Close-ups (CU) and Extreme Close-ups (ECU)- These types of shots are generally used in any genre, though in thrillers, they help intensify a feeling or emotion that’s being conveyed to the audience. They can also create a sense of stress, uncertainty or perplexing thoughts, for example, if within a sequence we are only shown quick close-ups of objects or characters features, it means we are not seeing the full picture, we are only seeing close-up bits. So we start to build up different ideas and feelings. Plus, close-ups suggest that the audience should be only focusing on what we are being shown. They exaggerate whatever we are seeing, creating new meaning and hints for the audience to understand individually.
Point of view (POV)- These shots show us exactly what a character is seeing. This technique creates a kind of connection between the audience and characters. The audience are suddenly a part of the plot, this allows them to see and feel what the character does (whoever's eyes they are looking through) identifying and understanding the character more . So people might ask, how do you know if a point of view shot is being used or not? Well sometimes it’s hard to identify, but usually, we might hear their heavy breathing, or another character looks right at the camera. Horror and Thriller films use point of view shots to suggest a menacing and unseen presence in the scene, e.g. from the perspective of a killer, looking at the victim- Adding to the excitement and fear of the unknown.
Canted angle- This type of shot has a deliberately slanted angle, being heavy on one side, having a dramatic effect on how the narrative is portrayed to the audience. Painting the picture that something isn't right, something bad has happened or is going to occur. Or if the shot was focused on a character, it might be suggestive of their personality or what role they play, for example, a villain, or a troubled person etc. The same goes for items and places used in canted angles, to furthermore suggest negative connotations and revelations, like a dark alley, or an abandoned building would be a typical setting of some bad events to occur like a killing. And a cigarette or knife could foreshadow an eventual death or attack. Ultimately creating unease in the audience. This shot can be cleverly paired up with a point of view shot to suggest disorientation, intoxication, madness and abnormality within a character.
Point of view (POV)- These shots show us exactly what a character is seeing. This technique creates a kind of connection between the audience and characters. The audience are suddenly a part of the plot, this allows them to see and feel what the character does (whoever's eyes they are looking through) identifying and understanding the character more . So people might ask, how do you know if a point of view shot is being used or not? Well sometimes it’s hard to identify, but usually, we might hear their heavy breathing, or another character looks right at the camera. Horror and Thriller films use point of view shots to suggest a menacing and unseen presence in the scene, e.g. from the perspective of a killer, looking at the victim- Adding to the excitement and fear of the unknown.
Canted angle- This type of shot has a deliberately slanted angle, being heavy on one side, having a dramatic effect on how the narrative is portrayed to the audience. Painting the picture that something isn't right, something bad has happened or is going to occur. Or if the shot was focused on a character, it might be suggestive of their personality or what role they play, for example, a villain, or a troubled person etc. The same goes for items and places used in canted angles, to furthermore suggest negative connotations and revelations, like a dark alley, or an abandoned building would be a typical setting of some bad events to occur like a killing. And a cigarette or knife could foreshadow an eventual death or attack. Ultimately creating unease in the audience. This shot can be cleverly paired up with a point of view shot to suggest disorientation, intoxication, madness and abnormality within a character.
Camera movement:
Handheld camera shots- My personal favourite, handheld camera shots are a great way to really add a strong sense of panic and rush to a scene. Instead of being stuck on a still tripod, handheld shots allow a sense of freedom of motion in the shot, taking in more power and emotion than normal stills. Suddenly we are immersed into the film, as if we are there, running from someone dangerous, for example. This technique is called a ‘shaky camera’, the shakiness of the shot heightens the suspense and excitement, creating this adrenaline rush effect, being a generic feature of a thriller, because, it is simply thrilling us like a roller-coaster ride-and that’s why handheld cameras are so effective and popular within the thriller genre.
Dark setting:
Lighting- Low-key lighting is most frequently used within thrillers, and is very effective is setting a fearful mood. It’s a known fact that we are born with two natural fears, and one of them is the dark- so naturally we are put into this mind set of fear, anxiety and anticipation when low-key lighting is used. The use of low-key lighting can suggest that something bad will occur, because it’s thought that bad things happen at night, where darkness takes its place, for example, a robbery, an attack, a rape, etc. This generic feature builds up tension and even mystery, because we often can’t see in dark, though often something lurks, but what? It’s a mystery to us, the viewer. And we want to find out so, the audience is drawn in more. However, the use of high-key lighting means shadows come out much stronger.
