Horror

Horror is defined as an intense feeling of fear, shock, or disgust. This genre of film primarily works to evoke these emotions. The atmosphere created puts the audience on edge and scares them. Horror commonly exhibits unnatural, supernatural, gory, and monstrous elements.

Content

Fear is a core element in the genre. It is what gives rise to horror and propels the story. Most horror movies play on phobias or everyday occurrences turned wrong to scare the viewer. When done well, fear can make for an amazing character and movie plot. However, a scary scene is nothing without the other elements such as suspense and music.

Suspense is arguably one of the most important part of any horror story. The uncertainty of what will happen next, but knowing at any moment something could happen leaves the viewer on the edge of their seat. By nature, humans like predictability and routine; when a story twists their sense of safety, the uncertainty and mystery causes fear for the protagonist and themselves.

Production Techniques

Sounds are used when to establish that something or someone is deeply insane, evil, or

unnatural. A series of sharp, screeching notes on any string instrument is commonly used.

Other times there will be silence to heighten the suspense of what will happen next,

sometimes it will be followed by an array of sound in a low, eerie pace. Scares, or jump

scares, are triggered by a sudden bang. Applying sound effects that prompt viewers to turn

in their chairs and ponder if it was from the movie, their surroundings, or their own head adds

to the bone chilling appeal. The beat, pacing and instruments used in a musical score help

influence a feeling on the viewer.

In Alfred Hitchcock's "Psycho" (1960), sound is used by fast bow strokes below the bridge

of a cello to add on top of the terrifying but iconic scene of Marion Crane (Janet Leigh)

getting brutally stabbed while showering. The quick and blaring music is supposed to

represent the adrenaline rushing scenario.

Lighting is essential for depicting a visual mood, ambience, and feeling. Horror movies frequently employ low-key lighting. This sort of lighting is appropriate for the tropes of the horror genre because of the dark color and shadows it produces. It controls how much about the setting and characters are disclosed and adds suspense with its eerie and enigmatic aura.

In John Carpenter’s “Halloween” (1978), dark space is used to create fear of the unknown. In the frame below, Laurie Strode (Jaime Lee) attempts to hide from notorious white-masked serial killer Michael Myers (Tony Moran). With a light beam planted only on Strode, past the door frame looms only darkness, which is where Myers emerges. From the shadows, he enters unknown to the victim who could've caught a glimpse of hope by believing she managed to get away.

Marketing

Horror movie marketing has a very basic strategy, to build up suspense and mystery. Showing hints of what is to happen on the movie but never revealing it pulls people in. The main target audience is usually teenagers 15-20 looking for thrills or an adrenaline rush.

Sometimes, horror movies are chosen to be released during Halloween season. It is when most are excited to indulge in and consume horror elements all in spirit of the scary season.