Codes and Conventions of Horror Films

Character Types

• The Final Girl (fearless, clever, bold)• Villain (evil, human, animalistic, cunning, supernatural, sinister)• Hero(courageous, daring, strong)• Victim(vulnerable, weak, frightened)

Iconography

• Heavy make up (blood and gore)• Special effects (lighting and shadows, sound effects)• Use of cameras(camera angles e.g. high angle shot, close up, tracking/panning shot)

Themes and Representation• Male villain (typically)(Men are stereotypically represented as dominating and threatening)• Female victim (typically)(Women are stereotypically represented as vulnerable and weak)• Themes: supernatural and slasher

Settings

• Isolated areas(unaccompanied – harder to call for help) • Old houses(creepy, haunted, creaky floors and doors)• Graveyards(terrifying, dark)

Narrative

• Used for story-telling (helps audience learn the story about the film, could hint at plot)

• Three act structure:1. Focuses on central characters and introduces the

setting.2. Setting unleashes violence, characters fight back.3. End of film includes final showdown between villain

and hero/final girl with varying results.

Visual codes/Camera work and sound

• High-angle – makes character look powerless• Close-up – reaction of actor/actress• Music – helps set mood of film• Voices can be used to reflect fear, tension and

panic.• Sound effects are also used in the film e.g.

crows, bells and bats.