Genre Research: Horror

 

• Angles, Shots, and movements 
• Dutch Angles are often used to convey a feeling of nervousness and instability 
• Eye Level angles disturb viewers because prolonged eye contact makes viewers uncomfortable 
• Tracking Shots are found in many chase scenes in classic slashers  

• POV shots are used to put the audience into the characters shoes and to convey the fear caused by what is being seen by the character 
• Wide Shots create a feeling of vulnerability  

Mis-en-Scene 

• Costumes are relied heavily on to make the antagonist scary, for example, masks and rugged/dirty clothing
• Red or no lighting at all are used in horror films to create an ambiance of danger 

• Acting, for example nervousness or fear, gives the audience an idea of when to be scared 
• Makeup will commonly be used to dehumanize the face of the antagonist to make them scarier to viewers 
• Props may be turned into a motif for the antagonist to make them more memorable to the audience, for example a signature weapon or mask 
• Settings will almost always be a highly stigmatized and feared place, for example dark alleyways or haunted houses. 

Editing 

• Split screen may be used to show two characters perspectives at once, most commonly being the protagonist and the antagonist chasing the protagonist 
• Jump cuts are used to keep up the tension and momentum of the film 

Sound 

• Horror movies heavily rely on non-diegetic sound, like most commonly string instruments, to indicate that danger is near 
• Sound Motifs commonly occur when the antagonist appears in a jump scare  

• Dialogue is often used to give context or background to the dangerous situation the main characters are in. 

Elements to use 

• Starting with angles shots and movements, anything that creates tension in the audience, wide shots and Dutch angles seem like an effective way to create fear in the audience. Costumes are also an effective way to show the audience who should be feared through physical appearance. Certain stigmatized settings should be used as well as they immediately come with stigmas that would make an audience scared. Jump cuts would also be useful to keep momentum fast and tension high. 

Elements to avoid 

• Non-diegetic sound used to create fear is extremely overdone and not effective or enjoyed anymore, especially considering they always lead to a, expected jump scare. Tracking shots are also overused and are almost expected of horror movies, which would make it less enjoyable to audiences