As with any genre, a thriller uses multiple conventions to connect with an audience and to get them involved in the production. Most thrillers will follow the same technical conventions as this is how they make the thriller frightening and full of suspense. A thriller must create fear in the person watching. Using techniques in filming, representation, editing, sound and mise en scene can create and add suspense to a movie.
A Crime at the Core of the Narrative:
A thriller will usually have a crime which the whole storyline is focused on. This is generally a murder but it may not always be the case and there could be other things surrounding the plot. If murder was used as the crime, the audience can expect death, blood and jumpy scenes. The killer may not be revealed until the end of the film or maybe not at all as this keeps the viewer guessing throughout the film.
A Complex Narrative Structure:
A complex narrative is another key convention of a thriller, the more confusing it becomes, the harder it is for the audience to put together the on screen clues. The director may include false paths and resolutions that run alongside as a secondary storyline. These false paths are used to confuse the viewer and mislead them, they also act as enhancements to the plot.
A Narrative Pattern Of Establishing Enigmas:
In a thriller, the viewer will expect mysteries in the plot that they hope will be resolved towards the end of the film. The viewer will want to understand certain things in the storyline so this convention is used to ensure that a viewer watches till the end to find out the enigma. The audience will be hooked on what is happening on screen and will be asking questions in their heads such as ‘Why are they there’, or ‘Who has done that to them’ only by watching the film will they find their answer.
A Protagonist Who Is Systematically Dis-empowered and Drawn Into A Complex Web Of Intrigue by The Antagonist:
A protagonist is the main central character in a film while the antagonist is usually their opponent. In a thriller, the protagonist will be somehow taken into a situation and the storyline will evolve around that. Usually the antagonist will be fighting against the protagonist throughout the film – even if we don’t know who they are. The storyline would usually have twists in it that evolves both characters, there could be points where the antagonist seems to glory over the protagonist.
Extraordinary Events Happening in Ordinary Situations:
A strong convention in any thriller is surprise and suspense, a thriller generally starts in a location that people would deem ordinary and normal, before it quickly changes to something that is frightening. This is used because the audience are able to identify with the plot in a better way - they are able to put themselves in the situation that the characters are in and to literally feel their fear.
Themes Of Identity:
Themes of identity often play a big role in the thriller-genre.
The characters personalities are shown on screen which helps the audience to relate to the action that they are watching. Their roles throughout the film are also identified so the audience are then aware which characters they should be weary of and which characters they hope will get out of the situation. Identities also help the viewer to associate themselves with the characters as if they like a character, they are going to want them to be ok.
Themes Of Mirroring:
This convention is not used in all thrillers but it is where the same thing is happening to two or more characters, they are both in the same situation and this is shown on screen. This could be, for example, two people tied up together or two people being held in the same place. Mirroring themes show the audience that there could be more than one protagonist in the situation – they could theoretically be next.
Themes Of Voyeurism:
The idea of looking at someone when they do not know you are looking at them – usually in a sexual way. This convention could be used to show the killers’ point of view before they attack someone. The technique helps the audience to feel involved with the film and makes them think that they are also there in the situation.
A Protagonist with a ‘Flaw’ Which is Exploited by the Antagonist:
This convention is used to show the protagonist’s weaknesses. The antagonist will use these against the protagonist in order to manipulate them. At first, the viewer will not know what flaws the protagonist has and therefore the antagonist will try to show them at their worst.
A Scene Near The End Where The Protagonist is in Peril:
A common convention in a thriller is where the protagonist will be in sufficient danger of death. The entire film will usually be building up to this point and the audience will be at their most tense. This can sometimes be the penultimate scene in the film, with the final scene either showing how the character is free again or if things have got worse for that character. The scene is used to grip the audience for a final time and it is a convention found in almost every horror movie.
Mise En Scene Which Echoes/ Mirrors The Protagonist’s Plight:
The mise en scene will always relate to the characters emotions and upheavals. The overall atmosphere will change depending on whether the character is happy, scared or otherwise and this will be reflected in many things, including:
■Lighting
■Sound
■Camera Angles
■Costume
■Colour
■Weather
■Props
■Editing
The mise en scene will always co-ordinate with the struggles the protagonist is facing during the thriller as it makes the audience more aware of the protagonist’s problems. Mise en scene helps to create the jumpy atmosphere that the director is trying to create as if the mise en scene promoted joy and happiness it would not work in holding suspense in the thriller.
