An overview of Horror conventions for film openings

1.  Familiarity causes agreement/understanding
 Conventions function as agreement between: author + audience (for what to
expect in a genre)
 In a survey, the horror genre had the most agreed components than any other
genre
◦ Blood & gore, Weapons & Murder/killing
◦ Presence of supernatural
◦ Jump scares with sudden and loud music/sounds to frighten
◦ Silence = danger
◦ Final girl is often a virgin
◦ etc
 Iconic symbols of horror:
◦ Haunted house
◦ Unknown creatures
◦ Dark places
◦ Flashing images
QUESTION: Why do film conventions in a genre or subgenre change over time?
These icons still exist in modern films but they evolve over time according to the era and
audience (what terrified an audience 10 years ago does not terrify one now
as the world is different)