Characteristics of a thriller - Camera shots and Lighting.

Within a thriller the camera shots are carefully selected to add to suspense and mystery. Often the opening shot for a thriller camera angles are used to make the image obscured or parts of the frame hidden. One shot often used is the birds eye view shot, meaning you're looking from above, this stops the audience from being able to identify certain object and people, keeping them alert and interested. Another shot used to create suspense and keep the audience tense is an extreme close up, this is often done to a face or object such as a knife. Then other basic angles are used throughout the film such as, mid shots, and two shots. However another shot used frequently is a behind the shoulder shot, which often shows the murder sneaking up behind the victim.

The lighting for a thriller used also is used to bring out mystery, suspense, and tension. The lighting often used involves low-key lighting, bringing about darkness, which increases the mystery to the film. However not all thrillers involve low-key lighting and darkness, but normal lighting, such as Bourne ultimatum. Often colours used are, black, grey, red, white, and blue.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmoUKWPIXLI