Codes and Conventions of Horror by Rabia, Ramita, Naomi

Horror Conventions

Sub Genres of Horror

·         Psychological

·         Religious

·         True Story

·         Monster

·         Gore

Conventions

·         Scream

·         Violence

·         Ghost

·         Darkness

Horror films are designed to unsettle the audience by causing frighten and panic, dread and alarm, invoke our inner fears, captivate and entertain us in a energizing way  and lastly having a shocking finale.

Different audiences experience a variety of fears through either, nightmares, alienation, fear of death, loss of identity and fear of sexuality.

Characters

·         Need surviving characters in the end

·         Killer has trademark characteristics eg the weapon or character or the way he kills

·         Conflict between Good vs Evil

·         Outcome – Good always survives or defeats the bad guy

·         Propp – Main characters: Hero, villain, helper, victim and the donor

Narrative

Propp – Equilibrium, Disequilibrium and a new equilibrium

Camera Angles

·         ECU

·         LS

·         CU

·         Dutch Tilt

Movement

• Hand held
• Steady cam
• Panning
• Zoom