Information about what genre is and how horror films are made using these genres.

2. What is genre?
 Genre is a French word which means ‘type’
 A genre has certain characteristics that are known
and recognised by the mass audience. Media
products can be placed into a type of genre by the
conventions which they convey.
 Horror is a genre of film, but within this there are
sub genres. A sub genre is a smaller category under
a broad genre heading.
For example: A psychological thriller is a sub genre
within horror.

3. Genre and Audience
 As films fit into specific genres it allows the audience to
learn the conventions of these genres to apply them to
the film they are about to see.
 By having set genres the audience create expectations
of the plot or storyline and it gives them pleasure to
know that they can predict how the the film will pan out.

4. Genre and Audience
cont…
 A suspension of disbelief is used in horror
films, especially in psychological thrillers as they portray
a story or a mental illness so well that the audience
genuinely believe that everyone with that illness really
acts this way. These films are made so believable that
even the most far out ideas seem the ‘norm’.
 The audience hope that their own fears will be
overcome when they go to see/watch a horror film.

5. Horror conventions
 They rely on myth and legends for the plot and
themes.
 Monsters and Vampires are seen as a metaphor for
death and illness.
 Settings; Forest/Woods, mental hospitals, usually
quiet areas (villages/towns), warehouses
 Props; Knives, chainsaws, blood, dolls
 Music and Sounds; Creaking doors,
echoes of quietness, slow/eerie music to
drive the narrative and create tension

6. Psychological thriller
conventions
 The characters try to determine what is real and
what is not. It’s them battling a mental issues that
consume their minds.
 The character has a different perception of
the world than others, often seeking advice
or seen mingling with people who think the
same as them.
 Unstable and emotional state of a character
 Themes; reality, perception, mind, existence/
purpose, identity, death