Horror Film Genre Research

What is horror?

Horror is a film genre that seeks a negative, emotional reaction from it's audience by playing on their fears. They aim to create a sense of fear and dread. Horror films are also split into sub-genres (hybrid genres)

Sub-genres of Horror:

• Comedy Horror (Combination of comedy and horror)

• Action Horror (Combination of Action and horror, typically the eerie settings, and characters of horror films with tense and frantic chases of action films)

• Psychological horror (Based upon characters fears, focusing on psychological dread)

• Science fiction horror. (Combination of Sci-Fi and Horror)

• Body Horror (focuses on graphic destruction or mutilation of body parts e.g disease causes body to completely decay whilst living)

• Gothic Horror (Psychological terror in historically romantic settings e.g. castles) 

• Supernatural horror (paranormal, zombie ect)

• Japanese Horror (It is similar to supernatural horror, however focuses on unique and innovative story lines, often based upon old folks-tales with a modernised twist)

• Slasher (Graphic violence, commonly with knife/chainsaw ect)

• Dark Fantasy (Fantasy elements with a twist of horror, e.g. horror in a fantasy setting)

• Thriller-Horror (based upon real life events e.g serial killers ect)

Common conventions in all horror films:

Settings: Isolated, abandoned or locations with a hidden past. Often set at night time. (woods, ghost town, house in the middle of nowhere, Church, abandoned asylum ect)

Technical code: Slow pace of editing to build tension, incidental non-diegetic sound, distorted diegetic sound, Back lighting to create mystery, High and low camera angles to show fear and power, Jump cuts to give the effect of quickening of time. Point of view shots to see the story from someone else's eyes. Depth of field differences to create mystery, and surprise.
Iconography: Weapons, masks, blood, religious symbols, dark colour scheme
Narrative:  average/normal life - disruption- attempt to repair- back to normality, Beginning-middle-end. Often involves cliff hangers to continue the sense of fear, and enable a sequel. 
Character types: Protagonist(most commonly the hero or victim) Villain (or evil force) Children, Monsters/ghosts/supernatural beings, group of teenagers, and police officers. 
Themes: Good vs Bad, Hatred/revenge, religious beliefs, Ghosts/Haunting, Serial killers, Demons/exorcism. Zombie apocalypse, Nightmares

The History of Horror films:

Horror has around for hundreds of years, it is considered an ancient art form. Starting off as 'scary stories' passed from person to person, to ballads and myths. Horror films originate from a Gothic Horror- a genre of literature in the late 1700's. The 'Gothic' genre comes from the use of medieval buildings these stories often took place in. These are still often evident in horror films today. Think of big, dark castles with dungeons and secret passages. Although horror has become popular in both literature and theater throughout the 1700-1800's, it's wasn't used in film until the 1930's. The first 'big' Horror film was 'Dracula' in 1931, 'Frankenstein' came soon after and then 'The Mummy' in 1932. Moving into the 40's Gothic Horror was losing popularity, before following up with parodies of their original films. Some of these include 'The Mummy's Hand' and 'Frankenstein meets the wolf-man' Following this movement- film makers began grouping characters together in films such as 'The House of Frankenstein- 1944' and 'The House of Dracula- 1945'. This was the start of the Comedy-Horror sub genre. Throughout the 50's film making and 'Hollywood' were struggling. Although Horror films were now on the back seat- teenagers were still fascinated by the genre and it remained popular with teens who seeked a thrill. Film makers knew they needed something new , films such as 'The Day the Earth Stood Still' and 'Forbidden Planet' emerged and this began an entire new genre- Sci-fi Horror.  By the 60's times were changing again, as Horror was sci-fi horror's popularity was increasing and the demand for new exciting Horror films was on the rise- there was an outbreak in films based around sex, gore and psychology. It was then, the film 'Psycho' was released and the Psychological Horror genre was born. Horror was beginning to be taken seriously for both well known, and budget film makers. This was the start of the many other sub-genre's found in Horror films today. Throughout the 70's Horror films were at an all time high with films such as 'The Exorcist' and 'Texas Chainsaw massacre' By the 90's common sub-genre's such as Slashers, Gothic Horror, Sci-fi Horror and Psychological Horror had once again became outdated and a new wave of parody's struck. This made the Comedy Horror sub-genre popular, and film makers began experimenting with new SFX. Psychological, and Thriller sub-genre's remained popular with the release of films 'Se7en' and 'The Sixth Sense' From this- film makers began using true stories, and legends to enable them to thrill their audiences psychologically, without following the typical 'psychological horror' genre. This eventually lead to the most modern outbreak in the Horror film industry- Zombie films. Film makers went back to the basics, making updated recreations of films such as 'Night of the Living Dead' which was originally released in 1968. A new life was brought to zombie films when '28 day's later' was released in 2002. This was the influence of all modern zombie films. There's something about the Horror Genre that means it will continue to expand as the thrill that comes with it has become a favorite for many.

