The document discusses common conventions in horror films. It notes that horror films often take place in isolated, rural settings to create a sense of loneliness and vulnerability. Iconography like masks are used to foreshadow events, and lighting, colors, and shadows are employed to represent the unknown and increase fear. While some predictability provides comfort for audiences, overly formulaic plots can reduce interest. Common character archetypes include the "final girl" who survives to the end and figures out the killer's identity. Todorov's narrative theory of disruption and restoration of balance is also referenced as applying to the plot structure of many horror films.

1. By Caitlin Browne, Erica Hall and Chloe Watret

2.  It is common for horror films to be set in small,
excluded towns where it is unusual to find violence.
This as well as many other popular horror settings all
have one thing in common – they all suggest
loneliness and no-where to run. As well as this places
where horrible things have happened also appear in
horror films, for example, haunted houses, insane
asylums and abandoned buildings. The key thing to
remember when scouting a location is to represent
the unknown, that the characters do not really know
what they are walking into. Camp Crystal Lake in
Friday the 13th is a good example of appropriate
locations as it is in the middle of the woods.

4.  Iconography is important in any horror film as it
symbolises what may happen next. For example in
Scream the scene where the Head Master has
confiscated the masks from the students helps give
some idea what is about to happen. As well as physical
objects, colours can also play a part of iconography.
Colours like red, black and white symbolise blood,
death, darkness and the unknown and are used often in
horror films. The correct lighting of each scene can help
enhance the effect it has on the audience. Objects, like
the mask from Scream, automatically make the
audience feel a certain way, it is able to make the
audience feel fear from just the sight of it.

6.  In many horror films the storyline follows a set
structure and expectations. This can be a good thing as
well as a bad thing. If a film is too predictable the
audience may choose not o see it and the film will
possibly result in a loss. However some audiences
prefer it when they know what will happen as they do
not like to be too surprised when watching a film. If the
majority of horror films all follow the same structure
and similar storylines it will most probably result in a
loss of interest from the audience and horror films will
lose popularity.

7.  In horror films it is likely that the ‘scary’ scenes will
have darker lighting and an increased area of shadow.
This is to represent the unknown and that the
audience do not know what is in the shadows. The use
of shadows can also represent loneliness and the idea
of no where to go which projects the image of
vulnerability.

8.  In many horror films the main characters fit certain
stereotypes. In almost all horror films there is a final
girl who lasts until the end and is usually in the
sequel if there is one. For example in the Scream
series Sidney Prescott is the final girl and is also in
all of the sequels. She is also the person that figures
out who the killer is too.
 The jock and cheerleader stereotype are often the
popular, unfriendly people and in Scream they are
killed off in the opening scene.

9.  There are also ‘nerdy’ types which do not have much
importance, however in Scream’s case the nerd is
very important as they make it clear to the audience
that they know all the typical conventions and
should know how to react in a similar situation. But
they do not. This stereotype fits the profile of
Randy.
Billy, Sidney, Stuart, Tatum & Randy

10.  Good vs. Evil is a recurring theme in all horror
films. Good usually prevails over evil but in some
cases (if there is going to be sequels) evil can
win. Also sequels can recreate a killer. Going
back to Scream, in each of the films there is a
new killer that Sidney needs to face. Within the
film there will be a few confrontations leading up
to the final scene where the final girl (usually)
confronts the killer and wins.

11.  Todorov created the idea that all stories begin
balanced. His theory then goes on to suggest that
throughout the story the balance is disrupted and
then corrects itself in a sequence. It is usually an event
that causes the disruption and after anther event
corrects the mood and makes it appear ‘good’ again.
Todorov suggested that there be 5 stages to this
theory. 1) The beginning will be balanced 2) an event
will disrupt the balance 3) there will be recognition
that the balance has been disrupted 4) an attempt to
restore the balance 5) the balance will be restored.

12.  http://www.slideshare.net/marine18/horror-
genre-conventions
 http://www.slideshare.net/Die-fast-live-
pretty/todorovs-narrative-theory