Genre Conventions.

In each genre whether it be comedy, animation, or fantasy, they all consist of codes and conventions with in that genre which makes it recognisable to audiences.

Camera Movements:
- Dutch tilt (a camera shot in which the camera angle is deliberately slanted to one side. This can be used for dramatic effect and helps portray unease, disorientation, frantic or desperate action, intoxication, madness, etc.) Are mainly used for psychological horror films. It gives a sense of surrealism and makes the audience uncomfortable, as they are not used to seeing this kind of camera angle. One example where this has been used is at the beginning of ‘The Eye’ and we see that angle being used when she is walking.

- Slow pans are used for creepy movements to build up the tension. This is also achieved to by using slow dolly camera movements. This is widely use throughout the horror films as is also creates suspension.

- Fast pans and P.O.V angles are used to capture what the character is seeing, making the audience feel as if they are seeing it from the characters point of view. For example in the grudge one of the characters is looking at the ‘grudge boy’ front their point of view.

- Establishing shots are used at the beginning of a horror film to show where the action and tension is going to take place. For example in the grudge there is an establishing shot of the haunted house so the audience can see where the scene is going to take place.

- Close-up shots are also going to be used to show detail of certain character’s faces. This is done in ‘The Ring’ as it shows the girl’s hair covering her face.

- Out of focus shots are also used. It can be used when a character has fainted, fallen or just woken up. This effect is very effective, as it gives the audience a sense of feeling. This effect has been used a numerous amount of times in ‘The Eye’

Editing effects:
- The pace from shot to shot in horror trailers is very fast and they cut immediately. However this is not always the case as the slow editing of the trailer can create a sense of mystery and suspicion.

- In most of the horror film trailers, captions are used, this is used in the majority of trailers as this creates more tension between the shots.

- Flashes and black/white transitions are used. This is so the trailer has a fast pace feel, and gives the trailer a sense of excitement as well.

- Shot lengths are short and often include 100 cuts. This is so the overall feel of the trailer is fast, building the tension and keeping the audience engaged into what they are watching.

-Another effect that some horror films have is ghosts. These are most likely to be done on Photoshop and then incorporated into the films. For example, ‘Shutter’ has this effect, which is about spirit photography which means that when a person is photographed and developed the spirit or ghost is incorporated into the photograph itself.

Sound:
- Heartbeats maybe used in horror films, as it creates a more personal feel towards it and makes the audience feel as if they are in that situation as well.

- Muffled voices are used to horror films and in the trailers as this adds to the effect of someone captured, locked, or someone who is in need of help.

- Orchestral strings playing in the background of a horror movie or trailer creates tension and adds a faster pace.

- There may be heavy breathing as this creates a sense of awkwardness may draw the audience into the scene.

- Footsteps may also be used as this brings back the pace of the film and speeds it up. They are used because it draws our attention directly to it and is the opportunity to make the audience jump.

-A soundtrack may also be added to the trailer of the film as this can add to the fast pace to it.

Mise-en-scene:
- Mostly in the horror genre there is a lot of suspension. This would include shadows and unique looking items.

-There is alot of darkeness in spiritual and psychological horror. As this increses the drama along with the atmoshpheric music, this creates and makes a more dramatic and intense environment.

-In slasher horror, there are elements of brutal violence, such as stabbings, shooting victims with guns or strangling them with barbed wire. So with the mise en scene with slasher horror you would find blood, and graphic detail, cuts and bruises on the body etc..