Horror
What it is:
In simple terms, horror is the genre that entices fear, for entertainment purposes. Horror films typically attract a younger audience. Usually between the ages of 14 and 25. This is because younger people between these ages tend to seek the feeling of thrill that comes from horror films. They can attain this feeling by watching a film containing their worst fears in a world that is not theirs that scares them.
Genre contents:
The genre of horror has some sub-genres that are very common over film and TV. One of them is gore; these can include torture, cannibalism, and lots of bloody scenes. Psychological thrillers are next. These usually contain common phobias, like clowns for example, and paranoia which would usually contain lots of suspense to add a sense of thrill to the film. Killers are another element that can be common in horror productions. This means lots of murders and crime. Monsters are a common one as well. Some basic ones can be vampires, werewolves, and zombies, especially during the Halloween season. In this category, you can also place mythological creatures and other monsters in general. Paranormal activity might be one of the last categories in this list. These types of movies usually include ghosts, spirits, possession, devil, demonic activity, and supernatural powers to create that sense of horror.
Fear is obvious part of horror productions. It gives the audience what they’re looking for by adding the thrill and the horror feeling. Jump scares can make a huge contribution to this factor.
Foreshadowing and suspense are a huge part of horror films. Foreshadowing gives the audience little hints throughout the production of what is going to happen which adds on suspense. Together these techniques intensify the feelings of thrill and horror.
Techniques:
Common colors used in horror productions are red, black, and white. These colors are used based on their color psychology. The color red is known for increasing heart and breathing rates in audiences. It is also used to alert danger and evil. It can commonly be associated with the devil. The color black, being a complex color can be used for negative power, depth, and mystery. I’m horror, white can be used for innocence, vulnerability, purity, emptiness, and distance.
Throughout horror films, back lighting and low-key lighting are commonly used. This adds a feeling of mystery and suspense to the production. These lightings provides the thrill feeling that the audience is looking for.
Sounds play a very important role and these types of productions. Sound effects and music and add more depth to the scenes which can give the feeling of suspense throughout the film or TV show.
Marketing:
To promote horror, using mystery and suspense can attract an audience. Many posters of horror films use characters and objects on them. This can be skulls or eyes, creepy dolls, monsters, silhouettes and more. It can also have some characters of the film with a fear look on their faces. Trailers typically include testimonials and ratings of the film to encourage the audience to come watch the production.
Some examples:
The film Scream (1996) embodies the genre of horror and the sub-genre of murder or crime. Throughout the film a character in a long black suit with a mask known as “Ghost Face” goes around the town killing citizens. The color black in his costume shows a negative power as many horror films do. The title of the movie is in all red. This can mean danger and can raise the heart rates of the viewers. The film includes many gory scenes with lots of blood, again in red, which can add fear to the film. The whole premise of the movie is a person killing people which gives the film its horror genre. Included in these movies are many jump scares which gives the audience a more realistic feeling because they are getting a sense of what the characters are feeling in that moment. The jump scares also add a thrill to the movie.
The film The Conjuring (2013) embodies the genre of horror due to many characteristics. The film contains lots of paranormal activity such as ghosts, devil, and possessions. This movie contains jump scares as well, adding to the fear and thrill. The movie uses flickering lights to contribute to the horror. The backlighting featured in some on the scenes creates a sense of mystery for what is going to pop out and scare the audience. Sounds of creaking floor panels create an eerie feeling and causes tension. The effects used to show a pardon flying across a room, being pulled by the hair really add fear all over. The music in the film gives the sense of an eerie feeling in the film. All together the elements used in the movie give the audience the fear factor they’re looking for.
It (2017)
