Codes and Conventions of Horror Films and Trailers

The conventional reasons for creating a horror film are to frighten and panic the audience as well as causing dread and alarm, however in a way that still captivates and entertains the viewer in a cathartic experience. This genre also often in hidden fears which maybe created through the use of:

· Nightmares

· Vulnerability

· Alienation

· Revulsions

· Unknown terror

· Fear of death

· Loss of identity

A good example that uses many of these is the film 'The Possession'

The Primary Target audience for horror genre are usually males between the ages of 16-24 as these are the mainstreamers, as result the certification on these films are either 15 or 18 depending on the extent of explicit content.

The Narrative structure/ themes of horror films usually include:

· Death and Murder

· Mind Games

· Torture

· Survival

A good example of where this narrative structure is used is 'Cabin in the Woods'



 

Conventions of a Horror Trailer

Content:

• Always include short snippets of the fast paced, exciting shots.
• Usually includes an isolated location as this evokes feelings of alienation.





• Often use young characters around 16-25- Seen as naive, vulnerable and helpless making the audience feel protective over them, however sometimes this is changed when a young person is used to play the killer rather than the victim.

• Binary Oppositions are usually made clear without giving away too much of the story plot.
• Usually has a sub plot of male/female relationship
• Includes a catchy tagline which would also be shown on poster and will stand out to the viewer for example “They won’t stay dead!” in ‘Night of the living dead’.



• Includes dates for when the film is coming out and famous actors being used and ‘from the creators of’.



Camera angles:

• Often include lots of close ups and extreme close ups of gore or of characters in fear or pain to leave the audience wondering what has happened.

• Sometimes includes an establishing shot to set the location, so the viewer can get a feel for the style of the film.
• Can include POV shots from the killers’ perspective following their victim or can be hidden behind an objects showing a crime.
• Another shot that could be used is a low shot looking up at the killers face so that the audience takes the position of the victim.

Sound: 

• Diegetic: Often distorted, things inlcuding: doors creaking, screams, scraping
• Non Diegetic: Uses Incidental non diegetic sound, needs to set the tone and genre of the film.

Editing:

• Tends to be fast paced, with rapid cuts and short shots to show the exciting parts and to quicken the pace and keep the viewer interested or can be slow pace with long shots to build up tension and suspense to keep the audience on the edge of their seats and wanting to know what is going to happen.

A good example of fast, short editing would be the trailer or 'Seven':



      
      Mise-en-scene:

• Lighting: Uses dark low key lighting to create suspense and suggest that things are hiding from the audience in the shadow.

• Props: Often uses fake blood for gore and weapons such as knives and guns etc. to show that there will be hurt, pain and action in the film. 
• Text: Many trailers have text which will be in an easy to read font, usually eye-catching and is often in white, black or red as these are all bold colours and red has the connotation of blood.



• Makeup/costume: Costume differs depending on the individual nature of the killers or victims. Makeup can be used to create serious and minor wounds eg, bones sticking out, facial disortions and deep gashes.

    Representation: Often has a Dominant, hegemonic representation of gender and therefore often uses a female victim.

• Villain: Shown as powerful, clever and cunning, in control and invincible
• Victim: Shown as weak, scared, vulnerable, innocent and helpless.