2. MISE-EN-SCENE
• SHADOW AND LOW KEY LIGHTING: These are a typical convention of a
psychological thriller. These elements help to add tension and anticipation to the
trailer. This could also be used to represent the darkness of the character or the
dark story line, foreshadowing what is to come.
• PROPS: Mirrors are usually used to portray and reflect the characters inner self.
When using mirrors the characters reflection is usually distorted in some way.
• COSTUMES: The villains usually wear casual clothing to blend in almost or the
opposite, really smart clothing such as ties and suits. This is mainly because
psychological thrillers are set in modern day, urban settings. The clothing is
appropriate and helps gives a realistic/authentic feel to the trailer.
• LOCATION: Location is a key element in a psychological thriller. The majority
are set usually in modern/urban setting again to give a realistic feel. The
countryside can be used occasionally but can be confused with a horror.
3. SOUND
• The music most commonly used in psychological
thrillers is very eerie and intense music that helps
to build tension and drama. It can also be used to
trigger a shock within the audience such as a loud
bang of menacing music.
4. CAMERA MOVEMENT
• Camera movement is of extreme importance and
plays a key role is psychological thrillers, this is
evident within the trailer. Quick, chaotic, jittery
camera movement helps to build tension and
panic. This helps to convey the characters panic
and their franticness to the audience and allows
them to experience it also.
5. EDITING
• Obtrusive montage and editing is used frequently to
highlight the feelings and emotions of suspension and
tension within a scene.
• Flashbacks are a typical convention of a psychological
thriller because it shows the background and previous
knowledge allowing the audience to build and understand
the movie better, sometimes anticipating what is to come
and highlighting an importance message.
• Not only this but within the editing process the footage can
be changed into black and white to highlight shadows and
light, when done effectively it can work really well.
