Conventions of Horror

Setting:

• Huge cities or run down ghost towns - anything that connotes isolation.
• Something with history behind it. For example, an abandoned house which a family died in.
• Stereotypical locations: Old house, the woods, the desert, a run down hospital, an old mental institute, a church yard, a summer camp, a large house (lots of hidden areas with large doors),a farm, underground and many more

Cinematography:

• High and low angles can connote fear and nightmares.
• POV shots are often used as they allow the audience to gather a greater feeling of fear. This could be done through the protagonists perspective (creating a feeling of tension and fear) or through the antagonists perspective (creating an anxious feeling for the audience).
• Hand held shots are popular within horror films as it makes it harder for the audience to work out what is going on - creating the feeling of terror.
• The use of depth of field makes it harder for the audience to spot the protagonist creeping up on the antagonist.
• A good use of sound is vital within a horror film.
• Sound effects, when used correctly, are very effective on the audience. Diegetic noise, such as foot steps and non-diegetic noise, such as a heartbeat combine and create a horror-like mood and atmosphere.
• Editing can create unsettling tension and suspense.

Narrative Structure:

• Always a hero/protagonist that has usually embarked on a mission to solve/kill problems.
• An event takes place which turns the killer insane (e.g. their childhood). The antagonist returns to their home town and stalks teenagers. The teenagers represent the immoral and usually come across stupid. Most the teenagers are slaughtered whilst there is usually one survivor, a female character. Character types:
• The main hero/protagonist
• The antagonist, often a monster, serial killer, mutant or alien.
• The immoral teenagers (always killed)
• Eerie children which are against the protagonist
• Good or bad police officers

TECHNICAL CODES:

• Camerawork is expressive and not natural. High and low angles can connate fear and nightmares.
• POV SHOTS; allow the audience to see through the protagonists eye. * Handheld shots are effective as it makes the shit difficult for the audience to make out what's happening.
• Disturbing sounds are highly important. For example ambient diegetic sounds and non diegetic sounds.
• Types of shots used; for example the use of ECU on a victims face can help the audience identify with fear.
• Editing can create suspense and tension.