1. Generic Conventions
Genre: Film Teaser
Horror/Psychological
Thriller
Generic conventions:
Mise en Scene - Usually set in isolated areas where there is Fight scene between supposedly
no one to help the characters/nowhere for friendly characters as tension runs high
(Costume, props, them to run (The Human Centipede, Evil
iconography) Dead, Saw franchise) Chase scenes where characters are
unsure of what they are running from
Characters Everything is usually dark, dirty and and cannot escape anyway.
dilapidated
Narrative Unknown character kills people off in
Creepy adult character who disturbing ways.
scares/intimidates the teenage characters
How will anyone survive?
Creepy child who scares/intimidates the
adult characters (The Omen, Orphan, The Can they find out who the murderer is?
Good Son, The Ring)
Lots of screaming.
Male ‘jerk’ who dies first due to his self-
absorption Characters established through certain
defining dialogue/actions.
Dim-witted, promiscuous blonde girl who
never survives (Scream) Cathartic process where the
audience’s emotions and
Male protagonist (has some flaws, usually expectations are built up then released
in personality)
Sadistic or masochistic voyeurism
Attractive male who is brave and usually

2. dies trying to save others. Designed to make the audience jump,
feel shocked, uncomfortable,
Love interest for the protagonist male who disturbed, disgusted, frightened or
is naturally the prettiest of the females. panicked.
Geeky character who thinks they know The audience is unsure of exactly what
everything (and sometimes do) but are is happening and made to feel
ignored by other characters till the end. vulnerable and dominated.
(Scream, Stay Alive, Final Destination
franchise)
Shy, overly scared character. Often dies
near the end after a build up of their panic.
Characters have to give in to primal
instincts. (Battle Royale I & II, Saw
franchise)
A play on common fears, blurring the line
between fantasy and reality. (Bug)
A struggle of good against evil. (The Omen)
Evil forces, events, or characters,
sometimes of
supernatural origin, intruding into the
everyday world. (Final Destination
franchise, Saw franchise)
Technical Rules/Codes:
Fast cuts that create pace and sense of Chase scenes-Fast jump cuts
Camera techniques, panic. The viewer cannot really see what is
angles, shots. going on in each shot which makes them Fast cuts between people running,
Editing apprehensive. blood/wounds and ECUs of scared

3. Sound faces
Lighting ‘Creepy’-sounding backing track
Hand held camera shots make the
Diegetic sounds like footsteps, echoes, audience feel part of the action.
screams
Steadicam used in scenes where a
High and low angles to make the audience smooth pan is needed.
feel dominating or dominated by, the way
the characters are on screen. Torchlight/insufficient light for the
characters or the audience to see
ECUs of objects or people so the audience (Silent Hill)
are unnerved since they aren’t sure of
what exactly they are looking at. Fades-to-black which are slow-build
suspense and make sure the teaser
Close ups to make the audience identify doesn’t give too much away.
with a character and understand their
emotions. Canted (tilted) shots disorientate the
viewers.