Codes and Conventions of Horror

There are three categories of codes that may be used to portray meanings in media messages: Technical codes includes camera techniques, framing, depth of field, lighting and exposure and juxtaposition Symbolic codes - refers to objects, setting, body language, clothing and colour Written codes- the structure ofheadlines, captions, speech bubbles and language style

What are Horror Films designed for? Horror films are designed for fear and fright, make your fears come alive instead of keeping inside, play on your vulnerability, to frighten and panic the audience and opens us to see the dark side of life, without the audience being in any danger what so ever.

The camera angles that are usually used in horror films are: Extreme close up (highlight the subject) Tilt (create perplexity) Establishing shots (showing locations such as an old, lonely mansion) Handheld (making it more realistic and believable) Long shots (to emphasise what kind of environment the character is in, usually lonely with props) Tracking (camera moving from a side angle, follows the character) Dollying (camera following the character from the front or back, mostly to show the character is being stalked/followed) Point of view shot (the audience are able to see, feel what the character is going through by looking through their eyes and in their shoes)

The atmosphere is usually sinister and the location is dark and lonely throughout, includes editing and quick shots to create tension and suspense and is used mostly on the scariest bits to engage the audience. Also, music in scary, horror films increases the frightening atmosphere. The leading character often ends up surviving and slays the antagonist character, but the antagonist has a plan or pattern to kill the agonist or leading character. Lastly, the plot involves themes of death, supernatural or mental issues.