Codes are systems of signs which create meaning and
conventions are the generally accepted way of doing something.Horror films
generally have the setting of a forest, woods, haunted house or anywhere
abandoned and old;anything that connotes isolation.The settings usually involve
little or no light and if the film begins with light it will continue to have
the power and electricity cut. The use of props include antiques, old books and
paintings in 'psychological' horrors. Knives, chainsaws and other weapons in
'slasher' horrors.
Camera movement and shots are used in most horror films to
build a sense of mystery and tension. A lot of high and low angle shots are
used to look down on the victims to show that they are weak, vulnerable and
that there is something out to get them and to look up to the things put into
the film to scare the victims and the audience (e.g spirits, faces in the dark,
dolls). Long shots are important as they show the setting and make the audience
nervous as to what is going to arise from the darkness as well as hand held
shots that create the sense that someone is watching and someone is there with
the victim(they are not alone). In addition to this, editing can create
suspense such as certain movements being put into slow-mo and noises such as
footsteps being added over the top to build the desired sense of tension and
suspense. Exaggerated diegetic sound will be used for the tension and
non-diegetic will consist of fast paced high pitched music which will make the
audience feel frightened by the events to follow.
The character types in horror films consist of a main
protagonist who is usually the victim but turns out to be the hero who solves
the mystery behind the horror, the villain who is the main source of 'horror'
to the film(e.g. spirit, ghost, monster, doll), dumb and irresponsible
teenagers who will end up killed and police officers/helpers who can be good but
sometimes turn out to be bad.
