The conventions of the thriller genre generally are sound and editing based. For example quick cuts and camera angle changes, music that gives tension and is contrapuntal when appropriate are typically used within the thriller genre. Lighting also plays a key part in creating ambience, especially via the use of shadow and mirrors. Mise-en-scene is used to often show parsonal, and global quests, as well as intraptment. Intraptment is a convention of thriller film; it is often shown by phisical lines surrounding, or obscuring the character, such as stairs, barriers, banisters and nateral fetures such as trees.
Phonebooth (Directed by Joel Schumacher. Starring Colin Farrell, Kiefer Sutherland, Forest Whitaker)in particular is a thriller that does not play to the all conventions of thriller fims, as it avoids darkness and shadow, and most lighting sugnifficance. On the other hand it links to the conventions of thriller films by being described by the killer and his point of view. We are put in a passive role, as we feel sorry for the vunerable protagonist. Different time codes are also used, which is another convention of thriller fims, as well as audience possitioning is passive confusion. Flashbacks and quick passed editing are rife. Overall Phonebooth predominantly subverts mico conventions of thriller films. It could be described as a phychological thriller, yet it even doesnt typically fit into this sub genre, as it is told from the killers point of view.
Great, now have a look at a couple of other film openings and talk about the codes/convention they also show and how you could use similar one in your opening sequence. Don't forget that you need to have posts covering thriller directors, Shutter Island, film treatments, target audience surveys etc.
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