This document discusses various elements and conventions of horror films. It notes that horror films are often set in isolated locations like forests or abandoned buildings to make protagonists vulnerable. Typical music uses suspenseful tones and isolated instruments. Common sounds include wind and screams. Antagonists are usually supernatural entities while protagonists are often families or friend groups of teenagers. Gloomy or stormy weather sets an unnerving atmosphere for horror scenes.

1. Farheen Rahman

2.  The main genre we are focusing on is horror. Horror
films are further divided into sub genres including
supernatural, psychological, comedy, zombie,
slasher, teen etc.
 Our films will fall into the sub genre of supernatural
horror.

3.  Most horror films are usually
located in a detached house
in a secluded area or it takes
place in other isolated
locations such as near a
forest, a cemetery or an
abandoned amusement
park.These places are
chosen so the protagonist
can be seen as vulnerable
and are unable to seek help
from anyone.

4.  This is one of the most important aspects to creating a
specific mood for the scene. It helps promote certain
emotions to the audience. Some of the common
conventions include long suspenseful notes often help
contrast with short sharp notes to shock the audience,
extreme but intentional pitch tones and isolated
instruments used before a key event occurs.
 The typical music used in horror movies varies depending
on the character. If there are children present in the movie
then they might add a lullaby.They might keep the
original lullaby song or they might distort it to make it
slower and creepier.
 Common sounds in horror movies includes wind howling,
screams, doors slamming, floor creaking etc.

5.  The antagonists in horror films are usually ghosts,
vampires, zombies, witches and clowns etc.
 The protagonists usually consist of a happy, white, all
American family. Sometimes its focused more on the child
or a parent.They usually move into a new house and
discover something evil about it or they have a
troubled/dark past that follows them and bothers them.
 Or the protagonist is usually a group of friends, usually
teenagers. Each teenager has a different personality for
example one may be brave while another is constantly
worried and scared. One might not care about what
happens and seems laid back while another comes up with
plans to “get them out” or to help them “survive”.

6.  The scenes in which the actual horror takes
place the weather is seen as gloomy, dark and
sometimes rain and thunderstorms to
represent a chilling atmosphere and set an
unnerving atmosphere.

7.  Good vs evil
 Psychopaths, sociopaths, serial killers,
demons, ghosts, poltergeist
 Kidnapping, stalking, revenge, haunting
 Religious beliefs, exorcisms

8.  The classic narrative structure of the Horror genre has to have a protagonist
within the film. Horror is based upon conflict and problems the main
characters face
 From the main list of characters, several character types are chosen for a
horror film: the heroine/hero, the evil "monster" and the supporting
characters. In theWoman In Black film, the protagonist character/hero is
Arthur Kipps, and the villain is the woman in black
 Horror films try to connect with the audience. Some narratives, typically seen
in the sub-genre of slasher films, are very common and unoriginal when it
comes to the film plot/storyline. For example, the film would revolve around
the story of a killer that had a traumatic childhood past or even psychotic
mental issues.Thus, ending up killing people at random, or with some type of
reasoning that may be irrational.Within this stereotypical narrative, the
characters are usually teenagers, most of them are killed leaving one or two
left
 The fate of this the one left to survive, who may be referred to as the hero
tends to be left unknown.

9.  Common camera angles include canted angles
to show distortion and help the audience see
what the scene is trying to connote.
 Common shots include hand held shots
especially when a character is running to show
how intense the scene is and make the audience
feel like they are physically experiencing it and
to make them feel involved.
 They also use a lot of extreme close ups on the
protagonists face to show their emotions and to
build up tension in a scene.

10.  The main colours associated with horror is black, white
and red.
 Black is used as it connotes darkness and creates and
unsettling mood. Most horror movies that are located in
isolated areas are usually dark for example a scene in a
dark alleyway or a haunted house. Antagonist usually
dress in black or white to show that they are dark and to
blend in with items we associate with fear such as
shadows.
 When a character is dressed in white it shows death as
ghosts are stereotypically seen as white.
 Red is seen a lot especially in slasher movies as there is a
lot of blood and red signifies danger.
 Typical props used include: knives, masks, chainsaws, toys
etc.

11. Some stereotypical events that happen includes:
 A character falling over and hurting themselves
which leads to them being unable to run from
antagonist.
 A door slamming, blocking the protagonists
path.
 The vehicle they need for escaping doesn’t start
or the tires have been slashed.
 Running upstairs rather than running out of the
house.
 Someone becomes possessed