1. 1. BY STEPHANIE WILLMOTT Year 12 Media Studies Horror Movie CharacteristicsHorror Movie Characteristics
2. 2. Typical Horror ConventionsTypical Horror Conventions The horror movie genre has the aim to touch audience emotions such as fright, terror, or disgust. Horror films commonly have an unsettling theme, such as a serial killer on the loose, and "shocking" scenes designed to startle viewers. Most films include certain characteristics that help them achieve their "dark" objectives.
3. 3. Atmosphere Dark bleak scenes filled with disturbing shadows and strange props are usually seen in horror movies. These scenes reflect the eerie atmosphere; establishing a frightening mood. A characteristic foreboding shot is a tight shot of footsteps coming closer to the main character, who is trying to hide from this threat, with the purpose to give the audience the creeps. HORROR ATMOSPHEREHORROR ATMOSPHERE
4. 4. Sound Horror films typically feature "creepy" sound elements e.g. a sudden loud bang or a falling object crashing to the floor will deliver a shock factor. Alternatively a jittery scene set in dead silence could be used by the director, which makes the anticipation of what comes next more hair-raising. Sound effects often reflect the presence of otherworldly supernatural beings which is a popular technique of the fright-film trade. The beat, pacing and instruments used in a musical score help establish tension in horror movies. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HV1RVK4j6c HORROR SOUNDSHORROR SOUNDS
5. 5. Graphic Scenes Most horror films include graphic scenes of intense gore. These elements typically feature violence caused by humans, monsters or supernatural beings. Horror movies typically feature a torture, murder or revenge theme that concludes in visually "horrific" scenes. HORROR GRAPHIC SCENESHORROR GRAPHIC SCENES
6. 6. Evil Forces A horror movie antagonist can be a person, animal or creature that represents some kind of evil force. Some common evil elements are ghosts, werewolves, vampires, demons, vicious animals, cannibals, zombies, and masked killers. Victims of evil forces are usually characters that have vulnerable weaknesses . They are inferior to the evil forces or gather the courage to defeat them. HORROR EVILHORROR EVIL FORCESFORCES
7. 7. Expectations of a horror film: Violence Dark Imagery Enigma codes Cliff-hangers Climax Conventional Characters: . Hero protagonist . Villain antagonist . Victim . Non believer . The helper . The false hero Horror StereotypesHorror Stereotypes