The document discusses common tropes and iconography found in horror films. It notes that some villains wear blood-soaked outfits to emphasize their evil nature, while others dress in everyday clothing to blend in. Female characters are sometimes portrayed stereotypically, and teen films often involve a promiscuous girl and friend group. Cinematography like low angles, tracking shots, and close-ups are used to build tension. Common plot devices involve religion, children, or being based on true events. Settings typically take place in isolated or abandoned areas like forests or old houses where unnatural things often occur. Characters usually consist of a group of friends who are killed off, a surviving hero, and an evil force that

1. Assignment 9:
Collage of Horror
Iconography
Gelsomina
Chelsea
Kelly
Tayla

2. Some outfits
are covered in
blood which
highlights
their evil side.
Some killers
wear
slaughter
outfits which
fit into the
gore genre.
Some villains wear
suits which can
mean that their
evilness is seen as
their ‘daily business’.
Some villains
have red
which
symbolise
blood in their
costume.
Some wear everyday
clothing to blend in
with society.
Some villains wear a
black cloak with a mask
which hides their
identity completely.

3. Teenage
damsel in
distress.
Some female
hero
characters are
not based in
modern
society.
There is
sometimes in
a teenage
horror
movie, the
girl who is
promiscuous.
Teenage
female
friends.
Females are
sometimes sexualised
in horror movies.
Stereotypically, there
is always a teenage
group.
Sometimes there are
couples based
paranormal stories
based in the past.

4. Character is
hidden and
therefore is
scared.
Characters
make up looks
realistic which
can imply that
this situation
can occur to
anyone
By using this
position in
the dark and
being able to
see the
weapon, this
body
language
creates
tension and
anticipation.
Showing bloody
mouth and
sharp teeth
shows hunger
and hints to the Make up to
characters
convey demon
death.
creature.
Character is
petrified due
to facial
expression.
Evil smiles creates
the sense of
predatory behave.
Body language shows
that the character is
scared as she is
huddled up into a ball.

5. Establishing shot/Wide shot – To set the scene
which gives the viewer information of location. In
horror movies, this is stereotypically a haunted
house.
Close up shot - This shot is used to show detail. In
horrors, a close up shot is stereotypically used upon the
suffering character to show their fear.
Long shot – Used to frame a character or subject of their whole
body. In horror movies, this is stereotypically used on the killer
or person being chased.

6. Low Angle – Taken from a lower place so it
looks up upon the character. This is effective
in horror if it is used on the villain to create
power and dominance.
High Angle – Taken from a high angle that
looks down upon the character. This is
effective to make the character seem weak.
This is effective if used in a POV of the
villain and makes the audience feel
involved.

7. Tracking - This can be used in horror movies in chase
scenes to keep the scene flowing.
Tilt - This is used to reveal more of a setting. Used to
reveal a whole outfit of a character. Can be used in
horror to reveal information or introduce a character.

9. Celebrities in horror films
• Some iconic celebrities that feature in horror
films tend to stay within this genre, such as
Sarah Michelle Gellar and Patrick Wilson.
• Actors usually begin their movie career in the
horror genre as new actors are always needed
for horror films

11. Key scenes
• These are the re-occurring elements in all
horror films such as someone ending up
hiding under a bed or being in a bath tub such
as in the grudge.
• These are scenes we expect from horror
films, it is usually the highest impact for
reaction of the viewer

13. The Plot
• The plot is the basis of the film, it is the
purpose of creation. The plot could be based
on the following:
• Religion
• Children
• Based on a true story

14. Typical Horror Setting
Unnormal
things usually
happen in the
bedroom
The setting in a
horror is
usually in an
abandoned
location/
house, isolated
areas
In a forest
which killer is
usually chasing
the victims
Hidden past
Which
involves ghost
or
supernatural
creatures

15. The female victim the are
portrayed as being vulnerable and
to be rescued, they are usually
young, blond and attractive
Typical Characters in a
horror
A group of friends
which each of them
ends up dying
The hero which
ends up killing the
killer/villain and is
the one who
survives
The evil characters
Serial
killers,ghost,monsters Etc..
Mostly hard to kill them,
If human usually wear a
masks