Planning: Genre conventions to be included and how they meet audience expectation

Overall the conventions of a psychological thriller contain:

1. A non linear narrative
2. Flashback
3. A complex plot

Our audience research also found that they are interested in watching psychological thrillers in deserted mansions, like the one below:

Further conventions of the psychological thriller genre are associated with the editing of video and sound. The diagetic and non diagetic music is normally used to create tension for viewers. The use of mirrors can also be used and extreme close ups.

Further Conventions Include:

• Thrillers introduce enigma—there are mysteries of the plot
• Common elements in psychological thrillers are mind games, psychological themes, stalking, horror-of-personality.
• Protagonist has weakness
• Protagonist defeats antagonist
• Escaped cons
• Twisted relationships
• Suspense, tension and excitement are the main elements. Thrillers heavily impact the viewer’s mood into uncertainty, anxiety, suspense, tension and terror. The cover up of important information from the viewer is a frequent convention of thriller films