Genre research- Conventions of Slasher /Horror films

Why do Genre Research ?

To establish an understanding of the conventions and to gain an historical overview.

Slasher/ Horror

Iconography - Lightning - Setting - Costume - Prop

Lightning : Chiaroscuro, Dark Lightning , flashing light bulbs 

Setting - Hall way Basement , Church, class room , school , Forest , Dark Street

* Exterior : Dark street -which is very quiet , sometimes wet and rainy. Forest - Dark , surrounding by tall trees and scattered green leaves
* Interior : Dark Hall way with flashing light bulbs ,cracked walls , dark church surrounded by candles and screeching floors

Miseenscene -Costume /Colour:

*Female /victim :  Casual wear , jeans ,trainers ,top and  cardigan or the females can be seen as very attractive ( eye candy) .Revealing character with  some cleavage either wearing a dress or skirt.

the female character wears make up e.g red lipstick which is very attractive , the colour red connotes danger and blood.

* Killer:  The killer usually associates with dark dull colours  such as Grey and black. Black connotes boldness and dominance which links back to the personality of the killer moody and dangerous , he has more authority over the females he is stalking and killing .

* Police Officer : Police officers in slasher / horror films are normally geared up with weapons such as batons ,Guns, hand cuffs and ,spray. They are usually in uniform which makes them very discreet.You can associate the colours dark blue ,navy and black with police officers as it connotes there status and identity.

Narrative :

Plot /Motive / Linearity 

A common plot would be that the killer has a physiological mental illness which causes him to become a troubled individual and do bad things , this leads the killer to get in trouble by the police .
 EXAMPLE :  killer being rejected by females and coming back to get some revenge which is killing and stalking them until he is satisfied.

Characterisation : Stock types and stereotypes- what characters you expect to see ?

* Killer *victim

 - The killer is dominate and insensitive he is normally a man very dull stereotype : viscious aggressive 

* Physco who has mental issues , sexually frustrated and annoyed. Always uses a knife or some sort of weapon to hurt females ( Freudian)

- The victim is normally a young women , sensitive vulnerable and innocent . Stereotype : Calm and  bubbly

* Final girl who is a virgin
* Police investigation : police officers are usually stock types in slasher / horror films they are the ones who track down the killer and do crucial investigations and researches to stop the killer from striking again.

 Sound : ( Music , Sound , Dialogue )

-Music : screeching of violins , off key violins , pianos and sudden drums, Tense music

-Sound :Crescendo

-Dialogue : Silence which creates tension for the audience because they are aware that something sudden is going to happen. Foreboding tension 

Cinematography : Shot Angles - Movements 

*Shot angles :  Close up - To identify the character and to see their facial expressions

                          Long shot - To identify the characters
 * Movements : Dramatic angles
                          Tracking shots - Following a character allows the audience to get make sense of what is                               happening or what is going to happen next.
                           Handheld shot - To make the scene seem realistic

Editing : Pace and Transitions

     * Transitions - Fade . A fade is used to show a passage of time. What's next ?

Titling 

* The title of a slasher / Horror film can appear in certain fonts and colours. example if the title of a horror film is in red as the audience we can assume that danger is the main aspect in the film and also blood is associated in this film . 

* Some slasher/film titles may have certain fonts . Example fonts with cracking effects . This will attract the audience because it is unusual and different it is not plain or boring .