This document discusses the codes and conventions commonly used in thriller genre films. It notes that mise-en-scene often uses normal clothing, low lighting, dark color palettes, and isolated settings. Cinematography employs close-ups, angle shots, tracking, panning, and point-of-view shots. Editing techniques include elliptical editing to remove unnecessary shots, parallel editing to show character divergence, and flashbacks/forwards. Sound is also important, using spooky music, epic music, sound effects, and voiceovers/dialogue to convey tension and realism.

1. Code and Conventions
OF
THRILLER GENRE

2. Mise en scene
• Normal clothing is used often to create a sense among the audience that they could also be in a
similar situation
• Low level lighting is used to create shadows and make the situation tense for the viewers other
than that dark colour palette and low level lighting is also used in various scenes to make the
scene suspenseful
• Mostly a dark alleyway or an isolated house is home to this genre to give the movie a more
tense feel and to keep the viewers on edge
• The characters are given a more natural look and lifestyle so that the viewers can correlate and
connect with the characters.

3. Cinematography
• Camera angles and shots are extremely important in thriller genre.
• Close up shots are used to show that the character is mentally entrapped
• High angle and low angle shots are often used to show the difference of power between the
characters
• Tracking and panning is often used to create suspense among the viewers as they are not aware
of the next scene
• Point of view shots are also used for the same reason of close up and extreme close up shots
which is to show the audience the emotions of the characters and to make the scene more
realistic

4. Editing
• Thriller genre uses elliptical editing most of the time to remove unnecessary shots which then
helps to have the undivided attention of the viewers
• Parallel editing is also a go to in thriller genre to show divergence between the characters and
to create suspense in the scene
• Flashbacks and flash-forward are also used to show that what events has led to present actions
of both the antagonist and protagonist
• Match on Action is a common convention which is used to keep the continuity of the scene
intact and to make the scene more tense and suspense

5. Sound
• The most important convention of the film is the sound
• The thriller genre uses spooky music on the other hand it can use epic music like an orchestra
to make the scene look more chaotic and tense
• Sound effects also play a major role to make the movie sound more realistic
• Voiceover and dialogues are equally important as they portray what the character is feeling this
provides a sense of connection between the character and the viewers