Horror Conventions within Horror films.
Within a Horror film all directors and production follow this anagram to complete the perfect horror movie:
D.I.S.T.I.N.C.T
D- Don't
I- Ignore
S- Setting
T- Technical
I- Iconography
N- Narrative
C- Characterisation
T- Themes
D.I.S.T.I.N.C.T
D- Don't
I- Ignore
S- Setting
T- Technical
I- Iconography
N- Narrative
C- Characterisation
T- Themes
Setting in horror movies are usually associated with small isolated places ,dark streets,large cities,ghost runaway towns and last but not least your own home. These are good settings for a horror movie because these abandoned places will make you feel scared and curious. Whereas having your own home used as the setting for your horror film will be disturbing and will misplace your feelings as in your own home you're meant to feel safe and secure. Having this setting within a horror movie will make the audience feel displaced and insecure, they don't know what could happen to what they thought was a safe place called home.
Technical is shown throughout horror movies with the use of low and high angles as well as close ups to show fear within the character's facial and physical emotions. Sounds can also have a massive effect within a horror movie. Disturbing sounds can reflect fear and horror. For example footsteps can be heard by the character and can reflect horror this is an example of Diegetic sound. Whereas a heartbeat can't be heard by the character however can felt this is an example of non-diegetic sound. Editing can also lead to the fear throughout the horror movie. Editing can also be used to create fear and tension this can be used to slow things down if this had been paced up to lead to suspense of someone jumping out or something bad going to happen.
Iconography this includes lighting,visual style,props and common objects. Visual styles are used in horror to link to evil,danger and blood. This is often represented in horror films with dark colours like black and red. Lighting is used in two ways within a horror film they could use lighting for expression or non realistic horror. Low key lighting can help create dark shadows and unfamiliar shapes in the darkness creating fear and unsteadiness to the victims. Props on the other hand can help us create an idea of the type of horror genre. Certain props can be identified with certain villain or character. common objects within a horror film include weapons,marks, religious icons or supernatural icons.
Narrative is shown in horror by being very formulaic this type is often used in slasher films. This occurs after some event the killer turns insane or some childhood flashback this leads the killer back to their hometown where they prey on teenagers. Within a horror film there is also a hero protagonist it can be a man or a "final girl" of the film, keeping the normal convections of the genre. Normally the hero would embark on a mission or a quest to kill or solve problems.
Characterisation is shown in horror throughout the different types of characters. The main protagonist is often the victim or hero of the film. The villain is often a monster,freak or serial killer. The stupid /immoral teenager gets killed. Police officers could be good or bad and within a horror film ghosts,zombies stalkers and serial killers will be shown.
Themes within a horror film can be a variety. They can include many dark creepy settings. Themes within a horror film can be represented through depression,religion,childhood issues,revenge,supernatural,science gone bad,nightmares,dark web and insanity. All of these these can reflect fear and horror with each character.
All of the above are important within a horror movie. All the above are essential to the lighting to the themes to what the characters are wearing they all make an input to the horror being filmed.