HORROR
Genre Conventions: Content
There are many typical genre conventions in relation to the content of the horror film. They are designed to frighten and panic the audience, evoke the audience’s hidden fears, and entertain the audience in a liberating experience. A horror movie can create all different forms of fear: nightmares, vulnerability, revulsions, and fear of the unknown.
The setting of the narrative is any isolated place/a place where it can initiate loneliness, or any place with a “bad” history. Examples are abandoned houses, cabins, churches, hotels, and so on.
The ending of the story either wraps it up and gives the audience closure, or it leaves a piece open to allow a sequel to occur. Sometimes when leaving a portion of the story to let the audience wonder, has a great effect on them. Similar to many other genres, horror films always contain a hero/protagonist. The hero usually has to solve problems to save either themselves or those around him.
There’s a wide variety of different characters in horror films. As stated before, there’s always a hero/protagonist. The villain who could be a monster, serial killer, or even any form of corruption that provokes fear. This villain usually has a special trademark to them. (Michael Myers’ knife, Jason’s chainsaw and mask) Usually, not always, there are teenagers who are immoral and end up getting killed. There are any form of officials, those who have an established trust to help in the real world, such as police or priests. Writers may also use creepy children to disturb the audience as they’re accustomed to children’s innocence.
Different horror films have different messages that they’re trying to deliver. Some popular themes include: good vs evil, religion, childhood issues, supernatural, beyond death, insanity, envy, lust, or more.
Genre Conventions: production techniques
The production of horror films is what makes this genre so unique, and what truly captivates the audience. To institute fear, the camera composition is shot using natural lighting. Close ups, low and high angles, and point of view shots are all used throughout the production to create that “real life” feeling for the audience. This keeps them engaged with the story.
The sound and music create that intensified feeling and give the film that extra push towards the audience’s fear. A wide range of foley sounds and thrilling music is used to make the production come to life.
The use of prosthetic make-up is very popular amongst horror films. Special effects are used to make the supernatural or the “unknown” super realistic and even more frightening. This gives the impression of the villain or monster that are real in the natural world.
Institutional Conventions: How genre is marketed
In my opinion the best way any film is marketed is through it’s trailer. However, more specifically with horror films it is the best way to get the public to go and watch the film. It is important to make the trailer impactful but not reveal too much. Usually the main villain is introduced and the protagonist. Include some mystery in the trailer that will leave the audience wondering and go watch that movie.
Another way horror films have been marketed recently is through snapchat filters. The filters are included in every user’s and includes the opening days of that film. This is a very smart tactic to market their brand since there are over 186 million snapchat viewers worldwide.
The Nun
The Nun is a film that falls under the genre of horror. The setting takes place in Romania in a church. A church where the townspeople know to stay away from and where a Nun was found dead by suicide. This embodies the characteristic of a church on the outskirts of Romania with a bad history.
The film ends with a familiar pair, the couple who has been in many horror films such as The Conjuring, all Insidious films, and Anabelle. It is a video of Frenchie, one of the character’s who helps the main protagonist, going through a demonic possession. This leaves the audience wondering and clears the road for a sequel.
The main protagonist is a nun in her novitiate, Irene. She helps defeat the greater force in the movie to save the church and those people around her.
This films deals with religion and has a theme of good vs evil.
The Nun was marketed through snapchat and had a very impactful trailer as well. There was even an actor dressed up as the frightful Nun at the theatres the day the movie came out.
The Conjuring
The Conjuring takes place in an abandoned farmhouse with a bad history. Of course, the family that moved in had no knowledge of the “bad history” before.
The Conjuring ended with a juicy piece left unanswered which lead to the creation of The Conjuring 2.
The heroes and protagonist are the family and couple that are trying to keep their daughter alive. The couple assists them in getting rid of the spirits in the house. This is the same couple that is found in many movies as well.
The Conjuring trailer is one of the best horror trailers I have ever seen. When I’m really bored I go back and rewatch it to take note of the elements they use in this trailer. It has some of the best scares in the film but not all of them which leads the audience to still be surprised. This trailer is what truly was the basis to the popularity of the film.
Other horror films
