This document discusses key conventions of spy thriller films including having a hero facing danger and death threats while completing an objective against an enemy. It also notes that spy thrillers create excitement and suspense through elements like secrecy, adventure, tension, and sometimes include fight or chase scenes. Additionally, it outlines how sound, editing, setting, and lighting are used to build tension and atmosphere, such as using fast-paced music and action scenes or setting stories in dark, mysterious places.

1. B Y G A B R I E L A A N D S A B N A
SPY THRILLER

2. CONVENTION OF SPY-THRILLER
• Usually a hero or a group of heroes fighting against an enemy whilst
completing a quest or objective.
• The film will always clearly show the danger that the hero faces.
• The hero will be facing a great danger or death threats in a thriller which
usually involves a twist in the plot. This is shown to the audience but not
the character in the plot.
• A spy thriller will cover up the important information from the audience
which suggests secrecy.
• Excitement, suspense, adventure and tension is normally created in a
spy thriller genre to thrill and captivate the audience.
• Thrillers sometimes include elements of sci-fi, mystery, horror, crime,
conspiracy and sometimes include fight or chase scenes.

3. SOUND AND EDITING
• Sound is important in a spy-thriller genre as it gives the film more
meaning, helps to build up suspense and can also set the mood for the
film.
• Music is often long and fast pace which helps to build up tension.
• In dramatic situations sound starts off slow and gradually builds up, this
creates tension between the plot and the audience.
• Reaction shots or slow motion is used both spy and thrillers. These
clearly show the characters reaction or action.
• Fast pace action is cut together to make fast scene which gives the
audience a never ending feeling about what is going to happen next.

4. SETTING AND LIGHTING
• Often set in dark mystery places, for example the woods or a forest is
commonly used to create an eerie atmosphere.
• Settings of a normal environment if often seen as this creates suspense
because the action is unexpected.
• Shadows in thrillers are created through artificial and low key lighting as
they represent darkness and evil within the scene.

6. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v71ce1Dqqns
Director: Paul Greengrass
Cast: Matt Damon
Tommy Lee Jones
Alicia Vikander

7. AUDIENCE
Class: Middle Class
Age: 15-45
Gender: Male
Ethnicity: Anyone
Income: Anyone