CONVENTIONS IN HORROR FILMSConvention – The generally accepted ways of doing something.

ISOLATED LOCATION

Horror films are usually set in a secluded location in order to create a tense, scary atmosphere. It also ensures that later on in the film, the characters wont be able to call out for help because they’re all alone.

NO SIGNAL

The convention of having ‘no signal’ again puts forward the sense of helplessness as it stops the characters from being able to call for help.

LIGHTS GO OUT

A common fear is the fear of the dark. By incorporating this within movies, the scenes automatically become scarier as the element of the unknown comes into play.

The use of darkness is effective in this clip of ‘The Woman in Black’ because it hides the figure – this makes the scene more tense because the audience are unable to determine when the jump scare is. As well as this, the lights turn out

one by one to highlight how the woman is getting close and closer.

SOMEONE ALWAYS FALLS OVER

Right in the middle of the chase, the victim inexplicable falls over. This makes the audience feel an urge of panic and intensity.

When the woman trips up the stairs, it forces the audience to focus more on the surroundings. The pace of editing slows down, which makes it more dramatic because the

threat of the chase suddenly stops without any explanation.

CHARACTERS FORGET ABOUT THREAT

The characters always forget about the negative things that have happened previously – whether it’s a death, a curse or worse. This sets the scene for the horror movie because the audience always has the sense of threat at the back of their minds.

In the movie ‘Sinister’ the Oswalt family move into a new house, even though it was the sight of many

family murders.

MYSTERIOUS NOISESIn practically every horror film odd, unexplained noises are usually heard.

The clap and seek scene in ‘The Conjuring’ uses a harmless noise of a clap. However, later on it is revealed that the clapping wasn’t from any of the family

members.

EARLY DEATHS

Early deaths are used to set the mood and tone for the rest of the film.

In the opening scene of ‘Jaws’ it becomes obvious that the film is based around the idea of deadly sharks.

BAD WEATHER

The use of pathetic fallacy indicates the emotion that the director wants us to feel. Quite often thunder and lighting is used because of the common childhood fear of them.

SILLY DECISIONS

Characters usually make stupid decisions which, nine times out of ten, gets them killed. Whether its hiding under beds or taking risky shortcuts, the decision is always fatal.In this scene from ‘Scream’, Tatum decides to go through the cat flap even though it is obviously too small for her whereas she could of easily re-opened the garage door whilst the killer

was on the floor.

FREAKY CHILDRENFreaky adults are scary, but freaky children…that’s just a whole new level.