Generic conventions of a thriller film

There are many features that characterise the thriller genre.
Here is a list with an explanation of various thriller conventions within a thriller mise-en-scene:


Lighting:
 Noir lighting is the most commonly used style within classic and some times presents thrillers. This type of lighting usually portrays a chiaroscuro effect by using non-ambient light sources. For example, " A clockwork Orange", although more of a crime/drama movies uses noir lighting with a furious twist. This type of lighting is effective as it adds suspense and portrays characters as more of a dark threat, thus keeping audiences engaged and more captivated.

Camera Angles: 
 Long shots establish the environment the scene takes place in. Sometimes the director wants the audience to know, sometimes he doesn't. If he doesn't, the director will use more close-ups so the audience concentrates and possibly even identifies and empathise with one certain character. For example,  in 'Coronation street Tina is pushed of a balcony', the director has used so many different camera angle shots to portay the tension between these two characters.

Characters: 
Thrillers mostly focuses on illegal, dangerous characters. Usually involving characters that are part of a gang, spies, detectives or any kind of murders. Sometimes, important key characters are complete enigmas, about whom the  audience  doesn't find out much about information on them. some of these enigmas get cleared up at the end of the film, but sometimes the character stays mysterious and one never finds out their actual identity.


Location:
Generic thriller locations are usually enclosed areas which adds a sense of claustrophobia with no escape, no way out for the character in panic situations. Car parks are also very commonly used in thrillers. Other locations used in thriller films are plain. Enclosed locations generates more suspense and tension because the use of them infers that there is no escape for the character and we can only anticipate that something bad is going to happen.

Costumes, Hair and Make-up:

• Costumes, hair and make-up acts as an instant indicator to us of a characters personality, status ans job.
• Tells us immediately whether the film is set in the present, and what society or culture and etc.
• Certain costumes can signify certain individuals.