Genre Essay
The film I have decided to make is of the ‘horror’ genre; therefore through research of existing horror films I have identified some codes and conventions within that genre. Use of props within horror films seem to be at the fore front of the genre, knifes, axes and chainsaws are used by the antagonist in his quest to kill or harm the protagonist, these weapons are seen in classic horror films such as ‘Psycho’, ‘The Shining’ and ‘Texas Chainsaw Massacre’. These weapons are iconography of the genre.

However in recent films the dynamic of the genre has changed and directors are taking a more paranormal edge within the films they make by having ghosts and spirits as the antagonist, therefore the use of props are still important but the prop has changed. This is seen in ‘Paranormal activity’ were props are used solely for the purpose of seeing the poltergeists movement in the house and not to kill the protagonist. In ‘Paranormal Activity’ the props used are beds, plates and chairs which aren’t scary objects such as knives are but they’re used in a different context to what they usually are. Also within the mise-en-scene of the horror genre is use of lighting. Horror usually uses low key lighting to add a sense of mystery to the scene as it casts shadows of the unknown. This is primarily seen in horrors with a subgenre of a ‘thriller’. Colour is a hugely vital in the horror genre as it helps to give the audience a sense of what is to come such as use of colour red can foreshadow blood and danger. In ‘The Sixth Sense’ red is prominently used to show things that ‘have been tainted by the other world’ such as the red carpet, Cole’s red jumper and the doorknob on the basement door.

The colours Black and Red are prominently used; they’ve become part of the iconography of the horror genre. 

One convention of the horror genre is use of sound. In films such as ‘Psycho’ the director uses screeching violins to add intensity and give the audience a sense of what’s to come. The sound varies though depending on the style of horror, in Jaws the antagonist is a shark and therefore crashing chords are used to coincide with the sharks crashing teeth heading towards to protagonist. These films often also include ambient diagetic sounds so as to add realism making the film more of a success among audiences.

A classic narrative structure is primarily used in scary films, there is a disruption however it is often resolved by the protagonist who represents the ‘moral’ side of the community, he or she is the only one left standing after all the other ‘immoral’ characters are killed, these are often blonde teenagers living in the suburbs, such as in ‘Final Destination’, however the ending is also often left on a cliff hanger leading to sequels being made such as Halloween 2. Themes within the horror narrative often include bad vs. evil, revenge, supernatural, nightmares, insanity and childhood issues. Character types often differ hugely within films as there is a massive variety of horror films. However conventionally a horror would include the protagonist, they are the hero or victim of the movie such as ‘Scotty’ in Jeepers Creepers. Their opposition is the antagonist, this character often changes as the dynamic of the genre changes, earlier horrors featured monsters, aliens, and insane people. Recent films have opted for a more supernatural and ‘creepy’ child edge, such as ‘The Orphan’. Other characters include the ‘immoral’ society’ and often police officers that can be good or bad such as in ‘Maniac Cop’.

The cinematography used is generally very similar throughout the full of genre. Canted angles add a sense of mysterious disorientation to the film and also signify that perhaps the protagonist’s world has been ‘turned upside down’. Hand held cameras are often used to add a realistic edge to the film resulting in the audience been drawn further into the narrative, they also make it harder to decipher what’s going on in the shot making things more unusual and distorted. Point of View shots also have the similar and desired effect of engaging with the audience. Jump cuts are often seen within the genre as they quicken the pace of the film, this is seen in Jaws as the shark faster approaches the protagonist. Non-diagetic sounds from supposed poltergeists or monsters are seen in films such as paranormal activity, they’re non-diagetic and therefore scare the audience as they don’t know where the sounds are coming from.

Horrors are mainly set in isolated and remote places such as woods, deserted roads and abandoned houses such as in ‘The Shining’.