Shadows and mirrors- Some people are afraid of shadows, because they can trick us quite easily, or just simply scare us. The use of Black and white accentuates shadows making a scene eerie and dark. Shadows can represent inner darkness, adding tension and creepiness to certain characters. An under-lighting of the face also creates strong shadows of darkness in faces, hiding the emotions of a character, making them look unpleasant and evil- distorted emotions to convey different meanings and suggestions. Or just hiding their actual face, linking into hidden identity. Mirrors can be used cleverly in dark rooms to also represent the reflection of your inner self and soul, being dark and hidden.
Location- Usually in thrillers, locations tend to be very gritty, gloomy and dark. This highlights the thriller genre to the audience again because places that don’t look so pleasant are associated with bad things that happen, thus playing with the audience’s emotions and mood etc. for example, in a made up situation, it’s more like a murder occurred in an abandoned warehouse a place of no life, rather than, let’s say a shopping centre a place where life thrives. On the other hand, this idea can be altered, with the help of low-key lighting and the time of day. By changing things like that in appearance, means it changes how it’s perceived by the audience. For example "Sucker punch" used a mental institute, which is a very gritty and unpleasant location, and makes the audience feel trapped, like the patients.
Flash back and flash forwards are used a lot in thrillers, these create a space and time disorientation and give an insight into a characters past life, allowing the audience to make more opinions on things, leading to predictions etc. They often confuse the audience though. A perfect example would be the entire "Lost" series, yes,the title speaks for itself...
Lighting- Low-key lighting is most frequently used within thrillers, and is very effective is setting a fearful mood. It’s a known fact that we are born with two natural fears, and one of them is the dark- so naturally we are put into this mind set of fear, anxiety and anticipation when low-key lighting is used. The use of low-key lighting can suggest that something bad will occur, because it’s thought that bad things happen at night, where darkness takes its place, for example, a robbery, an attack, a rape, etc. This generic feature builds up tension and even mystery, because we often can’t see in dark, though often something lurks, but what? It’s a mystery to us, the viewer. And we want to find out so, the audience is drawn in more. However, the use of high-key lighting means shadows come out much stronger.
Shadows and mirrors- Some people are afraid of shadows, because they can trick us quite easily, or just simply scare us. The use of Black and white accentuates shadows making a scene eerie and dark. Shadows can represent inner darkness, adding tension and creepiness to certain characters. An under-lighting of the face also creates strong shadows of darkness in faces, hiding the emotions of a character, making them look unpleasant and evil- distorted emotions to convey different meanings and suggestions. Or just hiding their actual face, linking into hidden identity. Mirrors can be used cleverly in dark rooms to also represent the reflection of your inner self and soul, being dark and hidden.
Location- Usually in thrillers, locations tend to be very gritty, gloomy and dark. This highlights the thriller genre to the audience again because places that don’t look so pleasant are associated with bad things that happen, thus playing with the audience’s emotions and mood etc. for example, in a made up situation, it’s more like a murder occurred in an abandoned warehouse a place of no life, rather than, let’s say a shopping centre a place where life thrives. On the other hand, this idea can be altered, with the help of low-key lighting and the time of day. By changing things like that in appearance, means it changes how it’s perceived by the audience. For example "Sucker punch" used a mental institute, which is a very gritty and unpleasant location, and makes the audience feel trapped, like the patients.
Flash back and flash forwards are used a lot in thrillers, these create a space and time disorientation and give an insight into a characters past life, allowing the audience to make more opinions on things, leading to predictions etc. They often confuse the audience though. A perfect example would be the entire "Lost" series, yes,the title speaks for itself...
Music and Suspense:
Just like camera movement, music is also a strong influence on the mood of a scene, creating suspense and anticipation in the audience, effectively to 'hook' them, as the music tends to really suggest that something bad is going to down! Like in Christopher Nolan's ''Inception'' the music initially starts quiet, slowly building up, as does the tension, until finally the music hits a point where it blares outs, releasing all the tension into excitement. Though in Alfred Hitchcock's ''Psycho'' (1960), Paralleled sound is used instead, during the shower scene, where Marian Crane (played by Janet Leigh) is murdered with a knife. The sound of high pitched striking violins (or other stringed instruments) are used to match the action of a stabbing knife, which cleverly and effectively shocks the audience more.
Just like camera movement, music is also a strong influence on the mood of a scene, creating suspense and anticipation in the audience, effectively to 'hook' them, as the music tends to really suggest that something bad is going to down! Like in Christopher Nolan's ''Inception'' the music initially starts quiet, slowly building up, as does the tension, until finally the music hits a point where it blares outs, releasing all the tension into excitement. Though in Alfred Hitchcock's ''Psycho'' (1960), Paralleled sound is used instead, during the shower scene, where Marian Crane (played by Janet Leigh) is murdered with a knife. The sound of high pitched striking violins (or other stringed instruments) are used to match the action of a stabbing knife, which cleverly and effectively shocks the audience more.
