Supernatural Horror Films- Sound (Individual)

Sound Track
The sound in supernatural horror is usually non diegetic (sound that doesn't come from sources on screen) to create a tension on the screen and suspense within the audience so that it can build up to go with the film so when something unexpected happens in the film the audience get's built up to that moment to make the audience frightened and jump up.

The sound in horror isn't often too noticeable by the audience as it is supposed to be subtle and make the audience aware of it. Instead of hearing the music it is supposed to make you feel part of the film. A famous technique called 'mickeymousing' is often used in horror which is where the music moves up and down with the movements of a character during the film depending on the instrument used.

Some of the instruments used are:
Heavy Brass- These are used for danger as the lower it goes the more dangerous it sound.
Violins- They imply danger the more high pitch and faster which gives the idea of someone approaching that is a little dangerous.

Many supernatural horror films now have recognizable soundtrack such as The Exorcist has now become iconic to audiences that can now recognize the sound from the first minute of the soundtrack.

Sound Effects
During a supernatural horror sound effects are essential to make the creature recognizable and to add tension to the scene as well as a sense of realism. Doors slamming and animal noises often add to the jump factors of the songs as it is often unexpected.

The louder the sound the scarier the moment is as it shows how scared the people are in the moment. Such as doors slamming or loud footsteps on stairs even an animal growl can add to the terror in a supernatural horror.

Cinematography (individual)

Cinematography from tyler_beever

Supernatural Horror Films - (CINEMATOGRAPHY)

Individual Analysis of Other Films - Cinematography from Kiera Tolhurst

Supernatural Horror Films- Camerawork/ Cinematography (Individual)

Supernatural Horror Films have had a specific way of using lighting and using the camera to create an atmosphere and mood. Horror films are mainly based off the camerawork as it allows audiences to get the mood across to the audience without any words or certain plot points or even the setting.

Long Shots
Long shots are used to show how isolated a character is in a supernatural horror. This allows the audience to see how alone the character is which creates a fearful mood within the audience for the character. It gives a suspenseful atmosphere which allows the stereotypical feeling for supernatural horror.

Paranormal Activity (2007)

Wide Shots
These are used to hide the identity of a figure during a supernatural horror so it builds tension for the audience to allow them to feel worried by making the audience know they're there without knowing the identity. They also help to introduce a setting to show the whole place and give an impression of isolation and helplessness.

The Ring (2002)

POV Shots
This allows the audience to see what the creature sees and the vulnerability of the protagonists. It allows the audience to see them and it creates an uncomfortable mood as the audience sees them as vulnerable but sometimes the audience don't even know who's perspective they are looking from.

Hand Held Camera
Many supernatural horror films use a hand held camera for filming certain scenes to make the scene feel more realistic as though it is actually happening. It makes the audience feel as though they are in the scene with the characters. It allows the camera to be more raggedy and closer to the action.

The Blair Witch Project (1999)
Underexposing
Supernatural horror uses a lot of shadow to create a dark atmosphere to show a more mysterious atmosphere. It allows the audience to not know what's going on in some areas of the screen so when something is coming towards the protagonist you can see fully what is going on.

The Others (2001)

Haze
Fog and haze can add a mysterious sense to a film and allows the film to seem more textured as well as allowing it to be unique. A sense of character can be created through haze as it is used to show a mysterious character or even reveal a creature during a supernatural horror. One of the main supernatural horror films to use fog is the Exorcist to reveal the protagonist of the same name giving the man an unusual and mysterious feeling as they introduce him.

The Exorcist (1973)

Slow Pan
This allows the suspense to build up in a supernatural horror before allowing the creature to be revealed at the end of the shot. If the pan towards the creature is slow it makes the audience tense which leads to a bigger reveal and shock at the end.

High and Low Angles
By using a high angle it shows how vulnerable a character is and is to show how insignificant a character is. This is usually tied in with a POV shot to show a character from the creatures perspective. The low angles create the opposite by creating a position of power for the creature by standing over the victim.

The Invisible Man (1933) Low Angle

The Shining (1980) High Angle

Supernatural Horror - Location (individual)

Supernatural Horror Film - Settings/Scenes (INDIVIDUAL)

Supernatural horror opens up a large variety of ideas for settings and scenes. Obviously, the purpose of a horror film is to scare and intimidate viewers watching the film so the settings and scenes have to be in turn, mysterious and horrifying.

Usually, the conventions of supernatural horror show a paranormal experience or presence in a household where characters will live. This makes the film creepily realistic as it is set in an everyday and normalized setting.

Sinister (2012) is featured mainly in a realistic household setting in America.

Another example of a setting for a supernatural film has to be the most obvious of all, a haunted or abandoned house. Many may see this as a cliche setting for a film with the genre of horror, but it always has a sense of mystery in it. Because the house is aging and has plenty of history, it offers a scary sense of past events that could return in the form of supernatural presences.

This setting in the 'Woman in Black' features a creepy, ancient mansion which is clearly abandoned and has a large past behind it. 

A location suited for a supernatural horror would also have to be the forest. This setting is an appropriate one for a supernatural horror film because a forest is in the middle of nowhere usually, which leaves characters involved helpless with nobody nearby in times of need. A wood can also be seen as very mysterious, where many things can hide and lurk behind trees and forestry. 

The Blair Witch Project is a good example of the location being a forest. They go missing with only video footage to investigate where they are now. The forest is a great location in horror to offer a sense of mystery and the unknown.

Supernatural Horror Films- Settings/Location (Individual)

Supernatural horror films have many classic locations which people traditionally associate with a horror film. As soon as the film opens people can usually tell which type of film they are watching because of where it is set. Horror films usually have an old or abandoned looking building however it can begin with just a normal setting. The setting always plays a key part to construct and develop a horror movie creating a certain type of atmosphere.

Hotels/Motels
Hotels have been apart of horror movies since they began. With films such as The Shinning, people have since been associating hotels with supernatural horror movies allowing the scare factor to follow them to every location. Hotels allow the writer to get creative with their setting and make the audience feel fear the next time they go to one.

The Shining (1980)

Abandoned Islands
These allow the protagonist to be cut off from the world around them and have to deal with the supernatural being alone which often ends up going badly. Because they are cut off from the rest of the world it makes the audience feel tense with every small movement with films such as Woman In Black making them feel tense at the slightest of movement in the background as no one else should be there.

The Woman In Black (2012)

House's and Cabins

The Woman In Black (2012)

One of the most traditional places to set a horror movie is in an abandoned house or cabin. This makes the audience associate it with other horror movies such as Woman in Black and Cabin in the Woods. Because they are such normal settings that people use in everyday lives it allows the audience to feel more fear as they see it as more realistic. This makes them think it is going to happen in real life despite them knowing it isn't real. With movies such as The Ring it also allows audiences to feel fear at being home alone as supernatural horror doesn't just happen in abandoned houses but also just regular homes of other people.

The Cabin In The Woods (2012)

Woods and The Outdoors
Woods have always been used in horror particularly during supernatural horror films as it allows the creatures used to have a natural place to have come from. It is usually at night when the creature comes out allowing the shadows of the woods to create an eerie atmosphere  which makes the audience check behind them once leaving the theater. Blair Witch is a classic example of a Supernatural Horror film set outdoors.

                              

                                          The Blair Witch Project (1999)

Schools
Classic films such as Carrie have been making audiences fear schools since the middle of the 20th century. This setting is often aimed to create fear out of teenagers as this is where they have spent most of their lives so far which means that anything could happen to them whilst in a place they are supposed to see as safe.

Carrie (1976)