AS Evaluation - Question 1 ***

The generic conventions for a thriller film are low key lighting, editing, diegetic sounds and different camera angles. I notice these conventions being used in a number  of different films. For example in Saw 5, low key lighting is used while the man is chained to the table. This creates an contrast to the

background showing that he is the main focus and shows how he is in a vulnerable position as not only is he chained up but the lighting creates shadows around him and across him, making him and the audience unaware if other people are also there. Another convention used in a successful film is non diegetic sound used in Shutter Island. While the man begins to walk down the hall way of where all the prisoners are, his heart beat is emphasised while he is walking as well as low key lighting being used, this creates a sense of urgency and allow the audience to be able to relate as the heartbeat is something both the audience and character would have in common. Also this builds suspense as tension is building up due to the heartbeat and low key lighting, making the audience believe that he is in a vulnerable position.

My group and I followed the generic conventions in my film also as they are what helped the audience recognise that it was a thriller film as the conventions enabled them to understand the film further, allowing them to know what genre the film was. The conventions were followed in a variety of things, but the main convention used was camera angles; 

As the film behinds an establishing shot is used, showing the the audience the house. Which then follows the house from the top to the ground, allowing the audience to understand the setting, seeing that the house was the main focus giving the audience a chance to create their own perspective of whats going to follow. 

The film continues on and an close up shot is used, showing the front door fill the screen. As the camera is at eye level it creates anticipation for the audience as they are unaware of whom is going to leave nor enter the house. The camera being held at eye level held the audience engage further into the film, giving them a clue for what to expect. 

The film continues with a variety of jump cuts being used switching the settings, allowing the audience to see all main focuses throughout the film, causing them to understand it more. As well as this, handheld camera shots are used once inside the house, for example when the little girl is being watched through the cameras POV, this is used to show the urgency and the  vulnerable position she is in. The camera being hand held creates jerky and an unsteady image, showing a sense of chaos and shock.

 Hidden identity is used thoughtout of the film as the audience are unaware of whom is filming the little girl, as they can only interpret that there watching it from the killers POV. The audience will begin to understand that the person there viewing it from is the killer when the narrative continues, as when inside the lights cut out leaving the girl in darkness, which then the girl screams with a jump cut that continues, allowing the audience to believe something has happened to the girl and the killer is leaving. 

Low key lighting is used throughout the scene due to it being night, and only being lit up by street lights. The use of the low key lighting helps introduce the hidden identity aspect and help create tension and suspense further as the audience are unaware of whom or what may come into the scene. As you can see from the photo below, the young girl is only lit up from the street lights.