Horror film genre

By Billie Wilson

History • The horror genre has been around for as long as we

can trace back too, the use of horror to scare, make jump or frighten other humans has always been around. Back in the day horror films were less realistic due to lack of production ability and usually followed story lines of vampires and monsters. But as time and technology progressed films became more real using characters like ghosts or murderers in their films. Films in the horror genre have also got a lot more scary as time moved on, as films that were once X rated in the 1900’s, are now U’s, one famous example of this is revenge of the zombies.

Short film - example

Shadows• The music in this short film is what makes it the most scary,

because as the music builds up you can tell something weird or scary is going to happen

• The paranormal activity of been dragged and the lights being messed with and doors slamming our simple and effective.

• The lighting is very effective as in the dark you don’t know what's lurking or going to happen next

• The innocence of the setting and costume of a school and school uniform juxtapose the horror events that are happening making the real life setting more relatable so more scary.

Short film - example

• The emotion of loosing a friend adds to the innocence and desperation of the young school boy, and the fact he’s alone also makes the film a lot scarier.

• The edits like fades add to the darkness of the film because your not in control of what you are seeing

• The fact he cant get out of the school and is trapped makes the tension build even more

• The scariest bit in the short film is when he turns around and the boy is behind him looking demented. The jumpiness of this scene heightens the film.

Trailer - example

Insidious• This horror trailer follows Todrov’s narrative. It

begins with a happy family, typical American dream home style atmosphere. Then disequilibrium hits the trailer when supernatural things start to appear and disturb the house but mostly the sun. then equilibrium reoccurs when a woman comes to help the family get out of the haunted situation.

Trailer - example

• The iconography of this horror trailer is a new home that becomes dark and gloomy when strange situations occur. The size of the house and the amount of corridors and stairs adds to the suspense/.

• The house is very typical with normal house holder items. The baby monitor and rocking horse signify an eerie super natural event.

Trailer - example

• The sound creates a horror atmosphere through being very mysterious. The whispering and noises through the baby monitor signify that the child is not alone. The non diagetic sound that interferes with the title shows the supernatural are going to disturb during the film. This kind of non diagetic music adds to the tension and build up suspense. There are also dramatic pauses and silence to make the audience wait for something bad to happen. The constant ticking or pulsating noise through out the trailer shows that time is running out and the whole trailer is leading up to something important.

Trailer - example

• The edits make the film continuous. The edits are quick and jumpy but majorly speed up in important scenes. This creates an edgy suspense for the audience as they don’t know what's happening next.

• The establishing shot of the house at the beginning shows that the house is going to be an important significant scene in the film. There are also close up shots of the family as they are also significant.

• Over the shoulder shots are used to add to the scariness as if someone is behind them, watching them.

Horror conventions

Setting • The main settings for horror films are isolated

places, like the middle of know where or dark alleys where no one can help you, also run down houses, all of these setting connotes the idea of isolation or being alone.

Horror conventions

Camera angles and shots • Low angles connote vulnerability and fear whereas

high angles show thing thing you are scared of. • Point of view shots get to see the characters

emotions and feelings, mostly of fear or terror. • Handheld shots work well, making the audience

feeling like they are part of the film or that someone is following the character and watching their every move.

Horror conventions

Sound• Diegetic sounds like breathing or footsteps or

doors slamming or screaming can build the tension up very quickly

• Non diegetic sounds like heartbeats or fast paced music can also over exaggerate the suspense.

Horror conventions

Edits• Quick fast edits make build the pace of the

horror making the audience think the characters are running out of time.

• Quick cuts also allow things to jump out of come up behind the character so the film has the jumpiness factor added to it.

Horror conventions

Lighting• Low key lighting adds to the darkness of horror films

which heightens the sense of drama as you don’t know what's lurking in the dark.

Colors• In horror films colors like red and black are used a lot to

symbolizes darkness, blood, danger, evil etcProps • Props often used in horror films are weapons, masks,

along with supernatural or religious symbols