Titles Reflecting An Aspect of the Protagonist/Antagonist’s Psychological State:
The titles will also connote a horror movie to the audience as it prepares them for what they’re about to watch. The title’s actual form could also reflect certain parts of the thriller, for example sharp edges denoting knives. The onscreen titles can mirror what is taking place in the film.
These conventions are not necessarily in every thriller movie but they will certainly be enlisted in some of them. When a convention is not used, for example ‘themes of mirroring’ it could be because the director wants to create a sense of loneliness for the central protagonist and if he shows someone else in the same situation this would not be achieved. The conventions force the viewer to be held in suspense and enigma about what is happening onscreen and ensure that they enjoy the film as intended.
The villain should be hateful and give the illusion of power. He can seriously hurt the hero thus the audience will hate him.
The pace of the movie is generally fast and dramatic. Using fast cuts in editing and a variety of camera shots and angles the film is given the sense of speed and motion.
Music:
Usually tense, starting off slow and then quickening the pace as the climax approaches.
Some times the visual image can contrast the sound. For example while the visual image is full of violence the music is happy and lively.The use of diegatic and non diegatic music adds to the atmosphere. For example the diegatic screams of the victim over the non diegatic background music adds to the suspense.
Mystery:
There will most probably be an enigma present which will run throughout the thriller film, and it will be answered right at the end, and usually by the antagonist (Serial Killer?) or by the detective (protagonist) which has been clever enough to work out the plot.
Costumes:
A generic bad guy will wear dark coloured clothing to blend in with the shadows, sometimes they will be disfigured. The hero will have great fashion sense that match with their role.
On the other hand the hero could also have bad fashion sense and be poorly clothed to make him seem more human. Instead the villain will be rich and elegantly dressed, thus his role will disguise his evil.
Props:
are nearly always used in Thriller films, they could come in the form of clues, murder weapons or objectst hat add to the atmosphere.
Themes:
Isolation, vulnerability, loneliness, betrayal, revenge, love/passion, jealousy, troubled childhood, outcast, obsession.
A Crime at the Core of the Narrative:
A thriller will usually have a crime which the whole storyline is focused on. This is generally a murder but it may not always be the case and there could be other things surrounding the plot. If murder was used as the crime, the audience can expect death, blood and jumpy scenes. The killer may not be revealed until the end of the film or maybe not at all as this keeps the viewer guessing throughout the film.
A Complex Narrative Structure:
A complex narrative is another key convention of a thriller, the more confusing it becomes, the harder it is for the audience to put together the on screen clues. The director may include false paths and resolutions that run alongside as a secondary storyline. These false paths are used to confuse the viewer and mislead them, they also act as enhancements to the plot.
A Narrative Pattern Of Establishing Enigmas:
In a thriller, the viewer will expect mysteries in the plot that they hope will be resolved towards the end of the film. The viewer will want to understand certain things in the storyline so this convention is used to ensure that a viewer watches till the end to find out the enigma. The audience will be hooked on what is happening on screen and will be asking questions in their heads such as ‘Why are they there’, or ‘Who has done that to them’ only by watching the film will they find their answer.
A Protagonist Who Is Systematically Dis-empowered and Drawn Into A Complex Web Of Intrigue by The Antagonist:
A protagonist is the main central character in a film while the antagonist is usually their opponent. In a thriller, the protagonist will be somehow taken into a situation and the storyline will evolve around that. Usually the antagonist will be fighting against the protagonist throughout the film – even if we don’t know who they are. The storyline would usually have twists in it that evolves both characters, there could be points where the antagonist seems to glory over the protagonist.
Extraordinary Events Happening in Ordinary Situations:
A strong convention in any thriller is surprise and suspense, a thriller generally starts in a location that people would deem ordinary and normal, before it quickly changes to something that is frightening. This is used because the audience are able to identify with the plot in a better way - they are able to put themselves in the situation that the characters are in and to literally feel their fear.
Themes Of Identity:
Themes of identity often play a big role in the thriller-genre.
