Horror Codes and Conventions

Cinematography

• Canted Shots (distorting viewers)• P.O.V (makes audience feel involved)• Handheld (more realistic, more believable)• Tracking Shots• Enclosed spaces (no escape, trapped)• Blurred Images• Low-Key Lighting • Tilt • Back-Lighting

Sound• Non-Diegetic and Diegetic • Tense Music• Asynchronous Sound• Muffled Sound• Screaming, Shouting

Editing• Cross-Cutting• Fast-paced• Ellipsis of time• Expansion of time• Jump Cuts

Suspense• A common theme in horror films are sequences

filled with suspense, usually in the equilibrium (to set up the plot) or towards the resolution (the last fight).

• Many famous horror film sequences include the ending of ‘The Shining’, ending of ‘Scream’ etc.

Characters• Antagonist and Protagonist• Victims and Villains (often masked ‘Halloween’)• Weak Females and Macho-Males• Usually absence of authority figures (parents).