The document discusses techniques used in horror filmmaking. It begins by explaining how horror films often start with characters behaving oddly to hint at impending danger. It then discusses the use of shots like close-ups and handheld camera shots to create tension. Common character archetypes in horror like the victim, hero and evil character are also outlined. The document also examines elements of mise-en-scene like settings, costumes, lighting and their role in establishing mood and conveying information to the audience.

1. Horror

2. Storylines
At the beginning of many horror films it’s never really apparent that
anything sinister is happening to the characters. As the film develops, a
certain character may begin to display signs and behave oddly in order to
convey to the audience that something bad will happen. An example of a
film that does this is The Babadook as Amelia’s troubled child Sam, begins
displaying erratic behaviour and acting out of character. Soon after, the
storyline begins to unfold at a pace keeping the audience interested and
on the edge of their seats.
The film is based around a mother’s paranoia and it’s up to the viewer to
make the decision whether or not The Babadook is in the mother’s mind
or whether it is actually real. Similar to this, our film Psychosis will be
based around a girl’s paranoia and her obscure view of the world.

3. Shots
There are often a select few camera movements and shots that are used in
horror films in order to create the intended effect e.g. fear, tension, horror.
These are:
• Close up - This is when there is very little background within the shot and
a character or object will take up most of the mise-en-scene. This is done
in the film Mama in order to show the audience what she looks like. This
shot allows the audience to feel emotions e.g. terror
• Hand held camera shot – This when the when the camera is taken of the
tripod and is shot using the camera mans hand. This often used within
horror especially, through out the theme fake documentary as it makes
the film seem more realistic and also influences the audience into thinking
‘could this happen to me?’
Close up shot
Handheld camera shot

4. Shots (continued)
• Establishing shot - An establishing shot captures everything within the scene this is often used to
introduce the setting
• Point of view shot - The point of view shot is when the shot is taken from the point of view of the
character. The audience is able to see what the character is feeling and therefore become more
emotionally invested in the film
• Zoom –This is a popular camera movement used in horror films. Zooming in on a character, object or
setting creates tension and mystery in the audience as they may be unsure of what they are about to
see
Establishing shot ZoomPOV shot

5. Characters
There are quite a few stereotypical characters that appear in horror films. In our own film, Psychosis, the only
stereotypical character we will portray is an evil one. However, it is to be decided if said character is actually real or
not.
Here are some examples of certain types of characters that are easily recognisable in horror films:
• Female victim – The vast majority of horror films will almost undoubtedly feature a female victim. They are
often important characters in this genre as they help build up suspense and tension in the audience due to
their jumpy movements and audible panic when something happens e.g. screaming. The female victim
tends to be young and attractive as this appeals to a wider male audience
• Hero – In most horror films, the hero tends to be a strong and masculine male character who protects and
helps everyone who is suffering. It’s apparent in this genre that good doesn’t always win over evil, so, to
create high emotion within the audience the hero of the film tends to get severely injured or even killed. As
horror films continue to develop and gender stereotypes are becoming less apparent, some modern day
films feature women as the hero, for example Amelia from The Babadook is a strong female protagonist

6. Characters (continued)
• Non-believer – This character can be of either gender, however is often male. Portrayed as being cocky and at
ease, the non-believer tends to convince other characters that nothing is wrong and they are over reacting.
Typically over confident, this character ends up coming to a bloody end due to their own fault. After this, all
other characters will be in full panic mode and this is often when mass killings start to happen. Without the non-
believer’s presence, all safety is gone
• Evil character – There are several forms this character can take; serial killer, demonic possession, ghost, monster,
vampire, werewolf, zombie etc. If the character takes a human form they will often disguise themselves by
wearing a mask, covering their appearance and therefore cutting off any emotions. Wearing a mask also plays
on the unknown as neither the audience nor characters can identify who it is. To hint towards the idea of them
being inhuman, they usually end up unharmed when stabbed or shot
• Hysterical character – This character is usually female and is typically known to go into hysterics after witnessing
the murder of one of her friends so will refuse to leave the building they are in. After other characters trying to
help and support her, the likelihood of the hysterical character surviving is small as she will refuse to move and
therefore end up killed

