Thriller Conventions

Thriller Conventions

Camera Work
Typical shots used are establishing shots to show location, mid-shots to show characterization, close-ups to show disorientation and claustraphobic behaviour. The composition shows key props, while the framing creates the suspension. The camera movement and angles can vary for example high or low shots to show power/status. Depending on the perspective of the shot it can change the way we feel about it, eg. first person showing empathy.

Editing
Depending on the narrative it can show a complex narrative, which builds tension as the story converges. The editing can add tension eg. straight cut can build suspense and the pace. By adding flashbacks it can show key moments and also show the viewers connection to the story.

Thriller Opening Conventions
Within the first 2 minutes you need to add the drama by building tension and create an atmosphere, use of music is good for titles, name of the film, the crew and directors. It sometimes works well as an opening if you ask the viewers a question.

Sound
Sound is used to add atmosphere to the film. By using ambient sounds, music and noises it really sets the scene. A voice over creates a backstory and its better to avoid dialogue.

Mise-en-scene
For a typical thriller setting it is realisticially iscolated. The costumes don't always have to be 'scary' but are stereotypically ripped or bloody. When casting, the actors for villains are usually male, and the victims tend to be female. Props used would stereotypically be weapons such as guns or knives, and the lighting is low key, not much is shown and there are a lot of scenes which are based in the shadows.

Narrative
The start of a thriller can be part-way through the scene, which makes it disorientated. Flash backs, and even flash forwards add a certain element that draws you into the film, and they dont always have to be in chronoligcal order.

Sub-genres
-action
-crime
-psycholgical
-conspiracy
-religious
-disaster
-eco
-dystopia
-medical

Shutter Island

Shutter Island

 

The introduction to the film is not the normal paramount music, this is suggesting an eerie feel to the film. it starts off as what we see to be a white screen, which we then realize is thick fog, with a ship beggining to emerge.

In the opening scene to shutter island we notice that the man whom will play the main character is facing down. at this point we don't know who he is. as he is throwing up into a sink, he then looks up int a mirror and begins talking to himself. He is trying to boost his confidence, as we notice he is on a boat and is feeling a little sea sick.There is a plaster on his head and we dont yet know why, but this could suggest that he has been in some kind of fight.

as the scene changes we move to the deck of the boat where he is accompanied by another man. The other man says: "alright boss". This tells us that the first character is higher up than the one that has just been introduced to us.

the second character makes a comment about the boss' wife, which leads to a flashback of him with his wife. he is wearing the same tie that he is wearing on the boat, and it is not until a few seconds later that we realize why. it is told that his wife died in a fire, which may be the reason for having the same tie on- a memory of his wife perhaps?

They begin to approach the island. It is very dark, and grey so you can't see much detail. They are told there is only one way on and one way off. At this point a very threatening tone of music comes on and makes the atmosphere tense, here is a slow zoom into the island which makes it look extremely un-inviting.

As they step off onto shore they are greeted by a court marshall, and to show us the importance of him they show us a close up of his badge. all the shots of the court marshall are from a low angle, there are never any straight on close ups. there are a lot of mid-shots of the other two guards as the court marshal is talking to the two characters we were first introduced to.

as they are in the car on the way to their destination the court marshall says to our first character: "you seem a little on edge", that is then replied to by our first character by saying: "right now, we all are".
As they approach the building there is intreging music playing. The music makes you think something is about to happen, but nothing does. As they get closer they can see that it has electric fencing around it, there are lots of guards around and as they are at the gates and get out the car they are made to surrender their firearms, as this happens there is a close up of one of the men fumbling around with his gun whilst taking it out of his pocket. There are three buildings, one for males, one for females, and one for the insane.
There is a shot taken through the barbed wire, which gives the impression that they are the ones being watched. The music playing suggests that something is about to happen, and then stops. This is drawing you in to make you watch more of the film.