Codes and Conventions Of A Horror Film.

Slasher Horrors.

Technical codes

· Camera Movements - jerky movements captured on a handheld camera.

· Editing - sharp/rapid cuts and transitions that create suspense and excitement.

· Framing of Shots - extreme close ups of weapons and the killer making them seem powerful/dangerous. (e.g. Freddy's "claw", Jason's Knife etc...)

· Lighting - darkness and shadows create an ominous atmosphere and mystery. Also colour of lighting might be used to create the desired atmosphere e.g red lights to signify danger or blue lights/tints to show isolation, fear, suspense etc...

· Juxtaposition - dramatic change in atmosphere, the friend reveals themselves to be the killer, the girl and boy go to sleep believing they are safe, she wakes up to find her boyfriend dead beside her etc..

Symbolic Codes

· Objects - weapons e.g. knives, chainsaws and axes etc...

· Setting - normally dark and isolated places but also in normal environments which adds to the audience's fear as it implies that nowhere is safe, not even your own home.

· Costumes - The victims dressed in everyday clothes signifying that this situation can happen to anyone, these are normal people. The killer is often dressed in black denoting death, dominance and evilness. Black also allows the killer to blend into the darkness of the night, allowing them to move undetected. The killer often wears a mask hiding their identity adding to the audience’s curiosity.

· Colour - Black signifying death and evil. Red to denote danger.

· Music - Intense, up tempo, dramatic score is used. Unlike traditional horror films which use an orchestral score it’s sub genre of the slasher movie tend to use a commercial score which can incorporate rock songs which aid the atmosphere and excitement of the film.