Thriller Genre Conventions

Camerawork

Typical shots:

• Establishing shots - this shows location
• Mid Shots - Introducing characterisation
• Close-Ups - Disorientation, Claustrophobia

Composition/Framing:

• Key Props
• Creates Suspense

Camera Movements/Angles:

• High/low angle shots - this shows power/status 

Perspective

• 1st person - empathy

Editing

• Dual Narrative shows complex narrative/tension - as story converges 
• Straight cuts - pace - tension
• Flashbacks - gives us background - key moments/connections

Thriller Openings Conventions

• Drama/Tension
• Use of music
• Titles - name of film, actors, directors, company identity
• Confusion - Questions
• One significant event
• Atmosphere

Sound

• Use ambient sounds - music/noises - fade in/out - atmosphere
• Voice over to create back story
• Avoid dialogue

Mise-en-scene

• Setting - realistic/isolated
• Costumes - realism
• Actors - Males - protagonists/antagonists - Females usually victims
• Props - weapons - realism
• Lighting - Low key lighting, shadows

Narrative

• Disorientating - start halfway through an event - audience questions
• Chronological? Flashbacks/flashforward?
• Introduce main characters/plot

Sub-genres

• Action
• Crime 
• Psychological
• Conspiracy
• Religious
• Disaster
• Eco
• Dystopia
• Medical