General Research

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"