This slideshow is a presentation of horror movie conventions.

2. Horror films are usually set in isolated, dark settings. This is to reflect
the loneliness of the character as they have no one around them to
help them with their current situation.
Typical locations include: Lakes, abandoned roads, barns, empty
hotels, houses, cabins and cities, graveyards, deserted ships at sea,
asylum, attics, basements, etc.
The settings can also have a ‘dark’ history, for example setting a
horror film in a house that is haunted by a spirit from many years ago.
The setting typically connotes darkness, death and isolation.

3. The generic props used in horror movies include; knives, chainsaws,
machetes, guns etc.
Props are used in films to make the scenes more realistic, it helps to
convey the personality traits of a character and establishes their role
within a film.
E.g. A knife in a mans hand would suggest to the audience that he
was the murderer.
Horror movies also use props to help the audience understand the
background to some scenes, for example the use of a Bible helps the
audience realise that a exorcism is something to do with the Church.

4. Horror movies use lots of different camera angles and shots like all films.
High angle shots- Horror movies use high angle shots to portray fear as the character
looks small as the camera is placed above them. This can also suggest their level of
status in the scene.
P.O.V. shots- Horror films uses P.O.V shots to show the audience what the character is
seeing, this adds fear and builds tension as the audience cannot see the full scene.
Also in some horror movies, the P.O.V shot is used to shows the world through the
‘monster’ or the ‘murderer’s eyes meaning the audience are placed in the
antagonists shoes.
Handheld shots- The use of handheld shots are popular in lots of films, however
when used in horror films, they add great effect. The handheld camera adds a shaky
effect to the shot and therefore creates fear in the audience as it makes it difficult for
them to see what is happening in the scene. It promotes a feeling of terror and a
sense of the unknown. A good example of the use oif handheld cameras is in the film
Cloverfield.

5. Dark/ low level lighting
Low level- create creepy mysterious settings
Darkness is usually associated with horror and evil
The darkness also makes the audience feel vulnerable and
threatened as people fear the unknown and unseen
Shadows- using the woods shade to create shadows and dark
lighting

6. Non-diegetic sound
Adds to a specific mood and creates an atmosphere which invokes emotions in the
audience
Isolated instruments- Vulnerability and fear
Long suspenseful notes- contrast with short sharp notes to shock the audience
Extreme changes of pitch- builds tension
Voices
Reflect fear and panic of characters
Sound effects
Classic- Crows, bats, Owls, church bells, witches laughing etc.
Echoing voices- heighten the audiences sense, emotion and mood

7. Depression
Evil
Zombie apocalypse
Paranormal activity
Aliens
Death
Blood
Revenge
Childhood issues
Supernatural
Madness
Envy
Suicide
Science gone wrong
Religion
Exorcism
Spirits
Danger
Nature