Conventions of Thriller: Something to Consider..

For our product to be effective and appeal to thriller audiences, we need to abide by a few conventions to maintain a fludity of genre.

Narrative:
Thrillers usually involve a narrative that is based around a crime. This crime is, in most cases, serious such as murder. The narrative structure can be eliptical and fragmented containing false paths, clues and resolutions. Thrillers commonly introduce enigmas which the audience will expect to be resolved throughout the course of the film. THe plot will usually contain an underlying enigma which is clouded by other issues in the film and is eventually resolved at the end. The protagonist of the film is draw into a web of intrigue by the antagonist, systematically disempowered. The end of the movie usually contains a scene where we are forced to the edges of our seats as we view the protagonist in peril. Thrillers commonly contain extraordinary events occuring in ordinary situations.

Themes:
Thrillers usually contain a number of themes. These themes include mirroring, voyerism and identity. The themes often reflect an aspect of the pro/antagonist's psychological state. A classic example of a couple of these themes is Stanley Kubrick's The Shining, or Se7en starring Morgan Freeman and Brad Pitt.

Micro-Elements:
The mise-en-scene of the film usually echoes the protagonist's plight. Dark and shadowy scenes are used to represent the constricted and shadowed path that the protagonist faces. Sound is usually eerie and digetic to add realistic tension, along with a non-digetic soundtrack that is intense yet sparse to add tension in pivitol and key scenes. Framing is usually restricted to add a sense of claustrophobia and need to escape. Quick cuts are commonly used to add pace and tension.