This document discusses common conventions used in psychological thriller films and trailers. It covers elements like plot devices involving romance and jealousy that often end badly. Costuming typically features normal, casual clothes to portray mentally unstable characters as appearing normal. Settings frequently use isolated or dark locations, and cinematography employs low key lighting, close-up shots and point-of-view shots to create tension. Editing techniques like flashbacks, montage cuts and quick pacing build suspense.

1. Convention in psychological thriller
trailers

2. Plot/theme
Romance – romance is used to show the
connection between two characters , which
usually ends badly
In ‘black swan’ romance is seen two times – one
time with a man and second one with a woman
Jealously – jealously is mostly used to show the
emotion of the character and connection with
this second person
In ‘black swan’ jealously is seen many times –
for example one jealously is seen in relationship
and second one is seen in rivalry
Violence – mostly a lot of violence is used by unstable emotionally person, to
show emotional instability and how this person can act and react to different
situations

3. Costume/prop
Costumes – mostly character have normal, casual clothes and they
doesn’t stand out in the crowd.
Normal costume shows that even mentally unstable person can look
normal as everyone
Mirrors – this is common prop used in psychological movies. Mirror are
commonly used in psychological thriller to portray the used of reflections
of a characters inner self as well as representing the ‘dark side’ of the
character.
Objects which will show the mental instability of the character.
In ‘black swan’ we can see the drawing of screaming faces

4. Location/setting
Urban locations - they are using urban locations to provide realism.
The realism the do provide however can be overly theatrical and quite
stereotypical of the area or country in which the film is set
Isolated places- they are rarely used locations, but when they are used
they are connected with situation. For example some have been
kidnapped and they are kept somewhere in isolated place

5. Lighting
Low key lighting is often used in psychological thrillers to create a dark,
tense atmosphere
Dark places, where artificial light are only used – creates mysterious
atmosphere and fear that something wrong is going on
In ‘black swan’ we can see dark places a lot of time, they are used at
the time when main character is confused what is going around her
and she think that everyone and everything goes against her
Natural light – is mostly used at the beginning , when there is still
stability in the emotional life of the character
In ‘black swan’ we can see natural light at the beginning of the trailer
when the life of main character seen to be normal and good

6. CAM M
MID and CLOSE UP SHOTS - The most common shot types that are used
in Psychological thriller are; the mid shot and the close up. Theses are
commonly used because it helps the audience relate to the character as
they are able to see the emotion and tension on their faces.
Long shot – they are also likely shot is psychological movies as they
mostly shows whole body of the character and their body language,
through what audience can see and read the emotions and behaviour
which is not said out
POV (point of view) – is also used as it shows audience, on what
character is looking and can helps to feel as main character

7. Sound&music
Non-diegetic score music - Music is essential to understand the mood of the characters and hint at a
significant part in the film. Also there is suspense and tension. It often starts at a slow paves and the then
build up to make the shots more dramatic for the audience.
Voice over - In many psychological thrillers there is use of voice over to make audience more involved.
Through this they can be similar more with the story and character’s feelings.

8. Composition/framing
Placement – mostly main character is placed in the middle of the frame, no matter which shot is this (long
shot or close up shot etc.) .
This is due to show audience who is the most important character in the movie, through what they will
know that they attention should focus on this person, as mostly action and scenes are connection to this
person and their feeling, emotions or experience
Shallow focus or deep focus – are used to highlight what is the most important in the frame, for example
character or when something is happening in the back

9. Editing techniques
Obtrusive and Montage editing – This is used quite commonly in psychological thrillers to highlight and
enhance the feelings and emotions of suspense and tension within important scenes
Quick editing is commonly used in this genre type as it create tension as the audience suspect something is
wrong and become restless
Eye-line match – is used to show on what’s character is looking
Shot reverse shot – mostly used in conversations, through what audience can also notice the relationship
between characters and their emotions
Match on action – this is used to show continuity and highlight and reality
Slow motion – this style of editing in thriller films builds suspense because the audience want to know what
happens next in the scene but it is pro-longed by the editing
Fast pace – is used to build a tension and suspense
Flash backs and faced paced editing - These techniques can be used for several different reasons. The
flashback is used to help show the past. This gives an insight into an characters past and shows an important
message or helps explain why the character(s) are the way they are

10. Narrative structure
At the beginning of the trailer we can see main character and setting. Also we can notice the lifestyle which
this character has
At the beginning we can see equilibrium to show stability of character life
Later we can se disequilibrium, when something bad starts to happen