Horror conventions

Many horror films share the same conventions which make the film exciting, scary and enjoyable. The conventions are what makes the film a good film. You always know what direction  horror film will take you and the characters but you still want to watch it to find out what will happen and how it will happen.

• You expect the music to be scary and either dark and erey or just natural noise such as the radio or TV which foreshadows the future. Either way the music should keep you on edge and predict the future. Sometimes the music is accompanied by a child singing which is seen as a warning sign for trouble in the near future.

A good example of this would be the music from Stephen Kings 'IT'. The music is traditional horror film music and keeps the audience on their seat. Also the young child singing predicts the future and makes you feel on edge.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dw_A2ffPJ_k 

• An establishing shot of the location is always traditional in a horror film. Its to introduce the audience to the main location which is seen as scary and dark. It is usually raining in the establishing shot and nearly always shown at night. 

A good example being The Ring which establishes the shot of the house well with all the typical conventions to go with it.

• The costume is nearly always memorable and plays in the viewers mind continuously throughout the film so you are always looking for them and always on edge waiting for them to strike again.

A good example of this is Scream. The costume is so memorable you will remember it throughout the film.

• Props are somewhat important as they often foreshadow the future of the film or forecast certain events. Again IT is another great example as the little girl picks up a dolly, a child like toy, and then sees the clown. The two link well together.

•  Okay the main character? Traditionally a naive and blonde girl unaware of anything dangerous that is going on around her. She always walks into trouble. Typically a sweet and kind girl. An example would be Scream.

• The plot should be basically outlined and foreshadowed and enigma codes should be created for effect and to keep the viewer watching.

• Close ups shots of the thing that is meant to scare are particularly useful as they focus the audiences attention on them. This again would be Scream where you focus on the phone after you hear it ringing or the clown from IT when the girl notices it.

 

I came up with list from my analysis of the three horror films I did. I looked at what was relevant and the same to each film and suggested these as possible conventions of a typical horror film. Many things linked together to make them typically known in the genre. I took screen shots from each to show how they linked.