AS media thriller genre conventions research.

1. GENRE CONVENTIONS
psychological thrillers

2. FILM GENRE CONVENTIONS
‘Genre conventions’ is the term used to describe the features of a film that relates
to genre, theme, setting, characters and even the plot itself. An example of this
would be horror movies as they typically include jumpscares and blood.
These qualities or characteristics help the audience identify which genre the movie
belongs to. Also helps in emphasising the mood that the plot or narrative is trying
to convey.

3. THRILLER GENRE CONVENTIONS
Thriller genres are extremely easy to identify because of the style its presented in.
A lot of crime dramas contain a lot of murders as they indicate to the audience that
no one is safe and that it could happen to you. An example of this is in the movie
‘Taken’, as the protagonist, Bryan Mills, has to go on a quest to find his daughter
and as a result of this he has to murder the henchman and the people who have
kidnapped his daughter. I think that thriller films also follow a very complex plot
that contains many enigmas and has a main theme– revenge. This is a good way
of involving the audience and capturing their interest. The antagonist will have a
hidden identity that the audience will uncover as the film progresses. Often the
antagonist goes out for revenge from a past event.

4. REPERTOIRE OF ELEMENTS
Repertoire of elements are key features or characteristics of a film that are
consistently seen or repeated throughout a genre. Each genre has its own
repertoire of elements that makes it different or unique from the next. The
elements fall under seven important categories–
Iconography, props, style, settings, narrative, characters, themes.

5. ICONOGRAPHY, PROPS AND STYLE
The genre I chose for my film is thriller and the iconography in this particular genre
(typically) involve weapons, blood, silhouettes, shadows etc. Iconography is the use of
images and symbols to portray a subject. It can also be the use of certain symbols to
convey genres. For props it includes objects such as guns, daggers, blood, dark
clothing, knives, laptops and antiques such as paintings to create a sinister scene.
Under style it uses things that are portrayed as dark, shadowy, and uses low-key
lighting (the famous light flickering can help create a feeling of nervousness within the
audience) and intense music. Organs and low key chords from a piano playing.There
will be a lot of close ups and extreme close ups of the protagonist, this is often to show
their emotions, also it can be used to focus on props to aid the narrative. The shots of
the antagonistic character will be cut quickly and this is to hide their identity.

6. Masks used to put on a facade, hides
the identity. Helps create an enigma
for the audience and makes them
want to keep watching.
Close up shots are
extremely helpful in
expressing emotions.
Extreme close up
shots usually hint at
something that is yet
to come.
The famous extreme close up of the eye in
‘Psycho’ used a graphic match to link two
different shots together– the drain and the
eye. This builds continuity and makes the
sequence look more appealing.
Silhouettes are used in thriller
films to create curiosity within
the viewers.

7. SETTINGS (MISE-EN-SCENE)
Within this genre, the narrative is usually set in isolated and deserted areas where
it may be quite difficult to reach out for help or finding somewhere to run. Or
likewise, it may be set in a modern city to show the class of people and their high
paying jobs. This is where the typical FBI agent characters come in. Linking back
to the narrative, it uses pathetic fallacy to foreshadow the misfortunes of the
characters such as the portrayal of thunder and heavy rain.
Colours that are used within thriller films are typically blacks and reds as they
connote danger and death.
green can connote life as well as
symbolises the ghostly or uncanny
red connotes danger, love,
rage

8. NARRATIVES AND THEMES
Narratives in thriller movies involve being trapped or being chased/stalked by the
antagonist of the film.
The themes that are explored usually include death, fear, gore, traps, isolation, sin
vs purity, light vs dark, innocent vs evil, known vs unknown etc.
death theme

9. CHARACTERS
Characters that are usually seen in this genre include serial killers, police,
detectives, undercover agents, a victim. Children appear very often in these films
as it gives a sense of innocence against the sins. There are also many
stereotypical characters that make an appearance within this genre such as the
typical hackers and FBI agents.
I plan on using a character that will not be expected as my main character is an
artist, and artists are depicted as calm and peaceful, however, the artist I will be
portraying in my film is psychotic and chaotic. This breaks the stereotypical views
on my character and is something out of the ordinary.

10. AUDIENCE OF THRILLER MOVIES
The audience for thriller films would usually be men as it is exciting and something
related to the unknown. They want to work things out themselves. Young adults
from sixteen upwards would most likely be interested since its not typically
something you would come across in everyday life, therefore it essentially takes
you to a alternative universe where almost anything is possible.

11. FAMOUS THRILLER FILMS

12. PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER MOVIES