Horror Conventions

Iconography:

- at least one character is killed in the movie: they are usually left so the other character's can find them and figure out what is going on: this results in a chase

- blood is usually always included in horror films: it makes it look realistic

- masks are used to create mystery: we don't know who the person actually is and so we wouldn't be able to recognise the person, leaving them faceless and unrecognisable (could be anyone)

- often serial killers have a weapon of choice, special and chosen by them

- screaming: haunting, creates fear and panic in the audience

- houses are often used in horror movies: creates more fear as the location is more realistic: can happen to anyone

Setting/Mise-en-scene:

- often abandoned/deserted places: mental asylums and old warehouses

- also houses are used very often used: for the whole film or featured somewhere

- many of the buildings have a dark history: murders/ghost stories

- start off during the daytime and go into the night, or they occur through the night

- props: sharp, dangerous weapons: chainsaws, machetes, knives, guns, etc: often serial killers have a weapon of choice

- religious iconography: usually associated with cults, factions or they are associated with the main character

- clothes are often clean, but eventually become torn and ruined throughout the movie: eventually becomes covered in blood or dirt as they try and escape from somewhere

Characters:

- female victim: portrayed as being vulnerable and in need of help and protection, usually young and attractive (appeals to a male audience), isn't typically the first to be killed, however when she is it is usually detailed and graphic

- the non-believer: can be male or female, portrayed as being calm and thinking that everyone is lying or over exaggerating, typically over confident which results in them dying first, audience may see them as comforting as they erase all the panic (once they are killed however, the audience panic as they are not safe anymore)

- the hero: mostly always a male character, strong and muscular, often goes after the killer but does not return, tends to show little emotion throughout the film (to stay strong and supportive to the other characters)

- the hysterical character: usually female, typically known not wanting to leave the building they are in after witnessing a murder, results in either being left behind or killed (this character has an impact on the audience as her hysterical tendencies reflect onto them and helps to build up more suspense)

- the evil character: can take many forms such as serial killer, demonic possession, ghost, werewolf, vampires etc, often wears a mask which disguises their appearance or emotion (audience can make no connection to them whatsoever), wearing a mask plays on the fear of the unknown, they never react in a normal way to injuries (if they were stabbed, they would manage to get back up again and act like nothing happened: hinting towards the idea that they are inhuman), this character has the biggest impact on the audience and strikes fear into them

- the loved up couple: male and female characters, always together when they are killed, typically away from the rest of the group when the first murder happens, so preoccupied with each other that they don't notice the killer, has an impact on the audience as they get frustrated at them and puts the audience on the edge of their seat, building up the tension.

Industry Information:

- horror movies make $400 million at the box office each year
- the horror themes also provides a major draw for marketing sponsorships: a lot of fast food restaurants and theme parks use horror movies to advertise their new products or new rides; e.g. saw - the ride at Thorpe Park.