through camra work, mes, editing and sound

2.  Camera work is contrasts with other movie genres because the film isn’t just there to entertain but to project
fear to the viewer.
 Extreme close ups are used eg. to see the damsel’s scared expression or even a sudden close up of the villan
for a jump scare.
 More obscure angles are used like a canted angle to create the illusion of the damsel being surrounded from all
angles as if they are trapped and there’s no escape..
 POV shots are a cliché for films such as ‘The Blair Witch Project’ where it’s POV shots throughout but in
smaller doses provides the viewer to see things from the character’s perspective and feel the fear they feel.
 The framework is important, it could create depth so you firstly don’t notice the villain behind the protagonist.
 With the horror genre the use of angles, types of shots and composition can be more controversial to other
films and so the film maker can be more creative.

3.  The use of sound is vital to create suspense and tension in any film but especially in horror to generate fear and
dread whether it being the iconic, loud sound from ‘Psycho’ or a deadly silence.
 Music can be used increasing in speed, volume or tempo to build tension. For example, the theme tune from ‘Jaws’
creates fear and dread to the audience as they know something bad is going to happen.
 Ambient sounds like foot steps or doors creaking can be exaggerated for hyper-real sound.

4.  Secluded settings: isolated, woods, abandoned houses etc. making the audience feel alone and helpless.
 Usually these settings have a dark history, for example the famous franchise, Friday the 13th. If the setting was
a house then the a studio set would be used to control the lighting.
 The lighting in horror films is dark or night usually with a touch running out of battery, candles going out
from unexpected gusts of wind or electricity malfunctioning. The use of lights flickering is atmospheric and
used to create jump scares.
 The most popular colour in horror films is red symbolising the stereotype of blood, danger or death. Black and
white are used to create contrast conveying the light and dark forces or good and evil.
 Iconic props in horror films are usually weapons like knives (eg Scream) especially in slasher films. Another
prop may be something cursed for example a book that unleashes a sprit. Props are a law in all horror films.
 Costume, hair and make up can be very iconic to a horror film like Jason in Friday the 13th with the hockey
mask. The makeup can only strike fear into the audience eg decaying zombies.
 Special effects are sometimes used to create the villain eg Mama

5.  Editing in horror films can be used to create tension by increasing the pace to create jump scares.
 When putting the film together timing is a key aspect to engage the audience and create suspense. Longer clips can
create suspense and cause discomfort. Short clips contrasting with this can scare the viewers.
 Editing and sound working together creates a good jump scare.