What Thriller Conventions We Used.

During the planning of our opening sequence we did a lot of research into the stereotypical conventions which were in a thriller this was so we could ensure that we included them so that when the viewer came to watch our opening they were immediately aware that the genre was thriller.

the first convention we included in our opening was 'The protagonist will be seen 'in peril' in one or more scenes before the resolution.' 

We chose this one as it would be easy to show in the opening as we wouldn't have to go into the plot too much and give away the story line or answer any enigmas. We did this by showing Charlie in dark scenes and her looking very uneasy and although none were blatant and simplistic each scene hinted to the audience.

The second one we used was 'The antagonist ensnares the protagonist in an increasingly complex web, until the protagonist feels isolated and helpless.' This convention its self was 'complex' as the antagonist and the protagonist is the same person. In our thriller we have explored the mind of a teenage schizophrenic thus the idea of the 'goodie' and the 'baddy' being the same person. We have introduced the start of this 'snow ball' plot when our main character has a short monologue halfway through the opening sequence.

The third conventions which formed our opening and made it the thriller which we wanted it to be so much was 'Micro elements combine in a build up of suspense.' I felt this was the most important to capture in our opening. This was because if the micro elements were all out off sink with each other the clip would look random and completely novice. 

To ensure this did not happen when it came to editing I ensured that I used specific methods and grouped specific clips together to build the tension and create those all important enigmas which essentially make a thriller adequate, good or amazing! For example when it came to the dramatic monologue I faded it to black to leave the audience to think and process what they were hearing, however as well as the monologue being played we also had the unsettling music that ran throughout the whole opening adding to the ambience and tension. 

I hope by having these conventions it will alert the audience immediately that this is a deep complex thriller which they will hopefully want to continue to watch and enjoy.