I decided that to have a good understanding of the separate sub genres of horror and suspense movies I should read around each individual group (e.g. psychological, thriller, slasher etc) and find out what industry greats have to say about the differences between each are. I felt that by having a more definitive understanding of each sub genre, the trailer I will ultimately create will be far more effective, partly due to the removal of confusion over the genre represented.

Codes & Conventions of Horror Movies

I have began my Research and Planning by doing some background research into the horror genre. Below is a list of typical Codes & Conventions that can be found in said genre of movies.

• Primary target audience – male, 16-24, Mainstreamers
• Extensive use of Narrative enigmas
• Three act narrative structure
• Predictable narrative content (follows format)
• Clear binary oppositions e.g. good v evil
• Use of low key lighting
• Use of CGI, FX
• Dominant, hegemomic representation of gender: The Female Victim
• Young/teenage characters
• Use of hand-held camera: audience identification/realism
• Point of view shots
• Low angle shots

Source: http://media.edusites.co.uk/article/horror-genre-codes-conventions/