Thriller Cinematography

Thriller films use a large array of different camera shots and angles in there filming processing to help build the mystery and overall tension in the film. Cinematography also helps to evoke emotion and feelings within an audience to help align them with different characters and make them dislike others. Cinematography is also used to establish locations and plot points within the film.

The thriller genre generally focuses the characters emotions and body language and this is enhanced through the camera work. These shots are an important factor in tension building and as the genre states at times to 'thrill' the audience.

Close ups are one of the most used shots in thrillers as it helps to establish not just characters but props and setting as well. Close ups are also great in creating atmosphere and tension in thrillers as it limits the audiences view to something close up so evokes anticipation within the audience.  Due to this thrillers tend to not use long shots as it pushes away from the tension that has been build as it allows the audience to see a clearer and wider view of the shot. However long shots are used in Thrillers to establish new locations and may be accompanied by text saying where and what time the location is. Medium shots are used as well in thriller to show conversation between two characters.

Angles in thrillers have a pivotal role in the thriller genre as the different types of angles used can help the audience to identify the antagonist from the protagonist. With shots that are filmed from a lower angle suggesting the character is dominant and has control over the scene compared to characters shot at a high angle, making them seem vulnerable or weak and may be used for victims of a crime whereas a low angle may show a criminal. The final angle is eye level which portrays emotions as it allows the audience to clearly see the characters. The eye level angle is the one most frequently used in thrillers  as it can be shot to show multiple feelings such as tension or anticipation. Cantered angles are rarely used in thrillers and when they are used, they are supposed to express a sense of urgency or disorientation.

The movement of shots is also a large role in thrillers in building tension and many other emotions and feelings. Fast paced movements may suggest the characters are being chased or even may be used to emphasise the death of a character to show there struggle. Whereas a slower camera movements may show the character sneaking or that they are being followed. Two type of camera movement is Panning and zooms. Panning and zooms are typically used to show an increase in tension or fear within a character and may be used at different speeds to create suspense. Zooms are also used to focus on a specific object that the character may of seen or to show the audience something that the character has missed.



Focus is another component in cinematography for thrillers. Deep and shallow focuses can be used to draw attention to certain characters or objects. A pull focus also has the same use as well. Shallow focus refers to when the camera blurs the background of a shot and the focus is in the front whereas a deep focus is where the focus is behind and is blurred in front.