Research into Thriller Conventions ***

From the research I have conducted, I have been able to identify typical conventions associated with the thriller genre. Each of these conventions are identified with the genre as they effectively construct it overall and therefore have a similar effect of building suspense. Below are the conventions, what affect they have, and an example of this taken from a thriller film.

Codes and Conventions of a Thriller -

• Low key lighting 

Low key lighting is often used in thriller films to create an eerie atmosphere. Typically, this makes the protagonist and the audience more vulnerable to any sudden content as they are unable to see it prior to it happening. Therefore, low key lighting is efficient in building suspense as it suggests something bad is going to happen, but does not reveal what it will be. Furthermore, low key lighting is also used to create shadows, which are often used for the antagonist, to either hide their identity or reflect their dark personality. For example in the opening of the film Saw, low key lighting is used to create an enigma as the audience can hear the characters talking but due to the lighting being low cannot tell where they are or what they are doing. Therefore the identity of the antagonist is hidden thus building suspense as the audience are vulnerable due to lack of knowledge through the use of low key lighting.

• Hidden identity

As mentioned in the previous point, it is conventional of the thriller genre for the identity of the antagonist to remain hidden as this creates an enigma, also conventional of the genre. As the audience are unaware of whom the antagonist is, this builds suspense through their increased vulnerability. For example in the film of Scream, the killer is seen by the audience as wearing a mask throughout the film, hiding his identity and creating an enigma as to who it is. Typically, the identity of the antagonist is hidden by a mask, low ley lighting, or the narrative does not include a visual sighting of them.

• Death

Death is also a conventional element of the thriller genre, however is not dwelled upon like Horrors, as the genre favours a suspenseful and jumpy narrative rather than gory. However, it is included to typically highlight the threat of the antagonist as it is usually committed by them. This therefore can foreshadow any potential deaths later in the narrative which builds suspense for the audience. Deaths are also conventionally planned to convey the intellectual threat of the antagonist thus increasing the vulnerability of the audience and characters as they seem all round threatening. Death is evident in the opening of Saw, a man is seen lying on the ground in a pool of blood; with two other men locked in the same room. This suggests that the film has conformed to convention by having a death planned by the antagonist which creates fear for the other characters in the room. Conclusively, this makes the audience feel on edge as it suggests that the other characters in the room could potentially die also, thus creating suspense.

• Iconography (weapons such as guns, knives, ropes etc)

Iconography typically consists of weapons within the thriller genre. This reinforces the threat of the antagonist as it is usually them who possesses one. Once again, this makes the audience feel on edge as they are aware of the threat the antagonist upholds. Furthermore, weapons imply a violent narrative, which builds suspense as the narrative develops as it climaxes to the crucial violent ‘peak’. For example in the opening of Saw, both victims are tied to poles with chains restricting their escape. This highlights the threat and power of the antagonist as it is the iconography associated with him that has caused harm and vulnerability to the protagonists. There is also a man who is dead, holding a gun which suggests a violent potential narrative leading to death.

• Isolated location

By using an isolated location, this in turn isolates the victims in this location. It stimulates the audience in questioning how they are going to get away as the chance of escaping appears limited due to their isolation, thus creating suspense. Also, due to the lack of civilisation, this emphasises the power of the antagonist as there is lack of external help for the protagonists, thus making the victims increasingly vulnerable. Typical isolated locations include big houses. For example, in the film of Scream, the setting is a big house in an isolated area. The audience commonly associate houses with comfort as this is a familiar location to them all, so by turning what is comfortable to them into something threatening, this makes them feel more on edge as they can relate to it.

• Diegetic and Non diegetic sound

Diegetic and non-diegetic sound is often found in thrillers, with certain sounds appearing in the majority. Diegetic sound is the naturally occurring sound in the narrative i.e. speaking of the door opening. Diegetic sound is vital in the thriller genre as it increases the realism of the narrative so that the audience can connect to it more and therefore engage with it. However because the sound is naturally occurring the audience are able to predict the sound on the most part as they can see the visual that causes the sound. Therefore non diegetic sound is also used so that the audience are unable to predict the sound, thus manipulating their feelings of being on edge. Non diegetic is sound that is added in post-production i.e. soundtrack. Typically, the soundtracks are added to fluctuate in jumpy points of the narrative to increases the suspense that leads up to these points. An example of non-diegetic sound is evident in the opening of Seven. The use of non-diegetic sound makes the audience feel uncomfortable as the high pitched noises almost sound like disfigured screams which fluctuate in the more uncomfortable parts of the opening, thus creating a visual and sound that is found as disturbing for the audience.

