Thriller: Codes and Conventions

Thriller: Codes and Conventions

1. Sound

   • Music and sound is key in Thriller films. Typical music used in a Thriller film is one that builds up suspense and tension within the audience as this is what creates the mood of the film. Music also helps to tell the story line and makes the scenes more dramatic

2. Mise-en-scene

   • Low key lighting
   • Costumes: Antagonists wear dark clothing and protagonists wear casual clothes
   • Make-up
   • Hairstyle
   • Composition

3. Editing

   • Directors like to you jump-cuts to scare the audience
   • Cross cutitng
   • Shot Reverse Shot
   • Builds suspense
   • 180 degree rule

4. Characters

   • Antagonist
     • A bad person who actively opposes or is hostile to someone or something. May be the cause of the disruption
   • Protagonist
     • Typically a brave, male hero figure that wants to restore the equilibrium

5. Themes

   • The narrative is designed to make the audience think about themselves being in that situation and what they would do if it ever happened to them

6. Conventions

   • Camera Angles
   • Quick shots
   • Low key lighting
   • Shadows
   • Darkness
   • Diegetic sound
   • Tension music