Codes and Conventions of the Horror Genre
(Above the most ‘Googled’ horror movies in the United Kingdom)
Codes and Conventions of the Horror Genre
– Horror is often split into multiple sub genres and hybridized to create a new and interesting themes and ideas.
– Primary target for nearly all horror movies is a male demographic of all classes with an age range of 15-30.
– Horrors carry BBFC Certification Ratings of 15 or 18 dependent on the level of violence and graphic scenes.
– An active audience role can apply dependent on the viewers cathartic desires for watching the film and whether they regard the film as truth or fiction. Most viewers understand that a horror is designed to frighten, panic and cause dread and alarm but can be walked away from. Most males take on the Psycho Analytical Account when watching a horror film for the reason that they are able to release their deepest desires in a safe environment.
– Extensive use of narrative enigmas
– Slow pace of editing is used to build tension, multiple long takes add waiting to the scene therefore when a quick cut takes place it creates more drama and panic.
– Narrative structure is normally predictable and conventional to the genre.
– Use of low lighting and some CGI dependent on the genre for example, Alien (sci-fi horror)
– Dominant representation of gender e.g. The Final Girl Theory – Carol Clover
– Distorted diegetic sounds to create feeling of unsettlement.
– Use of hand held camera work to create feeling of realism and audience identification.
– Multiple POV (point of view) shots and low angle shots.
Charlotte
A2 Media Studies 