Codes and Conventions of a Horror Genre

Codes and Conventions of a Horror genre:

·         Split into sub genres, often hybridised

·         Primary target audience – male, 16-24, Mainstreamers

·         15 or 18 Certification (promises of pleasure) – debates on passive consumption

·         Uses and Gratifications (active audiences) theory can apply

·         Extensive use of Narrative enigmas

·         Exploration of Narrative Themes

·         Slow pace of Editing, builds tension. Long takes

·         Three act narrative structure

·         Predictable narrative content (follows format)

·         Clear binary oppositions e.g. good v evil

·         Use of low key lighting

·         Use of CGI, FX

·         High production values but many low budget horror films

·         Dominant, hegemonic representation of gender: The Female Victim

·         Extensive use of close up

·         Incidental non-diegetic sound

·         Distorted diegetic sound

·         Extensive use of narrative off-screen space

·         Young/teenage characters

·         Use of hand-held camera: audience identification/realism

·         Point of view shots

·         Low angle shots

 

The Cliches:

The Protagonist:

·        Teenagers - mainly girls.

·        Daredevils/ rebels.

·        stupid.

·        College dropouts.

·        Even more stupid boyfriends.

·        Blonde.

·        Screams.

The Antagonist:

·        Ghosts

·        Zombies

·        Creepy children

The Story:

·        Unresponsive bodies.

·        Haunted houses.

·        Haunted graveyards.

·        Haunted towns.

·        Haunted hotels with equally creepy workers.

·        Shower murders

·        Creaky doors.

·        Creaky stairs.

·        Creaky rocking chairs

·        Dolls.

·        Pictures with blurry faces.

·        People coming out of pictures or TV's.

·        Creepy, suspenseful music.

·        Chainsaws

·        Knives