Slasher, Psychological, demonic, apocalyptic

[HORROR CONVENTIONS]

What are codes? Codes are effectively signs that suggest things within a film. There are two types of codes and they are Symbolic and technical. Technical is when technology is used to tell a story, for example hand held camera work. It is trying to put you in the position of the antagonist or protagonist. Symbolic codes are those that represent aspects that are beneath the surface, for example the weather could represent an actors feelings. Conventions are what the audience expect to see in the film. All conventions are genre specific. In horror films there are many expectations like: dark rooms, locations, sharp weapons, the supernatural antagonist and a protagonist. These are examples of genre conventions. Looking at genre conventions: Weapons: knives, axes, chainsaws, kitchen cutlery, dagger and any other blunt object that create hysterical pain and gore. These are all codes and conventions of the genre. Examples of films: Texas chainsaw massacre, Hostel franchise, saw franchise and many more Thinking about my own production I would love to include some sort of weapon but I prefer psychological weapons as the audience can relate to the character more and it can be more shocking. It also flows into the idea of isolation and loneliness. This is something I found out from my audience research. It told me that most of the people asked prefer Psychological to any other genre. Actors: We expect specific characters in horror films. The main two are the protagonist and antagonist. The conventions we expect with the protagonist are that they will be female and will be the final girl. As a girl connotes innocence and sweetness it contradicts the nature of the position she is put in. I think I will probably use a final boy or girl because it implies death and drained hope. It also makes the character feel isolated and left out. This would be an excellent way to break someone down until they are desperate. This is a great way to suggest someone becoming violent and aggressive. Examples of films: Jamie Lee Curtis (Halloween),

Gaylen Ross (Dawn of the dead),

Marilyn Burns (Texas chainsaw massacre)

And more Location(s): When we watch a slasher film we expect the locations to be somewhere remote and suburban to minimize the amount of people that come across the murderer or their lair. It also creates an atmosphere of isolation and fear. This is a horror convention.

Slasher, Psychological, demonic, apocalyptic

[HORROR CONVENTIONS]

Examples of films: Hostel (Hostel franchise), Saw (abandoned warehouse) Remote farm house, barn (Texas chainsaw massacre).

Evaluating this picture you can clearly see that the house is completely remote with nothing in site (except the farm house on the left). This would be a genre convention in a horror film due to the expectation that the protagonists will be in a remote location and in danger with now where to go. The dark and rundown nature of the building intensifies the tension and fear the characters and viewers will feel. In my production I think I would in-corporate the lonely nature of the building and person as this connotes segregation and isolation. This is excellently executed in the Saw franchise as the characters are segregated from anything they know or love. It is a way to break down someone and make them feel worthless. I could use this aspect in my production to make someone feel isolated or purposefully use it because the character wants to be alone for a reason.

Another convention within some horror films is masks. The scary nature hides the identity of the one behind, suggesting there is a reason to hide or to be hidden. In my opinion I believe masks connote danger and dominance as the person behind the mask can see the identity of those around. This intern puts him/her in a place of dominance as they have the privilege to see what they want and others are there for submissive towards them as they cannot see their identity. The idea that once someone puts on a mask they are there for a new person with a new identity with new capabilities and goals. After watching horror films that incorporate masks and evaluating the reasons for this choice I have thought about the idea of having my protagonist wearing a mask or incorporate it somewhere within my production. It could suggest hidden identity and danger as it indicates and shows that they do not want to be seen.

Slasher, Psychological, demonic, apocalyptic

[HORROR CONVENTIONS]

A common narrative convention within horror films is when the phone lines get cut. The example above is in Scream where Casey is being harassed by an unknown villain. It allows the killer to hide behind their own voice. A sense of security and power as they are in control. This convention is used in a slasher movie, whereas it is more psychological and shocking as it can have such an impact on the character. It implies that the antagonist wants to get into their mind and have physiological effect as well as physical impact. An excellent example where psychological impact is used to its full effect is Nightmare on Elm Street. It is where an idea or thought is injected into someone mind unknowingly and it this is how the protagonist access and gets to his victims.

This picture is the cover of Nightmare on Elm Street. It represents the idea within the film as it shows someone in bed, which connotes sleeping and it also shows the antagonists weapons. The Idea in this film is that the antagonist exists in peoples minds. He can only access them within their dreams and this is where he kills his victims. It represents the idea that you are NEVER safe, which in itself is much more frightening. One of the most over used narrative conventions in horror is when a character goes to investigate a strange noise. This is a convention that most audiences have seen and expect. An example is in Scream. Casey has been called by the protagonist many times with threats and intimidation but when she hears a strange noise she still goes to investigate. The reason I believe the writer/director does this is because it builds up and inordinate amount of tension from something so simple.

Slasher, Psychological, demonic, apocalyptic

[HORROR CONVENTIONS]

A very common convention that appears in pretty much every horror film is for the lights to flicker imply the presence of a supernatural being or force.

A horror convention for this scene would be for the doors to swing open by themselves and have the hinges squeaking. As the high pitched frequency will attract the audiences attention to it. It is also a narrative convention that is sometimes expected.

Something I would expect from this scene is for the chair to move uncontrollably due to the weather or the protagonist. This could also suggest the presence of a supernatural force trying to intimidate and scare the protagonist.

With the convention of the lights flickering I would expect the outline of the protagonist on the floor or the shadow. This would show the audience the presence of the antagonist and his general appearance.

These are all other angles of the same scene that show the same horror conventions that could be used. This is a scene that could be used in my own production as it allows me to use different codes and conventions. The sense I would try and put across from these corridors would be dark, scary and a sense of unease which connotes to the audience that there is danger and violence round every corridor.