Research: Horror

 

The genre that I am researching is horror.

• Films in the horror genre commonly include high angles/bird's eye view, which makes a character appear more vulnerable. Other shots and movements used often include over the shoulder shots to put you closer into the character's perspective, close ups to show their emotions and reactions, and tracking shots, which create the effect of a character being watched/followed.
• Horror films often have characters wearing costumes such as pajamas, or very pale, mystic-looking clothing. The lighting is usually dim and dark to enhance the tone of the film. Acting in these films is tense, serious, and must be given strong effort, since it can easily become laughable if not done well. Makeup can be very detailed and scary-looking, particularly for the monster or villain (if there is one). Props and set pieces may include flashlights, weapons such as guns and knives, and creepy masks.
• Sound in horror films commonly include incidental music or creepy score, which are used to enhance suspense during scary scenes. They also commonly have diegetic sounds like characters screaming or crying.
• Examples of editing used in horror films include cross-cutting, which makes a scene more intense. Many also have a fade to black transition, which creates a more dramatic, ominous effect.
• Some examples of films in the horror genre are: The Exorcist, The Conjuring, Insidious, The Shining, and Stephen King's It. 
• Some elements that I love about this genre are the use of shots like over the shoulder and wide shots to further unsettle the viewer. I also appreciate the dim lighting and pale outfits that make the tone of the film even more intense.
• I am not a fan of elements of horror films such as the use of incidental music, and I would not use this because it ruins the creepiness of a scene and makes it cheesy.