The Codes of a Thriller

Camera

• CU - This shot focuses on someones face or a detail in the mise-en-scene which suggests significance in a person/object. Very little background is shown
• ECU - Very specific showing something such as eyes or hair. There is no background in these shots which makes it more dramatic.
• MS - Most commonly featured in a dialogue scene where half of a characters body is visible.
• LS - This shot captures all of a characters body . Quite a lot of background is seen.
• ELS - Shots from a long distance which indentifies the settin in the scene coming. Usually are shots oustide e.g a beach

CU and MS are the most used camera types in thrillers because they offer better detail which creates tension.

Camera Angles

• Low Angle - camera positioned low, which increases the size of the character/object as it takes up the screen, conoting dominance.
• High Angle - camera positioned high up, so it is lookin down on a character/object making it seem smaller/weak.
• Eye Level - camera positioned at the same eye level as its viewers.

Protagonist's are more often than not positioned using a low angle, making them seem strong and powerful.

Camera Movement

• Panning - when the camera follows a moving object. This can be done slowly the create a mysterious atmosphere or quickly for an anxious outlook.
• Surveying Pan - when the camera shows the audience the setting/scene.
• Tracking - moving the camera towards or away from the place of investigation. Moving forwards usaully creates anticipation whilst moving away results in an emotional moment in the film.
• Tilt - vertically moving the camera up or down.
• Crab - moving the camera either left of right.
• Hand held camera - produces an unsteady, messy image which shows a sense of chaos.
• Zoom - magnifying the camera to focus on something originally unlcear which can shock the audience.

Editing

• Cut - sudden change of shot from one viewpoint. These occur frequently normally every 7 to 8 seconds.
• Jump Cut - Sharply switches from one scene to another which normally ends or begins action in a thriller.
• Matched Cut - change in shot where the shot is similar to the last which makes the change smooth.
• Cutting rate - when cuts are made frequently to interupt action or shock the onlooker.
• Cross Cut - switches from one action scene to another.
• Cutaway - intercutting shot between same scene or subject to shorten time.
• Fade and dissolve - a gradual transition between a shot. In a fade, picture appears (comes in) or disapears (goes out).
• Split Screen - the screen splits in two to show the audience two different shots.images at the same time to create pace and excitement.

Cuts and jump cuts are the most common form of editing in thrillers as they increase the tension within the narrative keeping the audience fixed.

Sound

• Diegetic sound - dialogue between characters (on screen) which insreases the the films realism.
• Non diegetic sound - music in the background (off screen) which can be used to either speed up or slow down the pace.
• Direct sound - live sound, fresh, creates an aunthentic atmosphere.
• Studio sound - recorded sound the improve its quality, eliminating unwanted background noise.
• Selective sound - the removal of unwanteds sound and addition of others to make sounds more recognisable.
• Sound Bridge - Ading to continuity through sound, by running sound from one shot through a cut to another to minimise interference.
• Music - helps the establish the films rythm and pace.  This rythms often dictates the editing such as cuts. It also helps set the films mood for the audience e.g upbeat, mysterious, slow

Non diegetic sounds is the most common sound type which creates dramatic effect and educates the reader on the films mood. Sound bridges are also widely used, so action seems present when its not visible so excitement is not lost for the viewers.

Mise-en-scene

• This is all the props/objects visible on screen.
• Props in thriller include: guns, knives, cars, boats etc
• Also includes how the characters are presented e.g red attire presents dangerous, negative character.
• Thrillers are normally set in large cities or places of wealth and beauty.
• Clothing includes colours dependent on film. E.g black suggest a myterious character or red conotes blood and danger.

Mise-en-scene is the most important aspect of a thriller. It shows the meaning of what is on screen, the characters and the films narrative.

Editing

• Mostly dark, dull lighting used before action scenes portraying mystery and anticipation.
• Soft/harsh lighting - manipulate the watchers attitude to the setting of a scene or the characters features.