Codes and conventions of thriler films

Definition of Codes & Conventions CodesA system of signs which create meaning. There are two types of codes these are:-Technical: The way in which technical equipment is used to tell the story, for example, camerawork.-Symbolic: The signs which you need to look below the surface and beyond what you can see oncamera to highlight meaning. For example, character positioning and proxemics can tell anaudience more about the relationships between the on and off-screen characters. ConventionsThe way in which technical equipment is used to show an audience they are focusing on onespecific genre. These elements are commonly found in the specific films. For example, using low-level lighting to create shadows in thriller films.

Codes of a Psychological ThrillerDeathThe main villain usually dies in the end commonly with a horrific death which mentally scars their victims, this is seen in thepsychological thriller ‘Se7en’.CharactersVillain-Is usually intelligent, vindictive and calculating. They usually pull off shocking, evil crimes such as murder andkidnap. They usually have a motive behind their evil doings which can stream from insanity or emotional turmoil onceconfronted with the past.Victim-Is usually someone who is weak and vulnerable such as children and women as seen in Panic Room.Hero-The supposed hero is usually tested throughout the film and commonly have to endanger themselves to save thevictim. Commonly in psychological thrillers the hero is forced to commit evil acts in order to save the victim, thereforehighlighting the point that there is good and evil in everyone; it then seems as though a hero could quite potentially becomea villain.Physical and Psychological threatThe supposed hero of the film is usually faced with missions which are nearly impossible to complete and physically lifethreatening and psychologically disturbing.ThemesPerception: Is the understanding and the interpretation of the world around us. Perception in Thriller films are commonlydistorted and what is reality and what is imaged slowly merge until what is reality is questionable.The Psyche: Our film focuses intensively on this themes on both the victim and the villain. The psyche of the individual isinvaded through manipulation and forced the victim to question their own sanity.

LocationLocation shots of Thriller films can vary from being shot in a house or outside in a forest or evenother countries around the world, including the arctic to the desert.I decided to focus in psychological thriller films which are based in houses as it is the idea we hadfor our psychological thriller film.Orphan- The film is based around the destruction of a family home by an assumed adopted childwho in reality is an adult.Panic Room- Is set in a large house where most of the action takes place within and around thehouse and in the specific panic room.Mirrors- The most dynamic scenes of the film are shot within the protagonists house, withcharacters entering and exiting different rooms around the house.The analysis of location of popular psychological thriller films is helpful for the construction of ourown film as there are some similarities of ideas. The symbolic meaning of a home is shelter, securityand protection. Once the villain has entered this harbour of safety, they have invaded the victimspersonal space and into the mental psyche of the victim. However, if it is the victims domain, theyalso have the advantage over the villain therefore shifting the power, not letting the audience knowexactly what is going on.

Conventions of Thriller FilmsIconographyColourThe things the audience expect to see on screen when watching a psychologicalthriller films are dreary colours like greys, blacks and white to emphasise the lack ofmotivation or enthusiasm to make the character in pursuit of the villain feel helplessand defeated. However, in particular parts of the film there would be reoccurringuse of stronger colours such as red and blues. Blue will symbolise death and red isthe signifier to the audience that the victim is in danger.PropsThe use of mirrors are common psychological thriller films as they are symbolicallyseen as the window into the soul. There is also the connotation that the reflection inthe mirror is the reflection of the evil within.

Conventions of Thriller Films Camera Work (shots, angles & movement) The camera work is usually either really steady or moves around quitefrantically. When there is a scene with dialogue the camera would focus on the characters and not the background unless the mis-en-scene was significant in the understanding or meaning of that particular scene. Common shots used are Over –the-shoulder shots to emphasise the idea that someone is following the victim, close-ups and extreme close-ups which are obtrusive and invading and will make the audience feel uncomfortable and anxious as to what is going on.

Conventions of Thriller films Lighting There is much use of low level lighting to create shadows and aneerie atmosphere. The use of dim lights can hide parts of either thecharacters or the environment, which makes the audience wonder whether there is more to the characters than they originallythought. Usually if a villain is seen in low lights then it ass mystery, fear and anxiety within the victim and the audience when confronted by him.

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Codes and conventions of thriler films

by ReginaOkeke on Mar 28, 2012

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Codes and conventions of thriler films Presentation Transcript