Common Conventions of Horror

I researched and came up with a list of what I usually see in most horror films generally. By doing this it would help me create my horror trailer by looking at the common conventions that are usually used in most horror movies and will apply it in my way in my trailer.

Conventions of  Horror Genre =

Mise-en-scene:

-Knives

- Blood stains

- Darkness

- Isolated places (big empty houses, countryside – away from the city)

- Contrast between light and dark (normally to represent the characters)

Camera work and editing:

- Quick cuts

- Hand held shots (documentary)

- Zoom

- Slow panning

- Point of view 

- Eye line match

Music and sound:

- Slow calm music then goes silence (e.g. insidious 2)

- Loud frightening music

- High pitched screaming

- Phone ringing.

Common characters:

- Innocent child which is usually the villain until it is revealed in the end

- Men/women wearing red to symbolise danger

- Ghosts/spirits

Icons:

- Dolls moving 

- Big knives 

- White masks e.g. scream

- Candles

- Religious Imagery e.g. cross 

Narrative and themes:

-Hybrid

- Slasher

- Zombies/aliens

- Paranormal (e.g. spirits)