Research: Conventions in Horror Film

Conventions are used throughout all horror movies, they all use the same sort of things yet approach them differently. As each horror movie has s completely different storyline, the conventions can easily be weaved into the plot and used efficiently to portray to the audience what is happening. 

For example, the use of the convention of the secluded and isolated location is used frequently. Even before the story is told, the audience understands that there will be no help due to the setting being solitary. The movie "The Cabin the the Woods" is a prime example of a secluded location.This can be illustrated in the images below which is straight from the official trailer 
 


Another example of a convention is that the characters forget about the threat, this conveys that the danger doesn't bothered them and that it won't affect them, which is irrational. The movie "An American Werewolf in London" is a example of this, the locals warn them not to go off of the path, or there will be trouble, yet they still do it. 




When the power is cut in a movie, this is the first sign that something bad is going to happen. It suggests that there is nothing they can do due to the electricity being cut. Another convention is that the light flicker, which implies the same meaning that they are helpless. 
In the movie "Ouija", after speaking to a spirit, the lights cut off. This suggest that they are now powerless. 


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Furthermore, a convention typically used is when are phones cut/no signal, again the characters are completely on their own with no contact to the outside world.