CONVENTIONS OF A THRILLER

    Psycho: Shower scene  (Hitchcock,1960)                        

The infamous shower scene has been called one of the finest cinematic moments in American film making. The scene from the 1960 thriller film "Psycho" forever changed Hollywood film making. 

The thriller conventions become very   obvious through the sound, music, camera angles and use of lighting. 

The lack of any sort of music in the first         few shots leaves just the raw tension of    what we know is coming, no other apprehension is present. As the camera pans and zooms to the left to highlight the killers silhouette the diegetic sound of the shower reduces in volume, this creates almost a split second of silence until the killer pulls the curtain back with a sharp grasp, the sudden noise of this action effectively has the potential to make us jump. This is where the iconic screeching sound effect begins as the protagonist is being repeatedly stabbed. This in turn creates an element of tension and intensity within an audience.

        The Sixth Sense: Murder Scene     (Shyamalan, 1999)

 The opening scene of The Sixth Sense is a prime example of a beginning of a thriller film as it cultivates so much tension and leads an audience to raise questions as to what is happening. 

The scene begins with a close-up at eye-level on the protagonist's face as he approaches and this is effective as it shows his anxious and cautious expression- intensifying our own apprehension. A non-diegetic sound of chromatic and uncomfortable-sounding music predominantly made up of orchestral strings and horns is used- it gets gradually louder as Malcolm nears the doorway and this increases the tension continually. Slow camera movements are often used to create tension which is seen when the  camera very slowly zooms in toward the bathroom, and then gradually pans the bathroom floor to show the clothes lying there. This raises further questions as to who is in the main character's house. Prior to the murder there is  a constant low tone music can be heard with a few high-pitched minor piano notes creating unease at the situation.

Taken: Kidnapping scene (Morel, 2008)

A tension building sound effect begins to         play at the start of the kidnapping scene.   The following shot is shows the audience a close up of the daughter hiding under a bed and he supporting dialogue tell us that these intruders intend to kidnap her and her friend. This creates theenigma code: what do these kidnappers   want with the girls? Why have they targeted them specifically? The lighting remains dark in both the bedroom shot and the shot of the main cgaracter giving directions over the phone. This creates unease as the audience are not able to see     what surrounds the girl.

The music increases in volume, building the suspense until Kim is dragged screaming from under the bed where she was hiding.