Sound & Editing & Camera Work

SOUNDS USED IN HORROR FILMS

Diegetic sound 

These are sounds that are naturally within the setting/scene of movies that characters can hear. These are used to make scenes within films much more dramatic and allows the level of realism to increase.

Examples of these are...

1. Footsteps
2. Laughing
3. Doors opening and closing
4. Verbal communication
5. Dropping of objects
6. Creaking floorboards

Sound effects

Sounds that are accompanied within an action scene within films (eg: Psycho). A specific example of this is within the slasher scenes, the use of a sharp violin noise is used every time the knife is stabbed into Marion Crane within the well known major scene called the 'shower scene'.

Ambient Sounds

These sounds are used as background sounds, these are present in a scene to increase the realism of a certain location. The most common ambient sounds that are used include wind, water, birds, crowds, office noises, traffic, etc.

Within horror films the most common ambient sounds are...

1. Wind & Crows - Grave Yard
2. Wind & Rustling Trees - Abandoned House/Building

Non - Diegetic sound

These are sounds that the characters within movies cannot hear. This is because they're included after the filming has been completed. They are added after to create effect or to add an increase in anxiety levels to create a bigger build up for jump

scares. These are also usually included within movies scenes to try and set an overall mood for the audience/viewers. 

Examples of these are...

1. Soundtrack, 
2. A sound motif.
3. Sound effects - Creaky Floor boards or creaky door to create an effect.

Contrapuntal sound

Usage of these sounds that don't match the scene are to hit audiences attention that  they are watching a horror film, the uses of the conventional ominous music used when showing a normal street full of houses (Annabelle) reminds viewers that the characters are never safe as horror films are unpredictable.

MISE - EN - SCENE

Props

These are used to show what possessions characters have, use or pick up. These are very important within movies because it can give us a wider image of characters and it can allow viewers to understand what type of character they are. 

Examples of these are...

1. Knife - Killer/Murderer
2. Doll - Innocent child
3. Crucifix - Religious person/Ghost remover

Clothing/Costumes

Majority of characters wear up to date clothing to show normality.  However, supernatural demon or killer may wear very unusual costumes/clothing to signify differences.

Examples of these are...

1. 'Insidious' - Spirit is wearing an old 19th century orientated costume.
2. 'Annabelle' - The doll is wearing Victorian clothing to signify the age of the doll.
3. 'Conjuring series' - Demonic figure is wearing a nun costume.

Low key lighting

The use of the dimly lit scenes including lots of shadows is the typical scenario filming set for a horror film. This is to make the location of the scene or the character themselves look dangerous and scary. 

Chiaroscuro lighting 

Extreme lighting/flashing is used within filming with a combination of shadows and bright light to add effect to viewers. This is mainly used within scenes when the killer or supernatural character is hiding in the shadows. This creates dramatic atmospheres as well as uncertainty within viewers reaction/thoughts while watching the film.

Use of Editing

Slow pace shot

This is when the video pace is slowed down. Its usually used to suggest that certain characters like the victim's lives are flashing before their eyes. This allows the audience time to fully understand situations within the film and can cause a sense of uneasiness. 

Fast pace shot 

When the video pace is made faster. This is mainly used for a chase scene normally between the victim and a killer to make the chase much more intense.

Fade

This is shown when an image is fading out and then completely disappears. This is often used in horror film trailers, after the ending image it fades to black to shown the date of which the movie is in the cinemas. This also gives the trailer a mysterious and tense feel because there is no clear ending to finish the trailer which causes the audience to question what might happen next.

Splicing 

Splicing is when fast paced shots are edited all together to make one shot. They include important and scary parts of the film to make scary flashback montages. This to create fear and tension. 

Continuity editing 

The editing of video footage that is edited together in chronological order. This then allows the audience to understand the general plot and gives the impression of realism. This is important in horror films because the more realistic the film, the scarier it is.

Use of Camera Work

High angle/ Bird eye
Used to look down on the victims of the killer, making the victim look vulnerable and powerless. In turn making the killer look in control.
 
Tilted/Canted angle
Tilted camera to one side, offsetting the shot. Its normally used to suggest to the audience that a ghost/supernatural creature is moving the camera & makes the audience feel a sense of disorientation.

Tracking/panning shots
Shows movement in a scene. It can create the effect of a character being followed or watched, which creates a sense of suspense. It can also be used establish a scene and location, similar to a 'master shot'.

Close-up
Drawing the audience's attention to characters and emphasising reactions + emotions. For example, a close up of a scared looking character would emphasise the fear in the scene.


Low angles 
Low angle shots emphasise just how scary or intimidating a villain is by looking up at them. This makes the audience and character seem weak and vulnerable.

Hand-Held shot
Mainly used alongside POV shots. It makes the audience feel like they are involved in the action and therefore make them feel an increased sense of fear when a significant event is in place.

Point of View shot (POV or Subjective filming)
A camera angle from the view of the character, therefore making the audience feel as if they are in the scene. This can increase the sense of fear the audience feel as it creates realism and makes them feel as if they are in the scene.

Zoom
Shot getting progressively closer to subject. For example, going from a long shot to a close-up. It adds dramatic effect and creates an element of suspense because you don’t know what you are going to see next. It could also be used to zoom into something gory or gruesome to freak out the audience

Over the shoulder shot
A shot that is over the character shoulder, to see what they are seeing. This adds suspense because the audience can see what's happening as soon as the character does. This is used a lot to show a figure stood behind a victim before the victim dies.