2. KEY EVENTS - TIMELINE
• 1890’s: In 1896, the ever horror film was made. It was called ‘The House of the Devil’ and it was directed by Georges Melies.
• 1920’s: Two films called ‘The Cabinet of Dr. Caligan’ and ‘Nosferatu were released. These films are considered the most influential horror films as
these films influenced the next generation of American cinema.
• 1930’s: Universal studios had great success with horror films releasing films such as ‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame’ and ‘The Phantom of the
Opera.’ These films led them to enter the golden age of horror films in the 30’s and they went on to release a string of hot horror films including
‘Dracula’ and ‘Frankenstein.’
• 1940’s: In the 1940’s, Universal studios had great success with monster movies, because of this they tried to introduce seque ls of already famous
movies such as ‘Ghost of Frankenstein’. They also tried to combine horror and comedy by creating the film ‘Abbott and Castello meet Frankenstein.’
• 1950’s: With culture changing, this affected horror films, for example; the cold war lead to the fear of invasion leading to films such as ‘The Invasion
of the Body Snatchers’ and ‘The Thing from Another World.’ Nuclear proliferation lead to visions of ramping mutants including ‘Them!’ and ‘The Beast
from 20,000 Fathoms.
• 1960’s: With the social revolution taking place, horror films reflected this and horror films were more edgy and including controversial levels of
violence. For example; ‘Blood Feast’, Witchfinder General.’ Some horror films showed more sexuality, for example; ‘Repulsion. ’
• 1970’s: The boundaries were pushed even further and horror films started to tackle social issues including sexism. Consumeris m, religion and war.
Films such as ‘The Stepford Wives’ and ‘Down of the Dead’ were released during this time. Exploitation films were also made v ery popular, these
including graphic sexual scenes and violence.
• 1980’s: ‘Friday the 13th’, ‘Prom Night’ and ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’ defined horror films at this time. They also started to add in a light-hearted
look at the genre with comic elements in films.
• 1990’s: Saw the release of ‘The Silence of the Lambs’ which was very successful. With this films success, it lead to other fa mous studios to create
large scaled horror theme films.
• 2000’s: Horror films in the US has been recognised with remakes of both American films including ‘Friday the 13th’. ‘Halloween’ and ‘Dawn of the
Dead’ and foreign films including ‘The Ring’ and ‘The Grudge.’
3. CONVENTIONS - SETTING
Horror films mainly set there films in place that connotes isolation and fear. They are also
located in quiet places. For example;
• Isolated Places
• Forests
• Dark Streets
• Basements
• Empty Houses/Sheds/Hotels/Schools
• Run down cities
• Urban Cities
• Graveyard
4. CONVENTIONS - CAMERAWORK
Handheld shots are rarely used because they make it hard for the audience to understand the
storyline.
High and low angles shots are used a lot to connote fear and desperation from the characters.
Point of view shots are conventionally used in horror films. They are usually used to show
what the antagonist can see and what the protagonist is seeing. This connotes fear and
tension.
Close up are also used in horror films a lot to show the reactions of the characters. This is a
very effective when understanding the plot and storyline.
5. CONVENTIONS - EDITING
Editing is used to create unsettling tension and suspense with the film. This connotes the type
of event that is happening and helps the audience relate and understand the storyline. For
example; long take might be used to create suspense for the an event such as a killing.
However if there was a chase, there would be a short take and fast pace cutting to create the
horror and tension.
6. CONVENTIONS - SOUND
Diegetic and non-diegetic sound is very important in horror films as they create the fear and tension.
Non-diegetic sounds as in the music can be added after the film has been added to emphasize parts
of the film.
Conventional Sounds;
• Footsteps
• Heart beat
• People laughing
• Screaming
• Fast paced music
• Creaking doors/furniture
• Ghost noises
• Creepy music
• Slow paced dialogue
7. CONVENTIONS – MISE-EN-SCENE
Convention aspects of mise-en-scene found in a horror film include;
• Low key lighting
• Dark clothing
• Fake blood
• Blood stained clothing
• Make-up, Dark eyes, Pale skin
• Props such as Knives, weapons, children's toys
