Codes and Conventions of the Horror Genre

I have done some research into the codes and conventions of the horror genre, and here is my studies and research.

Location

A Cabin or Old house

- Most typically found in the woods, or completely alone. The generic idea behind this is, if you're in the middle of nowhere, no one can help you.

EXAMPLE: THE EVIL DEAD (1981)

This is perfectly shown within The Evil Dead directed by Sam Raimi.
The convention of a group of popular teenagers going out to camp or have a party is also within this film!

Heavily Wooded Areas: 

Another example of a location where a horror film will take place is a heavily wooded area.

EXAMPLE: CABIN FEVER (2016) DIRECTED BY ELI ROTH

Eli Roth's Cabin Fever is the stereotypical, teenagers go to a cabin in the wood and something horrifically bad happens. This is the ideal, perfect set up for horror films.

ISOLATED PLACES:

Places/homes/areas that are secluded and very isolated is a perfect place for some horror to kick off. The idea that there's no one to help the unfortunate main characters and that the bodies of whoever has been found by whatever entity/human/beast is trying to kill them, makes isolated areas the best place for a horror movie to be set.

 

EXAMPLE:

THE AMITYVILLE HORROR (2005) DIRECTED BY ANDREW DOUGLAS

The only help that comes to try and help the unfortunate family of High Hopes house is the priest which warns them of the freaky happenings that seem to be occurring to this family. Unfortunately, his blessing upon the house is, literally, burnt up by whatever  is within the house and the family are left to defend themselves.

The Preferred Weapon

-Within majority of horror films, when there's some sort of serial killer or murderer on the loose, the preferred type of weapon takes the shape of a knife, axe or sharp weapon. Guns aren't as well looked upon due to the fact that these are used usually by the "good guys".

 

EXAMPLE: NETFLIX'S SCREAM (2015)

Scream is a perfect example of a serial killer who uses a knife instead of a gun-type weapon.
Usually this weapon is something that inflicts a lot of pain, that will draw out the deaths of the characters.

EXAMPLE:

THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE (2003) DIRECTED BY TOBE HOOPER

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is another example of the chosen weapon is used to draw out the death of the group of kids.

 

CHARACTERS:

Typical characters usually include:

A Group of Teenagers

 

EXAMPLE: SCREAM (1996) DIRECTED BY WES CRAVEN

Here shows the cast of Scream. They were the typical group of teenagers that are being tormented by a murderer.

The other convention of SOMEONE DYING IN THE FIRST 5-20MINUTES OF THE FILM also is within the film Scream.

 

The Happy Family

EXAMPLE: INSIDIOUS (2012) DIRECTED BY SCOTT DERRICKSON

 

Insidious shows a family in which an evil entity terrorises them from the inside of their child's head. interesting. But the family aspect of this film definitely is an important part of how the entity is removed.

 

THE VILLAIN OR KILLER:

The convention of The Villain usually consists of the idea that they're psychotic.

EXAMPLE: HALLOWEEN (1987) DIRECTED BY CHRISTOPHER FLYNN

Michael Myers works alone in his killers, and the development into his psychotic character is shown at the beginning of the film.

The Killer convention consists of a multitude of different ideas. They could be a monster/s (slither) (, demon (Bagul- Insidious) ,masked murderer (like Michael myers), etc.
Usually if the killers are human, they're typically male.

SOUND:

Heightened diegetic sound is usually always used in horror films to increase that suspense.
High pitched screams usually signify danger,fear or imminent death in a convention horror film.
Creaky floorboards add to a scary old home.
The sound of stabbing, cutting up or general butchering of the main group usually adds to the gore factor of horror films.

 Aesthetic conventions and the Thematic conventions of horror: 

Aesthetic Conventions:
The aesthetic conventions of the horror genre come under genres such as colour, character clothing, location and props. 
The use of colour within the horror convention comes under an aesthetic convention due to the fact that horror films are typically dark to differentiate between the equilibrium which is briefly shown either within the beginning of the film or the trailer, and the disruption, and resolution stages of the trailer. This is done so the audience can physically see the difference in tone and sets a gloomy, scary mood for the piece.
Other colours such as red and yellow are aesthetically a convention of the horror genre due to the connotations of the red being the link to blood. The yellow is a complimentary colour to the red, but also can be seen as an unnatural colour when it comes to the eyes of a creature or even a peculiar way of lighting a piece.
Character clothing differentiates. Typically within horror, women are objectified if they are more of a 'monster bait' type character, where their bodies and faces are objectified, and are typically not very bright characters.
On the other hand, within Clover's Final Girl Theory, the main female character takes on a more androgynous look when it comes to her aesthetic. Typically, they have short hair, with clothing that is androgynous that hides their bodies. Their names are usually gender neutral.
When it comes to boys within horror, they take on a more masculine, muscular look and are more intelligent than the 'jock' type characters who are the friends to this main character. Monster bait type characters are typically either weedy or the typical 'jocks' .
The aesthetics than come with location as well as props within the horror genre are as follows:

Thematic Conventions: 
Thematic conventions that typically come up within horror are as stands;
good vs evil (Dr. Jeckyll and Mr Hyde)
man vs nature (Jaws)
health vs illness (28days later)
man vs woman (KNOCK KNOCK)