Codes and Conventions of Slasher Films
- 1. Codes & Conventions of Slasher Films Stacy & Lucy
- 2. Slasher Films Definition: Slasher films are a subgenre of horror films, typically involving a violent psychopath stalking and murdering several people, usually with bladed tools. However, in Lucy and I’s case, we will challenge this particular convention and instead the antagonist will only obsess over one individual rather than multiple and this will also link the poem ‘Porphyria's Lover’ which one of many inspirations for our production.
- 3. Conventions of Killers The unstoppable killer within slasher films almost always uses unconventional, handheld weapons, such as blades, chainsaws, cleavers, and blunt objects and rarely, if ever, does the killer use guns. There also may be a potential link with the murderer and their choice of weaponry connecting to their childhood, profession etc. There is often a backstory that explains how the executor developed his (the villain is usually, although not always, a male) violent, mental state and why he focuses primarily on a particular type of victim or a particular location. Furthermore, the antagonist’s identity is often unknown and this is achieved usually by a mask for the majority if not all for the entire production to either provide an element of surprise as well as shock if the audience discovers who the killer is or to create a sense of unsettlement of not knowing the unknown.
- 4. Conventions of Lighting The lighting is one of the most important aspects and conventions of any film production and genre but particularly for slashers. Slashers usually use a mixture of low key, high key, back, under and profile key lighting to create variation, atmosphere that is appropriate to the genre and overall mood. It additionally helps tap into audience fear for example, the fear of the dark or claustrophobia can result in a more effective impact on the audience making the product more successful. Low key lighting is evidently adopted greater compared to high to create shadows and dark, mysterious shapes/figures reinforcing the feeling of evil presence and intense threat. Similarly, lighting can help stress the importance of something, for example, Lucy and I could select to specifically place light on a weapon in order to create some sort of reflection off the blade granting view to a character. Backlighting can also be adopted to create silhouettes of a person/object, by shining the light from behind. This type of lighting is used rather frequently in slashers as it provides a greater evil perspective of the killer and helps to conceal identity. However, profile-lighting can be used to reveal half of an object or character that remains concealed from the audience's eye whilst the other half will be visible. This lighting can suggest a split personality that connotes binary opposites of good vs evil.
- 5. Conventions of Setting The main, conventional settings for a slasher film to take place and vary within suburban neighbourhoods, high-schools cottages and/or woods. It is more common for a slasher film to now be set in suburban areas/high-schools as theses particular locations are considered to be extremely safe and ___. It is to suggest that because a horror film is now set in a suburb where the majority of the population live will evidently provide a deep a sense of fear and realism to the the audience as they would mentally compare their neighbourhood to the slasher setting. It is to mention that both slasher films, Halloween and Scream also set scene in a suburban area. These particular settings would mean Lucy and I can access neither without issue as we live and attend a school in a suburban neighbourhood. However, environments such as a cottage or the woods are also adopted frequently are usually extremely deserted, secluded and isolated from any other human contact so the antagonist can slaughter his targets successfully without any disruptions. In addition, the location may also be associated to the antagonist. For example, the killer would be able to identify with the location due to having a traumatic childhood within that area, linking to his/hers profession or a significant event/killing that the executor was previously linked/ involved in.
- 6. Conventions of Victims In slasher films, the victims are usually photogenic, high-school teenagers or young adults who are away from mainstream civilization or far away from help and often involved in either sexual activities, illegal-drug use and/or under influence of alcohol. These films typically begin with the murder of a young, attractive woman and end with a lone female survivor who manages to conquer the killer after having to endure/encountering near death in the final sequence. In addition, the main character usually has a group of friends involving a fashion obsessed individual and sportsman who die off one by one.
- 7. Conventions of Camera Angles Slasher films tend to utilize a range of camera shots to provide greater variety and entertainment. These shots are: • Close Ups • Tilt • POV/OTS • Tracking/Panning • Reverse • Low/High Angle 1. Close up shots are extremely vital to put emphasis upon characters emotions such as fear. A close up in these types of genres are used to see reactions on the actor/actresses face, and the director would focus more screen time on the killing of the victims and their fatal injuries. This is the shot that shows the most emotion from the characters. It is also used to capture detail in an important scene. This is used very effectively in horror and thriller films to make out a character is being followed or watched. It also could establish a scene so the audience can see the full view. Another great use is as the camera is moving the suspense builds up as you don’t know what could be shown next. 2. Tilt shots add a lot of dramatic tension to shots, for example, pushing or moving the camera. It’s also a great way to get a different shot of an incident across to the audience. Another great use for a tilt shot is to act as though the camera is a victim on the floor, and you are seeing what they are seeing. 3. Low angle shots are very powerful in that they can emphasize how scary or intimidating a villain is. This could make the audience as well as the actors/actresses in the film feel weak and insignificant. This is one of the best shots to build tension. This is used a lot in horrors and thrillers to add suspense, and is used a lot to show a figure stood behind a victim. 4. Tracking shots are used to build momentum and intensify the atmosphere on screen, by allowing the audience to get into the frame and mind of the character. They are effective in horrors, as it gives the impression of a lurking evil presence, and that someone is following/being followed where a panning shot, is used to allow the audience to view the setting for the first killing. The camera pans down to an establishing shot, showing a swing which is moving, and backgrounding the first victims suburban house.
- 8. Conventions of Sound Sound may be one of the most important conventions of a slasher film as it creates suspense and additional tension to ultimately enhance or play around with the audience's emotions. Diegetic sound is a noise which has a source on-screen. They are noises which have not been edited in, for example dialogue between characters or footsteps where as non-diegetic sound is a noise which does not have a source on-screen, they have been added in. For example music, voice over, sound effects. • DIEGETIC: Weather sounds: Sounds like these help to create realism, which is important in horror because the more real the movie seems, the scarier it will be. These sorts of weather sounds also help to create a scarier atmosphere, as it creates a chaos and fear. This could be because people associate bad weather, with being scared, also these weathered sounds could tap into some of the audiences personal phobias (fear of lightning/thunder) resulting in a more effective scary impact. This can be seen in the opening sequence of ‘Scream’ where a strike of lightning at the beginning and end of the opening sequence. Diegetic sound is also used usually when the victims and killers are fighting, this is usually from screaming to an item breaking such as a table or glass bottle used to fight away the killer. • NON-DIEGETIC: When the sound is non diegetic texture it connotes that there is a high level of tension. This usually comes when the killer is in action or thought to be. Sound also helps to build a sense of continuity (for e.g. sound bridging a scene). Sound can also underline psychological refinements (the unseen implications of a situation, or the unspoken thoughts of a character). Sudden burst of music/sound that is used to make the audience jump, it also accompanies a dramatic even. Eerie music compliments the current on screen action, also known as a non- diegetic soundtrack, is a key sound in all horror films, not just slasher. The audience feel the build up of something, which indicates that something bad is about to happen. The audience is aware that something is about to happen as music often changes, and becomes more sinister and scary as we get closer to the climax. Also this type of music can be used to build up false expectation, resulting in a more shocking impact when something actually happens. This works well in slasher films, as it sounds incredibly creepy and sinister, which results in unnerving the audience and making them unsettled.