Media Thriller Conventions

Ft. Editing + Camera Shots/Angles/Movements

Fast editing is used to create interest in the scene and keep the audience hooked in, often by using close cutting editing to quickly jump from scene to scene.

FAST EDITING

Cross CuttingYou can edit back and forth between the character and the subject as many times as you want to build tension. The audience won't get bored. This is the most powerful form of cinema, even more important than acting. To take it even further have the actor walk toward the subject. Switch to a tracking shot to show his changing perspective as he walks. The audience will believe they are sharing something personal with the character. This is what Hitchcock calls "pure cinema."

FLASHBACKS

Flashbacks are often used in an important, or particularly thrilling scene. They allow us to gain an insight on how the character feels about a certain event that is occurring. They create a feeling of space and time disorientation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snKXo2S-lRg

Tracking and Pan shots are used more often than not used in the beginning of thriller films. It does this to keep the interest on a particular individual or group. It may also do this to create excitement and hook the audience in. Tracking shots are used to keep excitement and thrill during scenes that move a lothttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxqHVoZ0fzc

Tracking and Pan shots

In this instance it allows us to see through eyes of the killer which gives us sense of suspense, as you are helpless to what is going to happen. It gives the audience a clear view of Clarisse’s reactions. This helpless feeling that the audience experiences heightens the suspense and creates tension as anything could happen, and it lets you see things that you wouldn’t usually see, like the frightening things around his room.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQZYz7qR0Fo

POV shots

Establishing shot: in terms of camera work the establishing shot is integral: not only

does it give the audience an idea of the setting of the film, but it can be used to

establish the tone of the entire film. For example, if within the establishing shot you

see a skyscraper: you can expect that the film will contain themes and topics relating

to wealth and success, and more likely than not corruption as the power equals

corruption concept seems to be a common message to be had from thriller films. In

short, the establishing shot is a way of easing the audience into the other world.

Establishing shots

A head and shoulders shot often used to show expressions/emotions of a character. Also can be a shot of an object, filmed from close to the object or zoomed in to it, that reveals detail.

Close up

Birds eye view/aerial shots are can be used for a few different reasons. One could be to establish where the character/s are. Another reason could be to show how small the characters are, giving the idea of weakness. This is important in thriller films as it is often used to show when a character is weak or losing. This can be seen in the opening scene from The Shining. The birds eye view is used to show how isolated the characters are, and how small and weak they are in their new world, a theme that is often repeated throughout the film.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-tzC9kTH8s

Birds Eye View/Aerial Shot

By Will, Bianca and Zali

Thanks for listening/watching