Conventions Of Horror

The Conventions Of Horror

Settings:

*Small communities or isolated places.

· Urban environments
· Dark streets

· Abandoned houses/cabins
· Basements
Use of Camera

*Camera work is very expensive and not natural; high and low an angle connotes fear.
*POV shots are important because they allow the audience to see the world from the killers or victims eyes.
*Long shots are used to establish a setting and also create tension.

Iconography:
*Visual style: often dark colours like red & black (links to evil, blood and danger etc)
*Common objects include: weapons, masks, icons of the supernatural/religious etc.
* The iconography of the monsters helps to connote extreme fear, disgust, and terror.
*Low-key lighting can help to create dark shadows and unfamiliar shapes in the blackness. Lighting can be motivated in the world of film (e.g. bonfires, fireplaces & torches)
*Props help us to further identify horror genre. Specific props can be identified with a certain villain or character (e.g. chainsaws, machetes, knifes, firearms, costumes)
Narrative Structure:

*Classic narrative structure largely made applicable to the horror genre but it can either be left for closure or maybe perhaps leave room for a sequel and enable a franchise (e.g. Friday the 13th, Halloween & nightmare of Elm Street)
*There’s always a ‘hero’ or protagonist, a man or a ‘final girl’ of the film, keeping with the normal conventions of the genre. Usually the hero must go on a mission or quest to kill or solve problems in order to save themselves or others around them.

Character Types:

· The main protagonist, often the victim/hero of the movie.
· The villain, often a monster, mutated freak, alien or serial killer .
· The stupid teenagers that always get killed
· Creepy children

·Themes:

· Good vs Evil    ·
· Revenge    

· Supernatural · Beyond death
· Zombie Apocalypse