24. Genre Conventions

Genre Conventions

Genre conventions is about stock plots, stock themes, stock characters, stock locations, stock props within each genre. For example in an action film, the stock plot for the genre would be that the protagonist would prevail and the antagonist would lose the fight;die or be put in jail. For this report I will be analyzing the stock 'parts' of the horror/thriller genre. I have chosen these 2 genres to analyse as one of them is going to be the genre of my opening sequence.

• Stock Plot/Themes:

Horror films commonly focus on the introduction of an evil force, person, or event. Numerous horror films involve the use of scary creatures such as ghosts, vampires, and zombies. Horror films use a lot of violence and gore into their plots. Sometimes horror can overlaps into other genres such as fantasy, thriller, and science-fiction.

Examples of Horror films:

A Nightmare on Elm Street - several Midwestern teenagers fall prey to Freddy Krueger , a disfigured midnight mangler who preys on the teenagers in their dreams.

Saw - Two strangers awaken in a room with no recollection of how they got there or why, and soon discover they are pawns in a deadly game perpetrated by a notorious serial killer.

Friday the 13th -

A group of young adults discover a boarded up Camp Crystal Lake, where they soon encounter Jason Voorhees and his deadly intentions.

The thriller genre mainly is centered around anticipation, uncertainty and suspense. The purpose of thriller films is to keep the audience on the edge of their seats. The protagonist in thriller films typically comes up against a problem which can either be an escape, a mission, a mystery etc. which almost always involves the antagonist. Thriller can fall into different sub-genre categories and it may differ but this will emphasize the danger that the protagonist faces if say it is combined with horror to have a hybrid genre. In thriller, tension is kept throughout the film to get the audience intrigued and concentrating and typically leads to a highly stressful climax for both the protagonist and antagonist.

Examples of Thriller films:

The Great Escape - Imprisoned during World War II in a German POW camp, a group of Allied soldiers are intent on breaking out, not only to escape, but also to draw Nazi forces away from battle to search for fugitives.

The Silence of the Lambs - A young F.B.I. cadet must confide in an incarcerated and manipulative killer to receive his help on catching another serial killer who skins his victims.

North By Northwest - A hapless New York advertising executive is mistaken for a government agent by a group of foreign spies, and is pursued across the country while he looks for a way to survive.

• Stock Characters:

In horror there are six main stock characters:

1. Female Victim: This character is almost in every horror film and this character is often depicted as vulnerable. E.g. Psycho 1960
2. Non-Believer: Can be of either gender and is portrayed as cocky and usually over confident. This character believes that the others are over reacting. 
3. Hero: This character can be of either gender and tends to be the strongest out mentally out of the whole group and copes better with circumstances. 
4. Hysterical Character: usually female and stubborn, this character always gets killed at some point whether it be she is killed last or she is left behind and killed. 
5. Evil Character: this character can take the form of anything from a ghost to a werewolf to a serial killer. They have the biggest impact on the film and attract the audiences attention. Their identity is normally hidden by a mask or a form that disguises their form from all appearance and emotion. 
6. Loved Up Couple: this couple are normally all over each other when they are just about to be killed. 

In thriller there are also six main stock characters:

1. The Protagonist (Hero): this character will normally fall victim to someones scheme and get stuck in a moment of dread and fear for their life.This character gives the storyline bulk,character etc. 
2. The Antagonist (Villain): this character is the main obstacle that the hero will face and they cause the most pain, distress and terror in the film. 
3. Damsel: this character, mainly female, is almost always svaed by the hero and they tag alongside the hero for the remainder of the film. 
4. Female Fatal: similar to the female victim in horror, this character is almost always the first one dead and is typically portayed as blonde and oblivious. 
5. Hot Shot: this character is also similar to the non-beliver in horror, except they fell they can get rid of the problem and believes they are better than the hero. 
6. Reluctant/Accidental Hero: this character may save someone in the film from the antagonist but not meaning to steal the limelight and is normally someone really unexpected. 

• Stock Locations:

Horror: 

Haunted House : 

• this is the most common location for a horror film
• mostly involves a fatal accident occurring in order for it to be haunted
• it could be haunted by a curse placed on the house to cause ghosts, possessing people. E.g Enfield Haunting (The Conjuring 2)

Cemetery :

• this is also a common location to set parts of horror films in
• the reason it is a good location is that it is connected with ghosts, death and the undead. Perfect for zombie films E.g Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

Suburban (residential) House:

• used more in modern horror films E.g Paranormal Activity
• it has been used in more recent years as is looks more realistic to audiences and the audience can connect with the film more. 

Rural Area:

• often isolated locations
• filmmakers choose specific areas in order for it to look as if the character has no way out e.g lost in a thick forest E.g Blair Witch Project
• rural areas don't have to be just forests but can be mountains, oceans or even space. 

• Stock Props :

Horror: 

Weapon:

• nearly always used in horror films
• can range from a gun to a crossbow to a chainsaw
• they can be used by both the antagonist and protagonist for attacking or as defence
• weapons are needed for horror films or else it would be fights with their bare hands which wouldn't be as scary or tense for horror. 

Mask:

• used to hide the antagonists identity E.g Scream
• or in cases like Hannibal Lector he has a mask to prevent cannibalising people as he is a serial killer