CONVENTIONS OF HORROR

Blood

Some sort of weapon

Dark/gloomy setting

Isolated areas/ Abandoned buildings

THE CONVENTIONS

Setting/Location: Horror movies are usually set somewhere dark and gloomy. Most of the time the

location is isolated, for example an abandoned house:

MISE-EN-SCENE

The Villain threatens the victim and the side victims throughout the whole film. The villain is

usually a male actor or a man dressed in a ‘scary’ costume including a mask. It’s the villains number one priority to murder or injure the Main victim.

The Main Victim is the main target for the villain.

CHARACTERS

The Side Victims are usually relatives or friends of the main victim. They usually unite to protect

themselves and the main victim.

‘Damsel in distress’ is usually a female character who is a close friend or partner to the Main victim. She

heavily depends on the main victim to protect her.

CHARACTERS CONTINUED..

The lighting used in horror films is usually low-key lighting. Low-key lighting gives the setting a dim glow and usually

produces a shadow.

Low-key lighting produces suspense for the audience as it creates a tense and frightening atmosphere.

LIGHTING

The sound is usually slow-paced and jumpy to create a tense atmosphere. The slow-paced sound may build

suspense for the audience. The pace may pick up as the editing of the shots are increased or the film is about to

come to a climax.

SOUND

CAMERA SHOTS

Scream, example of side victims, main victim and villainhttp://movieclips.com/dLXq-scream-movie-look-behind-you/

Saw, example of masked victim and main villain

http://movieclips.com/Gs79g-saw-movie-who-is-that/

CLIPS