• Killer dressed in dark colours and victim dressed in light colours 

Antagonists are conventionally dressed in dark colours so that their costume reflects their personality; dark and evil, so that the audience can recognise their character. Also, by being dark both inside and out, this creates a more eerie character which the audience and protagonist is vulnerable to. For example in the film Scream, the killer is dressed in only black to reflect to the audience his dark personality and evilness as a character. This makes the audience feel more on edge when he is present as his costume suggests evil. Furthermore, the protagonist is usually dressed in light clothes such as white to connote innocence and purity. This creates a visual contrast between the two characters which visually highlights their differences and conflict.  For example in the opening of Scream, the victim is seen in white clothing to represent her innocence to the audience.

• Close ups, hand held camera, point of view

Conventional styles of cinematography can be identified in the thriller genre. This includes a variety of close ups and hand held camera. Close ups are typically used to highlight emotion i.e. the protagonist feeling scared/distressed. The close up of this particular emotion highlights to the audience the impact of the original occurrence that caused the distress, making the audience feel on edge for another similar event. Furthermore, hand held camera is often used so that the narrative appears more ‘shaky’ and ‘unpredictable’ therefore causing the audience to feel disorientated. Another example of hand held camera is in the film Paranormal Activity.  Hand held camera is used to portray to the audience a realistic atmosphere as it is another character holding the camera as if recording the events around him, affecting them more into feeling scared.

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Once identifying the conventions of the thriller genre, I was able to analyse the opening scene from Saw in terms of its success as a thriller opening. I have also analysed the film's  target audience, the expectation of the audience from the narrative, cinematography, narrative, representations and themes, as I must consider these aspects when creating my own thriller opening and therefore this research will help me do so.

Saw

How does the opening sequence help to define the genre?

In the opening scene, generic conventions that are typically seen in thrillers, can also be noted in this opening. As the scene begins low key lighting creates a shadow which is typical of the thriller genre as this hides the identity of characters, creating an enigma as to who they are thus building suspense through the audience’s lack of knowledge. Once the lighting is increased, it appears to the audience that the location is an abandoned bathroom, a conventional location to this genre as it is isolated and unknown. As stated before, an isolated location highlights the vulnerability of the protagonists, as well as the power of the antagonist, due to the lack of civilisation and familiarity. It also contains 2 victims that are chained up so they can't escape creating an enigma as to how they are going to get away, further building suspense. Also, the use of weapons once again highlights the potential threat of the antagonist which increases the vulnerability of the other characters. Further in the scene, there is a dead body lying in blood, holding a gun which is a conventional piece of iconography within thriller genre to suggest a potential narrative including violence. Overall, the opening appears to stimulate a lot of questions within the audience, highlighting its enigmatic affect; why is someone dead? Who killed them? Who chained up the other characters? This is a conventional opening in terms of the thriller genre, as enigmas are often created to engage the audience so that they become involved in the narrative. Also, the lack of knowledge the audience have, builds suspense as they are left on edge, also another conventional effect of thrillers.


Target Audience:

The main target audience this film would be an audience of an older and mature age. As the opening shows and suggests further disturbing scenes, this would be highly inappropriate for those of a younger and sensitive age as they may become psychologically damaged. It is also aimed to those who enjoy crime thrillers, mystery thrillers and psychological thrillers as the opening appeals these 3 sub genres through suggested torture and an enigma created as to why and how the victims are there.

Audience Expectations:

From the high shot angle used to frame the dead body within the scene, the audience can expect more death/violence as this is highlighted. The scene also ends with a close up of the victim chained up and he is also screaming for help, suggesting that torture will occur throughout and the audience can expect this.

