codes & conventions - nicole davidson

Codes and conventions

When making a horror movie or watching it there are many stereotypical codes and conventions that are used throughout in order to help the audience gain an understanding of what is happening and the atmosphere that is being created. The codes and conventions in a film can be separated into three different groups - technical (camera techniques & shots), symbolic objects or codes (clothing, colours) written and audio (music, sound effects). These give the text meaning and determine the response of the viewer. Without codes and conventions it would be hard to understand what is happening during the film and the type of genre that is being portrayed.

When watching a horror film there are different codes and conventions that are stereotypical to the genre.
Technical codes and conventions – during a horror movie the camera angles and shots used include many point of view shots. These are used so that the audience can see things from a person’s point of view so that the audience feel as if they are there experiencing what the character is and this helps to keep the audience interested and involves suspense. Many close-up shots are used within in a horror movie so that the audience can see emotions. Camera angles are used to help the audience understand what type of atmosphere that the producer wishes to create in a certain scene or event.
Clothing and colours – Stereotypical clothing and colours used in a horror movie include dark and mysterious colours. These are used in order to create an eerie atmosphere and tension throughout the audience. Dark opening credits are used to code to the audience that they will be watching a horror movie.
Music and sound effects – Music and sound effects are used throughout in order to create an atmosphere within the audience. Sound effects such as footsteps and heavy breathing are used within horror genre in order to code to the audience what is occurring and make them feel a certain emotion.
When making our opening sequence we must include and take into consideration all of these factors in order to make our film a success.