Familiarity causes agreement/understanding Conventions function as agreement between: author + audience (for what to expect in

a genre)

In a survey, the horror genre had the most agreed components than any other genre◦ Blood & gore, Weapons & Murder/killing◦ Presence of supernatural ◦ Jump scares with sudden and loud music/sounds to frighten ◦ Silence = danger◦ Final girl is often a virgin ◦ etc

Iconic symbols of horror:◦ Haunted house◦ Unknown creatures◦ Dark places◦ Flashing images

QUESTION: Why do film conventions in a genre or subgenre change over time?

These icons still exist in modern films but they evolve over time according to the era and audience (what terrified an audience 10 years ago does not terrify one now as the world is different)

Genre & Conventions - Horror