The document discusses key conventions of the thriller film genre including dark color schemes, themes of isolation and pursuit between protagonists and antagonists, use of props like guns, settings depicting normal environments, suspense, tension, plot twists, and eventual resolution between good and evil. It also discusses conventions of film trailers for thrillers and how they attract audiences through glimpses of the plot, stars, and production details without revealing too much. Camera techniques like close-ups and angles are used in thrillers to depict changing situations and characters' emotions.

2. The thriller film genre uses several key points of convention which can be found in the variety of sub-genres.
This includes:
 Dark colour schemes and low-key lighting to connote mystery and suspense
 Themes of isolation which shows the character as vulnerable in comparison to the antagonist.
 Props such as guns which are used to signify terror therefore, creating suspense and tension.
 Distressed appearance
 Settings that depict a normal and everyday environment, therefore adding to the suspense as the action is unexpected.
 Suspense and fear
 Tension
 Constant twists in the plot
 Protagonist vs. Antagonist. With the antagonist initially having control over the situation and the power shifting half-way to feature the protagonist
in control.
 Narrative dominated by the protagonists point of view, showing the problem that the protagonist must overcome. The point of view of the
antagonist is shown in some varieties of Thriller as this allows the audience to have more information on the character and can build empathy with
both the hero and the villain,
 Eventual domination over the antagonist - Justice
 Conventionally represent injustice and the battle between good and evil
 Clear sense of pursuit between the protagonist and the antagonist, creating suspense and tension
 Eventual recognition of why the antagonist has acted in a certain way, normally due to a connection with the protagonist such as the want for
revenge.

3. Film trailers are specifically designed to create a snapshot of the film, in order to attract the target audience. In doing this the key elements of
the film are shown without revealing too much of the plot, so that the audience will be interested in finding out what happens in the film.
Additionally, conventions of film trailers include:
 Production information and Credits in order to provide the audience with additional information about the film background.
 Captions in order to add to the suspense and tension. This also gives the film a professional appearance.
 Main stars and directors displayed on the trailer in order to make the film instantly recognisable to their previous work and lets the audience
know what they can expect to see within the film.
 Variety of locations which show the different characters and situation which the film is involved in.
 Production companies can create more than one trailer for a film, although these all feature the same conventional points
 Creates an immediate interest to the film
 Voice over draws in the attention of the audience
The production information featuring the
Warner Bros logo ensures that the film
production is instantly recognisable.
Additionally, the logo is adapted in
order to suit the genre of the film.
Conventionally the Thriller film genre is
displayed with a logo like the one on the
left as this has the conventional
distressed, mysterious and dark look
Variety of locations

4. Thriller films conventionally adapt the use of different types of camera work to demonstrate an immediate change in the situation. This can
be specifically seen within the Thriller film Inception which uses shot types such as a : Canted angle, Close-up, Wide Shot, Two-Shot and
Wide-shot to demonstrate the different situations.
Close-up shot
This shot shows the
key features of the
subject within the
scene. This is used
to emphasise the
characters key
details and
expressions,
therefore showing
their emotions
towards what is
happening.
Two-Shot
The two-shot is used
within the scene in
order to establish a
relationship or
connection between
the two characters.
Within this scene, it is
used to demonstrate
the similar situation
the characters are in.
However, the scene
also highlights their
differences such as
their gender, age and
clothing.
Canted Angle Shot
The Canted-Angle shot
shows the situation as
unusual signifying that
something has happened
to change this. This type
of shot is conventional
lyused to show distress, a
key theme in Thrillers.
Wide-Angle Shot
The wide-shot places the subject in the middle of the
frame so that the audience are able to identify the
situation surrounding them.
Mid-Shot
The mid-shot allows the audience to
view the elements of mise-en-scene
such as the characters clothing and
the prop of the gun. Therefore
allowing the audience to see what
type of person the character is.
Thrillers conventionally use editing techniques to increase elements of suspense and tension. This can be seen through elements
such as the use of reactions shots which are designed to highlight the characters reaction when they are approached by the
antagonist. Additionally, cut always emphasise what is happening around the situation in an alternative scene, conventionally, one
scene is shown to be chaotic whereas, another demonstrates calm, everyday life adding to the twists and suspense within the plot. In
addition, the titles and captions on the film trailer are designed to emphasise the narrative of the film. These create suspense and
tension through their quick and catchy phrases, conventionally these also fade to black to emphasise the scene has ended.

