Features & Conventions Of The Thriller GenreBy Moriam Tokosi

What Is A Thriller?• A Thriller is a type of film, literature and television that aims

to create suspense or excitement and tension.• It often consists of a battle between a Protagonist and an

Antagonist as there is a disruption or change in the equilibrium. A series of bad events usually follows to create suspense and build tension for the climax.

• The Protagonist is the main character and the heroic figure who seeks to implement or restore justice whilst the Antagonist is the villain who aims to destroy it.

Conventions Of A ThrillerThese often Include:• Tension and suspense• Low Key Lighting• Shadows• Hero vs. Villain (Good vs. Evil)• Violence• Jump Cuts and Quick Cuts• Diegetic Sound Of Breathing• Eerie, Ominous Music• Frequent Changes In The Camera Angles And Shots

Cinematography In A Thriller• Lots of Close ups and Extreme Close-ups are used to show

the protagonist character e.g. the Dark Knight. This Is used to show their emotions and affection for others. Close ups are also used to focus on props that contribute to the narrative.

• The antagonist characters shots will be focussed on concealing their identity e.g. Low angle shots, Silhouettes and shadows these are also used to show power.

• Generally in thrillers there is a more use of a variety of camera angles and shots.

Mise-En-Scene In A Thriller• Mise-en-scene is important in thriller as they often have

connotations to them e.g. the props, set and location.• The colour black and white is also used to show the sinister

sides to a film and the contrast. An example of this is in the film sin city where the use of black and white portrays a harsh narrative

• Low key lighting s also a common feature in thriller which are often use to set the mood and create atmosphere in the film.

Sound In A Thriller• Sound is generally used in a thriller to create tension and

suspense –this can be done by using eerie intense and ominous music that is played as diegetic or non-diegetic sound within the film.

• High pitched sound is also used as it makes the viewer uncomfortable and it builds tension to show that there is something unexpected coming up.

• Also the content of the dialogue between characters or in monologues can also build direct tension towards the audience making it seem as they are experiencing the scene from the characters point of view

• Music is essential to understand the mood and the atmosphere of the characters and the film

Editing In A Thriller• Editing in thrillers often contain several jump cuts

and changes of the camera angles to create tension and suspense but also to make the viewer feel uncomfortable as it disorients them.

• Crosscutting is also key in thrillers as it helps the viewer to understand what is going on and also helps to build suspense.