Genre Conventions Of Supernatural Horror
Typical Story Lines
Supernatural Horror tend to use ghosts or supernatural creatures. They almost always end up with all the characters dying which is not usually expected adding a plot twist. One example is paranormal activity where the main characters are haunted and the film ends up with the characters dying or either possessed. Seems to be a reoccurring ending for supernatural horrors.
CHARACTERS
In most of these films the main character is normally quite young, the other main character is the supernatural being. The characters are terrorized by the unknown and all work together to defeat what they don't know. One character type is the non-believer and refuses to acknowledge that there is a supernatural force threatening their lives, coming across as naïve.
SETTINGS
The location is normally set at the main characters house. This gives a sense of insecurity to the audience when they are in their own homes demonstrating that nowhere is safe. The reality and realism is what draw people in and are wanting to be scared. Having it at the main characters house means the audience can relate with the character and feel empathy for them.
ICONOGRAPHY
The iconography for supernatural films is symbols or equipment/jewellery linking it to the unknown. For example in the Ring when the people are about to watch the tapes they almost always watch it in the dark symbolising that something bad is about to occur.
SOUND
Supernatural Horror tend to use ghosts or supernatural creatures. They almost always end up with all the characters dying which is not usually expected adding a plot twist. One example is paranormal activity where the main characters are haunted and the film ends up with the characters dying or either possessed. Seems to be a reoccurring ending for supernatural horrors.
CHARACTERS
In most of these films the main character is normally quite young, the other main character is the supernatural being. The characters are terrorized by the unknown and all work together to defeat what they don't know. One character type is the non-believer and refuses to acknowledge that there is a supernatural force threatening their lives, coming across as naïve.
SETTINGS
The location is normally set at the main characters house. This gives a sense of insecurity to the audience when they are in their own homes demonstrating that nowhere is safe. The reality and realism is what draw people in and are wanting to be scared. Having it at the main characters house means the audience can relate with the character and feel empathy for them.
ICONOGRAPHY
The iconography for supernatural films is symbols or equipment/jewellery linking it to the unknown. For example in the Ring when the people are about to watch the tapes they almost always watch it in the dark symbolising that something bad is about to occur.
SOUND
The sound used in this genre are normally non-diagetic sounds to create tension and suspense. When used correctly the sounds used can be used at the same time as when the entity appears to create a panic and jump for the audience.
LIGHTING
It is conventional to use backlighting in scenes where the spirit will not be exposed, we can only see the silhouette that has been created. Profile lighting is also used to make a character appear sinister; it indicates to audiences whether or not this person can be trusted. Under lighting is lighting that comes from a light source below, used in scenes of desperation, during blackouts of light, characters resort to torches, lanterns and candles to help them see. In supernatural horrors it is conventional for the protagonist to experience cold, wet and stormy weather, as it re-enforces the turbulent, unsettling bluster of the plot. The main character is also likely to experience a power cut in their home, this promotes the childhood fear of the dark, making the character appear vulnerable and naïve.
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