Research: Codes and Conventions of a Thriller/Horror

Horror and thriller films are designed to frighten and panic the audience often invoking our own worst fears.

Usual convention of a thriller/horror film:

- quick cuts and camera angle changes
- music that gives tension
-low shadowy lighting
- often a prominent use of mirrors and staircases
- often shown from 2 points of view
- often isolated urban settings
- threatening weapons for props
- camera shots are usually from a point of view
- use of certain colours to portray certain emotions e.g. red for blood and danger, blue for mystery and death
- credits often over a black screen with non- diagetic music
- panning and tracking shots are often used
- most commonly used shot is close-ups
- non-diagetic music is most commonly used
- killer or monster often pictured in the background of shots
- lead character is often the sole survivor
- often concludes in a terrifying shocking finale
- killer often has a trademark way in which he/she kills