Conventions of a horror movie

MIS EN SCENE
- The idea of having sharp objects, or objects (props) that could potentially harm people gives people chills down their spine. This is due to the fact, that a good horror movie, makes you feel as if you are there experiencing it yourself, or makes you imaging what it would be like in that position.
- lighting plays an important factor when it comes to ensuring the mood and atmosphere are complimentary to the genre in order to assure the audience have the same eerie feeling.
- Most horror movies follow a colour palette. This stereotypically, is the use of very dark colours (this works well as a lot of horror movies are shot at night, as people are typically assumed to be scared of the dark). This could be using dark greys, black, earthy colours. The colour red is also often used as it is associated to blood, death, and danger to other people and could be taken as a warning or precaution.
- Dependant on the characters, the people that are innocent are normally presented as wearing normal and every day clothing as they are meant to be seen as the 'goodies' that have done nothing wrong. Many horror movies base the narratives on torturing people that have in fact done nothing wrong to deserve this.
- Many settings in a horror movie, as isolated, alone as it shows people in captivity when being victimised. Normally, a good place for horror movies are either in an abandoned house or in the woods when dark and alone.




CINEMATOGRAPHY
- point of view shots
This effect is set to make the audience feel as if they are one in the horror film, but two as if they are a character themselves. It helps the film to become more gripping and makes the audience feel on edge.
- close ups
Close ups are used to show the definition or the characters facial expressions. The use of their could either be used to symbolise the pain, or to show their fear and worry of what they are going through.
- handheld shots
Handheld shots, are a good example, as the camera is wobbly. This can show speed if the character is trying to run away from the villain.
- crane shot
This is used so that it is as if you are watching the scene. The use of this shot makes it feel as if you are watching the scene when in fact their is nothing you can do to avoid, or help the characters situation.






EDITING
- Action match
this can show perspective of an object such as a gun being fired. The shot would focus on the bullet and would show it as it is shot and then swap to a long shot of it firing away
- cutaway
This would show some unnecessary detail but would help to create tensions if two separate scenes were in comparison. (Often one good scene that something bad is about to happen to/ and then the bad scene as it is building up)








-SOUND
-disturbing sounds and sound effects
The enhancing of certain sounds, such as scratching or screaming often gives people the chills as it is more convincing and shows the depth of horror. Ensuring that sounds are layered means that people almost feel irritated and feel as if they are being victimised also.




- FILM STRUCTURE




PERFORMANCE (CHARACTERS)
- The protagonist
this is the character that the audience normally relate to as they feel the fear of the protagonist.
- The villain
This is the 'baddie' within all horror movies whether it is a human, a demon or alien
- The stupid teenagers
These are the teenagers often in a horror movie that are curious to find out something. However they always find our too much, or push themselves into danger and it never ends well.
- Creepy children
- Police officers
- Ghosts
- Zombies
- Demons
- Psychopaths
- Scary animals




- THEME
All horror movies have a theme of horror. Some examples are the following:
- good vs bad
- childhood issues
- religion
- zombie apocalypse
- supernatural
- nightmares
There are many many others. A lot of typical horror movies follow similar narratives.
An example of this is -
a family move house. It all starts off alright, but then over time mysterious activities take place and are supernatural. The family that have moved into the house then find that it is through the spirit of the devil or other supernatural spirits and ghosts.