Genre Research 1: PowerPoint

Horror:

Lighting- Uplighting

• Silhouette- Shadows show movement of antagonist so the viewers imagination creates their worst fear.
• Spotlighting- Drawing attention to main focal point.
• Underexposure
• Prominent and projected shadows
• Shooting through objects and elements- Creates strange and irregular shadows.

Angles- Bird eye (high angle): used to make the actor look vulnerable

• Close up: used to see characters reactions
• Tracking shot: shows if a character is being watched or followed. 
• Reversed shot: shows the consequences of a person's actions by using time
• Long shot: used to establish the scene ( ex: how deserted a town is)
• Over the shoulder shot: Used to build suspension 
• Reaction shot: To show fear after jump scare.
• POV shot: when character is running from antagonist

Movement- Running from antagonist

• Choreographed fights (hand to hand and/or weapon use)
• Scared/surprised faces 
• Hysterical crying 
• Stunts (Jumping out of windows, dramatic deaths, vehicle chases)

Mis en scene-

• Sets with fog and dark lighting
• Strobe lights for added attack effects 
• Regular clothes costumes and set design to make things appear scarier because they are more realistic.
• Special FX makeup used to create realistic wounds and creatures
• Shooting Locations appear to be isolated and rural. 

Elements: Scary places

• Spooky music
• Fear of the unusual
• The dark
• Fear of death
• Shocking plot twist
• Unsafe feeling

Movie Examples:

• The Shining
• Frankenstein
• The Conjuring
• Halloween
• Scream
• The Blair Witch Project

Sounds: Suspenseful music 

• Non-diegetic sounds (Ex: Monster noises)
• Sound Motif (Ex: Michael Myers from Halloween) 
• Fear inducing score (Ex: Psycho shower scene theme)
• Screaming
• Silence (Bird Box/A Quiet Place)
• Emphasis on Diegetic sounds (door creaking, crows, wind, footsteps, Sirens etc.)

What we like:

• The fear of death until the end credits of movie conveyed by overall music, graphics, and special effects. (Ex: IT)
• A shocking plot twist because it leaves the audience following one story which changes drastically throughout leaving you intrigued and sometimes confused on previous motives. (Ex: Psycho's false beginning that grows darker throughout the plot.)

What we don’t like:

• Unrealistic plots and monster/creature effects: It takes away from the overall scary experience with improper Mis en Scene. (Ex: Ghostbusters) 
• Unnecessary blood for unwanted effect: Makes scene more comical and unrealistic (Ex: Kill Bill)

Hard to follow plots: We can’t be fully frightened when we do not fully follow along on with what's happening. (Ex: Into the Forest)