Horror Genre Conventions

I have chose to research horror genre codes and conventions in order to learn more about what seperates the horror genre from other genres. To identity a genre different aspects must be looked at, this includes the narrative, characters, mise en scene, sound and more. From researching these different aspects I have learnt what makes horror films scary and frightening yet exciting for the audience and what seperates them. I will apply this knowledge into the trailer to ensure that the trailer features horror genre conventions and can follow its purpose as well.

Themes
- Good versus Evil
- Depression
- Religion
- Childhood Issues
- Revenge
- Supernatural
- Beyond Death
- Science gone bad
- Nightmares
- Madness
- Insanity
- Lust
- Suicide

Characters
In horror films there is usually a protagonist that emabarks on a misson to kill or solve the problem. This particular role is stereotypically male however some horror films challenge the stereotypes and make the main protagonist role female. For the antagonist role, the villain can be varied because sometimes the villain isnt even played by a female or male but a evil spirit, alien or monster. Also children characters in horror films play a more sinister role which is more frightening for the audience.

Sound
Sound is a huge effect on whether or not a scene is scary or not to the audience as sound is what creates an exciting but frightening effect with the actions and movements on screen. Non-diegetic sound helps create tension for the audience and scenes build up in time with the sound to build up suspense. Also in eerie locations, slow but high pitched music may be played to match the mood on screen.

Props:

• Weapons that appear to be dangerous, for example guns, knives, chainsaws and broken glass.
• Masks are used to hide the villains identity this conveys fear to the audience as they relate this to the real world.
• Dolls are normally possessed by a demonic form which make the dolls act in strange ways for example boiling the kettle and turning on the stereo. This scares the audience as again they relate this to the real world.
• Blood is used to show violence that has occured and to show the struggle which the characters are going through to fight the evil in the film.
• Religious Symbols are used for example the christian cross, these are associated with keeping the evil spirits away in horror films and can reassure the characters, however the audience becomes wary as these symbols can actually aggravate the villain.

Setting
The setting is usually in an isolated area for example in The Woman in Black the location is on a small island in the moors seperated from the nearby villages. Other settings can include ghost towns or small villages in the countryside which is usually abadoned. Also urban areas with dark streets and alleys where shadows are formed can create an atmopshere of fear and enigma. Sometimes in horror films the setting is somewhere with a dark history which causes problems in the films present day. These places include hotels, hospitals, old houses or insane asylums.

Costume, Hair and Make-up
Costume in horror genre varies, for example the antagonist usually wears dark clothing to show negativity. Yet lighter clothing represents the protagonist as good and pure. Also a common part of costume in horror is that a unique and iconic piece of clothing is used for example in scream the black cloak and white mask is used which is very recognisable. Make-up is often used to make the characters look more pale which suggests they are possessed or ill which has been caused by the antagonist. Also make-up can be used to make the character look unnaturally which is usually done for the antagonist.

Facial Expressions and Body Language
In horror films many closeup shots are used of the characters faces to show there facial expressions, the most common expressions is characters looking scared or crying. This scares the audience as the protagonist appears weak and the antagonist appears stronger as the villain can inflict emotional pain on others.

Lighting and Colour
The horror genre uses mostly dark colours to create an atmosphere of fear and enigma, also the colours used would be to portray violence and death which are commonly black and red. These colours are commonly associated with blood and danger. Also the use of colours on characters can portray there role in the film, for example a woman may wear white which shows purity and innocence and this may suggest she is the victim in the film. Lighting in a horror film helps create a dark atmosphere this helps scare the audience as the shadows created by artificial lighting suggests something is lurking close by and creates more anticipation for the audience. Also low key lighting helps create mystery, especially when the setting is in a big haunted house or a abadoned building, because the character and the audience is unknown to what may lurk inside.