Editing:During post-production, when the film is edited together, it’s important that it is edited cleverly to help create moods, and that it matches the context it’s in, for example, a chase scene would not have cuts, or one continuous shot, it would be more appropriate if fast cuts from close angles etc, are used, creating an adrenaline-rush-like feeling in the use of cuts. Fast paced scenes tend to be very exciting, stressful and thrilling, which is why they are a generic feature of a thriller. An effect on the viewer could be that it gets their hearts racing, which shows how they're immersed in the film. Montages are also used a lot in thrillers, having the same effects on an audience and getting ideas across, too.
Hidden Identity:These ideas of a hidden identity is a common features of a thriller, it's also closely linked to blurry shots. In the use of camera shots of the waist down of a character are used to help lock away the identity. Or show a different persona in a character as a clever disguise, so they aren't suspected This sense of secrecy creates tension and suspicion in the audience, also leaving them question ''who is it?'' Hidden identities are mainly used in mystery thriller, where the villain isn't revealed until the end, though the audience probably thought it was someone else, cause thrillers often trick the audience into thinking otherwise, shocking the audience.
Blurry shots:
Blurred images is an effect that can be used to keep the identity of a character hidden from the audience. Just like the hidden identity idea, blurry shots is a technique that creates secrecy, unknowing and prompts the audience to keep questioning the narrative. Blurry shots are also used within point of view shots, for instance, if the character was knocked out and just opening their eyes to a confusing blurry vision so they cant see who attacked them. Or if the character is intoxicated and is losing focus of their sight, adding a sense of realism to the shot. Though a connection is established between the audience and a character, through the use of point of view shots, both are left with no significant clues or hints, because what they saw was blurred out.This device intrigues and annoys the audience.
The Narrative:
The narrative tends to be mature, therefore for a maturer audience. This is because of the issues set in thrillers and the gritty realism sometimes evident in thrillers (death, violence, drugs, mental illnesses, etc) The story-line tends to twist and turn a lot with unexpected occurrences, shocking the audience and ultimately keeps them very involved- techniques such as cliff hangers, plot twists and red herrings are used to achieve this. The narrative is carefully planned out for the main protagonist to overcome obstacles the villain has set out, such as in ''Sucker punch'' where the main female character has to scavenge certain, hard to obtain items from the mental institute, in order to escape. Usually a dominant male plays the role of the protagonist, though Sucker punch is a good example to show how over the years, the amount of female protagonists has increased, having a different and unique take on the traditional conventions of thriller, widening the audience. Furthermore, some films withing this genre tend to be open ended so the audience can decide on an ending, for example, in ''shutter island'', its not confirmed whether Teddy Daniels (played by Leonardo DiCaprio) is insane or not.
Blurry shots:
Blurred images is an effect that can be used to keep the identity of a character hidden from the audience. Just like the hidden identity idea, blurry shots is a technique that creates secrecy, unknowing and prompts the audience to keep questioning the narrative. Blurry shots are also used within point of view shots, for instance, if the character was knocked out and just opening their eyes to a confusing blurry vision so they cant see who attacked them. Or if the character is intoxicated and is losing focus of their sight, adding a sense of realism to the shot. Though a connection is established between the audience and a character, through the use of point of view shots, both are left with no significant clues or hints, because what they saw was blurred out.This device intrigues and annoys the audience.
The Narrative:
The narrative tends to be mature, therefore for a maturer audience. This is because of the issues set in thrillers and the gritty realism sometimes evident in thrillers (death, violence, drugs, mental illnesses, etc) The story-line tends to twist and turn a lot with unexpected occurrences, shocking the audience and ultimately keeps them very involved- techniques such as cliff hangers, plot twists and red herrings are used to achieve this. The narrative is carefully planned out for the main protagonist to overcome obstacles the villain has set out, such as in ''Sucker punch'' where the main female character has to scavenge certain, hard to obtain items from the mental institute, in order to escape. Usually a dominant male plays the role of the protagonist, though Sucker punch is a good example to show how over the years, the amount of female protagonists has increased, having a different and unique take on the traditional conventions of thriller, widening the audience. Furthermore, some films withing this genre tend to be open ended so the audience can decide on an ending, for example, in ''shutter island'', its not confirmed whether Teddy Daniels (played by Leonardo DiCaprio) is insane or not.
