Introducing
Your new presentation assistant.
Refine, enhance, and tailor your content, source relevant images, and edit visuals quicker than ever before.
Trending searches
Editing conventions within the thriller genre are often focussed around creating an uncomfortable or suspenseful atmosphere as quick cuts and changing camera angles are often used which disorientates the spectator and creates an on screen tension. Tension is vital in the thriller genre as it is that which keeps the vast suspense at a steady pace throughout the film and then it is able to explode with a conclusion of action or an overwhelming resolution which spectators might not have expected.
The characters in thriller films are not similar to ones that will be portrayed in other genres.Thriller characters can be found to have darker or sinister motives than others, they usually have been trapped in a situation and might feel they have hit rock bottom. These characters are used to portray the ‘Underdog’ which is conventionally used for the main male role who might not be the ideal hero or traditional protagonist but proves himself throughout the film to be kinder and more good willed than initially thought. Also the most conventional character of the thriller genre is the ‘Femme fatale’ theory which is usually used to portray the main female role. The femme fatale is usually shown to be a lot stronger and independent than most female roles, she is also shown to be colder and not as innocent than females are usually portrayed. Quentin Tarantino’s‘Pulp Fiction’ 1994 shows the most conventional Femme Fatale through Uma Thurman’s portrayal of the character Mrs Mia Wallace.Mia Wallace is shown to wear dark or black clothing with black hair; she smokes cigarettes and introduces drugs into her system. This is not the traditional role a female would be playing in other genres as females are conventionally shown as being innocent and the male roles tend to focus more on being independent.
The Protagonist in thrillers are often men that are accustomed to danger in their jobs or lifestyles or are ordinary citizens
Villains are also typically men and there is a impression that the character cant be trusted. Likewise the character may
have a psychological deformity such or a traumatic experience that has changed their outlook on life or humanity.
A typical thriller film will usually be shown from the protagonist’s point of view,
following events that they must overcome. The audience have a closer relationship
with the main character as they become involved in the events themselves due to
the narrative being a point of view of the chracter. Likewise parts of the plot are
often in the antagonists points of view. These short clips allow the audience to see
the “villains” true persona be it when they’re alone or a flashback of their past,
which creates empathy for the character as there is an understanding of how they
became the “villain”. Usually the motive of the villain and their link to the protagonist
will be revealed at the end allowing the audience to experience a sense of the end.
However sometimes thrillers end with the motive unrevealed allowing the audience
to continue to imagine the future plot with an overall feel of suspense and confusion.
The general plot of a thriller looks at justice and injustice. The two binary oppositions
fight against each other, with an overall feel of suspense. Often, the identity of the
antagonist is known and the protagonist must intervene with their plans; a thriller
movie usually has a growing sense of threat or danger.
Sound is also an important micro feature and as well as the others it holds many conventions relating to the thriller genre. Sound is used to create tension with eerie or intense music being played either as diegetic or non-diegetic material within the scene. High pitched sound is often used as it makes the spectator uncomfortable and shows how the scene might not be pleasant or something unexpected might happen. Many other uses of sound are used in thrillers and even within dialogue is usually unique to other genres a sinner monologues or perhaps narrators can be found in many thriller films which create a more direct tension to the spectator making it seem as if they are experiencing the film from the characters point ofview.For example, Steven Spielbergs ‘Jaws’ uses sound to create suspenseful atmosphere and since then the motif of the shark has become a widely known sound for a suspenseful atmosphere.
Thriller setting are usually in a urban environment such as a city. Colours often used in these urban environments range from shades of black and grey which create a sense of entrapment. Camera shots are fairly steady and a panning shot is often used to establish the setting. In scenes with dialogue or where there is a scene of a character the camera in kept still and the main focus in on the character/s than the background. Lighting is significant as thrillers often use this to dim and hide parts of the character or the environment thus creating a sense of mystery. Props are a complex convention as each thriller has its own themes however generally there may have a weapon or mysterious object which creates a enigma code for the audience.