Codes and Conventions

Thriller
Assignment

Fresh Cut Creative is interested in hiring me as a content creator and would like me to produce a
portfolio of evidence that showcases my skillset in video and audio production. As part of my
evidence, they have asked that I create a pitch and plan for a trailer that is based around one of the the
following themes:

-Horror / Thriller

I will Identify and explain the different codes and conventions of the 'Thriller' genre chosen theme
and explore and develop the fundamental media skills needed to produce my trailer.

My Target Audience

12-18-year Olds.
What is a genre ?
A genre is a way of sorting films
into categories and helps the
audience to choose what they are
interested in. Every genre has a
different set of code and
convention.

Some examples of film genres

are
- Action (fast pace)
- Romance (slow pace)
- Comedy (funny)
- Horror (scary)
- Thriller (Suspenseful)
- Western (set in the past)
What is a Subgenre ?
• A Sub genre is a more
in-depth way of
describing a Genre
which was covered in
the previous slide
Crime Thriller
Usually involves a police
officer chasing a
subject, as we follow a
story from a bad guy
perspective.
Psychological Thriller
Focuses on emotions
and the sense of not
being in control. For example,
American Psycho.
Action Thriller
Action thriller usually
focuses on the high-
octane action set
pieces. Less emphasis
on dialogue and
character
Defining Thriller Genre
• Tension is the most common
• Massive long sub-genre list for thriller
• Most of the time there is a chase
between the good and the bad

Technical Codes –
Editing

Quick Cuts

In film that has the genre of Thriller, the main characteristics are plot twists, suspense as well as
Good/Evil and there is always the element of time that you must work with. The first ever thriller
that was made that was little red riding hood (1967)
What is a code and convention ?
Codes and conventions are ways of braking down the way a flim is made so that you can effectively
analyses. There are 4 technical codes to a film these being ... Camera, lighting, microphone, Editing

Conventions are the

Symbolic codes give the generally accepted ways of
audience more doing something. The
information without conventions in film are story
stating the obvious. / plot conventions, form
They can help show how conventions (the way it is
a character is feeling, hw structured) and genre
the plot may twist (I.e., if specific conventions (what
danger is ahead), what you expect to see in a type
time period the film is of film.
set etc.
Technical Codes

Camera Work Editing

Audio Work Lighting Work

Camera Work
Editing Definition of a cut:

A cut is an abrupt film transition from one scene

Types of Cuts to another. though "edit" can imply any number
of transitions or effects.
• Smash Cut- one emotion to
another

T
• Cross Cut - also known as split
screen to show to things going
on at the same time
• Slow Cut - often used in a he Prosses of
romance film to create a sense
making a film is broken
of tranquility
down into lots of
• Quick Cut – to go abruptly from
different sectors these
one brief scene to another.
are.

Development
Pre – Production
Production
Post – Production
Publish
Audio Work
Lighting Work
Click to add text
Jaws

Director: Steven Spielberg

Date
Released: 26th December

Overall, Jaws follows the the typical thriller strory line, a battle 1975

between a villan and a hero, leading up to a big event at the end with
tension and suspension created by the chase.

The music throughout the

Wide shots of the ocean make us feel like it’s a film is often associated with
relaxing place to be but under the water it is the horror and thriller type of
unknown what lies benath often the viwer films as it has become
cannot see whats under the ocean with makes famous. John Williams
them think about what could be under there created tension and dread
and the danger associated with the tempo of the music.
 JAWS
Scene 1: Scene 1

Scene 2: Scene 2

Scene 3: Scene 3

C&C Scene 1 Scene 2 Scene 3

Props Floating Wood in Water
Camera Angles Low angle shot, Dutch
angle, High angle shot, Establishing
Shot, Extreme close up
Lots of water and blood – means
Typical Teenage Clothes, the Boi in the
sea. Blue denim average jeans or a
teenager.
Establishing shot as it at the beginning
of the film, Very low angel shot
(Creating suspense) POV of the Villan
(The Shark)

Music / Sound Suspenseful music in the distance. Old boat moving in the water creaking, Playfull Talking / shouting followed up
by screaming.

Lighting Evening scene, lots of shadows, barely

visible to the human eye,

Narrative / Plot Innocent vulnerable teenagers are on

Colour Red of the meat in the bucket
symbolizes Danger makes you think of
flesh and death. Neutral colors contrast to
the red making it stand out even more.
Framing / Motion The motion of the boat is synced up with
the camra movment whitch makes us feel
disorientated / seasick.
Brodie is throwing the meat into the sea;
a jump scare is created with an over the
shoulder shot which means that the
their own which makes the watcher think
that they are up to no good.
Lots of blue of the sea. Represents the
sense of isolation and loneliness/ abyss
of the ocean
Close up of the girl being dragged
under the sea, contrasting with the
relaxed beach scene
The Zodiac Killer
The Zodiac Killer is based on a real story which gives its unique selling point (USP).
The plot follows the typical thriller genre because it has evil verses good.
Overall, a sub-genre of the zodiac is a mystery, and it could also be a police
procedural as well, as it has a cat and mouse chase between the police and the
criminals.
The killer in the zodiac film wears a black mask, and keeps his identity unknown,
something which is a code and convention of the genre.
 Breakdown of Zodiac Scene
In this scene, the main character is isolated in a basement. The basement is dimly light anf very compact, creating
an isolated and claustrohpobic environment. Not only do we feel trapped and alone, but so does the character.
This is the main reason behind a thriller\horror, to make the audience feel uncomfortable. With the scene being so
clausrophobic, most of the angles and shots are very close to the heroes face as this highlights his scared emotion.
We also feel scared by association. By being so close, we feel even more claustrophobic as we are stuck up close
to his face, unable to navigate the tight environment
 Sceen 1: The Murder Scene
Sceen 2:

C&C Scene 1 Scene 2 Scene 3

Props
Camera Angles
Music / Sound
Lighting
Plot
Colour
Framing