Death:
Death is a key theme used frequently in the thriller genre. Deaths occur quite often in most narratives because they affect the audience in a different, more personal way compared to other features, for example, if the ''good guy'' was killed, someone who had seemed to develop a relationship with the audience. On the other hand, the audience could be relieved that someone was killed, for example, if it was someone they suspected to be the ''bad guy'', but was actually innocent, means the audience can rule them out, and rethink who the antagonist could be- similar to Cluedo really. Which happens in mystery thrillers, where the narrative can revolve around the death of a character. Its thought that thrillers are like sophisticated horror films, explaining why thrillers are less graphic when it comes to deaths, though everything is implied more strongly- which can be effective in making the audience imagine what happened. Sometimes deaths occur unexpectedly, shocking and surprising the audience more. Deaths are good to use at the beginning of the plot to set a tone, or sense of impending doom.
Death is a key theme used frequently in the thriller genre. Deaths occur quite often in most narratives because they affect the audience in a different, more personal way compared to other features, for example, if the ''good guy'' was killed, someone who had seemed to develop a relationship with the audience. On the other hand, the audience could be relieved that someone was killed, for example, if it was someone they suspected to be the ''bad guy'', but was actually innocent, means the audience can rule them out, and rethink who the antagonist could be- similar to Cluedo really. Which happens in mystery thrillers, where the narrative can revolve around the death of a character. Its thought that thrillers are like sophisticated horror films, explaining why thrillers are less graphic when it comes to deaths, though everything is implied more strongly- which can be effective in making the audience imagine what happened. Sometimes deaths occur unexpectedly, shocking and surprising the audience more. Deaths are good to use at the beginning of the plot to set a tone, or sense of impending doom.
Plot-twists and Cliff-hangers:
A plot twist is the unexpected and dramatic change in direction of a plot, often defying the audiences mutual predictions, based on hints and clues within the narrative. A cliff hanger, is a plot device that involves a main character facing a difficult dilemma, or a shocking revelation. This device is featured more in television series, as a cliff-hanger would be mainly used to ensure that the audience come back to watch more to see how the characters deal with the facing issues, or to see the effects on the plot itself. The phrase 'To be continued' came about in the usage of this plot device. A good and recent example of these techniques, is from "American horror story asylum" season 2, episode 5, where the sane and innocent Lana Winters has been rescued from Briacliff Mental institute, by the seemingly well adjusted psychiatrist, Dr. Thredson. Finally she is safe and free, or is she? It shockingly turned out that Thredson was the infamous serial killer, known as 'Bloody face' and she is trapped in his basement. What happens next?! The next episode will reveal all. I personally loved this cliff hanger/ plot twist! This revelation left the audience really shocked, and intrigued them even more. Some twists are fore-shadowed, though might ruin a plot for someone, as most plots are just just building up to the ultimate twist. Plot twists occur more at the end of a narrative, known as a 'surprise ending' obviously surprising the audience, hence the name.
Red-herrings:
Closely linked in ways to a plot twist, a red herring is where the audience is led into a false sense of belief, only to discover that what they thought was in fact wrong, (like a plot twist). Regarding characters, the false protagonist card is sometimes played. This is where a plot begins with a character perceived to be the protagonist, yet is suddenly 'killed off', revealing the real protagonist. . Red herrings make the plot more memorable because it messes with the audiences preconceptions, also making the audience sympathies with the false protagonist more.
A plot twist is the unexpected and dramatic change in direction of a plot, often defying the audiences mutual predictions, based on hints and clues within the narrative. A cliff hanger, is a plot device that involves a main character facing a difficult dilemma, or a shocking revelation. This device is featured more in television series, as a cliff-hanger would be mainly used to ensure that the audience come back to watch more to see how the characters deal with the facing issues, or to see the effects on the plot itself. The phrase 'To be continued' came about in the usage of this plot device. A good and recent example of these techniques, is from "American horror story asylum" season 2, episode 5, where the sane and innocent Lana Winters has been rescued from Briacliff Mental institute, by the seemingly well adjusted psychiatrist, Dr. Thredson. Finally she is safe and free, or is she? It shockingly turned out that Thredson was the infamous serial killer, known as 'Bloody face' and she is trapped in his basement. What happens next?! The next episode will reveal all. I personally loved this cliff hanger/ plot twist! This revelation left the audience really shocked, and intrigued them even more. Some twists are fore-shadowed, though might ruin a plot for someone, as most plots are just just building up to the ultimate twist. Plot twists occur more at the end of a narrative, known as a 'surprise ending' obviously surprising the audience, hence the name.
Red-herrings:
Closely linked in ways to a plot twist, a red herring is where the audience is led into a false sense of belief, only to discover that what they thought was in fact wrong, (like a plot twist). Regarding characters, the false protagonist card is sometimes played. This is where a plot begins with a character perceived to be the protagonist, yet is suddenly 'killed off', revealing the real protagonist. . Red herrings make the plot more memorable because it messes with the audiences preconceptions, also making the audience sympathies with the false protagonist more.
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