What is a thriller film? (Miss Georgiou)

What is a thriller film?

Codes and conventions of the thriller genre:
-low key lighting (shadowing)
-suspense                             -death
-dark colours                       -shock
-surprise                              -weapons (iconography)
-dark location                      -killer/victim
-following                           -hidden identity
-tension                               -mythes and legends
-good vs evil                       -trapped
-distressed woman              -paste of music
- enigma (mystery)             - unknown location (forest/wood)
-POV, handheld,close up   -slow paste
-fast paste                           -music helps provoke meanings

The three S’s – Shock Suspense Surprise
For example in the opening of the film Saw, all three if these emotions appear on the audiences faces when watching the victim stopping his blood flow, this creates suspense. The build-up to cutting his food off greatens. The characters facial expressions show shock, this reflects on the audience as they cannot believe what is going on. Finally the audience is left surprised that the character has gone to the extreme of cutting his foot off.

Low-key Lighting
For example in the film opening of The Ring low-key lighting is used to set a dark mysterious mood to the house. Shadowing is used effectively in the form of reflections. This creates the adrenaline rush to increase as the rousing anticipation fills their minds.

Unknown Location
For example in the opening film trailer Saw, the lights are off. The dark, gloomy setting creates the feel of unknown territory this is common in thriller films as they are usually set in unknown locations. Even after the lights are switched on the location is abandoned, filthy and unused this creates the same appeal to the audience 

Iconography&Enigma 
In the Saw scene, the camera pans a supposedly dead body in which holds a gun in one hand and a tape recorder in the other. this creates the audiences first glimpse of the enigma. The iconography is significant as it is a convention to thriller films. It creates the idea of violence, helplessness and cruelty.

Diegetic and Non-Diegetic Sound
For example in the film No Country For Old Men the footsteps are made using diegetic sound this creates tension as it is followed by Slow editing. This is a convention of the thriller genre as it keeps people on edge and the audience engaged. 

Colour 
Usually in thriller films victims are put in white clothing this is to embrace their purity and innocence. The killer   or the 'bad guy' is usually wearing black. This shows mystery and a presents of death. This is conventional as most thrillers are set on a good vs evil plot. For example in Scream. 

Hidden Identity 
For example in every Scream movie the identity of the killer is hidden throughout by wearing a mask. This is the plot of the whole film and is a conventional aspect, it keeps the audience alert and on the look out for clues to the stories enigma. 

SAW OPENING SCENE

The location at the beginning of the clip is unrecognizable, the low-key lighting creates shadowing around the room, there is a voice a few seconds into the clip that creates the setting for the stories enigma. Once the lights are turned on the location becomes clear. Fast editing is used when the lights are switched on. This catches the audiences' attention, and puts all eyes on the location. The scene is set in a abandoned bathroom, this follows the conventions as most thriller's are set in abandoned, unknown places. There is a victim lying in the middle of the floor, this adds onto the stories enigma, as well as this it allows the audience to predict predict what they believe is going on. the body is covered in blood, there is a gun in one hand and a tape recorder in the other. These items are viewed in a close up shot. Thriller films tend to do this to signify to the audience that that item is important and needs to be taken into account when solving the stories enigma. The blood and the gun are both conventional to the thriller genre as the iconography is to include things like knifes, ropes and chains for example. It is all helping adding to the suspense. The colours used in the scene are light colours white is used to symbolise innocence and good. However the clothes the characters are wearing have been tarnished and ripped there are blood stains on their shirts, they've been injured. The audience are made to believe that the man lying is to be an assumed victim. He is wearing white, and the high above shot of his body resembles his venerability and the audience are made to feel sorry for him as he has clearly been tortured as he has a blow to the head and blood puddles surrounding him. 

Scream Opening Scene Codes and conventions
-low key lighting (shadowing)
-suspense                   -death
-dark colours             -shock
-surprise -weapons (iconography)
-dark location            -killer/victim
-following                 -hidden identity
-tension                    -mythes and legends
-good vs evil            -trapped
-distressed woman   -paste of music
- enigma (mystery)  -unknown location (forest/wood)
-POV, handheld,close up -slow paste
-fast paste -music helps provoke meanings
Target Audience The target audience for Scream is aged around 15+

Audience Expectations


Shock, Surprise, Suspence

Micro Element

Narrative

Representation

Themes

How can you use this film to help you plan your own thriller film?