Research
Genre
- revolves around anticipation and suspense, created to keep the audience alert and on the edge of their seats.
- heavily stimulates the viewer's moods, giving them a high level of anticipation, ultra-heightened expectation, uncertainty, surprise, anxiety and horror.
- adrenaline filled and fast paced
- villain driven plot - obstacles "hero" must overcome, this is usually a main event which creates tension throughout the film, ending with a stressful climax
Codes & Conventions
- mirrors - represent darkness within characters
- shadows
- low key lighting
- flashbacks - can give audience an insight into characters' pasts, creates mystery?
- disorientation of time and space
- use of photographs
- alleyways
Technical Construction
Camera
- close-up's - shows character's emotions
- over shoulder shots - feels like character is being followed, feel the need for the character to turn around and so involves them
- handheld shot - audience connects with character and feels as in they are "in their shoes", makes it feel as though they are in the film themselves
- high angles - make someone appear vulnerable and weak, especially when used in conjunction to a low angle
- point of view shot - see what character sees, creating empathy/connection
Editing
- quick cuts - accentuate the feeling of suspense and tension
- obtrusive editing
- montage editing as this uses close-ups, relatively frequent cuts, dissolves,
- black and white e.g. "Psycho" by Alfred Hitchcock
Narrative
Character
- protagonist - commonly ordinary citizens accustomed to danger. Traditionally men, but women protagonists are becoming increasingly more common.
- antagonist - opposes the protagonist, the "bad guy"
