This document summarizes common generic conventions in horror and psychological thriller films. It outlines conventions related to mise-en-scene, characters, and narrative elements. Characters are often isolated with no help, settings are dark and dilapidated. Character tropes include creepy adults intimidating teens, creepy children intimidating adults, and stereotypical characters like the "jerk" male who dies first. The narrative involves chase scenes, fights between characters, murders, and building tension without resolution to create fear and suspense for the audience. Technical elements like camera techniques, editing, lighting and sound are designed to startle and disturb viewers.

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

2. 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)
and made to feel vulnerable and dominated.
Technical Rules/Codes:
Camera techniques, angles,
shots.
Editing
Sound
Lighting
Fast cuts that create pace and sense of panic. The viewer
cannot really see what is going on in each shot which
makes them apprehensive.
‘Creepy’-sounding backing track
Diegetic sounds like footsteps, echoes, screams
High and low angles to make the audience feel dominating
or dominated by, the way the characters are on screen.
ECUs of objects or people so the audience are unnerved
since they aren’t sure of what exactly they are looking at.
Close ups to make the audience identify with a character
and understand their emotions.
Chase scenes-Fast jump cuts
Fast cuts between people running, blood/wounds
and ECUs of scared faces
Hand held camera shots make the audience feel part
of the action.
Steadicam used in scenes where a smooth pan is
needed.
Torchlight/insufficient light for the characters or
the audience to see (Silent Hill)
Fades-to-black which are slow-build suspense and
make sure the teaser doesn’t give too much away.
Canted (tilted) shots disorientate the viewers.