Codes and conventions of the Horror genre

Most horror films follow a set of conventions consistent through out the genre, however many chose to by pass these. 

• Dark/shadowy lighting
• Isolated location
• Female victim
• Disruption of normality
• Sub plot of male/female relationship
• Defeat of monster
• Split into sub genres, often hybridised
• Primary target audience – male, 16-24, Mainstreamers
• 15 or 18 Certification – debates on passive consumption
• Uses and Gratifications (active audiences) theory can apply
• Extensive use of Narrative enigmas
• Exploration of Narrative Themes
• Slow pace of Editing, builds tension. Long takes
• Three act narrative structure
• Predictable narrative content
• Clear binary oppositions e.g. good v evil
• Use of low key lighting
• Use of CGI, FX
• High production values but many low budget horror films
• Dominant, hegemonic representation of gender: The Female Victim
• Extensive use of close up
• Incidental non-diegetic sound
• Distorted diegetic sound
• Extensive use of narrative off-screen space
• Young/teenage characters
• Use of hand-held camera: audience identification/realism
• Point of view shots
• Low angle shots

Sources:

1. http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_are_the_Codes_and_conventions_of_the_horror_genre
2. http://media.edusites.co.uk/article/horror-genre-codes-conventions/