Horror Film

Conventions of a horror filmThe horror genre has many conventions associated to it in order to portray a negative and emotional reaction upon the viewers, by trying to get them scared and frightened. An element that is a major convention is the idea of setting. Setting in horror films are mostly in isolated places, whether it be in a dark alleyway or abandoned houses. The idea of isolation alone helps portray effect on the viewer, making themselves feel isolated as there is nothing they can do in that situation. Typical locations examples: abandoned houses, farms, cities, cabins, graveyards, basements. Things that lead to the conventions of a horror film are always done to frighten and panic the viewer, evoking their hidden fears and captivating and entertaining them in an unbinding experience. Horror films are created to make the viewer feel vulnerable and have extreme terror of the unknown. Sound also plays a big part in the genres conventions. Diegetic and non-diegetic sounds are a major part in creating effect on the viewer to build tension and make them feel jumpy and scared. The genre also follows the conventions of:

Target audience of 16-24
Slow pace of editing (building tension)
Dominant gender representations
Extreme close up used a lot
Non-diegetic sounds
Distorted sounds
Young/teenage characters
Point of view shots (viewer feels in the characters shoes – realism)