Thriller films employ several technical conventions to build tension and suspense. Point of view shots, tracking shots, and high or low camera angles are used to make the audience feel like they are experiencing the action alongside characters. Fast-paced editing with jump cuts shows simultaneous action in different locations. Mise en scene elements like low key lighting, isolated settings, weapons as props, and explosions create a dark and suspenseful tone. Eerie music, sound effects, and strategic silence are implemented in the soundtrack.

1. TECHNICAL
CONVENTIONS TO A
THRILLER
camerawork, mise en scene, editing, sound

2. CAMERAWORK
➤ POV (point of view) shots are used in thriller film normally to show
action from a characters perspective, e.g. a character is running away
from an explosion, if a POV shot is used here the audience will be
able to understand the action more and feel tension as they will feel
like they are with the character.
➤ Tracking and pan shots are commonly used in thriller films this is
used as it allows the audience to feel as if they are there with the
characters experiencing the action.
➤ High camera angles are commonly used in thriller films, this is
sometimes used to show a particular location or setting but can be
used to show a particular character and there status, by using a low
camera angle looking up onto a character gives the illusion that they
are important.

3. EDITING
➤ fast paced editing is normally used in a thriller film, fast paced
editing is used to show multiple shots of action, this is
normally used in the crisis point in the film and can show the
action continuous by the use of fast pace editing, it can also
create suspense and tension for the audience.
➤ jump cuts are commonly used in thriller films to show speed
up shots and create tension, they are also used to give the
audience information they need to understand the film; jump
cuts create variation in the film and make it more interesting
and show multiple shots of action happening at the same time
but in different locations.

4. MISE EN SCENE
➤ Thriller films normally use low key lighting, this is used to
build suspense and create the ‘dark’ feel when watching a
thriller if the lighting was bright and sunny the audience would
not feel scared or feel tense.
➤ the key locations typically used in a thriller tend to include,
forests, cities, abandoned houses, these location are typically
used as they all give the sense of isolation and loneliness which
help build tension throughout the film.
➤ the typical props used in a thriller film tend to be guns, knifes
these are used to aid the villain and/or characters.
➤ the special effects we may see in a thriller film could include
explosions.

5. SOUND
➤ eerie/tense music is used in thriller films to create suspense
and using eerie music is an easy way to create tension in a
thriller film.
➤ most thriller films use non diegetic music such as background
sound and sound effects used such as explosions and gun
shots are examples of sounds effects that may be used in a
thriller film.
➤ silence is commonly used in thriller films this is used to build
tension and get the audience on the edge of there seat and
silence can usually leave the unaware of what is going to
happen next.