Conventions of a horror movie

What is a horror film?
-A film that is unsettling and its main purpose is to scare the audience.

Camera angles:
common camera angles include;

• extreme close-ups - this helps the audience analyse the expression of the characters face and therefore their emotion, as well as to empathise with the characters 
• tilt - creates distortion within a scene 
• establishing shot - allows the audience to view the full location in which the film is set 
• handheld - evokes realism
• tracking shot - follows characters - creates suspense 
• point of view - allows the audience to relate/connect to the character - emphasises fear 
• dollying -  can give the audience the idea the victims/main character is being followed - also allows the audience to perceive the scene and this can be used effectively to evoke more fear throughout other horror elements within the setting 

Props:

• weapons - included as they are associated with death and violence - thus emphasising gore 
• dolls 
• relics
• crucifix 
• masks
• electronics e.g. TVs 
• cameras
• Ouija board

Sound/music:

• Minor key music - creates suspense - uses of string instruments 
• sound effects - emphasises the act of violence in the scene or adds to the tension of an upcoming event
• both use of sound effects and dramatic music are used strategically within horror films to impact the captivated audience - the music's volume usually intensifies to signify a substantial event is about to occur

Victims:

• Conventionally the victims within horror films are children or young women/teenagers; although occasionally the film will incorporate a regular character who the audience can relate to, this usually is more effective in the horror effect of fear as the audience can place themselves within the character's position
• victims will always experience a traumatic death - usually incorporating a lot of gore 
• the victim is never the main character/protagonist as they usually survive until the end and either defeat the horror element or are involved in an open ending which leads to a sequel 

Sub-genre:

• the wide variety of sub-genres provides the audience to find a horror film that incorporates their fear or something that gives them the adrenaline/fear effect conventional and desired from horror films 
• e.g. Slasher, Monsters, Vampires, Religion, Sci-fi, Supernatural, Found-footage, Mockumentary, Psychological, Gothic etc. 

Locations/setting:

• small communities or isolated places - large cities or a rundown ghost town - any sort of setting that connotes isolation/being alone 
• usually a place with a dark history - abandoned houses, asylums etc
• based in a place with a minimal amount of people - provides the character the chance to be harmed with a lack of obstacles - therefore can make the plot and events that take place more believable

Typical fears:

• the incorporation of everyday, common fears, that the audience can relate to intensifies the thrill effect of horror 
• e.g. Nightmares, Alienation, Death, Fear of the unknown, Loss of identity, Supernatural entities, Spiders etc.  

Characters:

• Final girl 
• killer - usually had a traumatic experience that has led them to murder - can be alive or dead - human or supernatural etc. 
• the one character who does not believe what is going on - dismissive parents/skeptical friends 
• the typical teenage characters