Genre Research: Horror/Thriller Codes

Codes of Horror Thrillers:

Codes are systems of signs, which create meaning. Codes can be divided into two categories – technical and symbolic.

Technical codes are all the ways in which equipment is used to tell the story in a media text, for example the camera work in a film.

Symbolic codes show what is beneath the surface of what we see. For example, a character's actions show you how the character is feeling.

Some codes fit both categories – music for example, is both technical and symbolic.

Technical Codes:

• Canted Angles 
• creates confusion and disorientation of character, making character vulnerable.
• Tracking Shots (long)
• creates suspense.
• POV
• creates a shaky shot, leaving us in the shoes of protagonist, feeling scared.
• Focus
• protagonist in foreground is clear whilst background is blurry, leaving audience frightened of unknown as cannot see movement clearly.
• Extreme close-ups
• shows emotions on face of characters, protagonist ear is shown, impacting on the audience's emotions.
• Sudden Sounds
• quiet scenes with a sudden sound to create a tension.
• e.g. loud bangs, heartbeat (non-diegetic).
• Pace of editing
• Slow - creates tension as noting has happened for a while, therefore assuming something is about to occur.
• Fast - increases heart beat. Gets audience on edge of seat, frightened.

Symbolic Codes:

• Colours
• Black - connotes death, evil, sense of unknown and/or darkness.
• Audience takes in this factor and understand the purpose of black, therefore can understand it is a negative use, creating an unease.
• Red - connotes blood, death, danger, murder etc.
• Therefore, has been used again as audience can relate and understand it is a negative representation.
• White - connotes purity and innocence.
• Traditionally used for the protagonist, and typically female. Creates this sense of purity and that they are innocent leading to an inferior character.
• Props
• e.g. weapons
• connotes violence and danger which eventually leads to death.
• Character
• actions
• locking doors - shows scared, needs protection.
• watching TV etc. - need distractions, shows frightened.