Codes and Conventions of HorrorKatie Maher

Setting

• Horror films are set in very stereotypical surroundings. Some examples are small communities, urban environments, dark streets, narrow alley ways, run down towns and any place that connotes being alone and isolation.

• Often places with a “dark” or “mysterious” history behind them, i.e. abandoned houses, hotels and asylums. Other stereotypical settings such as a grave yard, basement/attic etc.

Iconography

• Visual style – Commonly dark colours such as black and red are used to symbolise danger, blood and fear.

• Props can help to assist the audience to further identify the film as a horror. Specific props can be used to be identified with a villain such as knives, chainsaws, hammers etc.

• Common objects used are weapons, masks, icons of the supernatural (ghosts etc) and religious or meaningful symbols.

Camera

• Birds eye/high angle – Commonly used in horrors to portray a character or object as powerless and vulnerable.

• Close up – Used to focus on the characters face to emphasise the emotion that they are feeling. It is also used to capture an important scene.

• Tracking/panning shot – These shots capture movement. Usually used in horror films to present a character being either watched or followed. It can also help the audience identify an iconic setting (e.g. Haunted House).

• Low angles – They are used to emphasise a change in power presenting how intimidating or powerful a character, for example, the frightening villain is compared to the victim. This also has an effect on the audience as they too would feel weak and significant.

• Tilted angle – These shots add dramatic tension to a scene. They can be used to act as an actor on the floor and the camera is showing what they can see (like a point of view shot).

• Extreme long shot/long shot – Used to aid the audience into understanding the genre of the film and where it is set. For example, and extreme long shot of a haunted house.

• Point of view – Taken from the point of view of the character (as if you are seeing through their eyes). This shot is popular in the horror genre as it allows the audience to be on the same emotional level as the character as they get a sense of how they are feeling which Is successful in a horror film as the audience should feel frightened whilst watching it.

Characters

• Female victim – Female victims are very common within horror films as they are portrayed as vulnerable and in need of protection. This representation dates back to the earlier horror films in a more sexist era and the tradition has continued to show until now.

• Non-believer – Can be either sex but is usually male. Can commonly be portrayed as cocky or at ease. Convincing characters that nothing is wrong and they are overreacting. As they are confident, they are usually the first to be killed in a murder horror.

• Hero – Mostly a male character of a strong and masculine build. Show little emotion throughout the film to be portrayed as strong compared to other characters that are not coping as well.

• Evil character – This character can take many forms: serial killer, ghost, unknown form, demon, zombie, vampire etc. If they are human, they will usually wear a mask disguising them completely of appearance and emotion. The mask can make them unknown meaning they cannot have a connection to the audience automatically making them the enemy.

• ‘Loved up’ couple – A relationship between characters who are in love, they are usually so preoccupied on each other that they don’t notice the killer. Commonly, one of them is killed leaving the other distraught.