Feedback - Miss Spencer

You have obviously been working very hard on your research Zoe and have really studies the openings in detail. You have made good use of media language and covered your analysis in detail as well as adding a lot of images to support your points. However there is a tendency to simply describe what you see without always then discussing conventions and the effect on the audience.

In order to improve you need to make sure you have applied the DISTINCT approach to your analysis and ensure that you have mentioned each of the areas.

Can you reply to this post to let me know when you have tackled these improvements. At the moment I would put your work at a level 2/3 border.

Movie Opening:Rom-Com - The Holiday

Introduction to the film:

The Holiday is an American Rom-com (Romantic Comedy) with a Christmas Theme. It was released in December 2006 and written, directed and produced by Nancy Meyers. It stars the likes of Cameron Diaz, Jude Law, Kate Winslet and Jack Black.

Analysis:

The opening scene starts with a blurred tree branch, full of leaves with non-diegetic, classical music playing in the background. The camera then pans to the left slightly before a medium close up shot of a couple, that look like they're in their mid-twenties, run towards each other and start kissing this adds to the romantic feeling that the music implies.

 The camera then zooms out into a medium long shot of the couple hugging, kissing and dancing, these are often conventions of romance, giving us a clue that the film will involve love and romance. The camera then zooms out further, to show a computer screen with the couple within the screen. This gives the impression that the couple are in the past. It implies that the day in the very first scene was a memory. The camera continues to zoom out to show another computer screen with music notes, and as it continues to zoom out, it shows a pair of large, manly hands playing a keyboard, This then turns the non-diegetic classical music playing in the background of the first scene into diegetic music. This adds to the romantic feel of the opening sequence. The camera zooms out to show a different man, with dark, shaggy hair, playing the keyboard. This gives the impression that the man on his own, is lonely and wants someone to love, like those on his computer screen.

 The camera then pans to the right, following his arm as he goes to twist a knob. This gives the impressions that that he is recording the music that he is creating. The camera skips to a medium close up of his face. The man looks like he is in deep concentration. The music that he is playing them becomes more upbeat, and excitable. This gives us an insight on the comedy aspects of the film. A voice over then begins to talk, in a gentle female voice, over the upbeat diegetic music whilst the camera stays still, and focused on the mans face. The voice over is in first person, and mentions love. This implies that the female behind the voice will be a part of the movie later on. As the voice over speaks, The man looks up from his keyboard, as if he is in deep thought and then his face slowly turns into a smile. This implies that he is thinking of someone that he loves.
 The camera then jumps to another scene, showing a medium close up of a girls face, smiling and laughing on a mobile phone, before jumping back to the mans face, smiling. This gives the impression that the two of them will meet, and possibly fall in love at some point during the film.

The camera then jumps back to show a long shot of the girl, walking and putting her phone away. At the bottom of the scene, you can see that there is part of a computer screen. This helps give the impression of a point of view shot, of the person sitting behind the computer. The camera then zooms out to show The man sitting behind a desk, with three computer screens, and recording equiptment surrounding him, giving the impression that he creates, and records music, and that he quite a bit of money. The man then reaches one hand towards the woman, whilst continuing to play the keyboard with the other. The camera then zooms into the mans face, kissing the womans hand. This gives the impression that he looks up to her.

 The camera then zooms back out to show them holding hands, and then, staying in a medium close up shot, jumps between both of their faces, smiling. This implies that they are in a relationship.

The camera then pans to the right, following the movement of the female. They both continue smiling, and winking at each other portraying love. The female then lets go of the males hand, and waves before exiting the scene The camera then jumps back to the males face, as his straightens, and he looks completely in awe with her. This shows the viewer that he loves her. The scene then jumps back to the woman, walking up the stairs. This gives the impression that they are in love, and possibly live together

The camera then flicks back to the mans face, showing him smiling to himself. His head then bows slightly, as the diegetic music increases pace, and volume. This implies happiness, and excitement.
A black screen then slides across to the less to reveal the title of the film 'The Holiday' in capital letters and a plain, white font. Behind the black, there's blurred rectangles. As they become a little clearer, they begin to look like advertising boards on a wall. The upbeat music the man was once playing, now turns non-diegetic. The title then fades out, as more advertising boards show. The camera stays still, then the bonnet of a dark, moving car appears. The car moves until it reaches the window of the car to show the face of blonde woman. The car then breaks, and stops leaving the camera on a medium close up of the face of the woman.

