Conventions in horror films.

1. CONVENTIONS IN
HORROR FILMS
Convention – The generally accepted ways of doing something.

2. ISOLATED LOCATION
Horror films are usually set in
a secluded location in order
to create a tense, scary
atmosphere. It also ensures
that later on in the film, the
characters wont be able to
call out for help because
they’re all alone.

3. NO SIGNAL
The convention of having ‘no
signal’ again puts forward the
sense of helplessness as it stops
the characters from being able
to call for help.

4. LIGHTS GO OUT
A common fear is the fear of the dark.
By incorporating this within movies, the
scenes automatically become scarier
as the element of the unknown comes
into play.
The use of darkness is effective in this clip of ‘The Woman in Black’ because it hides
the figure – this makes the scene more tense because the audience are unable to
determine when the jump scare is. As well as this, the lights turn out one by one to
highlight how the woman is getting close and closer.

5. SOMEONE ALWAYS FALLS OVER
Right in the middle of the chase,
the victim inexplicable falls over.
This makes the audience feel an
urge of panic and intensity.
When the woman trips up the stairs, it forces the audience to focus more on the surroundings.
The pace of editing slows down, which makes it more dramatic because the threat of the chase
suddenly stops without any explanation.

6. CHARACTERS FORGET ABOUT THREAT
The characters always forget
about the negative things
that have happened
previously – whether it’s a
death, a curse or worse. This
sets the scene for the horror
movie because the audience
always has the sense of threat
at the back of their minds.
In the movie ‘Sinister’ the Oswalt family move into a
new house, even though it was the sight of many
family murders.

7. MYSTERIOUS NOISES
In practically every horror film odd, unexplained noises are usually heard.
The clap and seek scene in ‘The Conjuring’ uses a harmless noise of a clap. However,
later on it is revealed that the clapping wasn’t from any of the family members.

8. EARLY DEATHS
Early deaths are used to set the
mood and tone for the rest of the
film.
In the opening scene of ‘Jaws’ it becomes obvious that the film is based
around the idea of deadly sharks.

9. BAD WEATHER
The use of pathetic fallacy
indicates the emotion that the
director wants us to feel. Quite
often thunder and lighting is
used because of the common
childhood fear of them.

10. SILLY DECISIONS
Characters usually make stupid
decisions which, nine times out of
ten, gets them killed. Whether its
hiding under beds or taking risky
shortcuts, the decision is always
fatal.
In this scene from ‘Scream’, Tatum decides to go through the cat
flap even though it is obviously too small for her whereas she
could of easily re-opened the garage door whilst the killer was
on the floor.

11. FREAKY CHILDREN
Freaky adults are scary, but
freaky children…that’s just a
whole new level.