CODES AND

CONVENTIONS OF A

HORROR FILM

B Y J UL I A

BI C

K L E

CODESCodes - Systems of signs, which create meaning.

Codes can be divided into two categories - technical and symbolic. Technical codes are all the ways in which equipment is used to tell the story in a media text, for example the camera work in a film. 

Technical Codes: Editing, the use of camera (such as camera movements, camera angles and camera shots) and sounds (diagetic and non-diagetic).

Symbolic Codes: Mise-en-scene and lighting.

CONVENTIONSConventions - The generally accepted ways of

doing something. There are general conventions in any medium, such as the use of interviewee quotes in a print article, but conventions are also genre specific.

SECLUDED LOCATION

The characters are often placed in an isolated location so they are unable to get help when the time comes. It also makes an eerie atmosphere.

SOMEBODY DIES WITHIN THE FIRST 5 MINUTESBy having somebody die within the opening scene of a film, it

sets the mood for the remainder of the movie. It also gives the sense of threat and danger. For example in ‘Sinister’ the first scene consists of a tape showing the hanging of a family.

THE ANTAGONIST IS UNKNOWNThis creates the element of suspense and mystery. It puts the

audience on edge because they are unable to identify who the murderer/villain is.

NO SIGNALThis makes the characters seem vulnerable as having no signal eradicates their chances of calling for help.

STEREOTYPESStereotypes within horror films helps the audience relate to

the characters. It also allows the audience to easily differentiate between all the characters within the movie.

CLOSE TO SAFETYThe character is always extremely close to escaping, however

the antagonist always ends up catching them. This gives the audience false hope.

SEPARATION OF CHARACTERSThe separation of characters may them all individually

vulnerable. It also sparks the common fear of abandonment and being alone.