Film Symbols

A high gate – this means that someone wants to keep someone out of keep someone in – for example a prison, a Nazi concentration camp etc.

A telephone off the hook – danger, someone has either dropped it in shock, or someone has left it off the hook so no-one interrupts.

The sound of dogs barking – gives uneasiness to the scene, something bad is about to happen or is.

A calm lake – peace quiet serenity romance all are things you would associate with a calm lake, but in a thriller it could mean that this calm will be broken and the audience is left in tension or that they aren’t expecting anything so it is interrupted and comes as a shock

Cars beeping – in the city, something’s happened, or just traffic.

Sirens from emergency vehicles – Accident, emergency, police, ambulance, fire

A hooded figure – death awaits

Running footsteps – being followed, traced - something’s happened, calling for help.

Lightning – power failure, a sound to cover up other sounds (eg The Shawshank redemption – he smashes at the pipe every time he hears the thunder from the lightning

A creaking door – someone’s trying to creep in or out of somewhere.

Tapping on glass – rain, trying to scare someone or attract their attention without attracting the attention of others

Shuffling paper – Getting irritated or in a rush.

A smoking fire – out of control

A sweating man – he could be sweating because he has been exercising, could have been running from someone therefore being the victim or criminal, or running after someone again criminal or good guy.

Heavy Breathing – being watched, followed by someone/something, out of breath from exercise, unfit

A door slamming – Someones angry, trying to keep someone out, panic, confusion

A clock – The clock could represent time going by slowly or quickly, the ticking of the clock could become loud and unbearable

A ring taken off a finger – Someone is breaking up with someone, engagement off

A train speeding through the night – trying to get away

A vulture – we suspect that this is going to attack our protagonist

A glass of wine with lipstick on the rim – A romantic evening or criminal evidence

A bird in flight – has been suddenly shocked into doing so. Calm, happy, freedom.

A bird in a cage – The bird although happy, is restrained.

A candle – A romantic scene. Old days when electricity was not about. Power cuts.

An axe – death (American psycho)

A cross – church, religion, belief, holy ground, safe ground.

A bat – baseball, American sports. Or animal – live in the dark, caves.

A key – breaking off in car, panic, rushing , trying to get away.

Broken glass – Somewhere has been attacked