This document outlines common generic conventions in horror films, including that the killer's identity is usually hidden and they have a distinctive feature, victims include males and females as well as innocent or demented children and suspicious owners, and visual styles incorporate low key lighting, shadows, close-ups and shots of characters' reflections in mirrors, often in dark and nighttime locations both on location and in studios. Common themes are violence, gore, suspense and thriller or comedy, using iconic props like knives and blood in forest, street or building settings like schools or shacks. Narratives frequently come from the viewpoint of victims or killers during events like summer vacations.

1. Group 10 – Jordan RobinsonGeneric Conventions Of Horror

2. Killer, Usually Identity Is Hidden And There Is Something Distinctive.Victims – Male & FemaleInnocent ChildDemented ChildSuspicious Hotel OwnerDetectiveCharacters

3. Low Key LightingShadowsClose-UpsLow Angle ShotsMedium ShotsShots Of Characters Reflection In One Or More MirrorsUsually Dark (Set At Night)Location Shooting & Studio ShootingVisual Style

4. KnifeBloodForest/ WoodShackMiddle Class StreetFireIconography

5. ViolenceGoreSuspenseThrillerComedy/ HumorThemes

6. Woods/ ForestTrapped In A MazeStreetSchoolShackCityHorror Can Usually Be Set Anywhere, Such As The Horror Comedy “Zombieland” Which Is Set In Different Places Around AmericaSettings

7. Summer VacationSummer BreakVoiceover NarrationUsually From The Point Of View Of The Victims Which Is Usually A Group (e.g. Friday 13th, Halloween)But Can Also Be From The Viewpoint Of The Killer (e.g. Peeping Tom)Narrative Devices