Research into Conventions- Miss Miller

Conventions in films are elements that are common within different film genres, for example thrillers.  They are patterns that can be seen or used in films from the same category. The exact definition for 'conventions' is: conforming or adhering to accept standards. In thriller films there are many examples of conventions that are included to highlight to the audience the genre of the film, such as weapons, death and blood. These elements all demonstrate conventions of a thriller as they create a tense and uncomfortable atmosphere for the audience to experience. I have chosen to analyse a clip from The Purge: Anarchy as it displays a variety of conventions that can be highlighted to show how the genre of the films is a thriller.

In this sequence, the victims of this particular 'Purge' are female, which is a typical convention of a thriller film as they immediately demonstrate vulnerability. The females' scared facial expressions provide the audience with a clear indication of how frightened they are when they are attempting to hide in a dark cupboard from the masked kidnappers. As it is unknown whether the kidnappers find the girls at this point of the clip, it creates suspense and anxiety as the audience anticipate whether the girls are safe or not. As the kidnappers discover where the girls are hiding and drag them away, it shows the audience how vulnerable they are as they struggle to fight back; a male might find it easier to prevent the kidnap from taking place as they would be stronger. This highlights the danger the girls are in as it demonstrates what the kidnappers are capable of.

Low key lighting is used throughout this sequence which is conventional to the thriller genre as it creates suspense and makes the audience anxious towards what is going to happen. It is displayed in this sequence when the girls are finding somewhere to hide from the antagonists. The only source of light that can be seen is the lamp on the side, infront of the mirror. This light highlights the reflection of the anatgonists as they search the room which builds tension as the audience anticipate whether they will find the girls or not. The low key lighting creates a dull and gloomy atmosphere for the audience to experience which makes them have sympathy for the girls as they want them to be safe.

A reaction shot is used in this sequence as the antagonists find the girls hiding in the closet. This excites the audience as they accept that the girls will no longer be safe and are waiting to see what will happen to them. The reaction shot is conventional to a thriller as it allows the audience to experience shock and surprise whilst watching. This is key in a thriller film because it gives the audience members a scary experience which you would expect to get whilst watching anything from the thriller genre.

The antagonists have a hidden identity, therefore, the audience anticipate when they will be revealed. This creates an intense atmosphere where the audience are unaware of the capabilities of the antagonists which makes them have sympathy and worry for the victims. The hidden identity of the antagonist creates enigma and the audience wonder what will happen to the girls, leaving them questioning what will happen next in the film.

Overall, this post for conventions will allow me to have a better idea of what to include in my thriller sequence and will help me to include conventions of thrillers so the audience experience shock, surprise and suspense whilst watching.