Horror Movie Conventions - Opening of Scream

Conventions are effects used to build tension and to show that a film is of a horror or thriller genre. I explored the opening sequence of the Wes Craven film, 'Scream'.
Here are some examples which I noticed:-

• Night time
• Knifeboard
• Establishing shot of house in the middle of nowhere.
• Woman alone
• Popcorn popping
• Blank TV
• Sound of locking doors - danger is impending
• Lights are off
• Big empty house - more places to hide

Sounds foud within a thriller/horror are used to create fear, tension and suspense.
Non diagetic sounds are added later to reinforce fear and tell us when to be scared.
Including the following :-

• Telephone ringing
• Dogs Barking
• Sounds of the wind blowing
• Creaking of doors and swing in the garden.
• Violin music/ strings

Characters found within a Thriller/ Horror

• Stupid blonde woman - conforming stereotype
• Innoncence
• Were expecting her to die
• Therefore we have little sympathy for her

Shot Choices

• Tracking Shots
• Contage shots - shot at a tilt. (Dutch tilt)
• Zoom to close up and reaction shot.