Codes & Conventions of a Thriller Film.

Codes and conventions are used within films, amongst other media texts, to show ideas, feelings, or genres. To help define what codes are, we divide them into two categories, symbolic and technical. Symbolic codes portray items or feelings that are not visible to the eye but underneath the surface, for example, if a character in a film is sitting with their head in their hands, this action would depict despair or disbelief. Moreover, technical codes are obviously more technical and are how equipment is used to portray moods, or a story or feelings once again. For example a low camera shot looking up on a character would suggest that this character is strong, noble and has a powerful role within the scene or film, just like this shot of Mills from the film Se7en. Also in a 'chick flick' film it is conventional for the lighting to be bright without shadows which would create a sinister effect which is normally the exact opposite feeling that we would want to create with a 'chick flick'.
The conventions are things that generally used, as a rule, to portray a genre. Conventions include, props, for example a gun for a policeman, costume and setting which could be empty streets in a thriller because they suggest danger.

Codes.

Camera range: Is the range long, mid or close etc?
Camera angle: Is the angle high, low or at eye level?
Composition: How is the shot set up? Are the characters placed at the side of the shot or in the middle and is it tilted?
180° Shot: Has the director used reverse angle shots perhaps in a conversation?
POV: Do we get to see things from the point of view of the character?
Panning: (Panorama) Is this used to establish a setting?
Editing and Transitions: How are the shots edited together? Do they fade into one another softly or is it quick cut to create a fast pace?
Music: Is there music to add to the characterisation of the film? Is the diegetic and non-diegetic sounds?
Graphics: What colours are used and what do they suggest? Is the font genre specific?
Lighting: Is the lighting used to create certain moods and suggest the nature of any of the characters? ARe shadows used to do this?
Dialogue: Is the script angled towards the target audience? Is it written to appeal to them?
Mis-en-scene: What can you see in each shot? Is it genre spectific? Where are they placed?
Ideology: What is the ideology of the film? What system or set of beliefs are being proposed?

Conventions.

Props: What objects are used to help define the nature of the character?
Costume: How is costume used effectively?
Setting: Where is the action or scene taking place?
Stock Characters: What are the typical characters of this genre and are they presented?
Stock Events: Are there genre specific events within the film?