Codes and Conventions of horror

Codes and Conventions sub genres of horror

 

Horror can be split into sub genres:

-Horror can often be spilt into sub genres which can include romance, sci-fi or comedy.

-Primary target audience – is males from 16-24 due to swearing and sexual content. 15 or 18 certificates depending on the level of gore swearing and violence

-Extensive use of Narrative enigmas at every turn the characters are faced with some form or terror or trauma that can’t always be explained by natures reasoning.

-Slow pace of editing, builds tension. Long takes.

Horror Genre Codes and Conventions:

-Three act narrative structure.

-Predictable narrative content (follows format).

-Clear binary opposition’s e.g. good v evil builds a clear.

-Use of low key lighting, use of CGI, FX.

-Dominant representation of gender: Male villain, The Female Victim which is usually due to relation with the audience e.g. ‘damsel in distress’

-Young/teenage characters as they are seen as weak and vulnerable and most likely to be attacked.

-Extensive use of close up, point of view shots, low angle shots these are used to build tension along with a story line.

-Use of hand-held camera: audience identification/realism.