7. Characters (continued)
• Loved up couple – Generally between a male and female character who will often be killed together as a couple.
They are typically separated from other people whilst they are being targeted and are usually so preoccupied
with each other they don’t notice the approaching threat. These type of characters are normally used to anger
the audience and will often encourage them to shout at their stupidity and obliviousness of the situation.
Hero: Patrick Wilson
as Josh Lambert in
Insidious
Female victim:
Heather Graham as
‘stab’ Casey in Scream
2
Non-believer – Brian
Boland as Daniel Rey
in Paranormal Activity
2
Evil character –
Javier Botet as
Mama in Mama
Hysterical character –
Teri McMinn as Pam in
The Texas Chainsaw
Massacre
Loved up couple – Ansel Elgort
as Tommy Ross and Gabriella
Wilde as Sue Snell in Carrie
(2013)

8. Mise-en-scene
Mise-en-scene is everything that is part of a scene. It is made up of five factors which are:
• Settings and Props
• Costume, Hair and Make Up
• Facial Expressions and Body Language
• Positioning of characters/objects within the frame
• Lighting and colour
Settings and Props
Hair and Make Up
Facial Expressions
Positioning of characters within the
frame Lighting and colour

9. Mise-en-scene (Settings and Props)
Settings and locations play an important part in film making and aren’t necessarily just backgrounds. In all genres
of film, not just specifically horror, the sets are either carefully designed on paper and then built from scratch so it
fits exactly in with the specific film or a setting which already exists is sought out through lots of research and
visits to various locations in order to find the perfect setting. All in all, a great deal of time is put into finding a
suitable setting. Not only can settings set the mood and atmosphere of a scene, they are also useful to
manipulate an audience by building certain expectations and then often taking a different turn.
Examples of typical settings that can be used in horror films are:
• Abandoned house
• Woods
• Countryside
• Graveyard
• Rural locations
Abandoned house Woods
Countryside Graveyard Rural location

10. Mise-en-scene (Settings and Props)
The main reason for the use of props is to make the setting look more realistic, however, they can have other uses
such as:
• Adding to the narrative information
• They can be genre specific
• Inform the audience about the character/s
• Being the secret in the narrative or the goal for the narrative
Examples of typical props used in horror films are:
• Camera (hand held by the character to self-record some parts or
all of the film
• Ghosts
• Monsters
• Toys (e.g. dolls – often possessed)
• Zombies
Character using a hand held
camera
Ghost
Monster
Zombie
Toys (e.g. Annabelle doll)

11. Mise-en-scene (Costume, Hair and Make Up)
Costume, hair and make up has the ability to instantly portray a character’s personality, status and job to
the audience. It can immediately tell us what time period the film is set in and what society/culture it will
centre around.
Jigsaw
from Saw
Chucky
from the
Chucky
franchise
Scream from
the Scream
franchise
Piggy from Motel Hell

12. Mise-en-scene (Facial Expressions and
Body Language)
Facial expressions can be a clear indicator of how someone is feeling. For example, if a character is smiling
broadly we are lead to assume they are happy, however, this can be changed if the body language of the
character is different. They could be stood in a threatening manner and creepy music could be playing in
the background. This will change the audiences perception immediately, leading them to think that the
once cheerful character could now be the antagonist of the film.
Annabelle from
Annabelle
Smiley from Smiley Carrie from (Carrie 2013)

13. Mise-en-scene (Positioning of
Characters/Objects Within a Frame)
Positioning within a frame can draw the audience's attention to an important character/object. A
director/film-maker can use positioning to indicate relationships between people/characters.
It can also be used to draw attention to certain characters.
This framing allows us to clearly see that someone
has grabbed his arm and is pulling him down
The positioning of the character conveys to the audience how
small he is compared to the sea
This shot focuses the audience’s attention on
the character’s feet and where he is going

14. Lighting and Colour
Lighting and colour can be used to highlight important characters or objects within a frame. For
example, if certain sections of a character’s face and body are shaded it can influence the audience
into thinking the character is mysterious or dangerous.
It can also be used to reflect a character’s mental state or emotions e.g. bright colours portray a happy
and safe atmosphere while dark colours portray a dark and disturbing atmosphere
Bright lighting Dark lighting

15. Types of Lighting – Low Key Lighting &
High Key Lighting
Low Key Lighting:
• Created by using only the key and back lights
• Produces sharp contrasts of light and dark areas
• Formation of shadows and silhouettes
High Key Lighting:
• Increase in the use of filler lights. Makes the light natural
looking and realistic to our eyes
• Produces a brightly lit set or gives the impression that it
is a sunny day
Low key lighting
High key lighting