Horror Codes and Conventions (technical / micro elements) Sian Knight
High angles when showing the protagonist represent the protagonist being weak and vulnerable, it also shows that something bad will happen to them Slow pace to elaborate on what’s happened
Tracking is used to show someone moving.
Dutch angles are used to show something bad is going to happen or show someone is the antagonist Eye-line matches these are used to show what the character is looking at when they look off screen. It creates suspense as you see them look at something and you’re not sure what it is therefore you become intrigued. Close-ups are Reaction shots are used to used to show show someone’s facial facial expression after something expressions has happen this emphasis’s how she feels.
Camera work Low angles when showing the antagonist show that the antagonist is superior to the others
Protagonist wear light colours this shows they are weak and vulnerable it also emphasis blood on their clothes as it creates a contrast. Dark themes are used to suggest reasons for the antagonist being how they are
Common fears this is used so it can relate to the audience and makes the film more realistic.
Misc-en-scene Props are used for the protagonists advantage which gives the protagonist hope and also gives the audience hope when they are in danger. Antagonist wears dark colours to signify that they come from a dark background have a dark history.
Isolated location that is normally relatable to the audience - this normally has no signal, it shows danger and makes the audience relate to what is happening in the scene Dark/bad lighting is used to create suspense as the audience doesn’t know what is lurking around. Colour red used to connote danger creates tension as the audience can predict something bad is going to happen but they don’t know what. Relatable setting is used to make the film more realist and relatable to the audience this creates suspense for them as they feel like it could happen to them.
Non-diegetic sound is the sound you wouldn’t hear if you was in the scene with the characters eg music. Diegetic sound is the sound you would hear if you was in the scene with the characters.
Silence is used to build up suspense it is also used to make a contrast when loud non-diegetic sound is used.
Sound
When an antagonist rings the protagonist, a unusual voice on the other end of the phone is used – we cannot see the person this is used to create suspense as no one knows who is on the other phone and they used a fake voice to cover up their identity.
Low pitch music is used to make the scene more intense. When the antagonist pops out a loud shocking noise is used resulting in the audience and protagonist jumping and being afraid of the antagonist it also creates suspense as they don‘t know how long they have been there for. The tone of a phone going dead or ringing is ominous (indicating evil or harm).
Montage of story so far of flask back of the protagonist this is used to summarise what’s happened in the film.
Jump cuts are used to build tension for example if a person is running they will get closer to you by using jump cuts.
Editing Parallel editing is used to show to two stories that are happening at the same time and will link together
Fast Pace editing is used to create tension and make everything seem faster.
Focus pulls are used to bring things into focus they use this to blur out something in the background and bring it into focus when they want to show it… it doesn‘t giveaway what‘s happening in the shot Slow motion is used to emphasis what is happening in the shot