Conventions of a Crime and Horror film

Sian Nugent

Settings in Crime and Horror films

Horror:
The settings in a horror film is normally set in isolated places, dark streets, narrow alleyways or somewhere you would feel alone and helpless. The places where you are more likely to go if you are being chased in the film are abandon houses, hotels and old factories. Locations in a horror film are normally in dark forests, lakes, countryside, barnyards, woodland, houses, haunted houses, graveyards, dungeons, churches or any other dark dingy locations.

Crime:
The settings in a crime film are normally large crowded cities, this is normally so the villains have a chance of getting away quickly and adapt into the environment. The places where the villains normally would escape to would be a unknown location i.e. back of shops, hotels, parking lots, shopping centres, unknown location with doors and rooms. Locations in a crime will normally be known as police stations, villains homes, hotels, train stations etc.

Technical codes in Crime and Horror films

Horror:
The camerawork in horror films is used to show expressive and non natural expressions and fear. The camera work differs between high and low angles which can show us fear and nightmares. Point of view shots (POV) are important in the horror films, they allow the audience to see what is happening from the villains point of view. Handheld shots make it difficult for the audience to make out what is actually happening in the movie. A prime example can be Clover field in Clover field the whole movie is shot with a handheld camera, this is a good way to promote terror and the unknown so you are unsure to see what is happening behind them. Sounds in horror movies are used to create the mood and tension of the victim, whether it is diegetic or non diegetic sounds it either creates tension for the victim or for the audience. An example of a diegetic sound in a horror film could be; voices of the villain, footsteps, whispering etc. and non diegetic sound could be a backtrack playing to build up the tension of the mood the character is feeling and this will have an impact on the audience watching because there could be a change in the music. Extreme close ups are mainly used in horror films so you can see the fear and tension of the characters face. The editing in the scene can build up the tension for the audience so you except something to happen.

Crime:
The camerawork in Crime films differs, there are normally close ups of the characters to show there emossion as well as long shots to establish the location as well as what the characters are doing, if the bad character was trying to crack a safe we would have a long shot to show where they are and a close up of the safe and the characters face to show what is going on. The characters body language, this allows us to see how the character is feeling for instance if they are walking up and down or fighting it shows they are nervous and anxious about something. The music and diegetic and non diegetic is also a type of code as fast paced music allows us to feel the suspense the character is feeling and makes us more engaged within the film.

Iconography in Crime and Horror films

Horror:
In horror films dark colours are normally used like black and red, they are normally used to represent fear, evil, danger and blood. The lighting used in horror genre is expressive. Low key lighting i.e. used to create shadows, darkness, unfamiliar objects etc. The lighting can also be used to show fire, and torches shinning. Props are normally always shown or used in horror films, i.e. axes, guns, knifes, drills, saws, etc. Normally in a horror film the same weapon is used to kill the people. For example in sorority row an axe is used to kill all of the girls. The costumes in horror films and normally quite casual as they wouldnt expect nothing to happen. However the villain will normally be wearing either old scruffy clothes which normally gives the expression they are dangerous or have a past which has made them how they are. The villain could be wearing something to cover there faces like a plastic bag, masks, or something supernatural. Friday the 13th Freddie (the villain) wears a shielded mask over his head to cover his identity and give him a distinct look. The image and look of the villain gives of a fear in a way to show the victims that they are scared of them.

Crime
In crime films the lighting of each scene differs. Normally crime films are dark dingy colours to represent danger. The normal type of props would be guns in a crime film. The usage of the gun relates to the crime aspect as people committing crimes are more likely to own weapons and destroy anything which is likely to get in their way of getting something. The criminals are normally holding there weapons to show that they are not afraid to kill someone as long as they manage to get what they want. The criminals are normally dressed in dark clothing i.e. Wearing all black to show that they are bad. Sometimes in crime films balaclavas are used for robberies, this is also important because they are trying to hide there identity so they don't get caught. Body language is an important feature in a crime film, normally if the criminal is holding there gun and panicking it shows that they are terrified to what they can do and this shows the audience engage with in the film and see how the victims are feeling.

Narrative structure in Crime and Horror films

Horror:
Normally in a horror film there is a sequence to kill people or torture them. You normally expect that once one murder has happened you expect another to happen. This sequence has happened in many horror movies such as; Nightmare On Elm Street, Friday the 13th, Sorority Row, Saw etc. There is normally a clue to help find out or how to stop the murders from happening. In a horror film you normally expect to find a hero who figures out the killer or criminal. In horror films you would normally expect that the villain has had a bad past, mental problems, medical condition to trigger there behaviour and actions. There is normally always a survivor at the end of the film who has been able to escape.

Crime
In crime films it normally consists of having a good and bad character. There are cops involved who are left to figure out the crime and investigation. It would usually contain a bad character steeling valuables and the good guys would try to stop them. Sometimes in crime films other people can be framed and blamed upon. Many crime films are based around a large amount of valuables being stolen or a murder investigation.

Character types in Crime and Horror films

Horror:
The main protagonist is normally the hero or the victim of the movie The villain is normally a monster, serial killer, alien etc Normally either the really clever or stupid character gets killed first Either bad or good cops There could be; ghosts, zombies, demons, stalkers etc.

Crime:
The criminal either gets caught or gets killed Cops involved Being kept in suspense Police officers get killed Mission/investigation solved