Analysis of thriller conventionsAnalysis of thriller conventions

‘Once Upon a Time in America’‘Once Upon a Time in America’

Directed by Sergio LeoneDirected by Sergio Leone

List of conventions that are shownList of conventions that are shown

•Innocent victim – Eve

•Use of dark colours

•Gangsters/Criminals

•Noir/Chiaroscuro lighting

•Murder/violence

•Guns

•Suspense

•Conflict

•Femme fatale

•Tends to leave the audience with open questions

Eve as the femme fatale – classic thriller convention.

Pearls symbolise tears and bad luck – foreshadowing her death and the bad luck of her husband.

The tone of the light matches the colour of Eve’s face, almost makes her part of the light.

Eve in general looks glamorous and stands out as the femme fatale – blonde hair, jewelry, fashionable clothes, bright complexion.

Dark, muggy colours relate to tone and atmosphere of the thriller genre.

Non-ambient lighting (artificial) – added for effect.

Noir lighting (dark) – classic thriller convention, sets the mood. / Chiaroscuro effect (light on dark) – slight light on her face.

Medium close-up to capture emotion.

Close-up shows emotion.

This is a lift shaft, often used in old thrillers as a way of escape for victims.

Again, the use of dark colours as a thriller convention sets the tone/mood.

The lighting could be non-ambient because usually this would be pitch black. Leone uses a light to establish what the audience are looking at and to emphasise the height.

This creates suspense as we can’t see who’s in it or where it’s going.

This is a magnificent worms eye/tilt shot of Noodles in the eyes of the man who is lying on the floor having just been beaten.

Trilby hat, long dark coat with shirt and tie suggests that this man is a gangster – common thriller convention. Lighting is most likely non-

ambient because of lamps /room lights.

Guns are also a classic thriller convention. They give the character high status along with the costume and make him look menacing.

Tilt shots are commonly used in thrillers to create confusion for the audience. In this case it is used for empathy and creates tension for the audience.Worms eye shots

are used to indicate fear – in this case the fear lies with the man on the floor as he looks up to a killer.

Here, the lighting is likely to be non-ambient because of the shadows created on the faces. (looks purposeful)

Medium shot reveals him looking into a brief case (thriller convention) Mystery is being created for the audience because we can’t see what’s inside of it.

Important medium shot establishing gangsters together – high status/menacing/powerful. All in classic gangster costumes.

The gun (thriller convention) is placed in front of a picture of the man they are after. – creates tension/ foreshadows his death.

Muggy/dull colours are used throughout.

Cold metal bars add to the harsh atmosphere.

Non-ambient lighting.

The lamp is always shown with Eve to make her stand out.

Eve is cast in the shadows, suggesting she can’t do anything about what is going to happen.

Bullet holes in the bed are a threat towards Eve and her husband. Also foreshadowing death on both parts.

Eve is cornered in her own bedroom by three gangsters. This would make her feel extremely helpless because she can’t even be safe in her own home – she has no where to go and no way of escape.

This shot is very picturesque with the three gangsters standing in the arc doorway together – adds to their status.

Non ambient lighting.

Close-up of Eve as she lies dead – allows audience to empathise as they can see her facial expression intensely.

Trilby hats cause shadows on face which implies threat.