Codes and Conventions of a Thriller - Miss Frisendar

Codes and Conventions of a thriller film:

In thriller films specific codes and conventions are used, some examples of this are; dim lighting which creates shadows, a rainy, cold setting, slow and fast pace music and isolated settings. These all help to create a mysterious feel and suspense upon the audience.

 

Definition of a thriller film:

A thriller film is known to promote intense excitement, suspense, a high level of anticipation, ultra-heightened expectation, uncertainty, anxiety and nerve-wracking tension. They pursue a single-minded goal to provide thrills and to keep the audience cliff-hanging as the plot builds towards the climax.

The House at the End of the Street: Suspense

The Strangers: Handheld camera

The Exorcist: Cold setting

Most important ingredient of a thriller: Tension

Tension usually arises when the main character is put in a dangerous or deadly position, or if their life itself is threatened. The plot of a thriller usually involves characters which come into conflict with each other or someone from outside; the menace is sometimes abstract or shadowy.

Tension is displayed in What Lies Beneath when Michelle Pfeiffer’s character is in the bathroom and believes someone is in there too.
 

 

Generic characters:

·        Stalkers

·        Menaced women

·        Fugitive

·        Psychotic individuals

·        Drug addicts

·        Cops

·        Private eyes

·        People involved in twisted relationships.

Themes:

·        Greed

·        Envy

·        Jealousy

·        Romantic triangles leading to murder

·        Pursuit

Generic Locations:

·        Dimly lit

·        Lifts, staircase, basement

·        Large featureless exteriors

·        Shower cubicle

·        Phone booth

·        Scrap yards

·        Interior of cars

Alfred Hitchcock

“The purpose of a thriller is to put their audiences totally in the cold water of fear to see what its like” Hitchcock

Psycho, key conventions:

·        Shadows

·        Close-up of eye

·        Weapon

·        Blood

·        Tension

·        Hidden identity

·        Non-diegetic music

Pulp Fiction, key conventions:

·        Weapon

·        Close-up

·        Villain

·        High angle shot

Mise En Scene - Miss Georgiou

The Haunting in Connecticut

There are many elements of Mise En Scene that are conventional to a thriller film such as settings and iconography, costume, facial expressions and body language, lighting and the positioning of the characters. These are used to create a mysterious feel to the scene which impacts on the viewers. Also it allows the audience to experience the correct interpretation of that particular scene. 

The clip is set in a basement when the boy is curious as to what is down there. The setting creates an impact on the audience as basements tend to be gloomy, scary places and the audience feel on edge as it is not well lit, and someone could be lurking there. The audience also feel as though they are in the scene as well which allows them to understand the effect of the basement being the setting. The viewers expect to be shocked by the appearance of someone or something unexpected and therefore their suspense levels increase rapidly. This setting is conventional to a thriller film as it is a well hidden room that an antagonist would use therefore a creepy atmosphere is evoked.  

The family who have just moved into the house are dressed in casual everyday clothes. This conveys that they are regular, normal people. The audience can therefore relate to their experiences as they are the same as them. This is conventional to a thriller film as innocent, everyday people are usually the victims in these types of films and therefore it becomes a realistic experience for the viewers. This means the audience respond in a way that is expected and they in result feel frightened in their own homes.  

As the boy walks into the basement low key lighting is employed and all you can see is a black silhouette. This raises the viewers suspense as they can see he is walking into the darkness which is evoking an eerie sense of feel. This is conventional to a thriller as shadows and silhouettes are usually used to shield someones identity and to force fear upon the viewers. However in this scene the audience are left feeling almost comforted as they know who the person is, but are also nervous to find out what is in the darkness that he is walking into.

Also when the boy enters the basement he is angled at the top of the frame. This is to portray to the audience his state of supremacy. It illustrates that he is the main focus of the scene and that he is the powerful one if something was to be lurking down there. But the high supremacy he has is false because of the fact there is actually no one down there. However the audience are unaware of this when the frame is revealed to them and therefore their suspense levels are increased as they are expecting someone or something to be there. This is conventional to a thriller film as false expectations are brought upon them.

Later on in the scene iconography is used to signify a meaning to the audience. The audience observe the mother find some old photographs that do not belong to her. This triggers the audience to realise that the people in the photographs may be haunting the people living in the house. This results in the viewers curiosity developing and that they feel frightened as something is definitely haunting them. This is conventional to a thriller as it conveys innocent people who are frightened as they are being haunted in their own home. Being a typical narrative of a thriller film, because people generally get haunted in the comfort of their homes, results in the audience feeling uncomfortable and not safe in their own homes, as it feels realistic and therefore they think of the fact it could also happen to them. 

When the mother discovers the old photographs the viewers observe her facial expressions. Through this it is illustrated to the audience that she is worried and scared as she may have just realised the fact that they could be who is haunting their house. This allows the viewers to understand the feelings she is experiencing at this exact point and they therefore can put themselves in her position and the scene becomes even more realistic to them. This is conventional to a thriller film as the characters facial expressions usually express to the audience that they are scared when being haunted.

In The Haunting in Connecticut mise en scene is used to create suspense upon the audience and to leave them curious as to what is to come next. It is also used so the audience understand the correct interpretation of the story line and the sequence of events feel realistic to them as they are left to experience the characters emotions.