What I think makes a Horror Movie

Suspense is another thing horror films need; otherwise the viewer will lose all interest...unless they are very patient. There must be a big build up to a key scene, which teases the viewer and keeps them in waiting and holds their interests. This devise always works with me, it also makes the surprise at the end more exciting after the big build up.

Camera angles are vital to making a horror movie good. It can tell us a lot about the scene providing what angle it is. If the director wants us to know that there is an axe-wildering maniac on the roof, he will use a long shot to show the entire body and who it is and what weapon he has. If the director wants us to see the scared emotion of a person, he will use an extreme close up, an example of this is when the girl speaks to the camera in the Blair Witch Project, and you can see her crying and see what she is feeling from looking at her eyes.

Other essentials for a horror film are the characters, you need some sort of evilness in the film but going along with that you need a good person to re-assure you that you are safe!

I think I speak for many when I say that you need blood and violence...but saying that - none of that makes an impact unless you have the suspense before hand.

The lighting can set the mood for many, if the colour is red - that could mean that it is a romantic scene, or it could actually mean that it is a murder scene and the red represents the blood, you should be able to distinguish that by the background music and the background itself.

To conclude with, the background is perhaps one of the biggest parts of making a horror movie, you can't have Count Dracula chasing his victim through Tesco's, he would do it in his own castle is Pennsylvania!

So, horror films are a big part of the movie industry and a huge success due to the reasons I have just explained - these are typical aspects of what a horror film needs - unique directors may put in some of their own ingredients to spice up the film! Although in the film itself you may not notice tese devises in use, they are still certainly having an effect on you!