Genre

Horror Films

Horror films are generally used to seek emotions such as fear and suspense in the viewers. They will often deal with the viewers’ anxieties, or issues deemed as “scary”, and having a running theme of violence throughout them. Horror films are usually popular with a younger audience, of around 16-24 year olds.

One convention of horror is usually the use of colour. Two main colours in horror is red, which symbolises blood and danger, and black, which is not only because horror films are usually set during the night, but clothing of antagonists are usually black too, as it symbolises death.

Another convention of horror is the use of secluded settings. Horror films are usually away from mass people. Horror films will often be set in the home, such as in "Halloween", or isolated places, such as in "Psycho".

Horror films often feature high and low camera angles. These camera angles allow certain characters to have power over others; this gives them a certain status. Horror films also use point of view shots, especially to show the perspective of the villain; this technique is used effectively in "Halloween", when the antagonist has put a mask over his face.

Thriller Films

Thriller is a very popular genre, not only in films but in other forms of art too, such as literature. It aims to bring out tension, suspense and excitement in the viewers.

One of the main conventions of thriller is the use of camera movement, mainly starting with a pan or tracking shot to establish the setting. Another camera angle used in close ups which are very common, allowing the audience to see the emotions of the characters, as well as highlighting any important detail the audience should take note of.

The use of non-diegetic sound in thriller films is usually common, with certain music or soundtracks building suspense or tension. However, silence is also an effective technique to also build tension, often before some sort of conflict and confrontation takes place, or something shocking has happened or been revealed, such as in "Along Came a Spider", where one of the main characters shoots another main character, who has just revealed to be also an antagonist.

Another convention of thriller is the use of black and white. It helps to highlight shadows of characters, and will appear to the viewers as scary, or dark. An example is in Alfred Hitchcock’s "Psycho", as she is in the shower and a shadow appears on the shower curtain.