Mise-en-scene in horror films establishes isolation and ominous settings through techniques like pathetic fallacy, sinister props, and dark colors like red and black. Lighting is used to create mood, cast shadows, and suggest split personalities. Costumes distinguish stereotypical character types like the "blonde" and "athlete". Sound design with exaggerated diegetic sound and loud non-diegetic music builds tension and makes audiences feel scared. Common props symbolizing religion or the devil include bibles, crucifixes, and candles. Horror films typically feature stock character archetypes like "the blonde [who] usually dies first".

2. MISE-EN-SCENE
Usually set in isolated areas where there is no help for the
characters and no hope of finding somewhere to run.
There is also the use of pathetic fallacy which consists
of thunder and rain used to enhance on the use of
isolation.
The use of props include weapons or antiques, also
paintings are a big prop used to create a dark and
sinister scene.
Colours used within horror films are usually reds or blacks
because they suggest danger and death.

3. MISE-EN-SCENE (2)
Lighting
Lighting is used in horror films to give the effect of something bad is about to happen
for example shadows and light flickering causes the audience to feel scared and
nervous. As well as this lighting can be used to give mood in horror films, usually
when some one is scared its quite dark and is usually raining outside. It can also be
used to create a personality of a character by casting shadows across there face to
create a sinister minded character or a split personality of a character.
Costumes
Costumes vary in horror films because they have stereo typical characters which are
dressed different for example the blonde will be dressed slutty and the athlete will
be wearing a tight top or vest. To create the personality of the characters in the
film.

4. SOUND
Sound
Audio is key when editing, using Foley sound will help build suspense.
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Exaggerated diegetic sound will allow tension to be created in the film
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Fast and loud non diegetic sound can add to making the audience jump or feel
scared I.e. the music in the shower scene in Psycho.
From this scene you can see the effect in which the sound has on the film, the first
time it plays with music showing the intensity it creates and then again without
music showing the difference in intensity of the scene.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81qweiWqyTU

5. PROPS
Many props are used in horror films to suggest horror for example;
Bibles
Crucifix
Paintings
Candles
Weapons
The props such as Crucifixes are use as a sign of religion and symbolizing the devil. Also
this is used as a sign of defense from god because people believe it protects them
from paranormal beings. However in some horror this prop just angers the thing
which I haunted and creates more violence and horror to occur.

6. CHARACTERS
There is always the stereo typical characters who are in every horror film for example;
The Blonde; usually the one who dies first
The Athlete; Everyone looks at this guy for guidance, usually macho
The Virgin; The character who survives and is pure so isn’t affected by evil.

7. ICONOGRAPHY
Iconography of Paranormal Horror
Paranormal horror films such as paranormal activity have iconography such as ghostly
symbols, dark places, and unusual things happening such as doors slamming and
swinging lights and haunted houses.
Other conventions is trying to frighten the audience with jumpy scenes with the use of
things popping up or loud sounds. Other typical conventions are things like wind,
creepy shadows and unexplainable noises.
There is normally a character who doesn’t believe or a priest who comes in to prevent
things happening but is used to create more horror by angering the paranormal
being which is used in most paranormal horror films.

8. ICONOGRAPHY (2)
A convention of paranormal horror is trying to frighten the audience with the jumpy
scenes or things popping up in mirrors. Another way in which they do this is with
the use of lighting for example if there is candles and it starts to flicker this gives
the audience hints something is about to happen or appear. Other typical
conventions of supernatural horror us the use of wind, creepy
shadows, unexplainable noises and moving objects.
Normally in paranormal horror there is usually someone who comes in to test this
paranormal being for example the use of cameras and crucifixes are used in films
to make it angry to reveal itself which is used in most paranormal horror to reveal
what is exactly haunting them.