Thriller conventions

What is Thriller?

A thriller usually consists of two different characters battling it out over a difference or disruption. The storyline then usually has a chain of events leading up to the battle which could help build suspense and tension for the climax. There always seems to be someone who is trying to make peace with each other and someone who is trying to destroy the peace.

 

In thriller movies there are usually many things that make up a thriller.
Characters:

• Convicts
• Soldiers
• Spies
• Law enforcement officers
• Stalkers
• Dangerous men
• Criminals
• Assassins
• Innocent citizens
• Psychotic characters
• Prison Inmates
• Police
• Antagonists
• Protagonists

Themes:

• Suspense
• Terrorism
•  Political conspiracy
• Chase
• Client Interrogation
• Spies
• Crime
• Psychological mind games
• Supernatural events

Cinematography:

• Close ups- show the characters emotion
• Extreme close ups
• Short cuts- to hide the identity of the person

Editing:

• Jump cuts- to create suspense
• Cross cutting- build suspense

Props/location:

• Cars
• weapons (e.g. guns)
• Urban setting
• Tension music building
• Low lighting
• Fast paced editing
• Silence
• Darkness
• Changes in the angle of shots
• Sound of breathing- Diegetic.

Feelings Thrillers create:

• excitement
• uncertainty
• Suspense
• Anxiety
• Anticipation
• Nerve wracking tension