Using and Developing Sound Conventions

The conventional sound of psychological thrillers is very tension-building. This is achieved by using mainly faster paced, higher pitched and louder non-diegetic sound as it builds towards a climax. Secondly, more layers are incorporated towards the end to intensify the mood.

We used this first convention, especially towards the end, with the clock ticking. This is because the clock started quite slow and low pitched at first, however soon got faster and higher-pitched. Also, we used the second convention, as at the start we only have 2 layers of sound, one diegetic, the birds singing, and the other non-diegetic, the choir-like music, however, 1 minute in, we have over four layers of sound, mainly non-diegetic.

This implied our sub-genre because it put the audience on edge and created a chilling, uncomfortable mood.

In the opening sequence of Se7en, directed by David Fincher, the music is extremely tension-building too. This effect was achieved by accelerating the volume and using more layers of sound as it got further into the opening sequence.

The Mind map below shows different real media products who also used tension building music. In the YouTube video below this Slideshare I have created a clip which provides extracts from each of these examples.

Sound continued

However, we also challenged the sound conventions of thriller films as we used a voiceover at the start, when Darcy is walking towards the house and when she first enters. Not many other thriller opening sequences do this as it may be seen as taking away from the tension.

However, we added this in order to add clarity to the plot and make it obvious that Darcy was a cleaner for someone else. Also, because we only used the voiceover at the very beginning, I don’t think it took away from the overall effect, as there was still plenty of time to create suspense.

We created our sound on sound track, which I thought was very effective as it allowed us to use layers of sound, a key convention in psychological thrillers.

Themes, Character, Iconography

Nine-frame grid

Setting/location The main setting conventions I noticed whilst

studying psychological thriller openings were derelict buildings and dark, isolated environments.

However, we challenged this convention by basing our opening around a very normal and pleasant-looking house. We did this so that the audience did not expect such a turn of events when Darcy snaps after reading the letter.

This setting indicates towards our sub-genre, due to a house having connotations of personal security. Therefore, through Darcy disrespecting the family house in such an aggressive and extreme way, it shocks and disturbs the audience.

However, this setting of pleasant-looking house is also used in the psychological thriller, “Hand that Rocks the Cradle” directed by Curtis Hanson and “Sleeping with the Enemy”, directed by Joseph Ruben. This is a very effective setting as the film more relatable and realistic for the viewers

This setting for our opening sequence.

The setting for “Hand that Rocks the Cradle”.

The setting for “Sleeping with the Enemy”.

How characters are introduced Whilst researching psychological thriller conventions of

the introduction of characters mainly varies between two methods. This is either that the character is presented as a psychopath immediately, or their psychopath identity is kept a mystery until later on.

We used the convention of exposing Darcy’s psychopathic stat later on, because we felt it shocked and intrigued the audience more.

This convention of shock and use of a psychotic character, implies the sub-genre due to this being a recurring theme in other media products.

This chosen convention of hidden identity indicates many psychological thrillers that could have influenced us. This includes the “A Perfect Getaway” directed by David Twohy as the characters seem really friendly and typical tourists, until later on when their psychopathic ways are revealed, keeping a theme of disguise and mystery. This is also the case in “Misery” directed by Ron Reiner, where the character of Annie Wilkes is first introduced as a caring and nurturing women, however her darker side is soon exposed.

This is the first time the viewer sees Darcy. I am smiling and look friendly, echoing the convention we were aiming for.

This is the psychotic couple from the film “A Perfect Get Away”

This is Annie Wilkes from the film “Misery”

Costume

The main costume conventions that I noticed in psychological thrillers are the use of very normal, typical clothing. This almost creates a sense of realism and naturalism, making it more thrilling for the viewer. However, the costumes are usually quite dark too to echo the dark place the psychopaths are in.

Although we used the first convention we challengedthe second, as I wore a very bright red top. We did this to reflect on how dangerous the character of Darcy is. I also, wore an apron to reflect on my profession as a cleaner.

This use of normal clothing in a way reflects our sub-genre as it triggers theme of identity and mystery.

This costume convention is used in many psychological thrillers such as the films “Inception” and “Memento”, both directed by Christopher Nolan.

This is my normal costume as Darcy. My red top symbolises danger and foreshadows the death of characters.

These are the characters and their costumes in the film, “Inception”

This is a character and his costume for the film, “Memento”

The title of the film The main title conventions of psychological thriller are that the font

is quite clear and sharp, maybe to reflect on obsessive behavior. Also, they are usually written using the colours white, black or red to reflect on life and death. Also, the main title is usually positioned somewhere in the middle of the sequence. In this way the title isn't exposed straight away, nor given at the end and creating a trailer-like quality. The name itself is conventionally one word to be intense and memorable.

