Horror Films

Horror Films

1. SOUND

   • MUSICAL SCORE
     • Can be used to create a feeling of tension or unease when built up to a crescendo
   • SOUND EFFECTS
     • Added in post in order to establish a tone, mood or feeling in line with the director's vision
   • DIEGETIC SOUND
     • Sound that occurs in the 'world' of the film that the characters can hear
   • SOUND BRIDGE
     • The audio from a scene carries over into the following scene

2. MISE-EN-SCENE

   • COSTUME
     • PROTAGONIST
       • Casual outfit that makes them seem relatable to the audience - eg jeans and a t-shirt
     • ANTAGONIST
       • Dark clothing that often conceals their identity - eg a black hoodie
   • SETTING
     • FOREST
       • The protagonist is isolated from the rest of the world; no-one can help them. Can also play on the fear of the unknown
     • GRAVEYARD
       • Builds on the common Horror theme of the protagonist having to confront their mortality. Lots of gothic imagery
   • PROPS
     • BLOODY KNIFE
       • Can act as a protector and a symbol of hope if in the hands of the protagonist. However, in the antagonist’s possession, the prop turns into a representation of death itself, as its use could result in the murder of the protagonist
     • MASK
       • Used to conceal the identify of the antagonist in order to build intrigue and suspense
     • FAKE BLOOD
       • Used to give more accurate depictions of gore and injury
   • PERFORMANCE
     • FEAR
       • Uncomfortable / fearful facial expressions; jittery
     • LUNACY
       • Unpredictable; no regard for human life

3. LIGHTING

   • LOW-KEY
     • Plays on the fear of the unknown and is used to unnerve the character and the audience
   • PRACTICAL LIGHTING
     • Where the director makes use of lighting that's already presentin the frame - eg house lights

4. CAMERA

   • ANGLE
     • LOW-ANGLE
       • Used to make a character (Typically an antagonist) seem more intimidating
     • HIGH-ANGLE
       • Used to make a character seem more vulnerable and weak
   • MOVEMENT
     • TRACKING SHOT
       • Allows the audience to almost step into the shoes of the character they're following, so they experience what the character does and sympathise with them
     • PANNING
       • Used to either follow a character or establish a new setting or environment within the film
     • DOLLY ZOOM
       • Used to distort the audience's perspective
     • TILTING
       • Used to disorientate the audience
   • SHOT-SIZE
     • CLOSE-UP
       • Used to show the facial expressions of a character in order to convey emotion
       • EXTREME CLOSE-UP
         • Used to unnerve the audience by creating tension
     • MEDIUM SHOT
       • Used to show both a character's body language and their facial expressions
     • LONG SHOT
       • Used to stress and empthasise the character's location and environment to the audience

5. EDITING

   • CONTINUITY EDITING
     • 180 DEGREE RULE
       • Camera must always stay on one side of the action
     • SHOT / REVERSE SHOT
       • Used to show conversation - cuts from one person to the otber
     • 30 DEGREE RULE
       • Camera must move at least 30 degrees between shots as to avoid the jarring 'jump-cut'
     • MATCH-ON-ACTION
       • A visual bridge between two different shots - If there is a shot of a man doing an action, the next shot will be continous with the previous
     • Editing style that creates a sense of continuous movement
   • MONTAGE EDITING
     • Juxtaposes images for dramatic effect instead of allowing shots to flow smoothly into each other