Genre Research

 GENRE: Horror

Horror is the kind of genre that keeps the audience hooked because it makes them feel something like fear, suspense, stress, or even excitement. People love the adrenaline and that rush of not knowing what’s about to happen while watching a film. Horror movies are made and destined to mess up with your brain and make you picture the worst is about to happen. From creepy clowns to haunted houses, the whole point is to scare the audience and keep them on their toes throughout the whole entirety of the movie.

GENRE CONVENTIONS- CONTENT:

Horror movies, most of the time, include people dealing with terrifying situations. Such as getting chased, or trapped. There’s always tension, dark vibes, and that moment where everything all of the sudden goes dead silent before the scare happens. The films usually include death, danger, and something unknown or supernatural. The settings are often dark, isolated, or mysterious, which helps make it even more scary.

GENRE CONVENTIONS- PRODUCTION TECHNIQUES:

Lighting and sound are a huge necessity in horror. The lighting is usually dimmed and low to make the setting look unpleasant to be in, and the sound builds the mood. An example could be when the music gets quiet right before something jumps out. Camera angles are also used to make you feel uncomfortable or like something’s watching. A lot of horror movies use close-ups to emphasize facial expressions or quick editing during chase scenes to make everything feel intense and real.

INSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS:

Horror movies are always marketed to give off a instant scary mood. The posters are usually dark and eery with the villain or something creepy front and centered. The trailers show the best jump scares and intense moments to make people want to see more. Most horror films are rated PG-13 or Rated R because of gore and violence. They also drop around Halloween or during fall to fit the season. Studios use social media, teasers, and viral clips to get fans talking about it before it even comes out.

FILM SAMPLE #1 - IT

It is a perfect example of modern horror. The movie has a creepy, small-town sense, a horrific and ugly clown, and tons on tons of suspense. The mix of childhood fear and supernatural horror keeps you nervous the whole time. The production uses dark lighting, eery music, and random loud sounds that make every jump scare hit worsen throughout the movie.

FILM SAMPLE #2- THE CONJURING

The Conjuring is also a great example of what makes horror scary. The haunted house setting, paranormal story, and the use of silence before big scares all build tension. The camera movement and sound design hook the people watching it into every terrifying moment. It’s one of those films that sticks with you even after the credits.

OTHER HORROR FILM EXAMPLES:

- The Shining
- Smile
- The Nun
- A Quiet Place
- Psycho
- Halloween
- Jaws (maybe)