CONVENTIONS OF HORROR

MISE - EN - SCENE

Old, abandoned or unfamiliar

location. Usually where the main

events of the horror film takes place.

The killings, or phenomenon.

A torch or form o flight, used to guide the

victims through the stereotypically dark

location. E.g. woods, house, their house.

It usually reveals a clue about the killing, or

reveals the victim to killer, exposing their

hiding place. Or they shine the light and find

the killer’s location.

Blood is a very common Mise-en-scene

feature, especially in a wet horror. Where

the scare features are people dying violent

death. It can also be used by the victims, to

identify how ruthless the killer is.

Masks are often used to hide the

identity of the Villain(s). The fear of

the unknown is what creates an

element of terror and panic. It’s

what gives the horror film mystery.

The classic ‘Who did it’

Dead bodies and corpses also feature in

a lot of wet and some dry horror films. It

can be a presenter of danger or trouble.

Skeletons in the basement.

The victims have no set wardrobe to be identified by in numerous horror films.

There is no specific type of wardrobe for a horror film unless it’s to suit a

purpose. For example if the killer was a wielder, he would put on a safety mask

and large boots to do his killings. Or if a ghost was killing people for revenge

they may wear an item linked to their death, or symbolises how they died.

PROPS

A lot of the props in horror films are things

such as weapons, skeletons and dangerous

objects. These all reflect the theme of death.

CHARACTERS

Protagonist female Damsel.

The victimiser. The villain

The friends, other victims that go first.

There also a few passers by

that may render help to the

victims, but they may also

become a victim themselves.

Each of the characters hold a particular

significance. One of them may even have

particular traits to hide themselves with the

victims. But as the film progresses, you grow

to realise their previous actions where out of

place, which reveals their identity.

The killer usually has some

kind of disturbed pass, that

they want to compensate for

by killing. They may even re-

enact their past by inflicting

the pain on others.

HORROR FEATURES

• SCREAMS - The screams of a victim can emphasize the tension happening in the scene, even if nothing is physically affecting them. It really exaggerates the danger, and the shrieks may even scare the viewer also, making them feel as if they are they, or causing them to image what it would be like if they were in that position.

• BREATHING - Breathing is a common tell for danger in a horror film. It may be the victim is running and hiding from the killer/villain. Their breathing may even add to the tension, because t may be what gives their hiding place away. Also it tells you how the character is feeling, weather they are in shock, loss of breathe or scared.

• ACTION OF A VILLAIN - Every villain in a horror film tends to have their own trait, personality, or gesture to extend their twisted personality. For example in the shining, the villain uses a nursery rhyme to taunt the victim, the irony or the innocent nursery rhyme to contrast with the gravity of the situation and how he’s coming to get her. Also they may conduct a killing in a particular ritualistic way, or has a certain fetish for his killings. For example every victims will be killed in the exact way. For example in the call, the killer kidnaps young victims, blonde, and must be an adolescent. He then uses them for their scalp and head of hair. Then disposes of them, in a sinister/torturing way.

SUB GENRES OF HORROR• Wet - A wet Horror consists of mass blood, spilling of guts and the deconstruction of bodies. It’s has a

much more brutal, violent and aggressive style to it. Many films such as ‘The Decent’ ‘I know who killed Me’ and ‘Final Destination 3’ feature these themes.

• Dry - A dry horror is more to do with sinister themes, chills and perplexing the mind with simple fears amplified. This could consist of being tapped in a small space, a natural disaster or an intense situation or setting where the stimulus creates a life endangering environment. But just because a film is a dry comedy, doesn't mean the film will not feature blood or deaths. If it does, it will be on a minor level, with small scenes of violence and probably made evident through narrative. Films such as ‘Intruders’ and ‘Orphan’ are great examples of this.

EXAMPLE CLIPS• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVsVKn-MS14&safe=active FRIDAY THE 13TH

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7S3ygQJJLc&safe=active THE CONJURING

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdG7A377boY&safe=active FINAL DESTITNSTION 3

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUmyrBSeDs4&safe=active ORPHAN

TECHNICAL CODES• Camera work plays a big role in films. It can express the mood of the setting, and even give away the

characters feelings or actions. This is done through the type of shot, or the movement. For example a handheld shot would be shaky, this could show the character is running, or being shaken from a hit or in a fight. Also the movement such as a tracking shot could emphasize the journey a character I taking. To exaggerate the struggle.

• Shot types can reveal a characters stance, which will allow the audience to perceive their current situation e.g tied up, severed, or trapped in a small space. Also the shot type allows us to see the characters face, which enables the character to connote what the character is feeling.

• Shots such as a Close Up or Extreme Close Up can present a certain object, a part of a location, or body part can in a emphasized way that attracts the audience. It can indicate to them that it’s of importance, or significance as to what’s going to happen in the current or next scene.

• Lighting also has an impact on the film. It can reduce the light to show that a character is alone, to exaggerate the isolation by leaving everything black, presenting the theme of non -existence. It can create the theme of mystery in an unfamiliar place. It can also create the idea of being trapped, by the lack of light presenting to the audience that a character is being squashed into a corner.