Media Studies Project

Genre: Horror

Genre Conventions-content: In horror movies they usually create a lot of tension by heavy foreshadowing. The content of the movie usually relies on human fears which allows the audience to relate to what is happening in the film. By doing this it builds a lot of tension and anxiety in the audience. The protagonist of the film usually takes on a conflict dealing with being isolated, unprepared, or naive. The theme of the the film can take on many different types of ideas. For example, many horror movies have a theme revolving around religion and supernatural or beyond death. Horror films are based on trying to disturb the audience though the use of what is happening on the screen. By creating a good plot to the film, it can easily become a horror movie.. The characters in these films are either the victim or the villain. The villains are usually the supernatural beings in which are create that exaggerate certain features to be able to disturb the audience.On the other hand the innocent characters are most often everyday people.The content of these films are all able to give the audience a sense of stress and anxiety.
Genre Convention-production techniques: The production of these films are all carefully planned out to be able to give the audience that sinister feeling. For starters the setting of the film takes on a huge role of the entirety of the film. The setting of the film can either be a very eerie place or it could be a normal house. Depending on what is happening the setting could be very easily disturbed to create an unpleasant feeling . An attic or basement of a house is normally used in these kind of films since these places are the most unsettling part of any house. The props having to do with these films are very common in the horror film genre. The use of demonic or religious symbols are very common since in once again creates the unsettling feeling in the audience. Of course, blood is used throughout horror films and is one key prop used in these films. Many techniques take part in the cinematography of the film. Very high and low angles are unnatural to see in other types of films, but they are used in horror films. Shallow depth of field allows whatever is behind the protagonist blurry to build suspense. Production techniques are very important to being able to complete the film as a whole.
Industrial Conventions-marketing: Marketing is a key factor to being able to sell the movie to the audience. Being able to build suspense and keep it to a very minimum to build mystery is something critical. Mystery has its place in horror movies because it tends to hook the audience in. Keeping the majority of the film a secret is important since the movie will not be spoiled before anyone goes to watch it. Showing a little of what is going to happen in a trailer or a movie poster helps sell tickets to the theater. Making sure to keep things at a minimum will make sure to keep the audience interested.

Film/Magazine #1: The Purge falls under the horror genre. This movie creates a lot of suspense toward the audience. Showing a lot of suspense keeps the audience super intrigued throughout the duration of the film.

Film/Magazine #2: The Exorcist  also falls under the horror genre. The use of religious conflicts makes the whole feel of the movie more “creepy”. Also the use of the supernatural helps intensify the whole horror theme of the movie.
List of horror genre films: It, Halloween, The Nun, Get Out, A Quiet Place, The Conjuring