codes and conventions of a thriller

There are 7 different types of codes and conventions including; lighting, setting, editing, cinematography, characters, diegetic and non-diegetic.


lighting; 

• often at night/dark/eerie
• low level lighting
• shadows/limited view of a character
• dim colours, also red 

Setting;

• isolated/deserted/exotic - desert, ranch or old warehouse
• confined locations; lift, phone booth etc
• Generic feature of a thriller is entrapment

Editing;

• Quick cuts/ fast pace; enhance anxiety and confusion
• Jump cuts; shows erratic tension
• Match cuts; links two ideas

Cinematography;

• Camera angles low/high; plays with and highlights the roles of authority/ power within the film
• Point of view shot; demonstrates what the character is seeing or feeling
• Establishing shot; setting the scene
• Close ups; highlights sense of anxiety and tension
• Frantic camera movements; portrays tense environment

Characters;

• Criminals, stalkers, assassins, down-on-their-luck losers, dark pasts, innocent victims, psychotic people, terrorists, private eyes, drifters
• Ambiguous roles; are they good/bad?

Diegetic;

• Creaky doors, wind, tap dripping, foot steps; sounds that alert the audience that something is about to happen
• Silence, provoking
• Heavy breathing
• whispering

Non-diegetic;

• High pitched music; heightens suspense
• Ambience music; Helps to create the correct atmosphere
• Fast pace music; essential for action scenes