Thriller Mise-En-Scene research

Mise-En-Scene refers to the arrangement of the scenery, props, etc. on the stage of theatrical productions or on the set of a film (The setting or surroundings of an event.) Thrillers use Mise-En-Scene for many different reasons ranging from, to show themes and iconography or to build suspense and tension within a scene.

Lighting and Colour
Thriller films generally feature a mix of low key lighting and high key lighting as to create a difference between each scene and to help the audience identify when something bad is going to happen. The high key lighting would represent a sense of safety for the character whereas low key lighting may convey a darker tone and may make it seem as if the antagonist is going to appear. Thriller films may also have a black and white filter which contrasts the lights from the dark's and can increase the effectiveness of shadows. Colour is a direct link to emotion within the character and film and lots of greys and blacks would be used in thriller to convey death or impending doom, but may also convey uncertainty. Reds are used a lot as well as a way to represent murder, fear and danger.

Costume and Make-up
Costume and make-up is used to emphasise both the antagonist and protagonist and to make the situations more believable through good use of costume. Ragged clothes may suggest weakness and vulnerability, whereas clean clothes would suggest safety and comfort. A lack of makeup can make the characters seem more natural and more like an everyday person. Fear may be shown through smudged eye make-up as it can suggest the character has been crying to could evoke sympathy from the audience. The character may also have cuts and bruises covered with bandages to show that have been in confrontation with the antagonist.

Setting and Props
Setting in thriller generally tend to be more remote locations or forests such as the ski lodge from The Shining, dark alleys are used frequently as well. All these locations build upon the idea of isolation and tension. Objects or props can help determine narrative and identify the characters motives. There may also be narrative devices in a film such as the film Seven, where the characters wonder what is in the card bored box so creates curiosity and mystery for the audience. Guns are used a lot in thrillers as they show action between the antagonist and protagonist and may be used to show a murder.  The use of space in a thriller can also show many effects with large maze like areas expressing that the character is lost., whereas closed of spaces can portray claustrophobia and entrapment.

Framing

Framing is used in thrillers to show who the antagonist and protagonist are. Generally the protagonist takes up most of the frame and is in centre position to show they are the main focus and that they are the 'good' guys. Whereas the antagonist would have less frame space and be off centre to show that they are 'bad'. Side characters would also take up less of the frame and would also be slightly off centre so the focus still lies on the main protagonist and not them.