Thriller Conventions

Mise En Scene

The lighting is always either low key or pale or drained of colour, to evoke fear of the unknown and connote bleakness and possibly helplessness. The costume is usually casual or normal, unless it's required to fit the setting, although even then it's never too extreme or "out there". The casual costume gives the feeling that this situation could happen to anyone, to unsettle the viewer. Openings consistently use quick cuts, with long cuts accompanying story, or down times between tense moments.

When the scene is tense or panicky, there are lots of close ups to show closeness to the character. Calm moments are put with long shots to show isolation of the character, and that they're alone in this situation. When the scene is tense, it uses handheld camera to shake the scene and add distortion and confuse the viewer. Whenever the POV shot is used, it's done so to either be more more personal with the character, or hide the antagonist or whoever's chasing the protagonist. It also makes use of high angle shots to make the character in the situation look weak.

Camerawork

Soundtrack

The score is always in the minor key to fit the evil tone of the scene, and is synchronous to fit the situation that the characters are in. Thrillers make use of musical attacks either as a climax, or to create a silence that adds tension in the way of fear of a loud sound or jumpscare happening. As the scene or chase progresses, the music experiences a crescendo to build tension, with the scene ending in a musical attack (climax). Diegetic sound often takes priority over score, however, to add realism, which ties in to the same effect the costume tries to create, which is to make it seem realistic and enitrely possible.

Editing

Long cuts are used in editing when dialogue is happening so the audience can keep up with the plot, On the other hand, quick cuts are used to create a sense of panic and confusion to disorient the audience. No special effects are used in thrillers to keep the scenario close to reality, and makes it seem more likely and make it all the more terrifying. Cuts are used rather than fades, swipes or dissolves because cuts are sudden, and the action usually takes place in one place in the opening scene, and swipes and fades usually connote a change in setting or time.

Other

The graphics in most of the openings I've analyes are usually a plain font, which keeps with one colour. Some of the fonts distort and move more, such as in Se7en. As for the order of the credits, the production company is often shown first, followed by the producer(s) or the director. The age rating is mostly a 15 (based on the BBFC), some extend to 18s, however very few go any lower than 15, with only 2 of the 11 openings I've analysed belonging to a 12 film.