Codes and Conventions of the begining of Thriller Films.

Before filming we thought it would be a good idea to research into the typical conventions of how film openings run within the thriller genre. We found when watching various film openings that they usually concentrate on three area’s camera movement and angles of the shot, and the types of editing used to create a specific atmosphere, in this instance it would be a nervous or tense one. Next is the use of sound and how that works with the action, and finally the mise-en-scene, what actually happens in the scenes.

Camera Shots/Movement/Angles

Camera movement is a convention that helps to give a film its “thriller” genre, as different camera angles create different body language and emotions. Thriller films also use camera angles such as  close up shots and mid  shots. An example of a close up shot was used in a film called Band of Brothers, where there is a close up of the mans face after he has been shot, showing that he is in pain. These help to show facial emotions and expressions and also shows body language, which helps to show tension, and helps the audience to feel as if they are in the film.  For example when the camera looks unsteady or deliberately shaky, an example of this  in the opening sequence of The Bourne Supremacy, when Jason Bourne wakes up in his bed after a nightmare and begins to heavily breathe. This makes the audience feel like they are in the film and to make them feel like they are the ones that are breathing, this also helps them connect with the character.

Editing

Editing gives films things like quick cuts and cutting on action. These quick cuts can also be seen in films such a psycho, when the female character is in the shower and is getting stabbed there is a lot of fast editing, as it shows different angles of her being stabbed. This makes the film fast paced and makes it more tense. Another editing skill is where they get the action to fade to black after a scene has finished, which signifies that something bad is going to happen, making the audience want to carry on watching.

Sound

Sound is a very important convention in thriller openings  as the different music themes produce a different mood and feel for the films. For example jumpy and and quite scary music which are played in each scene, create different atmosphere to a quiet more spooky set of music.  Another sound element which is very important is high pitched sounds/orchestral stabs such as screeches. For example stabs used in films such a psycho, when the character in the shower is being stabbed. This adds suspense and horror the film to give it its thrilling genre. Other sound elements which are used to give the films their thrilling genres are; diegetic/ non-diegetic sounds and sound affects, like doors slamming or black birds crowing.

Mise-en-scene

Dark and dull lighting  help give the film a gloomy mood and helps to make the audience feel more suspense towards the film. Another thing which also makes the opening off a thriller stick to its thrilling genre is props, as in thriller films there is a lot of sharp objects and weapons like glass, knives, guns etc….In films such as Train-spotting, they use props such as drugs and needles, to show that the characters are drug addicts and to show the audience what type of personality each character has. This shows the audience that the objects are going to be used to kill someone or something. The  location also helps the genre of the film as the right location such as a gloomy warehouse or dark woods give a thrilling film  mystery,suspense and tension towards the audience.