The Conventions Of Horror Genre

Why are conventions important?

Codes and conventions are used together in any study of genre – it is not enough to discuss a technical code used such as camera work, without saying how it is conventionally used in a genre. For example, the

technical code of lighting is used in some way in all film genres. It is a convention of the horror genre that side and back lighting is used to create mystery and suspense – an integral part of any horror movie.

Horror films are designed to:

Frighten & panic Cause dread &alarm Evoke our hidden worst fears Captivate & entertain us in a

liberating experience

Often conclude in a terrifying shocking finale 

Settings:

Locations for any good horror genre film could be:

Isolated Places

Woods

Creepy Hotels

Empty cabins

Basements

Grave yards Hospitals

corridors

Technical Codes:Camera work is very expensive and not natural; high and low an angle connotes fear.

POV shots are important because they allow the audience to see the world from the monsters eyes.

Sometimes framework uses depth of field, makes it harder to see the monster creeping up.

Iconography:

Visual style: often dark colours like red & black (links to evil, blood and danger etc.)

Common objects include: weapons, masks, icons of the supernatural/religious

The iconography of the monsters helps to connote extreme fear, disgust, and terror: werewolves, vampires, mummies, Specific props can be identified with a certain villain or character (e.g. chainsaws, machetes, knifes, firearms, costumes)

Narrative StructureThe state of equilibrium (state of normality – good, bad or neutral)

An event disrupts the equilibrium (a character or an action)

Equilibrium is restored but, because causal transformations have occurred, there are differences (good, bad, or neutral) from original equilibrium, which establish it as a new equilibrium.

There’s always a ‘hero’ or protagonist, a man or a ‘final girl’ of the film, keeping with the normal conventions of the genre

Some narratives are very mechanical and this is practically present in sub-genres, most noticeably ‘slasher’ films. After some event that turns the killer insane or by some childhood past or even psychotic medical issues, the villain returns to his home-town and always preys on teenagers

Character Types

The main protagonist, often the ‘victim/hero’ of the movie.

The villain, often a monster, mutated freak, alien or serial killer – tend to have a trademark characteristic as to how they kill

Creepy children

The stupid/immoral teenagers that always get killed

Themes