What is horror?
People often associate horror with death, revenge, shock, physchological violation, manipulation, torture, sexual repression, fear, mystery, ambiguity, uncertainty, childlike fears, uncomfortable atmospheres, the unknown and social issues.
Why watch horror?
Rebellion, adrenaline, shared experience.
Who watches horror?
Horror is often aimed at adults and teenagers, as they enjoy the thrill, and there needs to be censorship for young children.
Common conventions include uncanny settings such as a house or the woods, darkness or dim lighting in order to evoke a sense of mystery, creatures, monsters, zombies or aliens which emphasise the fear of the unknown, a slow, minor sound score that increases in pace, increasing tension and suspense, close-ups to show intense emotions but also to eliminate the view of surroundings to make the audience feel unsettled in the unknown surrounding and fast-paced editing to build up adrenaline and fear. The narrative is often a vulnerable victim such as a female or a young teenager, as this enable the antagonist to more easily victimise the protagonist. However, many directors may choose to oppose these conventions for effect.
