Genre conventions (thriller)

A thriller is a novel, play, or film with an exciting plot, typically involving crime or espionage.Thrillers create suspense, uncertainty and tension. This will be achieved by using different lighting, sounds and camera angles. The narrative of a thriller, there is usually a crime involving a protagonist and and antagonist. There is a disruption in the equilibrium which then links on to a chain of bad events, building up tension and suspense ready for the climax. There will be a protagonist that seeks to restore the equilibrium whereas the antagonist, in which is very hidden and quiet, seeks to go and seize revenge as a result of a past event. 
A thriller is unrealistic to real life but there is a potential which perhaps one of the reasons people watch them, as they know there is a potential to this happening in present day society and the curiosity to see what happens as a result of this. Thrillers are very complex and try to lead the audience away from what is going to happen to give a sense of shock and fear. This will have an effect on the audience by leaving an enigma, constantly making them question what is going to happen next. This keeps them involved and also ensures their attention is on the film completely. Their concentration will be on the film and they will be thinking how the problems will be resolved, they watch intently to find out what does happen. Often, the audience will try and put themselves into the characters shoes to think more clearly. Its the sense of how this could happen to them gives them the adrenaline rush. There is usually an action scene in the film, giving a sense of horror, but the film will build up to this climax. The horror aspect of a thriller is due to the tension that build throughout the film to then finish with a shock. 
Conventions:


Low level lighting

Quick cuts or cross cutting

Tension music

Changes in angles of the shots, sometimes to create shadows.

Diegetic sound of breathing

Montage or flashback shots

Maybe in black and white shots

Cross cutting is used to build up the suspense, the thrillers unique effect. 

Jump shots; these will hide important or significant objects to mask the importance of it to the audience.

Continuity editing is used so the audience can follow the film better, so they understand the narrative.  

Mise en scene:

Editing:

Mise en scene is extremely important in thrillers. The music is in the background to often determine the mood or emotion. The lighting is often very dark and mysterious set in dull/dark environment. The environment in a thriller can/should immediately allow the audience to establish the theme. The costume for a antagonist will be dark and dull clothing which connote no emotion and mystery whereas the protagonist and other characters will be in ordinary clothing. The makeup will further emphasize the role of the character, so an antagonist may have an unusual or creepy hairstyle. 
Music:
The music is used to highlight the characters emotion and perhaps to imply a specific scene is important, to grab the audiences attention. The music may increase in speed or slow down to create tension or fear and mystery. 
Cinematography:
It will consist of many close up shots to highlight the characters importance but it will also be to emphasize a characters emotion/reaction. The shot of the antagonist will often be obstructing to keep the idea of hidden identity (dirty shot), this provokes the audience to want to know more about the character.