Conventions of Chosen Genre: Research

Conventions of Horror

Purpose 

The purpose of a horror movie is to produce feelings which we may otherwise view as negative. However, the appeal of generating these feelings is because of the adrenaline they create. 

Horror films are designed to do the following:

• Frighten & panic
• Cause dread & alarm
• Evoke the audiences worst fears
• Captivate & entertain 
• Shock the audience (by perhaps misleading them)

Depending on the audience, horror films can generate different types of fear and other, closely linked emotions. Feelings created as a result of watching a horror movie could be:

• Vulnerability 
• Terror 
• Fear
• Anxiety
• Alienation
• Anticipation
• Confusion

Often, watching a horror genre can make the audience feel powerless. This is caused by the unpredictability and lack of control that the viewer has over the outcome of the film. Much like vulnerability, feeling powerless could be a product of low lighting; props, costume and dialogue; and/or use of camera angles/shots. These techniques can be used in such a way that they consume the audience; making them feel part of the film.

Settings

Location can be used to generate all of the feelings previously mentioned. Low level lighting is commonly used in any filming location for ambient horror effect. The unknown of the darkness can be used for horror genres as it can mask characters for jump-scares or likewise, create tension.

Small communities or isolated places are widely used as they are part of the horror movie convention. The detachment that we see from towns/cities of people, makes the characters seem vulnerable as they are separated from the rest of civilisation; a feeling that the viewer may mimic. Isolated places seem unsafe as there would be nobody else present to help a weaker character. Additionally, urban environments, dark streets and narrow alleyways, also have the same effect. Anything which connotes isolation or being alone, encourages the audience to feel scared and vulnerable. Particularly, places with dark history, such as: abandoned houses, basements, hotels and insane asylums, work well as part of a horror movie convention.

Locations for any successful horror genre film could be:

• Abandoned houses
• Barns and farms (abandoned)
• Cabins
• Hotels
• Graveyards
• Basements 
• Woods/forests

Technical Codes

Technical codes of a horror movie can include high and low angled shots. These can both be used to show: power, dominance or vulnerability.

Un-natural camera work can be used to make the audience feel uneasy and uncomfortable. Fast, tracking shots can disorientate the viewer. Also, extreme close ups can be used to make the characters seem as though they are coming into the audiences personal space, in turn, creating a feeling of intrusion.

POV shots are sometimes used in horror movies to allow the audience to relay the characters experiences as though they were their own. This encourages the viewer to feel like they are part of the movie. This can provoke feelings of vulnerability.

Sometimes, in horror, the screen play director will include framework which incorporates depth of field. This can make it harder for the audience to see objects and characters moving in and out of frame, and so this can be used to produce effective jump-scares.

Audience

The target audience of horror can vary, dependant on the amount of expletives, gore and film of a sexual nature. The demographic of a horror movie is likely to be 12 and above. As a result of including more: swearing, scenes of a sexual nature or violence, the age rating will increase. Typically, horror movies will attract teenagers and young adults aged between 15 and 30. To appeal to this age range, the movie must include slight to moderate, swearing, violence, gore and adult themes. 

Iconography:

• Visual style often incorporates colours such as: red, black and white. Reason being, the colour black connotes evil and mystery which are typical themes of horror movies. The colour red links closely to imagery of blood and danger. White can be used in mine en scene to make the shots seem sanitary (give feeling of an asylum).

• Common objects used in horror movie include: weapons, masks, objects with supernatural/religious connotations (paraphernalia) etc.

• The iconography of monsters and demons helps to connote extreme fear and terror. This is the same with: werewolves, vampires, serial killers and mummies.

• Low-key lighting can create dark shadows and can therefore, cast unfamiliar and scary shapes in the setting. Lighting used in horror movies can be made out as bonfires, fireplaces & torches. Bonfires as well as other fires can offer flickery, ambient lighting to generate mystery. Whereas torches can be used to cast light on a specific object or person. 

• Props can be used to further identify the horror genre. Specific props can be used as part of the characterisation of a certain character. For example, the more negative characters (antagonists) can be paired with chainsaws, machetes, knifes and other weapons to make them appear as more dangerous. Also, masks can be used to build a character, making them more mysterious and a figure to be curious of.

Character Types:

• The main protagonist, often the known ‘victim/hero’ of the movie who instigates the more positive actions

• The stupid or immoral teenagers that get killed quickly

• The villain. This could be a monster, mutant, alien or serial killer. This character tends to have a trademark characteristic. This could be how they talk, what they wear, behave, a weapon they have or a phrase they say

• Creepy children who could resemble china dolls

• Police officers (good cop/bad cop)

• Ghosts

• Zombies

• Demons 

• Psychopath

• Stalker(s)

• Werewolves

• Ditzy cheerleaders

Themes in Horror movies:

• Good vs Evil
• Depression or anxiety
• Religion
• Childhood issues
• Supernatural occurrences
• Beyond death (ghosts and resurrection)
• Science gone wrong
• Zombie Apocalypse (Apocalyptic worlds)
• New world order
• Nightmares
• Insanity
• Lust and desire 
• Hatred, envy and revenge
• Suicide
• Murder