CODES AND CONVENTIONS OF THE HORROR/THRILLER GENRE

As with all genres of film, the thriller genre contains many codes and conventions that will feature throughout. Thriller movies often revolves around a fast paced plot, with anticipation and suspense featured heavily to keep the audience on the edge of their seat, with tension usually being at the forefront of it all. Many of the conventions overlap with that of the horror genre. 

Lighting

The lighting in a horror/thriller is very important as it creates atmosphere. low-key lighting is usually used due to the different shadows and dim hue are suitable for the dark mood. It sets the tone, mood and is associated with the dangerous mystery often associated with horror thrillers. The lights are often used at eye level or from the floor. 

Editing 

Quick cuts are a technique used in editing when the shots are of a short duration and rapidly move from one to the other. It can be used to give a lot on information quickly or to create a sense of chaos. For example the saw movies use this technique a lot when the characters are stuck in their traps and the technique represents their struggle to escape. Hip hop montage: This technique uses very fast cutting to portray action through a rapid series of simple actions accompanied by sound effects.

Sound
The sound in a thriller is very important feature in order to make the audience feel on the edge of their seat. A common technique is using the music to build tension during scenes of an ominous and suspicious nature. The non digetic music can start of quiet and low pitched and as the tension in the scene builds the background music gets louder and high pitched, it is also very common for the music to increase in pace towards the climax of the scene. Digits sounds such as the creaking of floorboards and opening of a door can also be used in conjunction with silence as it can create a jump scare for the audience and place them in the character(s) on screens shoes.