This document provides guidance on key conventions for a home invasion horror subgenre. It recommends: 1) Setting the story in a large family home to establish isolation. 2) Using a linear narrative structure for ease of following the plot. 3) Frequent use of low-key lighting to create mystery and focus on characters. It also lists themes of death, madness, bravery and fear. Examples of inspiring films are provided that utilize conventions like hidden antagonist identity, manipulation of characters, and common home invasion plots and locations.

1. NAME: ___________________________
EXPLORING IDEAS
Horror subgenre: Home Invasion
Conventions we should try to consider and include:
 Setting – setin a big house,withfamily.
 Linear – easierto understandthe narrative
and easy to follow
 A frequentuse of low-keylighting–makes
the focusmore towardsthe isolationof a
particularcharacter.
 Themes– death, madness,bravery,fear.
The settingisimportantas itestablishesthe mainlocation
for the narrative totake place.Itusuallyinvolves a
locationwhichinvolvesafamilyandusuallyisreckless
murderers.
The structure of the narrative islinear– meaningthatit is
easierforthe audience tosee howthe storybuildsupto
the events.
A lotof low-keylightingisusedinthisusual genre asit
impliesmysteryandsecrecy.Also,ithidesthingsfromthe
audience of whichtheywon’tbe expecting.
Group or familyworkstogethertoovercome the problem
at hand.There are stereotypesof men –strengthand
bravery– and women– victims/love objects. However,as
a team theycome together.
Identitymaybe hiddenbythe antagonistswhomaykeep
the audience questioningthe secrecy.

2. NAME: ___________________________
Inspirational films or TV shows
These shows or films might have similarities that you can
take inspiration from
Could be inspiration such as:
 Credits/titles
 Plot(don’t copy it of course)
 Characters
 Locations
 Costume/props
 Type of OTS (linear/non-linear/symbolic)
 Shots/camera work
 Sounds/music
You’reNext(2011):
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1853739/?ref_=ttmd_md_nm
Utilizeslow-keylightingfrequently,thiscreatestensionand
raisesnarrative enigma’stothe audience.Identityishidden,
focusincreasesonthe protagonist’sperspectivesonthem.
FunnyGames(2007): http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0808279/
Inspirationfromasimple plotnarrative.It’sinspiringbecause of the manipulation of
the characters by the twoantagonists. Theirmanipulationispure invasionandcan
be inspiredintoanotherfilm.
The Strangers(2008):
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0482606/
Inspirationfromthe locationandplot. Itisveryusual for this
genre andusesmany commonconventionsof home
invasion.Hidesthe identityof the antagonists –similarto
You’reNext.