Horror Film locations

 

Locations used in horror films

 

The Location of a film is where scenes are set. Most films have a variety of different locations to link the storyline/scene to appropriate surroundings to create a realistic atmosphere. In horror films the location is an important factor to consider as it sets a scary scene.

 

Woods-

A common used location for shooting a horror film are the woods. This is because woods tend to be deserted , this helps to isolate a character. Stereotypical woods will include
Tall trees -which can block natural light and create spooky tree like shadows. This also creates a hiding place for characters .

Muddy surface-The surface of the woods usually has no pathways making it easy for a character to become lost . The muddy floor can contribute to a characters appearance ,if a character become distressed they become careless and get covered in mud (falling , leaning against a tree). The roots of trees  can also be used to trip a running victim leading to her death or disadvantage. Evil dead uses the woods to isolate a helpless victim.

 

Tunnels

Tunnels are a great place to film as they are hollow , this creates an echo of even the smallest of sounds, revealing a character hidden from view. In some cases the end of the tunnel is round the corner so there is no way of knowing what's at the en making a suspense building scene leading up to the end of the tunnel. Tunnels can be isolated , so bumping into a strange character can become immediately dangerous.

Towns

Deserted towns show there is a disturbance occurring. Towns are meant to be busy in everyday life so an empty town is unheard of .Towns are highly populated , having no one there is a strange experience for the audience creating tension. Silent hill uses this to hint the town is out of the ordinary.

 

Hotels

Hotels have multiple rooms which is great in horror films as it creates a wide range of hiding places for characters. Hotels give off the impression the characters are on holiday , this scares the audience as holidays are a relaxing get away or them. The obvious example is the shining as the hotel is empty other than the three characters.

 

Homes

Many horror films are set in homes, this is effective as the audience will live in similar surroundings, fearing everyday life. Homes have different ways of entering it, this can result in a characters being unaware of someone entering their home resulting in danger. Scream is set a home to show how vulnerable the victim is .

 

Hospitals

 

Hospitals in horror films will often leave victims powerless to anything happening around them especially if they are hospitalized. Hospitals can be scary in real life let alone horror movies as they are full of echoing corridors and screaming patients. Mental hospitals are similarly scary as they are full of potentially dangerous characters. When the staff are killed in Halloween the character is let hopeless.

 

Churches/Graveyards

 

The religious places are feared as the dead are buried beneath the surface. Churches can be linked to the devil and an inhuman prescience . These locations can be used to highlight the significance of spirits and possessions. Churches also have an echoing effect , enhancing small sounds . Graveyards can are usually associated with ghosts and zombies (the rising of the undead).This is a classic location , Frankenstein was partly filmed at a graveyard made the scene eerie and spooky.

 

Lakes/holiday cabins

 

Reflective lakes can be feared as there is no way of telling what's beneath the surface . The audience will assume there is something underwater. Cabins will often be isolated , leaving a character helpless .Horror films are set here as there is no help outside of the cabin making anyone a victim. This is similar to Friday 13th at crystal lake.