codes and conventions of horror films
TRANSCRIPT
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Codes and Conventions of Horror Films
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Character Types
• The Final Girl (fearless, clever, bold)• Villain (evil, human, animalistic, cunning, supernatural, sinister)• Hero(courageous, daring, strong)• Victim(vulnerable, weak, frightened)
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Iconography
• Heavy make up (blood and gore)• Special effects (lighting and shadows, sound effects)• Use of cameras(camera angles e.g. high angle shot, close up, tracking/panning shot)
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Themes and Representation• Male villain (typically)(Men are stereotypically represented as dominating and threatening)• Female victim (typically)(Women are stereotypically represented as vulnerable and weak)• Themes: supernatural and slasher
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Settings
• Isolated areas(unaccompanied – harder to call for help) • Old houses(creepy, haunted, creaky floors and doors)• Graveyards(terrifying, dark)
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Narrative
• Used for story-telling (helps audience learn the story about the film, could hint at plot)
• Three act structure:1. Focuses on central characters and introduces the
setting.2. Setting unleashes violence, characters fight back.3. End of film includes final showdown between villain
and hero/final girl with varying results.
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Visual codes/Camera work and sound
• High-angle – makes character look powerless• Close-up – reaction of actor/actress• Music – helps set mood of film• Voices can be used to reflect fear, tension and
panic.• Sound effects are also used in the film e.g.
crows, bells and bats.