Conventions of Horror

Setting

A variety of locations can be used for a horror film, however the most stereotypical settings used are:

• Woods
• Abandoned Houses
• Old, grand houses (usually with a dark history)

These places are most often used for their sense of isolation and the consequential difficulty to get help.

Camera Work

The hand held shot has become increasingly popular in contemporary horror movies with the accessibility of cameras in today's society. For example, Paranormal Activity and Cloverfield are shot almost if not entirely by seemingly amateur characters. This is meant to add to the viewer experience as the audience are put in the same unknowing place as the characters and must unravel the events as they happen.

Abstract angles are also frequently used. This is often done to disorientate the viewer in a particularly climactic part of the movie. It can also partially obscure certain elements of mise-en-scene, for example the antagonist may be seen for a fraction of a second before clearly appearing to build up the tension.

Editing

The pace of editing varies to increase or decrease tension in the film. The pace may slow in a horror, but only to deceive the viewer by lulling them into a false sense of security. When suddenly juxtaposed with a fast paced scene, the sense of fear and terror are intensified.

Sound

Music is a key element in horror movies. A notable example is the shower scene in the 1968 movie Psycho. Loud, sharp, high pitched music is played in time with the stabbing, emulating the knife's movement in sound. It is also highly intrusive, a sound that cannot be escaped when it is being played and is difficult to forget. This heightens the fear in the audience.

Characters

• Main Protagonist
• Villain/Protagonist Element
• Victims

Style

Since films like Scream, horror films have become self-reflexive - they reference or ironically mock the genre. While this adds a form of social commentary it also allows the film to be more innovative as it, quite subtly, does not take itself seriously. An example of this is exaggerated gore  where a minor injury can seriously or fatally wound a character. Combined with an increased fragility in the human body, violently bloody images have become a staple in today's horror movies.