Film Cliche's

Horror

horror films appeal to lots of different types of people, and are aimed for the older audience, horror films with a higher age restriction are known to be scarier films, so the higher the age the more people are interested in going to see the film. many cliches are used in horror films, although if this turns the film predictable it may not be so interesting to the audience as they want to be scared by jumpy, unpredictable moments. although cliche moments can make an audience know when something is going to go wrong and this can keep them on the edge of their seats.


something that is used allot in horror films is when there is a hopeless moment such as a car breaking down. this builds suspense as you know that the character is vulnerable and something bad is going to happen.


normally in horror films character die in a particular order, it starts with the pretty blond girl and then annoying characters that are obnoxious or have been making trouble and in some cases deserve what they get. the characters that normally survive in horror films are those that are different or quiet and don't make trouble. this has an effect on the audience as they want to be the popular person or the prettiest person and see this character living their life and just trying to have fun and then something bad happens to them, this leave the audience feeling vulnerable and this starts off a good horror film.


mysterious phone calls are used allot in horror films, this makes the audience scared because a phone is something you use all the time so it makes it easier for the character to feel as thought hey can be a victim to what is happening. phone calls in horror films could be a person with a distorted voice talking to the character or just a call that just cuts out, this builds suspense and mystery in the film and gets the audience asking questions. phones are also commonly used in horror films as ways of contact but it is very cliche that the phone has either ran out of battery or has no signal. this makes the audience feel as though this person is alone and makes it seem as though they have no way out.


music is also used in horror films as a way of building tension and makes the film have a scarier atmosphere. the music tends to just be instrumental and has a strange vibe about it, this puts the audience on edge. also music can be used such as characters humming or singing nursery rhymes, this is used allot of horror films and normally means something bad is just around the corner.


it is cliche to use scenes such as sink and mirror scenes and people in reflections or shadows, this could then build up to the climax or it could be an anti climax and could turn out to be nothing, such as hearing noises and then realising its just a cat.


horror films have moments that make you jump and did you just see that moments, this builds suspense and scares the audience. scary locations are usually used to do this, such as lonely secluded areas (fields/old empty houses). a cliche horror film setting is at a house a family has just moved into and it was a really cheap house and they soon realise why is was up for sale when things start to go wrong.




Jeepers Creepers - opening scene

jeepers creepers starts with an ordinary car journey, this makes it relate to the audience and creates a calm atmosphere, although the secluded locations shows the audience that something bad is going to happen and the fact that no one is around to help puts the audience on the edge of their seats. the main character is driving dangerously and acting arrogant, this makes the audience feel as though he deserves what he gets. as they are driving along the road you see a caravan in the background follow the car you see it disappear along another road, this reiterates the fact that there is no one around and they are completely alone on the road. once the car disappears the people in the car carry on along the road, they go past a scary house that is the middle of no where, this is used allot in horror films and is very cliche. from a distance you see the car that was following them and then a man in a mask putting body size objects down a shoot, the character being in a mask makes it more mysterious and frightening because the audience don't know who he is or what hes doing, this adds to the fear the audience get from the film.