Horror Conventions

Now even though I'm not definitely going to do a horror film, I thought I'd type up some of the ideas I brainstormed in class about what makes a horror film, just in case.

Firstly let's talk about NARRATIVE.

Low angles, not showing faces, fights, capture (locked up), escape, car crashes, ghosts, surprises, shocks, the people who are about the save the victims are often killed, no hope, corrupt authority, powerless law, murder, stalking, contrasts, natural disasters, grief, high body count, masks, black, gore, serial killers, secrets, enigma, isolation, killer in control, can't contact help/help doesn't believe the victim, twisted methods of killing, sexuality, mental health, revenge, stereotypes killed, at least one of the main characters survives, supernatural, torture, fear of the unknown, pace quickens towards climax, ECU's to show fear in eyes, handheld camera, tilts/different lenses (black and white, picking up only certain colours).


Now on to CHARACTERS.
Villain usually a man, ditzy blondes killed, bitchy high-school girls killed, stereotypes killed first (stupid, vain) pretty blonde female victims, the final girl, victim changes role - goes from being a coward to becoming the hero, the geek survives and aids the victim, the bully or cocky macho jock dies, lots of victims, psychopaths, villains, useless police, media killed for being useless or nosey, villain has other people to do their dirty work, enemy dies right at the end (unless there is a sequel planned so the villain will survive), allies of victim killed as they are on their way to help them, mass merderers, twisted men, deep motive (revenge etc.), creatures that go evil and attack, ghosts, spirits possessing people, demons, children possessed or targeted, killers have a disguise or something that is unique to them (a mask, a glove, a catchphrase..) vampires, zombies, often the victim is violated before being killed.

On to ICONOGRAPHY.


Masks, mirrors, distortion, black, darkness, reflections, knives/weapons, full moon, claws, shadows, silhouettes, low-key lighting, shadows created by torches or single lights, big houses, long corridors, empty roads, haunted buildings, basements, attics, hotels, forests, countryside, unfamiliar territory, ambiguous shots, ECU's, handheld camera, angles, zooms, tilts, montages, fades into and out of black, dissolves (time passing), candles, lamps, rain, snow, storms, dripping water, corpses, limbs (missing), trees creating scary shadows, smashed glass, hooded cloaks to hide faces, old furniture, doors creaking open, dark colours and red, chains, religious symbols, money, photographs.


Ok, so here are some of the THEMES, (some of which are already mentioned earlier).
the devil, ghosts, child/toy spirits, mind games, vampires, science fiction, zombies, animals, creatures, wilderness, claustrophobia, love, passion, sex, obsession, mental illness, insanity, split personalities, twisted sexuality, desperation, helplessness, trapped, torture, danger, fear, fast heartbeat, shock, surprise, uneasiness, discomfort, sympathy, grief, mystery, forbidden actions, evil deads, misery, sin, forgiveness, punishment, panic, confusion, hell, isolation, deceit, greed, twisted entertainment.

Finally, but by no means leastMUSIC & SOUNDS.

Thunder and lightning, rain, dripping water, echoes, whistling wind, window bangs, wolf howls, owls, rustling, footsteps, deep voices, creaking doors, creaking stairways, sudden bangs, clanks, clicking, strange noises such as creatures or supernatural noises, crackling televisions or radio signals, beeping, evil laughter, screams, sounds of agony, crying children, rustling trees and leaves, slamming doors, scary music, long high pitched violin noises held on one note, 'Psycho' music, deep musical notes held for long time (drone), crashes, loud base drums gettting faster, variations in tempo and dynamics, orcestral music, sometimes techno music, minor key, organ music, church bell sounds, childrens toy noises, contrapuntal music (upbeat music during a murderous chase or fight), silence, shrieking, howling wind, lullabies/nursery rhymes used in a sinister way, gasps, heavy breathing, yelling, crying, whispering, sudden high pitched notes (violins).