Codes and Conventions of Horror-Thriller films

Technical Conventions
1. Tilted angles to create a sense of disorientation from the protagonists point of view
2. Extreme Close-ups emphasise feelings and emotions felt
3. Long tracking shots set the scene and highlight the scenes atmosphere
4. Point of View shots/ Over the shoulder shots are used to see the scene from the characters perspective
5. Quiet scenes that juxtapose loud, non-degetic sounds to create an effect from the audience
6. Slow paced editing is commonly used to create suspense to set the tone of the scene
Location
1. Usually set within a remote location
2. Any chance of help is far away (there is usually a lack of hope within horror/thrillers)
3. Common locations include abandoned buildings such as houses and hospitals
4. Thriller-Horrors usually have a 'eery' 'unsettling' atmosphere
5. Popular films such as 'Cabin in the Woods' and 'Evil Dead' are filmed within a deep woodland setting,.
  1. This creates a disrupted atmosphere, there are no witnesses or sign of help and communication making the scenes tone incredibly pessimistic
Themes & Example Films
1. 'Apocalyptic'
  1. After mass Zombie attacks
    1. 28 Days Later
    2. World War Z
    3. Zombieland
2. 'Paranormal'
  1. Paranormal activity
  2. The Conjuring
  3. The Last Exorcism
  4. The Exorcist
  5. The Woman in Black
3. 'Shockers'
  1. The Hills Have Eyes
  2. Insidious
  3. Friday the 13th
  4. Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Mise-en-scence
1. Pathetic Fallacy is commonly used to set the scenes tone for example a thunder storm would indicate something bad was about to happen
2. Props
  1. knives
  2. weapons
  3. masks
  4. artefacts
  5. distressed car
  6. every day appliances
3. Colour use and connotations
  1. black to indicate death
  2. red to indicate fear, blood or danger
  3. brown and dusky colours to give a rustic effect and make the setting look more ancient
4. Characters
  1. Protagonist
    1. dumb blonde
      1. usually naive
    2. a 'cocky' character
    3. a guilty character
      1. usually ironically charming
  2. Antagonist
    1. Old
      1. usually influenced by the use of drugs or alcohol
      2. stereotypically 'creepy' clothes
      3. Disturbing past makes an impact on their behaviour and disicions
    2. Young
      1. begins innocent, ends up being psychotic
      2. traditionally dressed
      3. troubled
      4. child - usually has pig tails or plaits, making them look overly innocent
        high-pitched 'sweet' voice

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Codes and Conventions of Horror-Thriller films

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	Created by Abbie Smyth almost 10 years ago