2. Main Plot
Conventions of the Main Plot include:
A focus on death
Possession
An indescribable phenomenon
Can be killers, witches or a creature- but most commonly
a demon
Incorporation of evil or an out-of-body experience of a
human
Psychological effect on the audience through realism
3. Location
Either:
Isolated environment so nobody can help e.g. woods
‘Normal’ location e.g. a house BUT abandoned because of
phenomenon.
Haunted old-style building e.g. a manor house or castle.
OR:
A regular suburban residential house to evoke realism
4. Camera Technique
Most commonly a hand-held camera style.
Shaky, restricted view of image to evoke realism
Commonly low-angled shots and mid-shot zooms are
found in Supernatural Horrors.
5. Light & Sound
Low key lighting- less ability to see and generic for a horror film-
plus ‘presences’ are typically only around in the dark.
Light sources could include a torch, a fire or from an electronic
device e.g. a laptop.
Typically night time to reinforce the darkness and therefore fear.
Diegetic sounds would include: screams, heavy breathing,
banging, dialogue.
Non Diegetic sounds may include: a voiceover, music with a
gradually increasing pace to create tension, overlaid sound
effects e.g. typing, and amplified bangs and ‘booms’.
