Bobby Lee – Generic conventions

Codes and conventions of a thriller film

Throughout a thriller film the audience would expect to hear non-diegetic music maybe of a slow pace and quite eerie like the theme song in jaws. The slow pace of the music not only creates tension within the audience but it could also make the film more engaging for the audience anticipating what is going to happen next. Although slow paced music would work well, in a thriller film having the music speed up as the scene progresses on is a good technique to build suspense.

A range of different camera shots and angles can be used to make the film more effective. For example jump cuts would be crucial in a thriller film as they speed up the film building suspense and evoking fear within the target audience. This would work well with low-key lighting like shadows as they conform to the sinister atmosphere you would expect to be subjected to when watching a thriller film. Shadows can also be used within the scenes of the film as stereotypically in a thriller film the antagonist would use these to hide from the protagonist. Using low key, de-saturated lighting in thriller films is significant as it connotes things like evil.

Particularly in horror and thriller films the weather in the film is quite important when setting the scene. For example stereotypically in a thriller film thunder, lightning and rain could be used to contribute towards the spooky atmosphere. It would also create suspense within the audience, making them feel nervous. Shots of confined spaces are something that is effective as it helps to emphasise a sense of entrapment and could evoke claustrophobia within an audience.

The editing in a thriller movie is important as it could help to deepen the target audiences understanding on what the genre is. For example in a thriller film the audience would expect to see a lot of jump cuts and fade outs, especially in the trailer. Much like jump cuts, fade outs add to the eerie vibe and make it all the more engaging and can help leave the audience on edge.

Bobby Lee – Generic conventions