A PowerPoint in which I analyse some of the codes and conventions of the thriller genre, looking at costumes, set, feelings and some posters which I will look at in depth.

1. James Howard

2. The red writing
connotes a danger,
possibly in the
form of our
actress, the femme
fatale
The curly, fancy
script implies
that this word
was written by a
woman
The way the
woman’s leg is
exposed is a symbol
to show allure,
telling the audience
that she is desired.
That the woman is exposing
her own leg hints that this act
is of her own free will and
therefore is in a position of
power gained through her
apparent confidence.
The woman on the
poster (possibly
Rebecca) is wearing
a rich blue elegant
gown.
The colour blue has always
been associated with wealth
and luxury suggesting that
this woman is in a position of
power and wealth. The same
goes for the expensive looking
gown.

3. The shadow cast of the
character is larger than the
person, suggesting that there
is a mystery about this
woman that is bigger than
what we see.
The woman is
holding what looks
like a cigarette in
her hand. During
the 1940’s these
were a symbol of
wealth as only the
upper classes could
afford them,
especially in this
style.
The background of the poster
is a pale flesh colour, almost
like the leg of the woman
which we see in the poster.
Looking closer the background
has a grainy texture like flesh
coloured tights. This conveys a
sexual appeal to the audience,
re-enforcing the power and
sensuality of this woman.
The whole
poster is geared
around creating
and aura of
attraction and
mystery around
this woman.

4. Chiaroscuro lighting to
show that our character
has a dark side/ is not all
good (common in thriller
films).
Text: fear always finds
it’s victim – connotes
that there is a dark
force seeking a victim
in this film.
Small, isolated cabin
near a forest – a typical
setting in horror like
genres, conveys feelings
of helplessness,
powerlessness and
creates a natural
tension.
Dark stormy weather
creates tension, gives a
feeling that something
dark is building up to
happen.
Writing on characters face
hints at a mystery, a puzzle
that needs solving. Or a
path that needs to be
followed.
Plain shirt and coat tell the
audience that this man is no
hero, he isn’t special.
Large gaps between the
letters in the title give
the impression that there
is more here than meets
the eye.

5. Blindfold on figure suggests a mystery, a
blindness to uncover
The blank featureless face adds to this, alluding to
a sense that there is a mystery in this person.
Furthermore, this person could be anyone, so this
makes the poster feel eerie.
The word “Break” the title, meaning to
destroy something, more interesting when
placed around this man’s throat or mouth.
Gives the feeling of danger
The words of the title are wrapped around this
mans throat or mouth as a gag or possibly a
collar, maybe this is being used to restrain him
or silence him for some sinister purpose
The broken jigsaw at the back of his head
gives the feeling that there is a puzzle to him,
that something is not right and is missing.
Maybe he is broken and scary, we don’t know,
this adds to the mystery that works its way
into your head.

6.  “A thriller is a novel, play, or movie with an exciting plot. It often
revolves around anticipation and suspense, with the aim being to keep
the audience alert and on the edge of their seats. Tension and
excitement are often used as the main elements of thriller films.”
 A numerous amount of Thriller films are set in busy streets and
suburban areas, this helps the writers to build tension and relate the
setting to the majority of consumers.
 The plot of most media in the Thriller genre revolves around solving
and/or surviving and enigmatic occurrence. This enigma can usually
only be solved by the main character because of the journey they take
and their past experiences.
 The reason behind the enigma can be linked to the activities of a
powerful organisation (government), a supernatural event (post
apocalyptic) or just one person (more common in murder themes).

7.  As all areas of media, the Thriller genre aims to inspire certain feelings
in it’s audience to engage them and ‘hook’ them on this genre.
 The main feelings that Thrillers aim to induce in it’s audience are
feelings of: suspense, anticipation, excitement, anxiety, uncertainty and
a sense that the audience can relate to the main characters. This
relation between the main character and the audience lets them
empathise with the protagonist. It also creates sympathy for the
character.
 This empathy helps hook the audience, as it lets them experience the
struggles the character faces almost first hand. This lets the audience
submerse themselves in the media. Which gives the adrenaline rush
that is felt when experiencing the genre.
 So, the Thriller genre is so attractive to viewers as most contain little
shards of other themes that are prevalent in most genres, such as
mystery, suspense and a puzzle/ conflict.

8.  Many various camera angles are used throughout the film genre,
however, each genre has a few angles that are iconic to its own films.
 This is because of the feelings each genre aims to inspire in its viewers.
 The Thriller genre promotes feelings of suspense and danger, therefore
it uses angles that help put the audience inside the film. This is best
conveyed through the use of Point of View shots, Over the Shoulder
shots and shots that follow the main character. These shots are used to
give the feeling that you, as the consumer, are in the film, and are
experiencing their struggles with them.
 However these are not the only shots that the genre uses, wide angle
shots, tracking shots and birds eye/ worms eye view points are also
used to either set the scene, follow action or convey a sense of class or
power

9.  The lighting of a scene can set the mood for the film and is therefore key in
any film genre, especially Thrillers, which rely heavily on the feelings of it’s
audience.
 Typical conventions of Thriller films include, Low angle, dim and
exceedingly bright lighting to convey feelings for the scene and point in the
story. These lighting types can create feelings such as suspense or unease in
the audience.
 Lighting is not used solely for the setting of a scene however. The thriller
genre uses lighting to give hints and subtle clues as to the intentions of the
characters on screen. Darker faces may mean that the character is making a
morally bad choice, or that they are evil, while chiaroscuro lighting may
hint that this character is hiding something, or is conflicted.
 In this way the Thriller genre manipulates audience into viewing scenes,
situations and characters in certain ways to maximise the feelings it wishes
to convey.

10.  The Thriller genre, as stated numerously in previous slides, hooks its
audience through the emotions they feel while watching the film. The
‘edge of seat experience’. And like all other aspects of the Thriller genre
the sound used, be it diegetic or non-diegetic, is employed masterfully
to coax emotions from the audience, to create suspense and to create
empathy.
 Thriller films will almost always have some form of non-diegetic sound
in the background that is setting the pace of the film and may rise or
sink depending on what is happening on screen (with exceptions for
the times silence is used to create unease or tension).
 Various soundtracks can be used during different points of the film
also, to: bridge seemingly unrelated scenes or give a sense to what is
coming up soon – which will create anticipation.

11.  Since thriller films are usually based off fairly realistic themes the set
and costumes have to be believable.
 To accompany the mood of the film the settings tend to more dim and
muted colours so that the film can convey the tense severe situations
that are portrayed more subtly. Likewise, the scenes used have a
tendency to lean towards the woodland areas, empty streets, night time
scenes and ultimately some form of controlled or free chaos.
 Similarly unless there is a specific reason relating to the character's
personality, the costume of the characters reflects standard dress
conventions in society. Few bright colours are used, this is to convey a
sense of realism and reinforce the mood of the scene/film.