Research- Mise-En-Scene

In this section, I will research mise-en-scène. This is comprised of almost everything that happens on set, such as set design, lighting, costumes, props, and the arrangement/movement of actors. Basically, the whole visual aesthetic of a scene.

I'm excited to dig deep into the section because this is what will essentially make or break my presentation of my genre! Learning this information will fill me with enough knowledge to even start planning out how I want my film to be like.

Lighting: Shadows, Darkness & Mood

Lighting is one of the biggest tools horror movies use to make you uneasy. Low light and deep shadows hide details, making you imagine what might be lurking just out of sight. This technique keeps audiences on edge because your brain fills in the blanks. Horror films often use contrast- very dark areas next to bright ones- to create mystery and suspense.

For example, many chills in horror come from scenes where most of the frame is dark until something suddenly lights up, like a face, a hand, or something creepy moving. This technique makes even normal spaces feel threatening. This can be used to my advantage when creating my opening, as I can't use a professional set for my film. Making the lighting low to give it an ominous look, will help with that flaw.

This image is a scene taken from Terrifier 3; the lighting presented here is just ONE part of the movie where the lighting is shown as very dark and mysterious. This movie incorporated A LOT of dark lighting, heightening that fear of the unknown.

The technique of using low-key lighting plays on most people's fear of the dark. It is very common for 

Costume And Props

I learned that costumes and props in slashers do more than just make characters look cool; they help tell us who someone is and make them feel scary. For example, in the Scream movies, the killer’s costume with the ghost‑like white mask and dark robe quickly tells the audience “this person is dangerous” even before anything happens onscreen. Because they can’t see the killer’s face, they can’t read their emotions, which makes them feel more mysterious and frightening. Masks like Ghostface’s are so well‑known that people instantly think of horror when they see them, and things like the killer’s knife become symbols of threat just by being associated with that character and their actions. Costume can tell a story about someone, giving that character more depth and helping the audience to further understand that person.


                               

Cinematography

Cinematography in psychological slashers uses camera position, angles, and lighting to make scenes feel tense and unsettling even before anything scary happens. One common trick is the low‑angle shot, where the camera is below a person looking up, which can make a threat feel bigger and more powerful and heightens the sense of danger. The opposite can also be used: a high‑angle shot, where the camera looks down on someone, can make a character seem small and vulnerable and make you feel sorry for them or uneasy watching them struggle.

Another technique is the Dutch angle, which means the camera is tilted; this makes the whole picture feel off‑balance and weird, almost like you’re seeing the world through a shaky, confused mind. Close‑ups are another tool: zooming in tight on someone’s face or a small object pulls your attention right to it, so you notice every detail and feel much closer to the emotion or tension in the scene. Filmmakers also use low‑key lighting, where shadows and darkness fill most of the frame, so you can’t see everything clearly, and your brain starts expecting something hidden in the dark. All of these choices about where the camera is, how it moves, and how light and shadows shape the scene help make the audience feel uneasy without needing loud noises or jump scares.

Sources

Lighting

https://raindance.org/crafting-fear-filming-techniques-to-evoke-emotion-in-horror-movies/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

https://louisabroadheadmediablog.wordpress.com/2011/12/13/codes-and-conventions-of-horror-films/

https://www.blog.thefilmfund.co/unlocking-the-secrets-of-horror-movie-cinematography-techniques-factors-and-tricks-to-heighten-suspense/

Costume

https://www.prazzlearts.com/editorial/the-impact-of-costume-design-on-film-why-it-matters

https://ctkdeathrowproductions.weebly.com/costume--make-up.html

Cinematography

https://nofilmschool.com/horror-camera-angles

https://www.blog.thefilmfund.co/unlocking-the-secrets-of-horror-movie-cinematography-techniques-factors-and-tricks-to-heighten-suspense/