However, we challenged this font convention, as our title is very rough and messy. We chose this specific font called “Ball Tongue" on a website called “Dafont”. We chose it because we thought the shadow of every letter behind it, reflected the two contrasting personalities of Darcy. However, we did use the colour convention of red and white to echo the themes life and death. Also, we positioned it near the middle too and made it a one-word title.

The use of this font implies our sub-genre because it looks quite aggressive and violent, a bit like the psychotic behavior of Darcy. Also, the colours indicates towards the sub-genre as they are very serious and sinister and as for the name, “Silence” is very unnatural and disturbing, like the film plot.

This messy-looking main title font is also used in the opening sequence of the film “Se7en”. Directed by David Fincher. However, the common psychological thriller convention of a tidy font for the main title is used in opening sequences of films such as “The Silence of the Lambs”, directed by Jonathan Demme and “The Sixth Sense” directed by M. Night Shyamalan.

This is the main title in our opening sequence of “Silence”.

Special effects The special effects conventions in psychological thrillers

mainly create dark, sharp lighting, to make the atmosphere more intense. Also, special effects are used to tint the image red, reflecting on the theme of danger and death.

We used this first convention in all of the scenes afterDarcy had found the criticizing note, to reflect on how her mood had changed for content to livid. We achieved this sharp effect by selecting the option, “hard lighting” and the darker lighting effect by lowering the exposure levels.

This special effect suggests our sub-genre because the sharpness and darkness of the image indicates that the film will be intense and chilling, much like physiological thrillers.

This use of special effects suggests other psychological thrillers that could have influenced us. For example, “Shutter Island” directed by Martin Scorsese, where a dark, sharp images are used throughout to suggest the mysterious and eerie atmosphere of the island.

We used the special effects of “hard lighting”

This is the psychotic couple from the film “A Perfect Get Away”

Genre and how the opening suggests it

In order to imply the genre of the film in the opening sequences, psychological thrillers usually use iconography. This is the use of images or symbols often associated with something specific, for example, I gun represents violence.

We used this convention after Darcy had found the criticizing note as Darcy used scissors to stab a teddy bear.

The iconography of the scissors connotes the themes of assault and attack, therefore implying the sub-genre of a psychological thriller. Also, a sense of enigma is captured as it is unknown as to why Darcy is using the scissors in such an aggressive way.

This use of iconography and enigma is also used in the opening sequence of, “Se7en”, directed by David Fincher, as the psychopathic character is using a sharp blade to harm himself. This also captures the theme of violence and attack.

We used the iconography of scissors

The iconography of scissors is also used in “Se7en”

Camerawork and editing The conventional editing technique of a

psychological thrillers is montage editing to create a sense of confusion and excitement. Also, I noticed that many psychological thrillers use cross fade transitions.

We challenged the first convention as we used continuity editing throughout. However, I think this is more effective for our specific story as if we used montage editing, I think it would be quite confusing to comprehend. On the other hand, we used cross fade transitions in many areas of our opening to create meaning by how the two shots were positioned on one another.

I think this transition implies our sub-genre because a creepiness is captured due to the relaxed feel the cross-fade creates contrasting with the low-key lighting and scary iconography.

The cross-fade transition is used in many psychological thriller openings. For example, “Mama”, directed by Andres Muschietti, and, “Shutter Island”, directed by Martin Scorsese.Both of these opening sequences also use montage editing.

This is a cross-fade that we used in “Silence”

“Mama” (top) and “Shutter Island” (bottom) also use cross-fade transitions

Title font and style The conventional title font of psychological

thrillers is either very neat and crisp, connoting obsessive behavior, or very rough and rigid, connoting unsettled and aggressive behavior.

We used the first convention by making every title other than the main one very neat and tidy. We thought the font and style we chose complemented the main title font well. Also, we put the credits in a similar order to opening sequence of “Arlington Road”, directed by Mark Pellington, to make the order conventional.

This title font and style throughout, implied our sub-genre because it reflected on Darcy’s desire for perfection and obsessive attitudes, which are all to do with the psychological state.

This neat font for the cast and crew is also used in the psychological thrillers, “Drag me to Hell”, directed by Sam Raimi, and “Mama”, directed by Andres Muschietti.

This is the title font and style we used throughout

This is title font and style used in “Mama”

This is the title font and style used in “Drag me to Hell”

Story and how the opening sets it up

The conventional way that a psychological thriller opening sequence sets up the story is by using photos or drawings of main characters from later on in the film.

We used this convention at the very end of the opening sequence. We did this by using a panning shot of photos of the children, that are victims of Darcy, with their eyes scribbled out, foreshadowing that she is going to murder them.

This shot implies our sub-genre as it indicates towards her hatred of the family and psychotic bursts of aggression.

This idea of scribbling out the eyes of people in the photo, is used in the psychological thriller, “Se7en”, directed by David Fincher and “Orphan”, directed by Jaume Collet-Serra.

The photo abuse used in our opening sequence “Silence”

The photo abuse used in “Orphan”

The photo abuse used in “Se7en”