Continuity Editing

Continuity editing refers to arranging and cutting a sequence of shots to maintain continuous and a clear progression of events. Terms associated with Continuity Editing are-
- Establishing shot
- Shot/reverse shot
- 180 degree rule
- 30 degree rule
- Cross-cutting
- Matched on action
- Eyeline match
- Re-establishing shot

We need to guide the audience through a sequence of events, and in the process show them what they want to see and when they want to see it but only in a matter of 2 Minutes to excite the audience and make them want to watch on. We will do this by including the above terms in a way that will creating an interesting opening to our Thriller.

In the opening two minutes of Taxi Driver (1976) we see an example of a continuity editing technique that is  used the majority of the time. A shot/reverse shot is when one character is looking at the other character and but they are off screen, and then that character is off screen and the other character is seen talking back. Since the characters are shown facing opposite directions, the viewer assumes they are talking to each other.
This stops the viewers feeling confused about the spacial awareness in the scene and makes the clip run smoother and more consistent so you don't realise that the cut has happened. In Taxi Driver this lets us listen to the conversation going on between the two characters, whilst establishing who they are, their personalities and characteristics.

Themes and Symbols used in Thriller films

Generally, thrillers show justice or injustice (or good or evil) fighting against each other, with an overall feel of suspense. The story of a typical thriller film will usually be shown from the protagonist's point of view, following events that the hero must overcome. This point of view allows the audience to become more involved in the events themselves and therefore closer to the characters. However, other points of view are sometimes included in the telling of the plot. Often they will be short clips from the villain's side, allowing the audience to see how the antagonist acts by themselves or how they used to. -For example in a flashback which creates empathy for the villain and possibly allows the audience to understand why they have become the evil party.

Most typically, events covered by the film are important to the films progression and lead directly on from a previous scene. There are usually lots of action scenes between the characters, which keeps the audience guessing what will happen next and how the characters will interact with each other.
During the scenes where the characters are simply talking to each other, the audience generally understands what is happening but never gets the full explanation of the plot or the events taken place, which allows the film to retain its mystery. Usually the motive of the antagonist and their relation to the hero is shown at the end or near the end of the film and the audience is then able to understand why the characters have acted in this way they have. If the motive is left unrevealed, the film will end on a sense of suspension and confusion which keeps the audience wondering what might have happened.

The typical setting in a thriller is in an Urban City. Thrillers can also be set in quiet country areas, where everyone leads poor and simple lives; often the villain will come from a small village. Usually only a range of colours will be used, the main being black or grey if it is set in a city environment, to show how normal and mundane life is. However other strong colours are often used at particular plot points; for example if there is a lot of blue we can assume that someone has or is going to die (but not always) and if there is a recurring theme of red (E.g. alarms) then we figure out the characters are in danger.

The camera shots are usually very steady or move around a lot. If there is a scene with a lot of dialogue, the camera will be still and focus more on the characters than the background. If there is more than one character in the shot, the cameraman will use for example, an over the shoulder shot, using the 180 degree rule to show the characters relate to one another. If the camera is moving around a lot then an action scene is typically taking place; the increased cut rate allows the audience to feel more involved in the action and keep them on the edge of their seat. More camera movements are also used to portray vulnerability or to show that something has gone wrong, which increases the suspense. Usually the lighting is dim and hides parts of either the characters or the environment, which makes the audience wonder whether there is more to the characters than they originally thought. The props used in thrillers are usually either large or easily identifiable. For example, knives or swords.

The main identifying theme of a thriller is often based around something that occupies a lot of what society thinks about and is worried about; these can be anything from kidnapping and isolation to terrorism and its effects. Most often the point of the narrative will be from the hero's perspective and the perpetrators of the crime will be established as the villain.

Character Types extended

The two main characters (antagonist and protagonist) in a thriller are set apart from each other in a particular way the audience views them.

The heroes in thrillers are often men that are accustomed to danger in their jobs or lifestyles (E.g. policemen, spies etc) or are ordinary citizens that have been pulled into danger by accident. The male hero usually has an aim to defeat the evil of the situation and will persevere even if nothing is going according to plan.
The villains in thrillers are also usually male, normally tall, well-built and with a shady sense around them that they shouldn't be trusted. This character may have some physical deformity ( if their secret is hidden throughout the majority of the film) or a traumatic experience that has changed their outlook on life or humanity. Usually they will work alone.
Other supporting characters are most commonly on the protagonist's side and will attempt to help them. Although sometimes these characters will betray the hero and leave to support the villain or another third party. Female roles are often innocent and helpless until their help is needed. However the female role in The Silence of the Lambs shows that the hero can be a woman who is determined, strong-minded and will push anything out of her way to figure something out.


The types of clothing that different characters wear are very typical and generic. In general, most characters will appear smartly dressed or at least well-dressed, however different types of thrillers and setting may cause the dress code to change. Often the villain will wear form-fitting clothing that emphasises their build and therefore power and creates a contrast with the hero of the film.
One prominent feature of the character's dress are the colours used. Colours of the character's clothes will draw parallels to their personality. -Villains appear in dark clothing (usually black). While innocent and young characters wear pastel colours to emphasise certain aspects of themselves. A bright colour like red will usually draw attention to that character and show their differences to the main party. Red is also worn by alluring female characters to show that they are sexy or attractive.

Character Types in Thrillers

For our Thriller we needed to conduct research on the different characteristics and manners of the individuals  that are found in thrillers and how their roles relate to the film.

Characters in thrillers include: 
-convicts 
-criminals 
-stalkers
-assassins 
-down-on-their-luck outcasts 
-innocent victims 
-prison inmates 
-menaced women 
-characters with dark pasts
-psychotic individuals
-terrorists 
-police officers
-escaped convicts
-fugitives 
-private investigator 
-drifters 
-duplicitous individuals
-people involved in twisted relationships
-world-weary men and women  
-psycho-fiends. 

When planning our Thriller we need to take into consideration how to incorporate the commonly used and typical characters in a thriller into our own production. We will search further into the type of characters from this list that we would like to include in our Thriller and do some research into the individual characteristics they have.