Codes and Convetions - (Completed by Risha Jethwa)

• Surprises & Twists
• Play’s With Viewers Mind
• Quick Cuts & Change Of Camera Angles
• Music To Add Tension
• Use Of Lighting To Create Shadows
• Mirrors
• Stairs
• From Killers Point Of View
• Flash Backs
• Make Audience Think

In thriller movies codes and conventions are important as they allow the audience to see what makes thriller movie. Firstly in many films, directors choose to use quick cuts and a change of camera angles. The reason for this is because it creates tension and suspense towards the audience. Another important convention is surprises and twists. This is because it keeps the audience at the edge of their seats and makes the narrative more effective. A use of lighting to create shadows can also be imaginative, because it creates and enigma towards the audience. Flash backs also intend to be creative as it grasps the audience attention because referring to a flashback is dealing with key events in the characters development.

In many thriller films and sequences people use props to match the iconography, for instance the use of mirrors, stairs, knives and guns. This shows us by using props which match the iconography it makes the film more appealing and attractive. Another reason is, in many thriller films a typical stereotype will contain knives, mirrors, guns etc. Where as breaking the stereotype it will make the film unsuccessful and less interesting.

Another major convention used in all thriller films is the sound. There are different types of sounds such as diegetic, non-diegetic, soundtrack, ambient sound, asynchronous and synchronous and many more. By using uses of sound or music, this makes the film tensed as the audience will have the reaction the director wants. Another reason is it creates tension and suspense throughout the film.

Most importantly, the next convention uses in most thriller movies is when you play with the viewers mind and make the audience think something wrong when it’s not true. The reason for this is because it also creates and enigma in the viewers head. Relating to this issue another generic convention used is a point of view from the antagonist. By having this as a key convention, this allows the film to be more mysterious as it creates tension within the scenes.
Finally the last major convention used in a thriller genre is the use of lighting to create shadows. Lighting plays and important role as it controls the atmosphere and enigma within the scene. Overall codes and conventions in a thriller shows a major importance as it allows the audience to signify what is happening in the scenes.