Codes and Conventions of a Horror Film

Setting

• A large proportion of the audience for Horror films are teenagers and they have teenage actors and characters for the audience to identify with. The settings for Horror films aimed at teenagers are usually in places familiar to and certain audience so in this case setting such as Parks and forests, schools, shopping centres etc. The settings in horror films are more than likely to be isolated in some way from the rest of society and in ones aim at teenagers; the adult community this takes out the possibility of a rescue of some kind and also gives the characters an opportunity to do bad things. The time which in which these horrors are filmed and set are almost simultaneously set at night or in darkness.

Characters

• The characters used for horror films usually consist of the characters used in Propps theory on characters. There will almost always be Villain who sets out to cause destruction or in other cases a suspicious force or being causing the destruction. The princess used in horror film will tend to be and good and up standing person who unjustly ends up being killed. In some cases there will be a Hero and/or a false hero to try an save the princess. The characters will tend to be a similar age as the target audience to allow them to empathise with the actors.

Props/Costume

• The props usually used in horror films are usually used to dramatis a scene and add atmosphere. Props such as knives, balaclavas and ropes are used regularly because it helps the audience identify with the genre. Costume is usually used to also identify with the audience as well as to differentiate between the characters for example the Antagonist will most likely be wearing dark clothing and the Protagonist or Princess more simple clothing and in the case of the Hero something that represents authority such as a suit or police uniform etc.

Editing

• The editing used in horror films tends to be used as an aid to emphasis drama or create drama for example straight cuts, cross cuts and parallel action these all dramatis a scene. The pace at which these are followed by the next shot is an important factor in building tension and reaching a climax.

Camera work/Lighting • Camera work is a very important aspect in horror films as the angles

and positions can add more tension than the actual action on screen. Angles such as long shots of a dark forest can help foreshadow that fact something bad will happen. Close up can help focus on actors expression for example that of the Villain could be a close up showing anger or that of The Princess showing fear or anxiety. Point of view shots are also used to help the audience empathies with the character or to get a feel of what a character may be experiencing.

• Lighting in combination with camera work can help stress the atmosphere being conveyed for example a close up of the Villain scowling can be developed further by using low lighting. Lighting can also be used to help show all aspects of a scene to help the audience build and understanding of a scene.

Sound/Dialogue

• The use of diegetic and non diegetic sound is important in horror examples of these are. Diegetic sound: Screams, creeks, phone ringing, door slams, footsteps etc. Non-Diegetic sound: orchestral music, dramatic sound effects these all create the atmosphere to needed to meet the conventions of a horror film.