2. CONVENTIONS OF
PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER
FILMS
Psychological thriller is a sub-genre of the thriller genre.
Therefore the genre does incorporate elements of
mystery and drama like thriller does.
A common theme of psychological thriller films is for the
main character to be undergoing a battle but with
themselves in their own mind.
The characters consciousness also plays a big role in the
storyline of a psychological thriller. Their personality,
thoughts, memory and emotions are foregrounded
throughout the film.
The character can also have a problem or
misunderstanding of their own identity and are in doubt
of who they are.
4. IN WHAT WAYS DOES YOUR MEDIA
PRODUCT USE CONVENTIONS OF REAL
MEDIA PRODUCTS?
My film opening incorporates a few stereotypical
conventions of real media products
I purposely used these conventions so that the genre
would be easily interpreted by viewers
By creating a film opening with features from real films
that already exist I know my product will be accepted
5. IN WHAT WAYS DOES YOUR
MEDIA PRODUCT CHALLENGE
CONVENTIONS OF REAL MEDIA
PRODUCTS?
My film opening was shot outside in daylight whereas
most thrillers are shot at night or inside which challenges
the typical convention of thrillers having a dark colour
palette.
At the end of the film opening the main character breaks
the fourth wall which usually doesn’t happen
6. SOUND
I have used copyright free music at the very start of the
film that is appropriate for my genre of psychological
thriller. (insert music used).
The music helps to set the scene and imply the genre to
get the audience in the correct frame of mind, this
means I have used a convention of thriller films as this is
the aim of music in most psychological thriller films.
The sounds I have inserted help to build tension
throughout the piece and make it sound more eerie. I
have included a sound clip of the whispering sound
effect used in my film.
I have left in the ambient sound from when I filmed some
scenes so that it sounds more natural and appears to be
a fuller sound.
7. LIGHTING
I haven’t used conventional lighting for my film opening
because I filmed on a sunny day whereas most films from
this genre are either at night or filmed on a dark, stormy
day.
This challenges the convention of filming in the darkness
and using artificial lights to create mood and
atmosphere. I believe I have achieved an appropriate
atmosphere with natural lighting for a psychological
thriller film.
8. MISE EN SCENE
Adjusting the brightness and contrast of the film clips
created a darker and more thriller appropriate effect
which conforms to the convention of thriller films having
a darker colour palette.
Something that does challenge conventions is having a
female main character who faces complications, more
often than not a male character has the lead role. I
believe that challenging this convention makes my
product more unique and appealing to a wider target
audience.
