Research Essay: Codes And Conventions In Existing Horror Films Aimed At A Teenage Audience

A code in a film is a system of signs that can create different meanings; there are two different categories of codes - technical and symbolic. Technical codes are the equipment which is used to tell the story in a media text; this is the way the camera is used to work effectively in a film or editing the use of sound.  Symbolic codes are used through things like mise-en-scene. For example characters feelings can be portrayed through actions, a costume can be decoded to portray what type of person they are. Other props can also suggest other things to the audience.  Some codes fit both like music for example as it is both technical and symbolic. Conventions are ways of doing things in order to complete/perform something. There are different conventions in any type of medium. For example, during a horror film, conventions may include being split up from another  character in order to portray loneliness, they can also include falling or tripping while running away from the danger. Another convention that may occur within a horror film is when the characters are in sight with safety and something goes wrong. An example of a code is the way the camera follows the footsteps when the characters are running away from danger. They also use various camera angles top create tension such as point of view shots in order to make the audience sense what the character is seeing.

Dead Wood starts off with an opening scene of a man running through the woods and as the audience, we sense danger through the codes, these include music in the background to sense the predator even though we cannot see it. He eventually jumps over a ditch and grabs the other side but at this point he is grabbed from below and killed. The codes that are included within the opening scene are the music played in the background for the audience to sense the predator without actually seeing it. Another code that is used is mis-en-scene, the man’s shirt is ripped in order to show struggle. His face is also covered in blood to show violence and danger; these codes suggest to the audience that he has already come into contact with danger. Codes also include how the camera is filming the scene, in the opening scene of Dead Wood, the camera is seen to be moving up and down to illustrate a running motion, the camera angles also include a point of view shot to show what the character is seeing, this create tension while the audience watch the film as they are being put in the characters shoes. They also include a high angle shot when the man is hanging over the ditch to show how high up the man is, this is also used to show the danger. They also increase the tension within the music as the man starts the run faster in order to create an impact on the audience, they use various close up angles to show the fear on the characters face to show that the character is close to danger. Conventions that are included within the opening of the film include being in the woods, this indicates that nobody is around, a sense of loneliness. They also include the man running and tripping over, this is used to make the audience think they are going to be captured by the predator, and it is also used to create a worry. Also, the man is running on his own through the woods, and his partner is in a tent on her own, this creates a thought of loneliness as they are both on their own, another convention included in the opening scene is when the man is running away from danger, he doesn’t call for help from the other character, instead he keeps quiet, this creates a thought in the audiences head that they are on their own, safety is also in sight when the man reaches the other side of the ditch, he sees the tent where the other character is in.

Dead Mary starts off with the opening scene of a man and a woman in the middle of the woods while their car has broken down, it starts off with the woman being on her own in the car, the man then arrives shortly after with some petrol to fill up the car. The codes that are involved within this opening scene include the music that is played in the background while the woman is in the car on her own, this makes the audience sense the predator but we haven’t yet seen it yet. It creates tension within the opening scene. Another code that is used is the various different camera angles that create a sense of danger, these include a close-up to show the characters involved, it also includes a longshot to show another individual approaching the car, and they use a longshot so that the audience question whether it is a predator but we later find out it is her partner, they use a longshot so that the audience witness the scene where it is set. The mis-en-scene that is included shows a young woman who has very revealing clothing on, this suggests to the audience that stereotypically, she could be helpless during a dangerous situation. The sound include metallic sound as it increases when the predator is sensed, the sound also links in with the conventions as the radio breaks up and create a crackling sound to portray to the audience that they are in the middle of nowhere. The conventions that are used during the opening scene include the phones having no signal, this creates a sense of danger to illustrate to the audience that there is no way she can contact anyone easily. Another convention that is used is the scene where it is set, the sign that is shown states that it is the last gas station for a long time, this portrays to the audience that they are far away from anyone. They are also separated as well to suggest to the audience that they are both alone in the abandoned area.   

The film Wrong Turn starts off with the opening scene of a couple climbing a cliff, the man reaches the top first as the woman struggles below, she shouts for his help but she hears silence back. He is then hit as the audience can hear but not see and then he is chucked over the cliff and she is left cutting her rope in order for her to reach safety. The codes that are used in the opening scene include an establishing shot of the two people climbing the cliff, this shows to the audience that they are in a dangerous, deserted place. This indicates to the audience that nobody is around. This creates a sense of danger to the audience. They also use codes such as a high angle shot to show to the audience that they are high up and exposed to danger. The sound that is used is played quietly in the background while they are both climbing the cliff, however when he reaches the top and she is left dangling over the cliff, the music picks up to build tension. This makes the audience think the worst, when the woman is being pulled up by an unknown predator, the music increases even more in order to create a sense of fear to the audience. As the man is thrown over the edge, the music stops in order to create a sense of fear from the woman. The music is non-diegetic therefore the characters cannot hear the music while performing. The camera shots and angles create a feel for the environment surrounding them; it suggests that they are alone in the woods and that they are not very close to help. The conventions included in the opening scene include being in an abandoned forest area, it suggest that they are alone with no help close by, another convention is the woman can see the car which can bring her safety but instead she trips and is dragged back by the unknown predator. They are also separated from each other as the man reaches the top before the woman does, he is then out of sight in order to create a sense of mystery. The woman trips over which slows her down, this happens to create tension while the audience watch as there is a chance that she may not reach safety.