This document discusses common codes and conventions used in horror films, including stereotypical character types, common settings, costume design choices, repeated plot lines, memorable props, and the important role of music in setting atmosphere and building suspense. Some examples provided are the vulnerable female victim, abandoned buildings as settings, the changing design of Pennywise's clown costume between films, the trope of finding disturbing footage, and iconic horror film props like the TV from Poltergeist.

1. LA2: Use Research Methods
To Investigate An Existing Product
Chosen genre:
horror

2. Main codes and conventions to horror films
A main feature in horror films is the use of characters and how they’re portrayed. Some
stereotypes in horror films include:
• The babysitter who looks after a child, the child ends up being the cause of the horror,
e.g.The boy
• A female victim, tends to be portrayed as vulnerable
• Someone who perhaps doesn’t believe in what’s going on, normally quite over
confident which leads to them being killed
• The ’villain’ – spends the whole film causing ‘horror’ for the other characters
• The ‘hero’ – someone who throughout the film tends to stay positive and think the
best in bad situations, male or female
• Young children - I think horror's use children since if something were to happen to
them the audience would immediately feel sympathy

3. Main codes and conventions to horror films
Common locations / settings within horror movies include:
• Abandoned buildings like mansions, houses, etc.
• The woods/forests
• Schools – normally after the school has closed
• Amusement parks
• Graveyards
• Regular looking houses but being haunted by ghosts, spirits, etc.
• Scenes being set at night rather than during the day
Jake Dee. (2016). Top 10 Horror Movie Settings . Available: https://www.joblo.com/horror-
movies/news/lists-top-10-horror-movie-settings.

4. Main codes and conventions to horror films
I think within horror films the characters ( normally apart from the villain/villains) wear
regular clothes showing the realism of it. When it comes to the villain, their costume all
depends on their character and how they’re a villain. For films that are remakes, costumes
sometimes change too. One main example being Pennywise from the IT films.The original
clown from 1990 wore brightly coloured clown attire, like a traditional clown, whereas the
remake ( IT ) from 2017 shows the clown wearing very dull, old fashioned clown attire.
The director of the film,Andrés Muschietti, said “I don’t dig
the 20th century clown. I think it looks cheap, it’s too related to
social events and circus and stuff, circus is fine but I’m
more aesthetically attracted to the old time, like the 19th
century clown”.
Adam Holmes. (2017). WhyThe IT Movie Changed Pennywise's Look, AccordingToThe Director. Available:
https://www.cinemablend.com/news/1694590/why-the-it-movie-changed-pennywises-look-according-to-the-
director.

5. Main codes and conventions to horror films
While there are a lot of original plot lines to horror films, some can be repeated
throughout. Some common plots that occur in horror films are:
• Finding footage on, e.g. an old camera, maybe to show more of a realistic feel to the
plotline.This is shown in The Gallows, Devil’s Due, etc.
• Loft/Basements that characters tend to go in when they really shouldn’t, perhaps used
since when you’re young it seems common to be scare of your loft/basement,
considering it’s dark and you don’t know what’s in there.This is shown in films like The
Conjuring, Signs, etc.
• Creepy children - Children are sweet and innocent and horror movies love to subvert
them, this going back to the 1960s.Although creepy kids are generally effective, they
get used so frequently that they are starting to wear out their welcome.We see this
plot line in The Exorcist,The Shining, etc.
Mike Mcgranaghan. (2017). 15Worst Horror Movie ClichesThat Just Keep Being Used. Available:
https://screenrant.com/overused-worst-horror-movie-cliches-jump-scares/.

6. Main codes and conventions to horror films
Within horror films, props are an important aspect and some have gone on to be quite
memorable and iconic. Some being:
• TheTV in the Poltergeist
• Chainsaws, as presented in Texas Chainsaw Massacre
• A cricket bat or spade, shown in Shaun of the Dead to fight off zombies
• Ouija boards are very common, presented in Witchboard,Ouija, etc.
• Masks to hide identity will always be common in horror films, as shown in Halloween,
Hush,Texas Chainsaw Massacre, etc.
• Dolls are another prop that are quite often used, like Chucky and The Boy.
RT Staff. (2014). 25 ICONIC HORROR MOVIE PROPS Prev. Available:
https://www.rottentomatoes.com/gallery/25-iconic-horror-movie-props/editorial-10266591/.

7. Main codes and conventions to horror films
One of the most important parts to a horror film is the music used, as it creates the
atmosphere.The atmosphere is very important as it creates a good overall experience for
the audience.A well as this, the soundtrack helps to build-up certain feelings which is
contributed into movie success.
When something is about to happen/a change in the plot, suspenseful music begins to
play alerting us.This almost gets the audience ready for what’s about to happen.
A lot of music from horror films has became iconic since the films release, some being the
music from JAWS and The Exorcist.