The characters personalities are shown on screen which helps the audience to relate to the action that they are watching. Their roles throughout the film are also identified so the audience are then aware which characters they should be weary of and which characters they hope will get out of the situation. Identities also help the viewer to associate themselves with the characters as if they like a character, they are going to want them to be ok.
Themes Of Mirroring:
This convention is not used in all thrillers but it is where the same thing is happening to two or more characters, they are both in the same situation and this is shown on screen. This could be, for example, two people tied up together or two people being held in the same place. Mirroring themes show the audience that there could be more than one protagonist in the situation – they could theoretically be next.
Themes Of Voyeurism:
The idea of looking at someone when they do not know you are looking at them – usually in a sexual way. This convention could be used to show the killers’ point of view before they attack someone. The technique helps the audience to feel involved with the film and makes them think that they are also there in the situation.
A Protagonist with a ‘Flaw’ Which is Exploited by the Antagonist:
This convention is used to show the protagonist’s weaknesses. The antagonist will use these against the protagonist in order to manipulate them. At first, the viewer will not know what flaws the protagonist has and therefore the antagonist will try to show them at their worst.
A Scene Near The End Where The Protagonist is in Peril:
A common convention in a thriller is where the protagonist will be in sufficient danger of death. The entire film will usually be building up to this point and the audience will be at their most tense. This can sometimes be the penultimate scene in the film, with the final scene either showing how the character is free again or if things have got worse for that character. The scene is used to grip the audience for a final time and it is a convention found in almost every horror movie.
Mise En Scene Which Echoes/ Mirrors The Protagonist’s Plight:
The mise en scene will always relate to the characters emotions and upheavals. The overall atmosphere will change depending on whether the character is happy, scared or otherwise and this will be reflected in many things, including:
■Lighting
■Sound
■Camera Angles
■Costume
■Colour
■Weather
■Props
■Editing
The mise en scene will always co-ordinate with the struggles the protagonist is facing during the thriller as it makes the audience more aware of the protagonist’s problems. Mise en scene helps to create the jumpy atmosphere that the director is trying to create as if the mise en scene promoted joy and happiness it would not work in holding suspense in the thriller.
Titles Reflecting An Aspect of the Protagonist/Antagonist’s Psychological State:
The titles will also connote a horror movie to the audience as it prepares them for what they’re about to watch. The title’s actual form could also reflect certain parts of the thriller, for example sharp edges denoting knives. The onscreen titles can mirror what is taking place in the film.
These conventions are not necessarily in every thriller movie but they will certainly be enlisted in some of them. When a convention is not used, for example ‘themes of mirroring’ it could be because the director wants to create a sense of loneliness for the central protagonist and if he shows someone else in the same situation this would not be achieved. The conventions force the viewer to be held in suspense and enigma about what is happening onscreen and ensure that they enjoy the film as intended.
The villain should be hateful and give the illusion of power. He can seriously hurt the hero thus the audience will hate him.
The pace of the movie is generally fast and dramatic. Using fast cuts in editing and a variety of camera shots and angles the film is given the sense of speed and motion.
Music:
Usually tense, starting off slow and then quickening the pace as the climax approaches.
Some times the visual image can contrast the sound. For example while the visual image is full of violence the music is happy and lively.The use of diegatic and non diegatic music adds to the atmosphere. For example the diegatic screams of the victim over the non diegatic background music adds to the suspense.
Mystery:
There will most probably be an enigma present which will run throughout the thriller film, and it will be answered right at the end, and usually by the antagonist (Serial Killer?) or by the detective (protagonist) which has been clever enough to work out the plot.
Costumes:
A generic bad guy will wear dark coloured clothing to blend in with the shadows, sometimes they will be disfigured. The hero will have great fashion sense that match with their role.
On the other hand the hero could also have bad fashion sense and be poorly clothed to make him seem more human. Instead the villain will be rich and elegantly dressed, thus his role will disguise his evil.
Props:
are nearly always used in Thriller films, they could come in the form of clues, murder weapons or objectst hat add to the atmosphere.
Themes:
Isolation, vulnerability, loneliness, betrayal, revenge, love/passion, jealousy, troubled childhood, outcast, obsession.
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