2. Conventions of the Genre
There are lots of conventions for the thriller sub-genre. For example:
• Low key lighting scenes and dark colours to connote suspense and mystery.
• Characters are vulnerable.
• Props are used like knifes and guns to represent the tension and creating suspense in the scene.
• Tension, suspense and fear.
• Usually the protagonist is against the Antagonist in tense scenes.
• Usually blood is shown in scenes to represent the gore theme and to represent fear within the
characters and the audience.
• The narrative is usually pinned to the protagonists point of view, that shows the problem that the
protagonist must overcome.
• Clear pursuit of the protagonist and the antagonist which creates tension and suspense.
3. Conventions of the Form
Film trailers are designed to create a snapshot of the films best parts in order to attract an audience.
Usually the films target audience. They do this by not revealing much about the films plot as they want
people to go and see the film. There are also conventions of films trailers and these include:
• Production information with credits so the audience knows which production company made the film
and gives other vital information.
• Captions. Main star names and directors are usually shown in the trailer to make it recognisable. Also
so the audience can recognise who is in the film and link it to others works they did, and lets the
audience know what they are about to see and what they expect from it.
• Variety of shots where different locations are shown and the different characters that will be in the
films. Also there is usually a montage of shots within the trailer to show the audience what they can
expect if they go and see the movie as the characters will be in different situations that will make the
movie more appealing to the target audience.
• The logo at the start of the trailer can give the audience an idea of what they are expecting to see as
the production logo may be used in other trailers of good movies.
• The logo in the film trailer is usually adapted to suit the genre of the film. Conventionally Thriller logos
are usually seen as grey and black representing the mood of the genre, mysterious and spooky.