Mise-en-scene and sound

Mise-en-scene

Mise-en-scene is important in all films including horror films. Mise-en-scene is important in horror films as it can tell the audience the time period the film is set in, who are the victims through the way they act, who is the attacker/ villain, who the main protagonist/s are etc.

Low key lighting tends to be used in horror films to create a suspence e.g. lighting behind the attacker (his/ her face is hidden), deep, distinct shadows, sillouettes are formed. Horror films tend to have low light to make it look dark.

In certain horror films a prop is used e.g. the murder weapon being an axe or knife. This helps to build up a tension as the main protagonist/s will be aware of the prop and would/ will try to stay clear or out of arms reach from the attacker with the weapon. A film that uses a knife as the murder weapon is Scream.

The setting/ location of a horror film is usually set/ located somewhere where it is deserted, looks scary or has a story/ history to the area. (See link for information about famous horror movie settings/ location: http://thefw.com/real-life-horror-movie-locations/)

Sound

Sound is very important/ powerful in horror films as they make certain scenes more scarier due to the non-diagetic sound that is being played. Without sound most scenes won't look scary or be able to scare the audience as they watch.
 By doing research I've realised that orchestral music are used for sound in majority of horror films as by playing/ using certain instruments such as the violin, it can make a specific scene seem scary.

Psyco- Shower killing scene (sound/ music)

"There is an audio sequence in horror films that most people recognize. A long eerie musical build-up of strings or horns as the victim approaches a closed door (for example), followed by a violent orchestral hit as the victim opens the door to encounter whatever is hidden behind it. This is a type of musical cue that is quite common in horror films. Whenever the audience hears this build-up, it knows that something is going to happen." (Quoted from:http://www.eng.umu.se/monster/john/sound_music.htm)