Conventions of Slasher films

Victims

• In Slashers, the victims are often young and attractive, usually female. They are often in high school getting drunk and taking drugs. The main female is usually not very feminine, more the smart, innocent dull girl who normally survives having to endure near death in the final sequence. The main character usually has a group of friends usually involving a fashion obsessive popular girl and sportsman who die of one by one.

KillersThe killers are usually covered for most of the film to give that element of surprise and shock when we finally realise who it is. They are often male and have a history of problems especially during their childhood resulting in mental health issues. The killers weapon would also usually linked to their childhood, which is why they are usually hand held e.g. kitchen knife, chainsaw, machete. They are often silent, unstoppable and are usually the main stars of the film.

Setting• The two main settings for slasher films are in suburban

neighbourhoods, cottages or woods. Neighbourhoods because they are viewed as the safest place possible because you are around your family and friends so it gives the element of shock . A lot of the killers can relate their childhood memories back to their neighbourhoods as well, which is why its good to set it there such as “Scream or Halloween” Woods are also popular because at night they give on connotations of mystery and the unknown. Cottages also connotes isolation as there is a lack of population, giving the feel your on your own.

Sound

• The sound in slashers are very important to the film especially in the opening sequence. When the sound is at a high pitch non diegetic texture it connotes that there is a high level of tension. This usually comes when the killer is in action or thought to be. Diegetic sound is also used usually when the victims and killers are fighting, this is usually from screaming to an item breaking such as a table or glass bottle used to fight away the killer.

Lighting

• Slashers usually use a mixture of high and low key lighting to create variation and atmosphere. Low key lighting is used more though to create shadows and dark shapes. The lighting is one of the most important aspects and conventions of slasher films, as its important for building a scene.

Camera Angles • Although slasher films use a range of camera

shots to give more variety the three main ones which are used are close ups (to emphasis on the fear of the characters), wide shots (to show what's going on around the characters) and point of view shots (to see first hand what the victims are seeing.

Example

Smiling while talking to a stranger with really white teeth. This connotesShe is healthy, appealing and a bit naïve for Talking to people she doesn't know.

Blonde bob cut hair signifiesThat she looks young and innocent.

Lots of makeup signifies she is glamorous.In depth books connote she Comes from a well educated family.

A wide shot is used here to view the door next to the characterThis signifies that someone is out there focusing the audience Attention on the door.

The contrast between the light and darknessSignifies that she is pure and innocent However something outside is not.

Her awkward facial expression couldSignify that she is starting to become Uncomfortable.

Knitted jumper connoteshomeliness,. She couldBe a home girl.

This establishing shot connotes that she comes from a typical middle/upper class American family with a big furnished house with huge garden.

The knifes could foreshadow the weapon of choice for the killer.

Sinister smile could connote she is not all there herself.

As the popcorn is building up so is the tension in the scene.

Close up shot of concerned face connotes something serious has happened.

Clear screened door signifies that there is somethingOutside especially with serious situation.

The mist in the garden connotes mystery and the unknown.

Wide shot shows the darkness and fogginess of the gardenNot revealing much to the audience.

Low Key Lighting

Close up shot of her hand locking the door connotes that there is an outsideInfluence which could endanger her.

By locking the door is could signify that she is safe inside.

As the steam rises so does the anger of the killer and the nervousnessOf the girl.

Her gritted teeth and frown connotes that she is out of her comfort zoneAnd clearly in danger.

Running connotes that she is either in a rush to get/do someone thing or run away fromIt.

Beaming light connotes that there is something or someone outside.

Hair flowing everywhere connotes that something Has made her move really quickly and suddenly.Mouth wide open signifies

That she has made a loud noiseSuch as a scream.

Screwed up hand connotes she is scared.Door to the side all black attracts the Audiences gaze and we ponder what's out there.

Eyes closed connotes that she is not engaging and doesn'tWant to be in that situation.

Slouched body and arm across chest signifies that she does Not physically feel well. Could resemble stomach pain or High heart rate.

Blank TV connotes that she Has no connection to the outsideWorld. As its not working it also brings discomfortAs TVs are viewed as comforting.

Hand onto glass and peering eyes signifies that she is reaching out to something.

Water on face signifies thatShe has been crying.

Blood on face connotes that he has been hurt or attacked.

Hand up signifies that he is trying to attract someone's attention.

Glaring eyes connotes thatHe is looking directly at something.

Mouth taped signifies that heHas been taken hostage.

Football wear connotes he isThe boyfriend.

Crouched down connotes that she is hiding. Eyes looking directly at letter openerSignifies that she is planning to useIt as a letter.

Videos connotes that her family enjoy movies.

Chair through door glass connotes that someone is defiantly outside and trying toScare and intimidate her.

Loss of balance and arm overFace connotes that she is in a state Of shock.

The fact that she is completely oblivious to the fire and smoke as she grabs a knife Connotes that something much more serious is taking all of her attention.

Cloaked figure connotes that he doesn't want to give away his identity.

The running signifies that he is purposely trying to scare her.

Crops signify that they are in some kind of isolatedFarmland away from civilisation.

Car in the distance connotes help and hope.

Wide open mouth signifies that she has just seen something veryshocking.

Reflection of mask in the door. The wide black mouth and curvy eyes and pale background connote a ghost figure.

Arms open and forward moving connotes heIs after her

Mouth wide open could signify that she is trying to speakTo someone.

Blood signifies that she has beenAttacked.

Car pulling in signifies that someone has come home mostLikely her parents.

Fists tightened and arms to chest signifies that she is mortified at the sight of her dead daughter.

Mouth wide open and eyes narrowed connotes that she has Witnessed something very shocking.