Generic Conventions in Genres

Generic Conventions change depending on genres, but are always within the genre. The generic conventions are also certain traits that the audience members will pick up on, and also accoaite with that genre, for example, a show down in a western movie.

With a horror film, The most common conventions that will be shown will be, for example you are likely to see.

Dark colours and low key lighting
A damsel in distress (Usually Blonde)
'Scary' non-diegetic music
A villain, possibly masked or 'seen in shadows'
Weapons and Death
Blood and Guts.

The Saw saga of films backs up my points, each film contains a 'death trap' of some sorts as well as blood, gore and a villain.

Also again when you are told that the media product will be that of the sci-fi genre, there are certain things the audience do expect to see. For example. 

Spaceships 

Aliens/ monsters 

Rockets 

Lasers 

High key lighting 

Futuristic setting and sound effects 

E.t shows these generic conventions and therefore can then be identified by audience members to be a sci-fi media product.