5. Costumes
Conventionally the characters within
Thrillers are shown to have a smart
appearance which suggests the
characters personality and role.
However, costumes also highlight
the differences between the
character. This can be specifically
seen in Se7en. In the still the
characters costumes are shown to
be in contrast as the older man is
shown wearing an old looking
detective jacket whereas the
younger man is shown in casual
clothing which is covered in dust.
Therefore, showing the contrasts in
the personality, which creates
mystery for the audience concerning
the characters personality.
Props and Setting
Conventionally, Thrillers are set in
a normal everyday environment
such as a house as this adds to
the suspense of the action as it
shows the antagonist disturbing
the normality. In addition when
there is a chase scene within the
film small confined spaces are
normally used to signify
entrapment and isolation.
Furthermore, props within the
scene aid with the narrative of the
film and can provide information
about the characters personality.
Guns are conventionally used
within Thrillers as these symbolise
danger.
Lighting
Thrillers conventionally use low-key lighting in order to
create a dark or sombre atmosphere. This creates
tension as the audience are unaware of what could be
happening in the surrounding of the character.
Additionally, low-key lighting or extreme-low-key lighting
can create a dark and menacing atmosphere to a scene.
Thrillers feature the use of elements such as ambient sound in order to increase tension and panic within the situation. Scream incorporates
the use of asychronous background through the girls screaming when the titles appear which allows the audience to instantly recognise the
nature of the film genre. Additionally, voice overs on a trailer draws the audiences attention as the trailer is directly addressing them.

6. The target audience for my Thriller trailer is males and females aged predominately 15-19, with 80% of the people which I surveyed being
within this age group. However, due to the broad amount of sub-genre’s featured within Thrillers, the trailer could also appeal to those
younger and older than this age group.
Thrillers appeal to both male and female audiences and a variety of social classes conventionally through the use of relatable characters
and themes throughout the film.
The target audience would also be interested in modern life and technologies, this is linked the Thriller film genre which conventionally
influenced by real-life events.
A key point of Thrillers that interests my target audience is the use of suspense and tension. This can be specifically seen with
psychological thrillers which uses constant twists in plot to keep the audience on the edge of their seat.
Overall, Thrillers appeal to a wide-audience and the large variety of sub-genres means that the Thriller genre can easily relate to a range of
audiences.

7. A key appeal for the target
audience of Thrillers is
character which they can
relate to and build a rapport
with as the narrative
continues. This can be seen in
Scream which aimed to appeal
mainly to a young adult
audience. Through using a
mainly teenage cast, each with
their own individual story the
audience was able to relate to
the characters and therefore
become more interested in the
film and what happened to the
characters.
Within my research survey, I
was able to find out that other
than Thrillers the audience
was interested in the Horror
film genre. This could be due
to the similar conventions of
the genre, both of which
contain suspense, fear,
mystery and a gloomy
atmosphere.
A key element within Thrillers is the theme of disguise
which creates mystery within the film. The disguise is
conventionally used on the antagonist characters so that
the audience are unaware of what the character is like.
This can be found in Thrillers such as Scream, Purge and
The Black Swan which all use disguise to create suspense
within the film.
Within my research, the target
audience for my Thriller believed that
the Conventions of a Thriller film
included: Suspense and Tension,
Constant twists, Dramatic
Atmosphere, Scary, Keeps you on
the edge of your seat, A cold feeling
conveyed and the Constant Shocks
within the plot
Within my research, the target
audience for my Thriller believed that
the Conventions of a Thriller film
included: Suspense and Tension,
Constant twists, Dramatic
Atmosphere, Scary, Keeps you on
the edge of your seat, A cold feeling
conveyed and the Constant Shocks
within the plot
The most appealing Thriller sub-
genre were: psychological thriller,
supernatural thriller and spy thriller.
All of each feature the key themes of
mystery and suspense