Research - Generic Conventions of a Thriller

                

Generic Conventions of a Thriller

There are several characteristics that compliment the genre of a Thriller, such as;

Narrative

- The aim is to create suspense and excitement for the audience.
- Violence is often a key theme.
- A protagonist who is immoral or an outsider, or even an anti-hero but still has good intentions is usually present.
- Typically begin with equilibrium which is disrupted throughout the course of the film , however then restored by the protagonist.
- Thrillers will often begin in an unjust society, which the protagonist works against.

Protagonist - The leading or one of the main characters in a play, film, novel, etc.

Mise-En-Scene

- Antagonist(s) usually wears dark or black clothing.
- Blood and violence.
- Guns, knives, weapons, etc.
- Low-key lighting to create a sense of suspense or gloom.
- Setting will usually be isolated, such as haunted houses, alleyways, etc.
- Proxemics utilised in order to stimulate claustrophobia.
- Dark colour palette.

Antagonist - a person who actively opposes or is hostile towards someone (Protagonists) or something

Proxemics - the study of human use of space and the effects that population density has on behaviour, communication and social interaction

Sound

- Begin with slow tempo,
- Slow or eerie music to create suspense or uncertainty.
- Silence.
- Heightened diegetic sounds such as door creaking, small items being pushed or knocked accidentally, etc.

Diegetic Sounds - any sound presented as originated from the source within the film's world

Camera Angles ,Shots and Movement 

- Tilt shots or otherwise disorientating angles and shots to create discomfort within the viewer.
- Close-ups and Extreme Close-ups of the protagonist.
- High angle shots to show a characters dominance over another (Antagonist over the Protagonist or the other way around)

Sources:
https://www.mindmeister.com/685037204/conventions-of-the-thriller-genre (Visited 15/01/19)