Research and Planning - Typical Settings

I started researching the typical locations in which the majority of horror films are set. I decided to look at some well-known horror films and try and think why the directors/writers decided to locate the film in the place they did.

Setting 1: Ancient House


This is an image of the house in which the film 'The Conjuring' was set. The film was released to cinemas earlier this year and attracted some attention due to claims of the film being based on real life events. The house in which the film was mainly located is typical of the horror genre. Merely by the appearance of the outside of the house, it is clear the house is ancient and grand. The use of this type of location is effective as a big house means lots of room/corridors and hallways which create a sense of fear as it is easy to lose your way. That the house is old means that many people have previously habited the house suggesting many people have passed away leaving old traditions which could haunt the newcomers.

Setting 2: Graveyard





These images show scenes from the films 'Frankenstein' and 'Night of the Living Dead.' I think the location of a graveyard is effective as they create an image of death, possibly foreboding what is to come. Also, as the scene from 'Frankenstein' is set at night which adds to the eerie atmosphere the location of the graveyard is already portraying. That it is dark would create a sense of fear the unknown within the audience.

Setting 3: Desert



In films such as 'Tremors' - as shown above - and 'The Hills Have Eyes,' the directors chose to locate the majority of their scenes in a desert. I think the desert is an effective setting as it is a vast, wide-open space suggesting there is nowhere to hide when problem strikes and no way to escape.

Setting 4: Ocean



In the film 'Jaws,' the main location is a beach and the ocean. This setting was necessary due to the content of the film but still is effective for a horror film. The ocean - like the setting of the desert - is vast and wide which, again, creates fear as there is a lack of escape. That the ocean is deep and dark also creates a sense of mystery and the fear of the unknown.

Setting 5: Cabin/Campsite



The film 'Friday the 13th' was located mainly in a remote cabin in an isolated forest/wood. This is effective as it puts the victim in a vulnerable place as they are alone and away from society. The use of the cabin is also effective as they are not usually made of strong, brick walls like that of a typical house. This creates, again, a sense of vulnerability about the victim as there is nothing to protect them. The forest in which the cabin is located also includes a large lake. Again, like 'Jaws', the use of water is effective as it is unclear creating a fear of the unknown. Also, forests are typically places in which people lose their way. The various trees act as an obstacle representing the lack of escape for the victim.

After this research, I have devised some factors which I think important in a typical horror film location. I will try to incorporate these into my film trailer as much as possible;

• Isolated 
• Dark
• Mystery 
• Uncertainty
• Obstacles