Conventions commonly found in Horror Films.

We have learned about conventions that are commonly used in horror films, ancient and modern-day.
Some conventions that are commonly used, and are relevant to the sub-genre of teen horror, are:

A secluded location.
This is a setting commonly used in horror films. The characters are placed where there is nobody around to help them if they face trouble. These are normally places like abandoned theme parks, dark woods, derelict building sites - places that are very open and have lots of places for 'the baddy' to hide.

Someone investigates a strange noise.
This is a very overused convention, used in several (if not the majority of) horror films. A character will hear an odd noise, and will follow the noise and try and find out what it is, and what caused it. This normally leads to trouble and is a good build up if done well and effectively.

Warning goes unheeded.
The main character in a horror film is normally the one who is victimised the most. If another character, for example a family member or friend to the character, senses the approaching trouble and warns the main character, the warning is normally ignored. The character will often follow the trouble, instead of ignoring it as advised.

Powercut
At the scariest moment possible, the lights suddenly go out and nobody knows why. The main character is normally attacked or murdered or something of the sorts at this point.

Someone runs upstairs instead of outside
Whenever the killer enters the house, the main character seems to run away upstairs, instead of running out of the open front door. There is a safe path that they could easily take, by running down the street trying to find help, but they always seem to hide upstairs and normally get found and killed.


Some popular films that use these conventions are:

Zombieland

Secluded location - set in a derelict theme park.

Paranormal Activity

Someone investigates a strange noise - Mika hears a noise and goes downstairs to check. He gets attacked.

Jeepers Creepers

Power cut - The power goes out and the Beast start chasing the teenagers.