Conventions of Horror

What are Horror FilmsDesigned For?

• Cause dread and alarm• Make your fears come to life• Play on your vulnerability• Fear of death• To frighten and panic• Opens us to the dark side of life,

without the audience being in danger

Codes & Conventionsof Horror (Camera Angles)

• Extreme close ups (emphasise the subject) • Tilt (to create disorientation) • Establishing shots (showing location, stereotypically isolated

buildings e.g. mansions or forests) • Handheld (looks realistic, making it feel more believable,) • Long shots (help show the danger or what the lead character is

surrounded by, usually isolated) • Tracking (where the camera moves at the side, following a

character) • Dollying (where the camera follows the character from in front or

behind, to make it feel as if the character is being followed/stalked)• Point of view shot (so the audience can see what the character

sees, to feel as if we are looking through their eyes)

Codes & Conventions

• Atmosphere is usually sinister and location often appears dark and isolated.

• Often do not always use well known star personas as the audience feel more uncomfortable with actors they don’t recognise as it makes them feel less secure

• Montage editing and quick shots in the trailer to increase tension and suspense. Often previews best (scariest) bits to engage audience and encourage them to see the film

• Dark music to help increase a frightening atmosphere• Lead character often ends up surviving and slaying the antagonist

character• The antagonist often has a pattern in the way they work or kill• Usually good against evil• Plot frequently involve themes of death, the supernatural or mental

issues