DISTINCT - Key Horror Conventions

Settings	Technical Codes	Iconography	Narrative Structure	Character Types	Themes
Isolation – vast forests, abandoned buildings etc. Often set at night or in dark places. Some sort of ancient connection which will return. Religious connotations. The far East – strange new cultures and spiritualistic ideas.	Kinetic camera – canted angles to create distortion POV, to both put the audience in the shoes of the killer/victim, and also distort the audience’s view. Depth of Frame, to bring attention to an event that the protagonist is not aware of. Lots of jump cuts in moments of suspense. Sound – certain sounds are made louder than others to highlight certain events. Music tends to be fast paced in moments of suspense.	Childhood Innocence – toys, schools (usually abandoned), child-like songs (e.g. One, Two Freddie’s coming for you) Iconic Mise-en-Scene includes personalised weapons, blood, scars, masks/costumes, religious symbolism. Colours – Black and Red, for darkness, evil and blood.	Slashers – some traumatic childhood event results in the antagonist to become a serial killer, and take revenge on society at locations or on dates that coincide with the traumatic event. Classic Gothic horror – A monster or very evil figure is created/reborn, and is ultimately presumed to be destroyed by the main protagonist(s), but sometimes there is “false closure” to open opportunities for a sequel.	Final girl Serial Killer – usually male Vengeful monsters Overly confident scientists Ignorant teenager, who will ultimately get killed Police who don’t really end up helping The one who knows what’s happening but no-one believes him.	Binary oppositions Corruption Dangers of advancements  of science and technology