The document discusses common tropes and elements in the horror genre of film. It describes Carol Clover's "final girl" theory where one female character is usually left alive at the end. It also notes the common juxtaposition of the male character taking the role of protector, which often leads to their demise. Typical horror film locations mentioned are remote forests, abandoned buildings, and asylums. The document also discusses costume and music conventions, with antagonists wearing dark colors and music in trailers changing tempo to build tension.
2. Characters
In the horror genre of film. The theorist Carol Clover
had the theory of the ‘final girl’. This is when there is
one woman left alive at the end of the film this is the
case in films such as The Descent and Eden Lake.
However, there is also the juxtaposition of this theory as
it is typical for the man to save the day and the female
character is seen as the ‘damsel in distress’ who needs
saving. For example in the purge and Steve from Eden
lake felt like they needed to protect the women and
children. However, by doing so they both ended up
dead.
3. Location
For the typical horror genre the locations used are
forests, derelict buildings, metal asylums. These
buildings are remote where no one can hear you and if
you escape there is no where to run and hide. Also it
makes it unlike that you will be found and the
antagonist will be able to destroy the location if the
police start to gather evidence as to where his/her
location is.
Or even some films are in you own home. This
ultimately plays on the social anxieties. Everyone thinks
they are safe in their own home. However, movies such
as The Purge is in their own home
4. Costume
In the horror genre the costume of the antagonist is
often dark colours that blend well in the darkness. The
protagonist often wear lighter colours to suggest/reflect
their goodness or purity. For example Jenny in Eden lake
wears light coloured dresses. However, as the film goes
on her dress gets covered in dirt and blood which could
suggest that she is no longer pure as she has killed and
done an impure action.
5. Music
The music used in trailers of the horror genre is typically
quite dramatic. The tempo changes throughout the trailer to
match what is happening within the trailer. The typical tempo
is fast when fast editing is the to add to the tension and
dramatic effect. The tempo is slow in the beginning as the
audience is being introduced to the film. This is done to make
people unsure about what the trailer is about.
For example you would start a trailer with a couple hugging
as the move into a house or go out for a meal. Then it cuts
straight to black and BAM! A scream takes over the sound of
the trailer. Still with the background music to keep the
momentum going. Then fast tempo combined with hyper
cutting creates tension for the audience.