Elements of mise-en-scene in horror.

A setting such as a forest or an abandoned building are typical locations for horror because they are usually enclosed, cut off from civilisation and unknown to the victim, the idea of being alone whilst running away/hiding from something builds tension and the feeling of helplessness. Forests are commonly used in horror settings like in Friday the 13th because they can be disorientating and characters can get easily lost in them, feeling hopeless and terrified, with no easy way of escape.

Lighting

Often in horror movies darkness is used because this limits the audiences vision which builds tension and fear of the unknown, the fear of the dark is a common fear that resides within most of us and so is effective in scaring the audience. The darkness is used to suggest it is concealing a presence that could harm the character and creates a sense of mystery, had some horror scenes been filmed in daylight it would completely lose this effect.

Props

There are a variety of props used in horror including a range of weapons, spiritual artefacts, haunted objects and religious items. Religious items include crosses, bible an holy water and example of this is in the Exorcist and the Exorcism of Emily Rose and other possession films which play with the idea that these items can fight demons and Satan and show faith or a lack of faith, sometimes mocking the idea that the demons can be fought off. A variety of weapons are used to clearly suggest a character is a killer or their will be murder in the film. Objects like chainsaws, axes, machetes and knives allow the influence of gore and brutality. Whilst other films that focus of the supernatural may include props such as haunted objects like dolls, pushing the idea that the character must get rid of the dangerous item but they ultimately cannot.

Hair and makeup

Makeup is useful in a variety of different wounds, disfigurements, mutilations and non-human body parts. Makeup is also used to identify the main protagonist and the struggles the character has to go through physically and mentally, whilst also demonstrating their survival through wounds and scars. Hair can be rough and ragged to show the character has been pushed physically, hair can be pulled or scalped or hair can be disgusting and clogged in drains.

Character expression/movement

The expression of characters are very important in portraying the fear, shock, loathing and disgust the characters feel. This allows audience to feel empathetic for the character. A unique scene is in The Shining is when Jack tries to break down the door and the expression on the female character is pure horror and fear, and as audiences this is gripping and terrifying.

Costume

There are some typical costumes for characters in horror films, you would expect to see any little girl wearing a white dress with blood on it and her hair long and over her face such as the grudge, Samara from the ring and Regan from the Exorcist. Costume plays a big part in audiences identifying the antagonist at a glance, Freddy Kruger is famous for wearing a red and green striped jumper with knives for fingers and Jason from Friday the 13th wears a hockey mask which makes them both easily identifiable and famous. The clear style of a characters costume can quickly show audiences whether the character is good or evil.