Thriller films broken apart:
Hey everyone! This time, I’m looking at some of the technical conventions that make thrillers so interesting. As I go deeper into research, I’m realizing that every tiny choice, from camera angles to lighting, plays a huge role in building suspense. So, I'm going to break down some of the key techniques used in thrillers and how they’re going to help shape my film!
1. Dutch Angles
Also called the canted angle, this is when the camera is tilted to create a sense of unease and panic. Directors use this to make the audience feel as off balance as the characters. A great example is in films when the camera tilts during moments of paranoia and betrayal. The disoriented feeling adds tension, which is exactly what I want in my film. Since my project focuses on tension and confusion, I could use this technique in a key moment where my protagonist starts losing control or realizes something is wrong.
2. Extreme Close-Ups
This is one of my favorite techniques because it forces the audience to focus on something specific, whether it’s a person’s eyes, an object, or a small detail that hints at something bigger. One of the best uses of this is where extreme close-ups reveal the emotional confusion such as, a state of great disturbance, confusion, or uncertainty of characters while also keeping the audience on edge. I want to use this technique to show my character’s emotions clearer and show paranoia. The extreme close up brings you into their mind, making you question their every move. It’s that feeling of discomfort, like you're too close to the action, that makes the genre work. For a movie that’s all about building tension, using extreme close-ups can make each scene feel more intimate and haunting.
3. Location
Originally, I thought my trip to Vegas would inspire my project, but I quickly realized it wasn’t what I was looking for. The environment there didn’t match the vision I had in mind, and instead of feeling inspired, I felt disconnected. Something about home kept pulling me back, it felt more fitting for the kind of story I wanted to tell. That experience made me rethink how important setting is for creating the right tone, and it helped me narrow my focus to locations that actually enhance my film’s atmosphere rather than just looking cool on camera. Location becomes more than just a setting, it shapes the entire emotional impact of the story. I’ve noticed how a particular place can change the mood of the entire film, even before the plot fully unfolds. For instance, a secluded cabin in the woods can instantly create tension, as the eerie atmosphere leads to the feeling of isolation and suspense. On the other hand, a warm, inviting town can bring feelings of love and nostalgia, making the audience connect emotionally with the characters. It’s all about finding a location that matches the vibe of the story and deepens the connection between the audience and the narrative.
4. Long Tracking Shots
These shots are great for making the audience feel like they’re right there with the character. One of the most known purpose of long tracking shots are following characters through chaotic environments, making everything feel more intense. I want to use this technique to emphasize my character’s isolation, maybe a slow, steady tracking shot of them walking alone and making the audience feel like something (or someone) is lurking just out of sight. Long tracking shots are often used to create a feeling of being watched or followed. This technique works well in thrillers because it gives the illusion that something is happening just outside of view. It can also help to build a slow moving tension, making the audience anticipate what will happen next.
5. Low Key Lighting
This one is a thriller must. Shadows, silhouettes, and dim lighting make scenes feel mysterious and tense. I love how this technique can shift the mood of a scene, and I want to use it to heighten my protagonist’s paranoia. A dimly lit bedroom, a single flickering lamp, and shadows stretching across the walls, all of these are examples that could add to the unease and suspense I want to build. Lighting plays a huge role in thrillers, and low key lighting is one of the most effective ways to create mood and tension. Using shadows, darkness, and contrast can make scenes feel more ominous, making the audience uncertain about what might be hiding in the background. It’s a subtle but powerful way to enhance suspense, and I plan to use this to make my scenes feel more dramatic and intense.
6. Music and Sound
When it comes to thrillers, music and sound are everything. It's not just about throwing in some background noise to fill space, it’s about using sound to mess with your head and make you feel things you didn’t expect. In a thriller, the music and sound work to heighten the tension and make the audience feel every moment of anxiety, fear, and suspense. In thrillers, music tends to be eerie and low-key, slowly building up as the tension rises. The slow, creeping strings or a deep bass can let you know something's off without saying a word. Sometimes, the quietest sounds can freak you out the most, because they leave you waiting for something to happen. Then there’s the sound design, which is just as important. The little things, like the creak of a door, footsteps echoing through an empty hall, or the rustling of leaves outside a window, can turn a normal moment into something unsettling. For my thriller project, I’m realizing just how much these sounds will shape the mood. I want the music to add to the anxiety, so the audience can feel every twist and turn. In a thriller, it’s all about using sound to create that sense of dread and anticipation, to make you feel what’s coming, even before you know it’s coming.
This video really helped me grip the concept of sound in a thriller movie, it gave me the basics and run down on how to master it.
How This Helps My Film
Doing this research is making me realize just how much thought goes into creating suspense. It’s not just about what happens in the story, but how it’s shown. The way I use camera angles, lighting, and focus can completely change the way my audience experiences my film. Since my project blends psychological drama with thriller elements, I want to make sure every scene has that edgy tension. Whether it’s through extreme close-ups showing my character’s emotions or a slow tracking shot making the audience feel like they’re right there with them, I want to use everything I’ve learned to make my film as engaging as possible. I still have more research to do, but I’m excited to start incorporating these ideas into my storyboard. Can’t wait to share more soon!
Sources:
- slideshow/camera-shots-and-angles-for-a-horror-and-thriller-film
- https://glidegear.net/blogs/news/why-close-up-shots-are-so-powerful-in-movies
- https://creatorlens.beazy.co/p/the-importance-of-location-in-storytelling
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