangers certain characters. An example of this is 'The Joker' from any batman film.

Stalker

A stalker is a person who has an obsession with someone and follows a person without their permission. Stalkers mostly appear in mostly crime thrillers. They are similar to psychotic characters as they tend to be mentally unstable in most cases while some stalkers are mentally stable. 

Detectives 

Since the majority of thriller movies contain crime, law enforcement are nearly always involved and they usually play a big role in the storyline. Law enforcement is usually portrayed as being helpful or as being corrupt. 

Innocent people

innocent characters are brought into danger or crime for no reason.