Wider research: Age ratings of horror films

Although being one the most iconic and original films this1922 horror film is only rated as
a PG, however this is due to its lack of swearing (being a silent film) and lack of gore.
Despite this the film itself still achieved its aim of a successful horror from creating some
of the conventions of vampire films for years to come with the image of this fantasy
character becoming globalised. The later version of this film in 1979 was rated a 12A with
the use of sex and nudity increase, and heavier use of gore with wounds and blood more
prevalent thought the film, this was probably to compensate for the rise of CGI and realism
in film at the time to achieve a better effect on the audience.

Annabelle is a 15 with its release being 2017. this film is typical of

A stereotypes within many film in this genre as a doll is used to
create the scare factor of the film. This is common as over time
these old style children's toys have surface to be viewed as
creepy, so mixing this with CGI, Death and jump scars create a
spellbinding film for the modern audience. The reason of this
films rating is due to its constant and consistent use of horror and
gore making the suspense and tension of the film come to life to
create the thrill and scare aspect of the film.
Conventions: Horror
Conventions and stereotypes are used heavily though this
genre with character types being one of the most commonly
followed features when creating dilemma and scenarios
within the films. The two most commonly used character
types is the hero who is normally male saving a loved one
and the villain who is either a monster or killer who the hero
has to stop in order to make peace again. groups within
films can be conventional of this genre as young teenagers
or parties are mainly used to start the dilemma of the film
with people dying one by one to add to the drama and
suspense of the film.

Another conventional them of horror films is the setting in

which they are located. Frequently they are placed in
haunted houses in remote areas, the film is often shit at
night with main events occurring in dark locations. Forest
and woodlands are also conventionally used in the genre to
add to the feeling of unknown, rain and harsh weather is
also used to create panic and lack of visibility to see what is
coming.
Iconography
Iconography and conventional theme in horror can be easily identified by
the audience. Due to the graphic nature of violence and blood in this
particular genre weapons are often associated with the films. Knifes and
blunt objects signally the dilemma and disequilibrium of the story as they
pre-empt the killing of the film prompting the fear in other character as
well the audience. While less graphic films use shadows and abnormal
movements pf objects to create suspense and fear.

A common image used within film is the blacked out silhouette of a

person in the distance or behind a semipermeable surface to keep the
identity of the person unknown to cerate mystery and a enigma to the
film, these shits can be shown within trailer to show the films narrative off
without revealing the plot or result of the film. Lighting and sound are
also used heavily in this genre as door creeks and dark rooms with only
one light source are commonly identified and recognised in horror films,
and director use this to create tension and suspense building up to main
events in the film.
Directors within the genre
The first of the directors that are commonly linked to this genre is Alfred Hitchcock
who revolutionised the gene and specific techniques he later became famous for.
One of these is the use of suspense as he later became called the master if
suspense with his ground-breaking camera shots engage the audience like
never before. These include the pov shot with this becoming important within
many modern day films to make the audience feel the character emotions and
fear within certain scenes. he also stared to enigma viewer in the technique of
voyeurism were where he would use characters to attract the attention of
audiences. His character types were also important as in many films he villains
would be accompanied by a icy blonde woman to add to the hostility and
mystery of the antagonist.
James Wan is a modern day director of all popular horror and thriller films with him
directing films such as Saw, The Conjuring 1&2, Insidious. He has experimented
with puppets and dolls in this genre with creating films such as Anabelle, Billy and
Jigsaw to create a horror films in the 200s to compensate for the huge hype in
teenagers in this particular genre with children toys becoming vastly known as
creepy. So by accompanying this with CGI and a dark narrative he has been able
to create a number of well received films in the late 2000s. Other films of his focus
on blood and violence with this appealing to more mature audiences, however he
has been able to developed and work with better composed narrative to hook the
audience on multiple fronts.
Distributors
Universal studios has developed over the past 20 years to become the
leading distributors and creators I the horror genre with bringing out the
most well received films in recent years. With Anabelle, the conjuring
and the most recent IT signalises the expert director and produces they
have in order to captivate an audience within this genre. With the release
if IT indicates that Warner Bros will continue to create blockbuster in
horror and will remain on top for the foreseeable future in exiting an
audience.

Universal have also developed historic horror films with providing the
public with classics of the genre. These include films such as
Frankenstein and Dracula kick starting and beginning to conventionalise
the genre with gore and violence with the first successful and well
received use of tension and suspense. These films by universal have
become marker successful horror films and used as a base to build upon
and further to the genre.

20th century fox has mainly and has only really been recognised for the
Alien franchise in this type of film wit three films being well received as
the CGI used in these films has typified the thrill and scare factor of films
of this.