A still image from a horror film is analyzed. The low-key lighting creates a dark and fearful tone, with high contrast on a bloody knife held in hand, representing violence. The subject wears a black hooded costume that obscures the face and represents darkness, fear, and mystery, conforming to horror genre conventions. The lack of a direct gaze also builds mystery.

1. Horror Still Image Francesca Attah

2. Low key lighting has been used to set the tone to darkness and give a sense of fear, however there is high contrast lighting as the main focus goes towards the knife, as that is lit up. There is a knife with blood on it, this conforms to the conventions of the horror genre as blood and a knife would represent violence. It is held in the hand like she is going to attack someone or has already. For the costume codes we chose to use a black hoody, black represents darkness, fear, mystery, danger etc. These all conform to a horror genre. The hood is covering the face which creates enigma. The person is not giving direct mode of address, this would create a sense of mystery and make the audience question what is going on.