 Cinematography: 

When the lights are turned on in the scene, the camera zooms into the victim's face. His facial expressions show him reacting to the light as painful by shutting his eyes and covering his face with his arms. From this, the audience can assume that the victim has been previously tortured and has been in the dark location for a long time due to the reaction he had towards the light. Also, the use of a zoom in emphasizes his pain as he becomes the main focus in the frame. When the victim moves closer into the corner, the camera zooms into the character, giving the effect that the victim is restricted in movement and therefore trapped within the space seen in the frame. This emphasises his character as a victim as it presents his loss of control, power and suggests intimidation.

Narrative: 

From the opening scene, the narrative suggested includes graphic violence and potential death as the audience have already been presented with a dead body surrounded by blood, concluding the death was evidently violent and unnatural. They have also been introduced to 2 victims chained up in an abandoned location which is suggestive of torture as the iconography used are chains and guns and there is also no clear escape. From the suggested torture, the narrative may also consist of a psychological damaged villain, as the substance of the scene is not caused by someone of a mental stability and therefore concludes that the narrative may fall into a psychological thriller genre.

Representation: 

The title 'Saw' may be representative of the narrative of the film. The victims in the scene are shown as being previously tortured from the iconography used such as guns and chains and their sight blurred when the lights were turned on which suggests to the audience they are psychologically/physically damaged from what they have seen or what they 'saw' of their experience. The victims are also dressed in light colours, representing their innocence and purity as characters to the audience. This is conventional in the thriller genre to effectively imply the victim's innocence without dialogue.

Themes: 

Torture is the main suggested theme throughout the opening of the film 'Saw'. This is portrayed to the audience through iconography including chains and guns, as weapons are used within the procedure of torture. The victim's eyesight is also shown as damaged as the frame becomes blurred during the point of view shot from the victim's perspective, which suggests they have been isolated for a long length of time. As the scene ends with one of victim's shouting for help, this portrays a psychological torture as he is unaware of what is going to happen to him and scared because of this. A further extension of this theme is death. In the opening scene, there is a dead body in the middle of the room, implying its importance to the narrative. The other characters in the room are chained with no help, suggesting that this room will also take their lives and therefore creates an enigma; will they get out? What will happen to them? Are they going to die? Thus creating suspense for the audience.


How can you use this film to help you to plan your own thriller film?

I feel this opening is successful due to the affective enigma created which keeps the audience engaged throughout. The audience are constantly given information but no relevant reason as to why it is happening or who may have caused it to. The convention of not knowing who the killer is, is a highly affective enigma as it keeps the audience in suspense. When planning my opening, I will include an enigma so the audience viewing will become interested, involved and engaged. I will achieve this, by also not showing who the antagonist of the narrative is, however suggesting his existence much like Saw through the implication he is there i.e. off screen sound, to show he is in the house. This makes the audience and protagonist vulnerable to his movements, thus building suspense. Also, the opening conforms to the convention of setting the narrative in an abandoned location, which I feel makes the protagonist increasingly vulnerable as it appears to the audience that harm caused is inevitable, thus making them feel on edge. In my own thriller, I plan to use an abandoned location; however I will use a house instead of an abandoned bathroom. I have chosen to use a house in which the protagonist is alone in, as the audience will be able to relate to this, as it is fair to assume most of them have been in a similar position. Again, this is taking something comfortable in the eyes of the audience and making it a threatening situation, making them feel on edge. Although a different location, an empty house will have a similar effect to the abandoned bathroom in Saw, as both protagonists are alone with the antagonist with no clear help available, increasing their vulnerability too. The analysis of this opening scene has also assisted my planning in terms of what I feel would be inappropriate to include in my own opening. The opening scene to Saw, heavily focuses on violence, torture and death in its narrative which makes it slightly uncomfortable for some viewers, limiting its target audience. In my own thriller, the narrative will be focused on the obsession of the protagonist and only slightly suggestive of the implications of this i.e. death, rather than displaying them in the first opening scene. Also, I feel that this builds more suspense as the audience are vulnerable to any sudden movements from the antagonist.