Conventions of a thriller-miss miller

The clip i choose was from the film Mama, and was the 'whats under the bed scence'. Within this clip she is confronted with her daughter appearing out of nowhere, and something under the bed. I have analysed this clip to find the conventions involved which make this clip a thriller. Conventions are the elements which reflect a specific group or category.

From the start of the clip a element of suspense is raised, as the women is fidgeting in bed and breathing rather heavily, creating a sense of fear or venerability, as she seems to be nervous. However the audience are unaware of what is wrong because she is laying in bed, like a usual person would at night, which also would cause the audience to think for themselves and wonder what will happen next, as this would create anticipation as she seems to be worried even though she is in a normal setting.

This then leads to another convention, sound. While the lady is laying in bed she is breathing heavily which would build suspense, causing the audience to watch carefully as they are unknown what is wrong and what is about to happen. Then suddenly there is a loud noise, which would usually be associated in a thriller film, usually before someone is killed. As this loud noise is unexpected it would cause the audience to feel surprised, as the little girl appears staring at her mother. There then appears to be a crackling noise, along with the mothers heavy breathing which would cause the audience to be unsure of whats going on as this background noise would cause them to wonder as it was not in the clip before.

Editing is another convention used which helps create suspense, shock and surprise. Throughout the clip the camera is angled in one position based on the women in bed, causing the audience to be able to relate as it is a usual setting for most people. Then a montage shot is used when the little girl appears, as the shot of the women in bed and the girl are quickly juxtaposed together creating excitement and surprise. This is to help the audience understand that something further is about to happen- lead on from the shock they have just received. As we see in the film after the girl appears the mutant under the bed is shown.

Lastly zooming in is used, of the women's face when she is screaming. This creates a relationship between the audience and the lady as they are unknown what she is screaming at because the camera is focused on a close up of her face. Causing the audience to believe what she is seeing his in front of her, where the audience would be sitting. This could create fear and allow the audience to connect with the film as they want to see what has frightened her.

Conventions are used in a film to help relate the film to the type of genre it is looking to be. For example a thriller would display conventions being things such as low lighting which would create shadows creating hidden identities and enigma. Dark colours such as reds and orange as the illuminate the sense of danger, as this would create shock, suspense and surprise. The three elements which all thrillers need.