Thriller Conventions

• A crime at the core of the narrative (often murder, but not necessarily)
• A complex narrative structure, with false paths, clues, and resolutions
• A narrative pattern of establishing enigmas which the viewer expects to be resolved
• A protagonist (the hero) who is systematically dis-empowered and drawn into a complex web of intrigue by the antagonist (villain)
• Extraordinary events happening in ordinary situations
• Themes of identity
• Themes of voyeurism
• Protagonist with a 'flaw' which is exploited by the antagonist
• Titles often reflect an aspect of the pro/antagonists psychological state
• There is often a scene near the end of the film which the protagonist is in peril
• The mise-en-scene which echoes/mirrors the protagonists plight

Thrillers generally use a lot of straight and jump cuts to bring something to the audiences attention fast! Quite a few close-ups are also used so we notice things and gain knowledge of what's happening. Depending on the genre of the thriller, normally top lighting is used to highlight things more, and maybe sometimes a bit of chiarascuro is used! Music is often brought in all of a sudden, and is used to build up to what is happening often.

For our Thriller it is advised dialogue is not to be used. Maybe for our Thriller sad/minor toned music can be playing i.e a simple piano song and loud noises for jumpy bits to make you lot jump!!!! HAHA.