2. What is a “Horror”?What is a “Horror”?
“Horror” is a type of genre that is intended to or have the capacity to frighten, scare, or startle its
audience by inducing feelings of horror and terror.
The main purpose of the horror genre is for entertainment. It is very successful as it is able toThe main purpose of the horror genre is for entertainment. It is very successful as it is able to
put the audience in a position where they empathise for the characters involved and canput the audience in a position where they empathise for the characters involved and can
therefore produce an adrenaline rush that many people enjoy.therefore produce an adrenaline rush that many people enjoy.
3. Sub-genres andSub-genres and
examplesexamplesSupernatural: includes ghosts,monsters,dark forces, zombies, ect.
Dark Fantasy: contains fantasy elements with a horror twist, or horror with a distinctly fantastical
setting. e.g. Don't Be Afraid of the Dark
Sci-fi Horror: aliens, robots, space travel are used to precipitate the overriding horror. e.g. Alien
Psychological Horror: driven by characters’ fears and focused more on psychological dread than on
murder, mutilation, and gore. e.g. The Human Centipede
Gothic: involves psychological terror in historically romantic settings, including mysteries, ghosts,
castles, decay, madness, curses, and death. e.g. The Woman In Black
Suspense/Thriller: does not involve any supernatural or otherworldly aspects, instead relying on
real-life situations to generate horror through serial killers, deadly situations, natural disasters, and
psycopaths. e.g. The Purge
5. Dark FantasyDark Fantasy
Dark Fantasy: contains fantasy elements with a horror twist, or horror with a distinctly fantastical
setting.
Examples:Examples:
-Beowulf-Beowulf
-The Wild Hunt-The Wild Hunt
-Don’t Be Afraid Of The Dark-Don’t Be Afraid Of The Dark
-Outlander-Outlander
-Day Watch-Day Watch
6. Sci-fiSci-fi
Sci-fi Horror: aliens, robots, space travel are used to precipitate the overriding horror.
Examples:Examples:
-Alien-Alien
-The Thing-The Thing
-Dark Zone-Dark Zone
-Looper-Looper
-Extracted-Extracted
7. PsychologicalPsychological
Psychological Horror: driven by characters’ fears and focused more on psychological dread
than on murder, mutilation, and gore.
Examples:Examples:
-The Human Centipede-The Human Centipede
-Black Swan-Black Swan
-1408-1408
-Silent Hill-Silent Hill
-Case 39-Case 39
8. GothicGothic
Gothic: involves psychological terror in historically romantic settings, including mysteries, ghosts,
castles, decay, madness, curses, and death.
Examples:Examples:
-The Woman in Black-The Woman in Black
-The Awakening-The Awakening
-Sleepy Hollow-Sleepy Hollow
-Dracula-Dracula
-Night Of The Demon-Night Of The Demon
9. ThrillerThriller
Suspense/Thriller: does not involve any supernatural or otherworldly aspects, instead relying on
real-life situations to generate horror through serial killers, deadly situations, natural disasters,
and psycopaths.
Examples:Examples:
-The Purge-The Purge
-Saw-Saw
-You’re Next-You’re Next
-Texas Chainsaw massacre-Texas Chainsaw massacre
-Sinister-Sinister
10. Generic conventionsGeneric conventions
Usually set in isolated areas where there is no help for the characters and no hope of finding
somewhere to run.
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. e.g. black, red ect.
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. 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 vary in horror films because they have stereo typical characters which are dressed
different, however they often use strong stereotypes
Audio is key when editing, using Foley sound will help build suspense. Exaggerated diegetic
sound will allow tension to be created in the film. Fast ,loud clashing non diegetic sound can add
to making the audience jump or feel scared
11. Generic conventionsGeneric conventions
The props can vary based on the subgenre e.g. Thriller=guns - fast death Satanic=cross - signThe props can vary based on the subgenre e.g. Thriller=guns - fast death Satanic=cross - sign
of religion Psychological=knife - slow deathof religion Psychological=knife - slow death
Usually stereo typical characters who are in horror; The Blonde; usually the one who dies first
The Athlete; Everyone looks at this guy for guidanceand is brave The Virgin(satanic); The
character who survives and is pure so isn’t affected by evil.
Other successful conventions: doors slamming, swinging lights, haunted houses, things
popping up or loud sounds. Wind, rain, storms, creepy shadows and unexplainable noises.
Mirrors, staircases, candles (flickering gives a hint something is about to happen)
12. Effective horrorEffective horror
Paranormal Activity (2009)Paranormal Activity (2009)
Supernatural horror-thriller
Gross: $193,355,800
Budget: $15,000: $15,000
It is the most profitable film ever made, based on return on investment
This is an effective horror film as we get to see a progression of slightly weird events leadingThis is an effective horror film as we get to see a progression of slightly weird events leading
onto more heavy, scary events. It is also based around the audience getting a fright meaningonto more heavy, scary events. It is also based around the audience getting a fright meaning
they have no warning which will produce more adrenaline making this seem scarier than otherthey have no warning which will produce more adrenaline making this seem scarier than other
horror films. It is also shot in “Found footage” style which makes it scarier to the audience ashorror films. It is also shot in “Found footage” style which makes it scarier to the audience as
there is a part that believes it could be real footage even though the concept is quite farthere is a part that believes it could be real footage even though the concept is quite far
fetched.fetched.
13. The early viewings of the first paranormal activity wereThe early viewings of the first paranormal activity were
presented as a “found footage” documentary this lead topresented as a “found footage” documentary this lead to
lots of speculation about the reality of the film. Thislots of speculation about the reality of the film. This
attracted lots of viewers wanting to see the movie.attracted lots of viewers wanting to see the movie.
14. With lots of the shots filmed at night using low keyWith lots of the shots filmed at night using low key
lightign, there was lots of suspense as lots of the viewlightign, there was lots of suspense as lots of the view
was concealed by the darkness meaning people werewas concealed by the darkness meaning people were
on edge for a large portion of the film.on edge for a large portion of the film.
15. Another feature that made this a successful film was theAnother feature that made this a successful film was the
lack of non-diagetic sound. This added to the verisimilitylack of non-diagetic sound. This added to the verisimility
of the film as people would recognise that if it were foundof the film as people would recognise that if it were found
footage, there wouldn’t be music playing edited over thefootage, there wouldn’t be music playing edited over the
top.top.
