Conventions are the typical things which feature in a film to make it belong to a certain genre. Typical conventions of a thriller genre are suspense, enigma, low key lighting etc. The opening scene of a film has to have loads of different conventions to engage the audience and encourage them to continue watching the film. The opening scene of Halloween features a variety of conventions of a thriller film. I am going to discuss how the audience are informed of the thriller genre through the conventions used in the opening sequence of Halloween.
The first notable convention the audience see in this opening scene is low key lighting, this is linked in with the setting as it is night time. The use of low key lighting in this here informs the audience that the film is a thriller as it creates some sort of suspense and builds an erry atmosphere. This erry atmosphere is created because low key lighting disallows the viewers to see what may be lurking in the darkness, thus creating fear among the audience.
Another convention of a thriller film we see in this opening sequence is the use of hidden identity, this is when the young boy puts on the clown mask. Again this convention is used to strike fear among the audience as they know who is behind the mask but the victim is unaware. This convention makes it clear that the film is a thriller as it is a type of enigma, a mystery to the character as to who is behind the mask, and a mystery to the audience as to why the young innocent boy has become so evil.
Iconography is used in this clip to inform the audience that the film is a thriller. As the boy is approaching his sisters room he picks up a knife, this knife is used to connote what is about to occur; a murder, which happens to be a convention of the thriller genre. This use of iconography is also used to build suspense because it makes the young innocent boy become so dangerous and the audience become aware of what he is about to do.
This post demonstrates a basic understanding of the codes and conventions of a thriller film. You have made a start in analysing the opening sequence of Halloween, but further and more detailed examples are needed of the micro elements and how it builds a relationship, with the audience.
ReplyDeleteTo develop this post, you need to-
1) Refer back to your class notes and ensure that you have included points on; cinematography, editing, sound, characters and narrative
2) Related your points back to the codes and conventions of a thriller film
3) Include a summary, to explain how your research will assist you with planning your own thriller sequence