Key Horror Conventions

Distinct
Don't
Ignore
Setting
Technical
Iconography
Narrtive
Characterisation
Themes
Setting

• Derelict buildings/areas
• Urban environments
• Dark streets/alleyways
• Forrests/woodland
• Abandoned hospitals
• Family homes (possesed)
• Cabins/buildings in the middle of nowhere
• Anywhere that connotes isolation and lonlieness and places that can build tension

It is very important that you get the right setting for a horror film to build up the atmosphere and tension and to create fear. The setting all depends on the type of horror it is, for example it could be sci-fi horror therefore the setting may be in a old abandoned lab or warehouse. If the horror film is about zombies then this may also be set in a warehouse or army bases. If the horror film is about the supernatural this could be set in a family home or hospital.
Technical Codes

Camerawork is very vital in horror, it could be handheld which creates reality and makes the viewer feel like they are there and that the story is real. High and low angles can connotate fear and nightmares. POV shots are good in horror films as the audience can see the view from the criminals eye or the victims and instantly changes the audiences opinion/outlook of the film.

Disturbing sounds are vital within horror as they create the mood and tension and make the audience feel uncomfortable or scared. Diagetic and non-diagetic sounds are used within media as both of these types of noises work well. Editing works well with horror because you can use different shots and cuts to make the audience jump and to create suspense.
Iconography

• Often dark colours are used for example, red and black as red connotates evil, blood, danger and black connotes darkness, death, mystery, isolation, shadows, emptiness.
• Low-key lighting is often used to createw tension
• Props are used to create characters for example weapons are usually owned or help by the antagonist (baddie) the main weapons used in horror films are knives, chainsaws, guns, sledgehammers.
• Costumes also identify characters e.g. masks.

Narrative Structure

• Classic narrative structure can create sequels and cliff hangers
• There's usually a survivor in every horror film, as well as an antagonist and protagonist

Character Types

• Protagonist (hero/victim)
• Antagonist (villain/monster/killer/spirit)
• The naieve (the people that get killed off)
• Evil abnormal children
• Police officers who take ages to arrive or don't believe the protagonist, or sometimes rarely are very good but may get killed off

Themes

• Depression
• Isolation
• Religion
• Revenge
• Supernatural
• Death
• Nightmares
• Zombie apocololypse