Codes and Conventions in the Horror genre are unsettling films made to frighten and panic their audience but entertain them at the same time, continuously on their feet and eager for more.
Camera angles/movements/shots:
All types of wide shots are often used to show the figures of intruders - the shot hides their identity but still lets us know they're present. Close up shots would be used to focus in on an object or person, like a knife or other weapon or maybe even the fear in someones eyes. Tracking shots are very common to follow the path of someone, in most cases to follow someone running from something/someone or someone running towards something/someone. POV's are used to suggest imbalance, transition and instability. Weird canted angles where the camera is not placed horizontally to floor level give a sense of confusion and suspense along with mystery.
CLAMPS:
COSTUMES can differ for each horror film as each have their own stereo-typical designs. The costumes would portray the personality of the characters for example: the dumb blonde that dies first or the protective but wimpy jock that usually is the first to run. Then there's zombies, demons or scary characters like Freddy Kruger.
LIGHTING is used in horror films to indicate something bad is going to happen. For example shadows or flickering lights. Dark lights give a bad connotation therefore the audience assumes who the bad guy is. Softer lighting around the good guy would help the audience good from evil.
ACTING is horror films are usually very drawn out and dramatic. There will always be a girl in danger, hurt and crying waiting for help. The bad guy is always seen as rough around the edges and aims to get something/ is out for someone. There's much screaming and hollering and fighting back seems to come into play as well.
MAKEUP can range depending on the horror film. Horror films like the Exorcist will have blood and bruises as part of the makeup look. In some cases, special SFX makeup will be used to really draw out certain features like the eyes or lips or even the body to look morphed and disfigured.
PROPS Many props are used in horror films to suggest horror for example; Bibles Crucifix Paintings Candles Weapons, The props such as Crucifixes are use as a sign of religion and symbolizing the devil. Paintings can play a big prop to create a dark and sinister scene as well.
SETTING in horror films are creepy and isolated place to create a strong feeling of suspense. This could be the woods, a deserted city, a haunted house/abandoned building.
Common editing:
Editing in horror films can be shadow exposure and how much dimming will be used for each scene. Some directors would dim lighting through editing to create a more sinister and scary scene. Quick cutting with fast paced scenes makes the audience feel a sense of urgency.
Common Sound:
It can be diegetic to allow tension to be created in the film. Fast and loud non-diegetic sounds can be used to make the audience jump and become scared. These can include the voice of the characters, whispers and even footsteps.
Elements:
They explore 'malevolent' or 'wicked' characters, deeds or phenomena. They arouse feelings of fear, shock or disgust as well as the sense of the uncanny – as if things are not what they seem. There is a heightened sense of the unknown and/or mysterious.
Example films include: Jaws, The Exorcist, A Quiet Place, Eli, and Halloween w/ Freddy Kruger.
Elements I like: The killer about to get someone, or a killer about to reveal themselves as someone who the audience would have never expected.
Elements that don't appeal: Zombies have been over done, and the obvious suspects/victims in horror films who I know will die off first, causing too much repetitiveness.
Romance:
The main convention of romance is the two characters going through a heartbreak or the couple meet and fall in love, but there is someone who disagrees with the relationship.
Camera angles/movements/shots:
A mid-shot can be used to establish the scene and introduce the characters. Panning and tracking movements can be used an attachment to two characters going on a romantic stroll. High shots can also set a scene depending on which characters are being shown in that part of the film. Two shots are crucial for the characters in a romantic film to show intimate conversations and closeness between the two. Shot reverse shots allows the audience to view a full range of romantic emotions.
CLAMPS:
COSTUMES in romantic films tend to be the same throughout. The girl is always wearing something sweet and pretty, floral and airy: a dress. The boy is wearing semi-formal attire like a nice button up shirt and some khakis or long jeans.
LIGHTING is bright and colorful, with vibrant hues of pinks and red which make the audience feel like their being embraced in a "lovey" atmosphere. There's usually no dark shadows unless to set a mood, like at a romantic dinner where the lights will be darker, but very lightly and romantically dimmed.
ACTORS are always in a love-stuck position. The only time acting diverts from the basics is when there's a fight scene between the couple. They fight and argue but later rekindle and make-up in most cases.
MAKE-UP is light and airy. The makeup tends to stick with natural beauty for the girls as that's another basic around romance films. Sometimes the girl will sport a bright red lipstick to accentuate her "date" look.
PROPS in romance films can include books, flowers (roses typically), gifts, rings, chocolate, jewelry etc.
SETTING in romance films are places where an audience would typically connect love with. A beautiful beach with a sunrise/sunset, or even big cities where people meet and fall in love. The settings of romance film are usually places here a chance encounter would occur.
Common Editing:
Film fast cuts can be effective to hint at emotions and the overall atmosphere of the film depending on what actions are being taken place. Dissolves are frequently used to show a flashback of one character to another to reflect back on what affected the couples relationship.
Common Sounds:
Violin, guitar and piano sounds are all very common to set a romantic mood for a romance film. A violin can play if the girl is sad, who may have been just broken up with. A piano can play is the couple is about to dance softly into the night at a ball.
Example Films: Titanic, Dear John, The Notebook, A Star is Born, To all the boys I've Loved Before.
Elements:
A sympathetic heroine. The heroine is the key to any romance. A strong, irresistible hero. Your heroine and the audience must both fall in love with the hero. Emotional tension where this is the heart of every romance. A believable plot and finally a happy-ever-after ending.
Elements I like: When the romance has a twist, and the couple don't fall in love right away, more of like a catch to the whole plot.
Elements that don't appeal: Where boy meets girl and vice versa and it's a continuous teenage love story dilemma with immature issues. And always with a sappy ending that doesn't give enough closure.
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