Codes and Conventions of Horror films.

Codes and conventions which are typically found to be used in horror films.

-Ominous mise-en-scene e.g dark nights, isolated location, emphasis on noises such a wind, dogs barking swing creaking, people walking/breathing, bad weather e.g storms lighting blackouts is used to manipulate the characters so then they can't escape.

-Killer has to have an iconic method or weapon of killing. Scream - Ghost face & knife, Saw - Jigsaw & the mask. Nightmare on elm street - Clothings and knife glove.

-Disorientation/disturbance of the audience - can do this through many ways; digetic and non-digetic sounds, un-natural camera movements can make the audience feel disorientated and absorb them into the film.



- Horror films usually target teenagers and young adults as it can play on their vulnerability and naivety.

- First to be killed is usually a teenage girl stereotypical - blonde hair a bit dumb plays off the "rules" of a horror film e.g don't inspect a noise from outside, don't go off on your own, don't ask who's there?
- The main character whom survives being killed until the end usually has problems with themselves, relationships, family, etc this is used to progress the story and make them feel more relateable which in tale makes the film more scary as the audience can be placed in the film easier.

-Horror film settings can differ from either a secluded isolated location, or they can use a location which is more seemingly "safe" e.g a characters home, school this is used to scare the audience further as it breaks their safety and can make the film seem more relatable.
- Some films use plots where they remove any trust or aid from things that people usually go to for help e.g parents, the police, and our friends as this makes not only the characters in the film but the audience feel no sense of protection and safety thus again making it scarier.

-POV (point of view) shots from the killer are a must in a horror film as they place the audience into the film emphasising the thrill and the make the victim seem more vulnerable and defenceless.
-Surprise twists within the plot, e.g a person whom was seemingly safe is suddendly killed, a killer is revealed to be somebody who was presented as harmless character throughout the film.