10 CONVENTIONS OF HORROR FILMS

CODES= Systems or signs which create meaning. Codes can be divided into two categories both technical and symbolic TECHNICAL CODES= Ways in which equipment is used to portray the media script for example camera work in a film SYMBOLIC CODES= Show what is beneath the surface or in some cases not always obvious to the audience. An example of a symbolic code would be how a characters actions show you how the character is feeling. CONVENTIONS: Generally accepted ways of doing certain things for example using quotes in a print article. However conventions can be genre specific for example comedy films are quite uplifting and involve comedians whereas horror films are set in dark places and the purpose of the conventions are to inflict fear on the audience/viewers 1. Settings: Small communities or isolated places. Urban environments, dark streets and narrow alleyways. Large cities and rundown ghost towns. Mostly where there is isolation or deserted areas Locations: Lakes roads, highways, dark woods and haunted houses Often horror films they use settings that can make the character victim or more vulnerable to the killer/ enemy 2. Sound Diegetic Sound= Always used in the background of scenes usually with pianos and violins to create a tense atmosphere and link to the actions in the film building suspense Synchronous Sound= Where the sound is exaggerated to help scare and make the audience jump as it is very sudden and loud Exaggerated diegetic sound will allow tension to be created in a film. Fast and loud diegetic sound can be used to make the audience jump or feel tension scared. Source is neither visible on the screen nor has been implied to be present in the action. The sound effects are added for the dramatic effect. 3. Props Bibles= Faith is used as it is seen as a form of protection Crucifix= Props such as the crucifix are used as sign of religion and make the audience assume the film will have something to do with evil. Paradoxically a symbol of triumph and salvation but also suffering and defeat which is what we are mainly looking at when symbols such as this are used in horror films. Paintings= Normally pictures are what we take with family so we find comfort and good memories of loved ones when there is a scary image there instead it goes against all the reasons we put family photos or portraits on our walls. Candles= always flicker as a sign/ warning Weapons = a thing designed or used for inflicting bodily harm or physical damage and a means of gaining an advantage or defending oneself in a conflict or contest. 4. Characters Blonde= usually the dumb one who is killed first Athlete= the one everyone relies on the sporty and most fit one because there is an idea that he is the one people look to for guidance The virgin= this character is most likely to survive and is pure so they won’t be affected by evil, or they are seen as the most vulnerable. The Black Guy= the guy that always dies first and usually the first one to leave the scene. In addition the black guy ends up normally being the first one dead. Since he is the first to die he lets the audience know that a killing spree is about to begin. The Non-Believer=usually an atheist. The non-believer is the character that typically has classic lines such as, “There are no such things as demons” The sex appeal= usually played by a good looking woman who is normally the first one to get killed 5. Iconography Paranormal films such as paranormal activity have iconography such as ghostly symbols, dark places, and unusual things happening for example doors slamming and swinging/flickering lights. Other conventions are used to frighten the audience. Other conventions are trying to scare the audience with jump scenes usually having a lot of things popping up as well as loud sounds. Also there is always wind and creepy shadows to build up the tension. Candles which are a key prop usually flicker and this gives the audience the impression that something bad/horrific is going to be happening in the next scene. 6. Camera Work The art of camera work is important element that is essential when making horror films. Through the use of camera work the audience finds it easy to figure out what of kind of film this is. Weird angles and canted cameras are usually used in jump cuts. In addition point of view shots as well as extreme close ups are used which make the audience feel more involved and it helps to build up tension and express fear. 7. Themes  Good vs evil  Revenge  Supernatural  Religion  Living dead  Scientific experiments gone wrong  Insanity  Nightmares  Lust  Death and murder 8. Colours Horror films usually use colours which connote death, danger and darkness and the most stereotypical colours used are red, black and white. Red= Danger, the devil, threats, violence. White= Isolating, empty, detachment, innocence and coldness. Black= Mystery, darkness, power, evil, fear and death. 9. Jijg 10. Gitji What makes a good/convincing student horror trailer 10 different sub-genres of horror with examples Body horror= Where horror is generated from the degeneration or deconstruction of the body for example creating monsters out of human body parts or unnatural movements to create fear ie; teeth, the invasion and cabin fever Action horror= Comines the intrusion of evil, an event or the supernatural. In these film weapons are used for example a gun fight or chases are usually performed ie; dawn of the dead and blade Psychological horror= Relies on characters fears, guilt and belief, emotional instability and at times the supernatural to build up the tension. Horror generates from the reality of this genre. Ie; the ring and the exorcist Sci-Fi= Often deals with the paranormal but is not limited to mad scientists or experiments going wrong. This genre can also deal with fear of technology ie; alien and the mist Comedy horror= Combines elements of comedy and horror fiction, this genre almost inevitably crosses over with black comedy ie; scary movie Gothic horror= some of the earliest movies where of this genre, it features castles, dungeons, ruined landscapes, magic and the supernatural ie; Frankenstein Zombie horror= usually portray reliving corpses that are mindless and feed off of the living ie; night of the living dead and I am a legend Animated horror= ie; caroline Supernatural horror= includes ghosts, demons. Supernatural-Horror films combine elements of religion into the plot. Common themes in Supernatural-Horror films include the afterlife, the devil, and demonic possession ie; before I wake and ghost busters Slasher film= this genre deals with a lot of violence and usually revolves around a psychopathic serial killer staking and killing numerous victims. This genre may sometime overlap with crime ie; psycho and prom night