Conventions of HorrorFilms

WHAT IS HORROR?

Horror is a deep fear that strongly influences the

dislike of something. Horror films are made to

provoke emotions of fear, terror and the unknown.

These horror films can have an effect of mental of

paralysis. This is when the audience will feel

shocked and unable to move from what they have

seen.

FIRST HORROR FILM

The first horror movie produced was a silent short movie

called “Le Manoir Du Diable” which translates the manor of

the devil. This Horror movie was created in 1895 and only

lasted a few minutes. As horror films resources increased in

the 1960’s the public interest in horror also grew. This led

to gruesome and supernatural movies being made. The

Exorcist 1973 has been one of the most dreaded horror

movies to be watched by the public audience.

THEMES

The plot and story line often contains the

themes of death, paranormal, mental illnesses,

supernatural, murder and apocalyptic events.

SETTINGS

Horror films are set mostly in the night and often in old and

dark places. For example in abandoned building, houses or

damaged structures, churches, victim’s house, grave yards

and private areas such as the woods. The setting produces

deep emotions and moods in the audiences mind. Another

example will be if a victim was shot by a murderer in broad

sunlight it wouldn’t have that same terrifying impression on

the audience than if it occurred in the middle of the night.

SOUND

In many horror films high stringed and

orchestral music is used in the background to

build tension and terror in the audiences mind.

COSTUME

Clothes worn are often dirty, covered with

blood or torn, and many of the murderers were

clothing e.g. masks to hide their identity.

CHARACTERS

There always character which we would

generally see in horror films. For instance we

would see:

zombies, ghosts, aliens, murderers, mentally

disturbed patients, psychopaths and monsters.

AS MEDIA STUDIES

By: Ayesha Tahir