Setting: Horror film conventions are usually set in dark streets, alley ways, haunted houses or somewhere remote, they usually have a haunted past. Mostly set at night time by doing this they are creating a sense of tension or suspense however horror genre can be varied and set in any location at any time of day. This is done so it can set a sense of isolation allowing the victim to feel like they have no where to go and then letting the bad victim feel more powerful. This makes the audience think the victim is going to die and then a change of plans happen and they don't this is also building some type of suspense in a way. The dark gloomy places always without fail have a dark and mystery bad story to them as to why the house looks so depressing.
Character: in a horror films there are different types of characters that make up a movie, because of this the audience can identify them. usually in a horror film the typical characters are killers, the blonde, the hoe, the jokey and the innocent person who always survives till the end. they are known by their typical names because:
- The blonde: They are always without fail represented as a stupid person who is slutty and will always die first because of their stupidity.
- The innocent one: They survive through anything because they come off as they cannot do no wrong also they are known by this stereotypical name because they are a virgin and full of purity.
- The jokey: They are so big headed as if they cannot die or get hurt, also known as the macho man that everyone goes to for guidance.
- The killer: Without fail they have tragic past and so because of all the hurt they was feeling they let it out on everyone so they too can feel all their pain, majority of the time it ends up they are misunderstood.
Camera: the effects of the camera are important in horror films because the camera angle effects the audiences reactions to the situations.
- High Angles: This is to show that when the killer is coming he has more power over you because you are about to die also because it is able to connote nightmares/surrealness. Belittling a character using this angle makes the viewers feel some sympathy for them because the angle is making the victim look vulnerable and weak with no power.
- Low Angles: This is used when the audience is feeling scared as it helps exaggerate the position of a character and there where abouts, this is the main objective in a film .
- POV (point of view): This is excellent because it allows you to feel that you are a part of the film, that you are the character you and you are about to have a tragic death builds wonderful tension.
- Handheld shots: This is able to make the audience feel disorientated and confused as the camera is moving one direction whereas everything else is moving a completely different direction.
Sound: Exaggerated sound will allow tension to build up in a film also that fast and loud sound can add a lot to making the audience jump and be frighten towards the film. There are different types of sound one of them is diegetic sound it is very essential as it is everything within the scene, it plays a big part as without that sound it wouldn't help build the right amount of suspense and tension for example 'Freddie Krueger Theme song' this is an example of diegetic sound. The sounds helps add a more realistic feel to the audience as well adding that bit of creepy affect.
Freddie Krueger Theme Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDHd3TmZ6wM
However non-diegetic sound does add that scary affect towards a horror film. For example thuds and loud bangs or even high pitched sounds, usually often heard during the film to give a creepy feeling and so it can hold the audience's attention to visual side of the film instead of just listening to the diegetic sound. In some cases when these sounds take place it usually allows the audience that something unnatural/demonic is coming. For example the trailer from 'Insidious'.
Insidious Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lO_hl0MJLpg
