A Thiller movie can include many different sub-genres. They are fast paced and usually take the form of equilibrium to disequilibrim back to restored equilibrium.
Thriller codes and conventions
Canted camera angles - suggests disorientation and provokes confusion.
Low key, high contrast lighting - creates spooky, eerie atmosphere.
Extreme close ups - clearly shows expression on faces e.g. fear, shock.
Jump cuts - increases pace and intensity.
Creepy music - such as cellos or violins, to create suspense and unnerves viewers.
Exaggerated ambient sound - background noise grows louder.
Location - usually deserted or run down to emphazise lonliness of the place.
Non diegetic music - playing in the background to create a sound bridge to create a certain atmosphere.
Why are Opening Sequences so Important?
The opening sequence is important to set a mood or feeling for the rest of the movie. It gives the audience an idea of what the film is going to be about. If the opening sequence is lighthearted and funny, you are most likely going to be watching a comedy. It prepares the audience for what they are about to watch. Apart from the trailer and other adverting elements, this is the first thing seen by the audience when the lights go down.
Narrative of our thriller
Idea One
The tall hooded man walks up the street and heads towards a house on the corner, it cut to women lying in bed then back to the man. The man walks up the drive of the house and reaches under the plant pot to get the key for the house. He slowly unlocks the door and walk into the house dropping the keys on the floor. Looking around for anyone the man starts walking up the stairs and peers into the women’s room. The woman is still fast asleep and not aware of anything going on. The man lifts his arm up with the knife in his hand and then the film cuts to the knife on the floor with a scream.
Idea Two
A young women who lives on her own starts getting ready for bed, as she just finished watching the news, she is very worried about the warnings on the news about killings going on in her area. The women turn all the lights off and make sure the door is locked correctly. Making her way up to bed the women hears a bag in the back garden, but thinking it was just next door she continues to go up stairs. The film cuts to a hooded man standing at a back door.
Final Idea
Cuts to a hooded figure walking quickly up the street and towards the house. Cuts to hand on the gate, heavy breathing is heard at this point. We hear the creaking of the gate and cut to girls face opening her eyes. Cut to shot of hooded figure retrieving a hidden key from a plant pot, as if they knew it was there. We watch them walk through the door and close it quietly after them. Cut to girl walking downstarirs, wandering into the kitchen and start to fill up a glass of water. The lights turn off, silence fills the room until there is a bloodcurdling scream and silence once again. Cut to a still shot of a picture covered wall. Sirens are to be heard in the background as well as muffled police radio. Cue mournful cello music and fade to black.
