1. Kirsty Allen
Conventions of a thriller.
o Colours
o Music
o Twists/ plots
o Location
o Mystery
o Technology/ Supernatural
1. Colours;
Colours are very important as it sets the atmosphere within the film, for example by having
dark colours (Blacks, greys and metallic blues) within a scene/ shot it creates a sense of
danger and suspense for the audience member. Within a thriller the scary and more
psychological frightening parts tend to be in the evening as the lighting and colours are of a
darker tone, indicating that this is a classic convention of a thriller as it all thriller movies
undergo this basic/ fundamental rule. Here is an example
2. Music;
Music also helps create an atmosphere for thrillers this is why it is a
crucial element for the theme as music can set the mood quickly, it
also needs to fit the films criteria and story line. Depending on what
type of music is displayed in the thriller it can cause an eerie feel or
and uncertainty feel for the audience member. Here are two
examples;
Eerie;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_ix8dHZhUE
Uncertainty/ suspense;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQoVrFe1GZ8
3. Twists and Plots;
Having an intriguing and interesting plot helps the audience engage with the film more
efficiently, it also makes them want to continue watching. Similarly having twists within the
film helps an audience member get involved with the film as they will want to keep guessing,
as well as this it could help an audience member feel included with the thriller as they will be
more engrossed to watch to piece things together. This is an essential convention to have in
a thriller as twists and the actual plot itself helps form and create the film.
4. Location;
The location within the thriller is crucial as well as it gets the audience member more aware
of the surroundings in the film. Thrillers are mostly set in genuine places i.e. a home as it
helps create a sense of serialism for the character as well as the audience member, it also
helps encourage the factor of psychological fears as many people don’t expect these things
to happen in everyday places. However, a thriller can be set in a derelict area as it can help
with the imagination within the audience member.
5. Mystery; Having Mystery within the thriller helps the film become less predictable
which means the audience member will become bored and disinterested, this is why
thrillers need constant mystery in the thriller.
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2. Kirsty Allen
6. Technology/ supernatural;
Many storylines for thrillers are based on technology and supernaturalism, this is because
these factors are out of the ordinary which means it doesn’t happen in everyday life. And
there is high demands for this in the thriller movie making business.
Example of technology; Futuristic films, Films having a specific item of technology being the
centre of the film.
Example of Supernatural; Paranormal Activity, Exorcisms, vampires, werewolves etc...
