This document discusses common elements of the horror genre including top horror films, stereotypical characters like the hero, villain, and skeptic, typical settings like abandoned buildings, common narrative themes around lawbreakers and revenge, props used like knives and fake blood, and questions that create mystery like who the killer is. It also notes how the author's upcoming film will subvert some conventions by having female leads in roles that are usually male.

1. THE HORROR GENRE
Nabah Jafri

2. Top Films
▪ The Exorcist (1973)
▪ The Conjuring (2013)
▪ Paranormal Activity (2007)
▪ The Blair Witch Project (1999)
▪ The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)
▪ A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

3. Stereotypical Horror
Characters
▪ Hero- This character is usually a male but in my film, it will be a female.
Usually in horror films, the good never defeats the bad. These characters
are usually courageous and take big risks but always survive them. They
are usually saved till the last and then killed off.
▪ Villain- This character can be anything such as a demon, a psychopathic
serial killer or a monster. These can be either male or female but in my
film it will be a female as it is more scarier. They almost seem inhuman as
they don’t seem to get harmed very easy. This character usually comes out
after dark.
▪ The Sceptic- This character will refuse to believe in anything supernatural
such as ghosts and will always have a rational explanation for everything.
They tend to be one of the first killed off. When something happens to
prove them wrong, they tend to go hysterical and panic at everything that
happens. They can sometimes bring a bit of humour with them. This
character is usually a male but in my film will be a female. They are the
calmest in the beginning but towards the end, they are the most
hysterical. When they are killed, it seems like its becoming real (the
horror).
▪ Female- This character will usually be in need of protection but in my film
will be brave but a victim nonetheless. This character can be one of the
last characters to be killed off.

4. Typical Horror Settings
▪ The film is usually located in abandoned
buildings or haunted houses or isolated
areas. Most settings have a dark past
which is stumbled upon whilst the
characters are there. It is usually more
frightening as there is no sign of life
other than the main characters and the
villain. Its usually filmed around night to
make it much more scarier.

5. Narrative Theme
▪ Lawbreakers
▪ Revenge
▪ Who killed who?
▪ Who stole the gold?
▪ Paying the money back
▪ Did you hear that noise?

6. Props Used in Horror
▪ Knives
▪ Fake blood
▪ Rocking chairs
▪ Sound effects
▪ Spiders
▪ Cobwebs
▪ Religious item

7. Enigma Codes
Questions the audience will ask
themselves:
▪ Who is the killer?
▪ How will the Villain kill the next victim?
▪ Who’s going to die next?
▪ Will the police get there in time?
▪ Is it supernatural or psychological?