Codes, Conventions and representations of Thrillers

Codes, Conventions and representations of Thrillers

From the opening scene of ‘Silence of the Lambs’(1991) I have concluded that representations of opening scenes from thrillers are generally quite energetic and scary. I think the reason why films do this, is because they are able to draw the audience in and keep them glued to the film. Freaky and mystical messages are generally conveyed and usually it makes the audience think about what will happen in the film, this curiosity will help keep the audience watching.

  Below is the front cover of the thriller 'Silence of the Lambs', as you can see the front cover is quite a freaky image, the use of a light blue coloured face and orangey coloured eyes helps make the film cover look both attractive and scary.

Most thrillers generally have the same themes as other thrillers; these themes are usually things such as, reality, perception, existence, identity, death and also mind. Reality is a good theme to have as it creates a much more surreal experience for the audience, and audience will feel as though they can interact with the film and relate to it. Perception can help twist a story plot and make the film more revealing and interesting, often characters misperceive the world around them. Thrillers usually have existence themes, existence can mean character have an aim or a goal they strive towards. Having an identity theme can create the feeling characters are confused or doubtful of to who they are, and have to try and find out there real identity. Death in thrillers can often scare the audience and make them worry, this feeling would appeal to the audience.

Props such as knives and significant signs such as the KKK’s (Klu Klux Klan) outfit can lead the audience into thinking something bad is about to happen. Props are significant in thrillers as they help set the scene and can help build up the next scene for the audience.

Uses of images such as knives can indicate to the audience that something bad is about to happen.

Non-digetic sounds are sounds that are off the scene, such as sirens in the background that are sometimes not relevant. However thriller films use non-digetic sounds to great use and they can help emphasise a point in a film. For example in a thriller, the siren of a police car immediately indicates that someone may be caught doing something bad and the police are on their way. This also helps set the scene for the audience.

In thrillers, the volume of the sound is incredibly important, the volume can indicate and suggest that something bad is about to happen. If the scene suddenly silences this implies to the audience that something bad is about to happen and it can really play with the audiences mind and make them curious about what will happen in the film next. Loud volume can make an audience jump this could make thrillers more enjoyable to watch.

Editing is generally used in thrillers to make something more authentic and surreal, the use of editing can make the film much more enjoyable for an audience as it would look more real. Editing is also used to put in special-effects this can make the film more exciting.