horror conventions; editing

Long takes build up suspense and tension in the viewer. Quick cuts generate shock. Fades, graphic matches are also conventional in horror films.

horror conventions; sound

Conventional sounds featured in horror movies play huge effect on the atmosphere of a scene. Non-diegetic sound commonly consists of high pitched strings played at a fast pace usually at the climax of a scene. When played at a slower pace this creates an uneasy feeling and build tension for the viewer. Other sounds such as screeching, moaning, rattling and synthesizers create an discordant uncomfortable sound unsettling the audience.



Hichcock directing Leigh
'Psycho strings' were made famous in this shower scene.



When considering diegetic sound in horror simple or uncomplicated sounds are used to disturb the audience such as creaky doors and lone footsteps. exaggerated breathing or heartbeats allow the viewer to experience the nervousness of the protagonist too.

horror conventions; mise-en-scene



Shadow play in Nosferatu (1922)

 The lighting of a horror film usually centres around darkness, gloomy rooms and nightfall portray this well. Lights are often used carefully to throw mysterious shadows.


The threat or antagonist in most horror films usually remains hidden for some time only shown in half darkness, a mask or simply a disguised voice in some examples.

The costumes of the protagonists conventionally are average common clothes, making them relatable and increasing the fear that the horrific situation could happen to someone just like you. The antagonist on the other hand varies. In the past the villain would mainly be as weird and abnormal as possible and their costume reflects this, real monsters or the deranged. Nowadays the dynamic of the horror film antagonist is diverse; it is not unusual to see commonly costumed villains with hidden psychotic intent. This could increase how scary they are too though, putting fears into people that the villain could be any usual person so the threat is unexpected.

Costume make up also plays a large role in how a villain is represented; paleness and dark shadowy eyes are a common convention depending on the type of antagonist.

Props in horror films have become important for the genre’s symbolism such as the knife signifying the sub-genre slasher films entailing blood and murder. The Christ’s cross symbolising the anti-evil that the horror contains.

The Chucky series is a great example of using horror conventions to create a gruesome looking antagonist. The film also shows knives prominently a icon of a 'Slasher' film.

Horror research; hybrids

Defining a film as horror is not so simple not only is the genre an umbrella for a range of themes and sub-genres but the genre can be hybridised. Some hybrid horror films would seem extremely unconventional such as comedic-horror two genres which appear to be opposite but if done well has been proven to be a successful match. Examples of comedy-horror films would be the Scary Movie films and Shaun of the Dead. These films allow for a joke and tend to amplify the conventions of a horror almost to mocking point.

Horror research; themes

The traditional themes of horror films have also become more adventurous, horror films with an apocalyptic theme, play on contemporary worries and fears. The film 2012 released after much rumour and conspiracy of the end of the world according to this date. During research I noted this is what all conventional horror films seemed to base their ideas on; amplifying what scares people the most at the time and making the situations seem realistic. A good example of this would be the Final Destination films. Firstly as the treat is death itself a common fear, but the way in which characters experience death or situations they must avoid it are everyday activities and part of life. This intensifies the idea that death can strike at any moment but the Final Destination films play on everyday concerns in particular such as rollercoasters breaking down heavy machinery, lorries on the road even injuries in sport. Other films may also do this more subtly pointing out seeds of disaster in society; Eden Lake displays tensions with young people. Disease is also a prominent topic of recent years including the cures and technology to prevent them films that use this uncertainty to their advantage are Contagion, Planet of the apes and I am legend.

Horror film research; sub genres

My A2 media studies film project's theme is horror, a genre I realised was diverse in itself during my research today. The genre has many sub-genres; supernatural films all based on ghosts or curses such as The Grudge which depicts both. Supernatural films portray an impossible to defeat threat which intensifies the horror of the situation. Gore is also a prominent in many horrors, these tend to focus on blood and violence often showing extreme death and torture such as Saw films horrifying the viewer gruesomely rather than scarily.