The document discusses several common conventions in horror films, including the use of sound effects to represent the killer's presence and increase tension, the presence of stereotypical character archetypes like the clueless blonde victim, and settings that isolate victims in remote or abandoned areas where they cannot escape. It also mentions common narrative devices like establishing the killer's backstory and motivation through origin stories, the use of iconography and props to identify the killer, and unpredictable killing methods using everyday objects.

1. Brett Egan, Steven Hegarty, Jordan Crosby and Joffy Evans.Sound.In horror, usually lots of sound motif is used to represent the killers presence and a lot of incidental sounds to increase tension as something horrible is about to happen. Incidental sounds are used to create false sense of alarm.Characters.There are many stereotypical characters that are present in horrors in the modern era. There’s usually a clueless, panicky blonde girl who falls victim to the killer (Drew Barrymore’s character in ‘Scream’). We get the hero or heroine that survives till the end and ends up having an epic showdown with the killer. Also the killer usually has a motivation or some twisted target to reach ( Jigsaw in ‘Saw’ targets those who he believes don’t appreciate or value their life, as he is terminally ill and sees it as a crime to overlook the vakue of life).Location/Setting.In horrors, the setting is usually in deserted, empty places where the victims will not be able to run for help or escape the killer or evil force. They can also be set in rough, rural urban areas, which are notorious for dark rumours and activities taking place and where the law doesn’t stand for much. For example, ‘The Hills have eyes” is set in a deserted desert, where the victims are helpless to escape the mutated killers.Narratives.In horror, narratives are situated around plots and storylines which, ultimately serves the purpose to create fear and tension amongst the audience. This is created by having dark, intense storylines that come together as the film goes on. Horrors also usually have backstories to them, as Freddy Krueger got burned alive for abusing children and the narratives for the “Nightmare on Elm street’ franchise was based on his revenge.Iconography/ Props.In horrors, the killer or killers usually have their own personal traits. For example, Jason Voorhees wore an ice hockey mask and Jigsaw is portrayed through the clown puppet on the bike. This is commonly used to create mystery and tension. Also in slasher sub-genres, knives and random objects are used to kill people such as a hammer or a crowbar.Conventions of Horror<br />