Research: Conventions of the Horror Film Genre

Iconography:

Similar symbolic images repeatedly occur throughout the horror film genre. This is done to ensure the audience can recognise the genre and understand what they can expect to get from watching these types of films. The images are used help construct the theme and type of horror film that is being created. The type of iconography that we can expect to see in horror films are things such as weapons, killers, particular tag lines, dark lighting and colour, spooky titles, masks, religious/cult icons and costume.

Setting:

Generally horror films are set in isolated or abandoned areas and more often than not set at night time when it's dark. Although this can be applied to most horror films some are set in different sorts of places at any time of day giving an even more sinister feel.  The earliest horror films had a more Gothic style however a lot of modern day films are set on newer housing estates possibly to make the audience feel more aligned with the characters making the story line seem much more real and therefore more frightening. In a lot of horror films big houses are the location because it symbolises the victims having no escape. As big houses have a lot of rooms it increases the scariness as anything could pop out from anywhere making the audience jump. An example of a film like this is "The Strangers". The other locations included in horror films are places such as forests, countrysides, houses, cabins, graveyards, hospital/asylum, haunted houses, abandoned houses and hostels etc. These sorts of places often include a sinister and dark past. For example in the film 'Sinister' the house to new homeowners (a family of four) was previously owned by a family who were murdered as part of a series of cult events. 

Camera, Editing and Sound:

A lot of the camera angles used in the horror films are designed to make everything look ten times more frightening.  The use of the handheld camera can create more realism in the horror films and create more tension, The handheld camera is used in the film 'Paranormal Activity'. The high and low angles of the camera can show different points of view showing things at a scarier looking angle creating fear and terror in the viewer. Over the shoulder shots of the characters can position the audience in the shoes of the character again enhancing the fear felt by the viewer. Close up shots of the characters faces can show their emotion helping the audience empathise with how the character is feeling and also predicting what to expect next from the film.
The use of fast and jump cuts can disorientate the audience making them more anxious of what is to come next positioning them on the edges of their seats. As the editing slows down the anxiety creeps up on the audience as they know that soon something is going to make them jump out of their skin. Sounds are very important in horror films and are key to making a film trailer genuinely scary. Sounds such as footsteps and pounding heart beats create tension whereas loud noises are there to make the audience jump. The diegetic sounds in horror films are often enhanced to sound louder and more dramatic adding to the suspense. In horror films including families and children, nursery rhyme music is used which is unnatural for this genre making it more creepy and mysterious. An example of this is in Insidious two with the nursery rhyme "row the boat" and song "tip toe through the tulips". Film makers rely on disturbing sounds to make the audience feel the suspense.

Types of editing:

• Continuity Editing- This is the predominant style of film and production editing in the post production of film making in narrative films.The purpose of continuity editing is to smooth over the essential discontinuity of the editing process and to establish a logical coherence between shots.

• Jump Cuts- An abrupt transition from one scene to another.

• Eye line Match- An eyeline match is a film editing technique associated with the continuity editing system. It is based on the idea that the audience wants to see what the character on-screen is seeing.

• Juxtaposition-  When two things are being seen or placed close together to have a contrasting effect.

• Parallel Editing (cross-cutting)- This is the technique of alternating two or more scenes that often occur simultaneously but in different locations.

• Match on action- A technique where the editor cuts from one shot to another view that matches the first shot's action

Characterisation:

The most stereotypical characters included in horror films are:

• The main protagonist, the victim or hero of the film 
• The Villain, often a monster, serial killer or demon
• Group of teenagers 
• The "non-believer"
• Lovers
• Paranormal investigators (in films such as Insidious)
• Authority Figures, usually quite useless or turn out to be a villain themselves
• Blond "girl next door" cliche

Sub Genre: Psychological Horror

Psychological horror is a sub genre of horror film genres which relies on the characters' fears and emotional instability to build the tension. Psychological horror aims to create discomfort in the viewer by exposing common or universal psychological and emotional vulnerabilities and fears. Plot twists are often used as a device. In these films tension is built through atmosphere, eerie sounds and exploitation of the viewer's and the character's personal psychological fears. Examples of psychological horror films include Sinister, The Black Swan, The Butterfly Effect and The Strangers.

 "Annabelle" Horror Film

The "Annabelle" director explains how to make a terrifying horror movie in 5 steps.
This autumn's scariest horror movie villain isn't a serial killer or a monster risen from the dead. It's a porcelain doll named Annabelle. The demonic kids' toy had a supporting part in 2013's "The Conjuring," but "Annabelle," the film's prequel, now shows just how terrifying and dangerous dolls can be. Leonetti (director) explained that he wants the audience to feel like they're physically fixed in the film and have no way out. An inanimate object of a doll is used as they're just plain scary. Most dolls are mirroring a human figure but they're missing one thing which is emotion. Leonetti described them as shells. It's a natural psychological and justifiable vehicle for demons to take it over.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/10/03/annabelle-director_n_5924376.html