Research into Conventions of the Thriller Genre - Miss Miller

Conventions of thriller films

Conventions are parts of films that you expect to see when watching them, these are important because they inform the audience of what they should come to expect and what to look out for. The main conventions of thriller films are low key lighting, chase scenes, hidden identity, point of view shots, close ups, a blonde female victim as well as diegetic and non-diegetic sound. Iconography is also used through props such as guns and knives. These conventions are all used to create suspense, tension and keep the audience on edge.

Low key lighting is used throughout this clip from 'What Lies Beneath', from beginning to end light is kept to a minimal which increases the suspense and tension as well as a fear of the unknown as the audience as they can't see exactly what is happening which adds an element of danger and build up to shock. It is conventional because the darkness hold mystery and spookiness and a fear of what cannot be seen which adds danger to the clip.

There are several reaction shots in the clip that show what the characters are feeling, what situation they are in and how they are dealing with the situation. This creates a sense of urgency, chaos and uncertainty for the audience which keeps them on the edge of their seat throughout the clip and prepared to get a shock because they don't know what is going to happen next. This is conventional because it is effective at keeping the audience interested through suspense and terror.

Non-diegetic eerie sounds are played once the woman appears, this adds emphasis through parallel sound to what is happening in the scene because of the eerie soundtrack, corresponding to the clip. The music adds tension and suspense, without it the clip would be boring and very uninteresting for the audience to watch as it wouldn't grip them at all. This is conventional to a thriller as the sound builds up the suspense as the repetitive noises make you feel and prepare for a shock.

For my own thriller opening I will need to take into consideration all of the conventions associated with thriller films because I want to grip the audience and spark their interest as much as possible. I will be including non-diegetic sound because it is a key element in keeping the audience interested and creating suspense.