Codes and Conventions of Existing Horror Films

In the teen horror film " Wrong Turn" many codes and conventions were included. For example, the convention of a secluded location has been used to convey to the audience that there would be no one around to help, this was shown by an establishing shot at the beginning of the film.The use of the young characters appeals to the teen audience as they are close to their age group, as well as the girl wearing a little tops that shows skin.  Disturbing and creepy music was played at the start to imply what type of movie is would be. Also one of the characters says that there is "no one around for 50 miles" therefore emphasizing the dangers to the audience. The use of dialogue appeals to a teen audience as there is swearing, this is used when a fake scare occurred the girl character slips as she was rock climbing. A close up of her feet was used to focus on her feet as she slipped to build up tension. As the couple were rock climbing shots of them reiterated the fact that they were alone. Numerous sound effects were then used when the threat was recognized. For example, when the male character gets hit with a rock a sound effect was issued to portray the audience what has happened. The sound of the blood dripping was emphasized to build tension and fear, a view from above the cliff was shown focusing on the girl and the blood on her face. The character begins to cut her rope, which has a close up, then falls next to her boyfriends dead body. She runs in order to get to the vehicle, another convention, as hoping to get away and flee from the danger. Yet, she trips over metal wire which is intentionally set up and is dragged away by the mystery predator.

The teen horror movie "Dead Wood" followed traditional codes and conventions expected om the genre. It starts with bird song and then haunting music that begins to evoke fear. A shot of the woods, which is a typical conventions, suggests that the location is secluded and that there may be something lurking in the woods. The panning round of the location reiterates that there is no one around to help. The close up of the puddle lures the audience to focus on it and then comes a jump scare when a foot pounds to the floor. The enhanced sound of footsteps and quick creepy music plays as the character is running away. Shaky camera movement is used, potentially to show how unstable the character is and how they are disorientated, this is supported by his stumbling. A typical convention of tripping over is used to build suspense that the predator could capture the victim. The character is wearing torn clothes and has blood on his head, implying that he has already encountered the predator. There are quick cuts made between the shots to emphasize the pace. A point of view shot is used to show the audience what the character can see.Once the character is opposed with an obstacle, a lake with ledges that he can possibly jump across. The camera shot shows the tent and how close safety is. After jumping to the ledge and hanging from the edge is portrays a sense of relief that he is nearly safe, however the predator kills him. The female character then comes out of the tent not knowing her partner has been killed and that there is a predator nearby. The typical convention of a character being killed in the first 5 minutes is used. 

The movie "Dead Mary" is not a typical way to open a movie, not many traditional conventions were used. It starts with a close up of a chain swinging, focusing in and out. Shots of the female character being bored are included as well as the idea of a secluded location. Dialogue is used as she sighs due to boredom.She turns on the radio and finds that there are no stations available, sinister sound effects are used that sound like ghostly laughs. After, she finds that there is no signal on her phone, this convention shows that if trouble occurs then there is no contact or help. She begins to search through the glove compartment and finds a flare gun, a symbol of safety. Another character appears with petrol, from the station that was shown at the beginning. Dialogue is exchanged, the male says that he "left money on the counter" as there was no one there, an abandoned gas station. This is not typical compared to the other 2 films as this film doesn't oppose a threat in the first 5 minutes or someone gets killed. "Dead Mary" builds suspense as the audience is waiting for the scare, they are on the edge of their seat waiting and anticipating, which is fear in itself.