Codes And Conventions Of Thriller/Horror Films And Their Opening Sequences

Some Conventions of thriller films opening sequence/whole films are:

• Mirrors
• Low Key Lighting
• Shadows
• Obtrusive Editing
• Quick Cuts
• Changes In Camera Angles
• Tension Music
• Stairs
• Flashbacks
• Use Of Photographs
• Black And White
• Disorientation Of Time And Space
• Montage Editing

Mirrors
Mirrors are used in thriller films to reflect ones soul and inner self. They also represent the darkness in some characters. I am tempted to put a random crack of mirror of the floor in the forest so a camera angle can reflect from it but it will be tricky to make it seem like the segment of mirror is suppose to be in the location.

Low Key Lighting
This is to give a mystery effect to the audience, like they don't know what is happening in the darkness, and this can also add to the suspense. I intended to use this when the attacker is going over the person's body so you cant see there face, but just the fading out of the light in the background.

Shadows
Shadows are used to represent the inner darkness in people and can also add to tension and eeriness to the audience. When the character is being dragged/crawling away i might use the attackers shadow to increase the unknowing sense of the attackers features in detail but to give little hints like height, posture etc.

Obstructive Editing
This is used to add to the feelings of suspense and tension, this is also used often in particularly thrilling scenes as it can create a feeling of disorientation of time and space. I plan on using this as disorientation is an effect i want to give to my audience.

Quick Cuts
This is also used to create feelings of suspense and tension, and just like Obstructive editing it can create a felling of disorientation of time and space. All though i am not planning on quick shots from a viewers perspective but when i use the point of view shot so the audience get a person perspective they will blink creating these key effects for my production.

Changes In Camera Angles
This can create a feeling of confusion, as the camera angle will change quickly, disorientation your viewing of the film. I want to use different camera angles in my opening sequence to give some confusion, and also to make the video have more interesting shots i.e. high angled and low angled shots.

Tension Music
Obviously this will create tension for the audience and also suspense. I will use this in my opening sequence to build up the suspense to one of the big moments in my opening sequence. I believe this to be key as a good thriller/horror always has tension music in the background. Also as it is the opening sequence the tension music build up the start for the audience to make the audience want to watch more.

Stairs
Very simply stairs are in horror films to show different levels in the films and also can be used to create tension when walking up/down them. There wont be any stair as in my production as i think walking up/down them will slow down the face pace of my planned opening sequence

Flashbacks
Flashbacks can contribute to a sense of time and space disorientation, and this can confuse the audience. This can display what has happened to a characters past and and give the audience an insight into it. (I showed this in my previous post on researching thriller films)

Use Of Photographs
Photographs are used in thriller films and a insight into a characters past, and can reveal more to the audience. It is manly associated with stalkers in thriller films. I am tempted to use cutaway shots to a scene of someones house with pictures of people with there heads cut of.

Black And White
This can make a scene feel quite eerie and give a sense of darkness. This is also like the description of shadows. These are two key colours that i want to get across but more in dark and light type of way.

Disorientation Of Time And Space
This makes the audience feel confused and edgy, which can then make them venerable for a director to create fear. My planned productions is very quick with a lot of jagged shots which can create this effect

Montage Editing
This is when there are a lot of short clips in quick concession. This gives a sense of confusion and also speeds up the tempo, when added with tense music. Although this sounds like something i should do i think it will make it to fast paced and therefore annoy the audience.