Horror films commonly use certain conventions including dark colors, low lighting, isolated settings, exaggerated sounds, and specific props associated with villains. The characters are usually placed alone in isolated small towns or abandoned places with a dark history. Common character types include the main protagonist or victim/hero, a villain such as a monster or serial killer known for their killing method, and stereotypical teenagers who are killed. Camera techniques like handheld shots and close-ups create a sense of realism and observe emotions. Themes often involve good vs. evil, revenge, madness, nightmares, or the supernatural.

1. Usually set in isolated areas
wherethere is no help.
CONVENTIONS OF HORROR FILMS
Sound
Iconography
Visualstyle: often
dark colors like red
& black (links to evil,
blood and danger).
Common objects include:
weapons, masks, icons of the
supernatural/religious etc.
Low-key lighting can
help to create dark
shadows and unfamiliar
shapes in the blackness.
Specific props can be
identified with a certain villain
or character (e.g. chainsaws,
machetes, knifes, costumes)
Setting
Exaggerated diegetic
sound will allow tension
to be created in the film.
Fastand loud non-diegetic
sound can add to making the
audience jump or feel scared.
Small communities or isolated
places: urban environments, dark
streets and arrow alleyways.
The characters are usually
placed in the setting alone.
Usually anything that
connotes isolation. Often
places with a ‘dark’ history,
like abandoned houses,
hotels etc.
The main protagonist,
often the victim/hero
of the movie.
The villain, often a
monster, alien or
serial killer – tend to
have a characteristic
as to how they kill.
The stupid/immoral
teenagers that
always get killed.
Characters
Themes
Good vs. evil
Revenge
Madness
Nightmares
Supernatural
Camera
Use of hand held
cameras to create a
senseof realism.
Establishing shot to
show the location.
Close ups are used to
observeemotions.