際際滷

際際滷Share a Scribd company logo

Thriller conventions

Download as PPT, PDF
N
Nick Richardson

A thriller typically involves a battle between a protagonist seeking to restore order and an antagonist aiming to destroy it. This creates tension as a chain of bad events builds toward a climactic confrontation. Thrillers employ conventions like low lighting, quick cuts, shadows, and suspenseful music to generate unease and mystery around the antagonist's identity and motives, making the audience feel like danger could strike at any moment. The protagonist is often an everyday hero fighting to restore justice against long odds.

1 of 10
Download to read offline
What is a thriller? A thriller usually consists of a battle between the protagonist character and the antagonist, when there is a disruption in the equilibrium. Then the story shows a chain of bad events building tension and suspense for the climax. The aim of the protagonist is to restore justice, while the antagonist seeks to destroy it.
Examples of thrillers
Conventions of thrillers Low-key lighting Quick cuts Shadows Suspenseful music Protagonist is at the mercy of the antagonist Eery/mysterious locations
Characters The main protagonist is often a brave hero- type character who seek to restore the equilibrium. The main antagonist usually has a hidden identity from the audience, making us guess throughout the film while it is being slowly revealed, ie the serial killer in Se7en.
Themes The storyline is usually designed so that the audience feel like it could happen to them, increasing the suspense and possibly fear.
Cinematography Lots of close ups of characters' faces to show emotion. Harsh, high contrast lighting. Lots of shadows. Shots of the antagonist will usually hide their identity commonly find them in silhouette.
Editing Editing techniques vary, from slow editing/cuts to build suspense, to fast action edits. Continuity editing is of course used to help the audience understand the film. Jump cuts are often used to compress time.
Sound Sound in thrillers is primarily used to create suspense, shock etc. The music often begins at a slow pace and tempo and gradually builds to create this suspense.
Mise en scene A location that helps to establish a theme, such as a bank. Antagonist in dark clothes, protagonist usually in every-day clothes. Placement of characters has semantic connotations Lots of weapons
Mise en scene A location that helps to establish a theme, such as a bank. Antagonist in dark clothes, protagonist usually in every-day clothes. Placement of characters has semantic connotations Lots of weapons

More Related Content

Thriller conventions

  • 1. What is a thriller? A thriller usually consists of a battle between the protagonist character and the antagonist, when there is a disruption in the equilibrium. Then the story shows a chain of bad events building tension and suspense for the climax. The aim of the protagonist is to restore justice, while the antagonist seeks to destroy it.
  • 3. Conventions of thrillers Low-key lighting Quick cuts Shadows Suspenseful music Protagonist is at the mercy of the antagonist Eery/mysterious locations
  • 4. Characters The main protagonist is often a brave hero- type character who seek to restore the equilibrium. The main antagonist usually has a hidden identity from the audience, making us guess throughout the film while it is being slowly revealed, ie the serial killer in Se7en.
  • 5. Themes The storyline is usually designed so that the audience feel like it could happen to them, increasing the suspense and possibly fear.
  • 6. Cinematography Lots of close ups of characters' faces to show emotion. Harsh, high contrast lighting. Lots of shadows. Shots of the antagonist will usually hide their identity commonly find them in silhouette.
  • 7. Editing Editing techniques vary, from slow editing/cuts to build suspense, to fast action edits. Continuity editing is of course used to help the audience understand the film. Jump cuts are often used to compress time.
  • 8. Sound Sound in thrillers is primarily used to create suspense, shock etc. The music often begins at a slow pace and tempo and gradually builds to create this suspense.
  • 9. Mise en scene A location that helps to establish a theme, such as a bank. Antagonist in dark clothes, protagonist usually in every-day clothes. Placement of characters has semantic connotations Lots of weapons
  • 10. Mise en scene A location that helps to establish a theme, such as a bank. Antagonist in dark clothes, protagonist usually in every-day clothes. Placement of characters has semantic connotations Lots of weapons