The blonde woman then looks towards the camera, before then jumping to a medium close up of the face of a dark haired male, also in the car. The camera stays on the man, as he glaces over at, what we assume is the woman. The camera then zooms out to show both the male and the woman sitting in the car together, the woman is looking at the man, but the man looks away from the woman. This implies that there is tension between the two characters.

The camera then jumps to a close up of the cars number plate, and break lights as the car pulls off. The camera then pans upwards slightly, and then zooms out to show the city streets at night. In this scene there are Christmas lights up on the trees, showing that it is winter time, near Christmas.

The camera then jumps to a medium close up of an old man's hips, in this scene we can tell that he is in his pajamas and in the outer area of this scene it shows the man holding a walking stick. In the background, you can see part of a bed, and a bedside table. The old man turns around, and sits on the bed, as the camera pans slightly to the left to reveal a picture of a woman in a wedding dress on his bedside table. This gives the impression that it is his wife in the photo. The Voice over from the start of the sequence states 'for others, love is simply lost' this implies that the old mans wife has passed away. The old man picks up the photo, and looks at it. The camera then pans to the right to show the old mans face.

The camera then zooms out slightly, before jumping to a medium shot of a room full of people, there's a man walking the camera with a drink in his hand. This implies that the scene is set at a party. The camera jumps to a medium close up of every person he walks past, until he reaches two other men, and the camera switches to a medium shot as he stops to talk to them. The man that was walking through this scene, then turns back to face the camera, in a medium close up, before the camera then jumps back to a medium close up of one of the females he passed as he was walking. This gives the impression that these two characters will meet at some point in the film.

The opening sequence then jumps to a long shot scene where a woman is sat at a desk covered in papers, where the voice over says ' and then there's another kind of love, the cruelest kind' This implies that the woman in the scene is going through a hard time when it comes to love. The camera then pans round to show the woman wrapping a ribbon around a gift on her desk, and then zooms in towards her face, and stays at a medium shot showing her looking down at the gift she has just wrapped. The camera then pans, and zooms in to a close up of her hand placing the gift into a draw.

The camera stays still as she closes the draw, and then zooms out and pans up to a medium shot of her face, where she takes a deep breath. This gives the impression that she is nervous. She then, stands up and the camera follows her movement. The camera then jumps to her opening the door, and in the background of the open door, is what looks like the party shown in previous scenes. the camera focuses on the back of her head, and follows her through the party. It then jumps to a front view of the woman, and continues following her movements, until she stands still, When she stands still, she glances at the camera. The camera then jumps to show a man talking to two other men, and a woman. The camera then jumps back to a medium shot of the woman from the desk, looking sad,  This gives the impression that she is in love with the man she glanced over to.

The woman then continues to walk through the room, and the camera continues to follow her. It then jumps back to show a point of view shot of the man, with people occasionally walking past, blocking the view. This adds to the point of view by making it seem as though the views is in the room with the characters. The camera then jumps back to the woman, staring at him, and then walking off quickly before taking a champagne flute out of another woman's hand and drinking it. This adds to the comedic side of the film and implies that she wants to escape from reality, and that the reason behind her pain will unfold later within the film.

Movie opening: Horror - The Stepfather

Introduction to the film:

The Stepfather is a Slasher-Horror released in January 1987. It was loosely based upon the mass-murderer John List, however it is known as being more associated with other slasher films of the same era, rather than a true story. It was written by Donald E. Westlake, Carolyn Lefcourt and Brian Garfield, and it was directed by Joseph Ruben.


Analysis:

The opening scene starts with non-diegetic upbeat woodwind music. The camera starts with a long short of a street that has tree's spotted all the way down the road. The leaves on the trees are brown, red and orange. This implies that the film in set in autumn. The Camera doesn't move, as a young boy rides a bike down the road. The boy steers towards the path, and the camera then pans to follow his as he gets closer.

 The young boy then throws a newspaper on the lawn of a big white house, situated on the road he is riding down. The non-diegetic music then increases in volume, and deepens creating an eerie feel. The camera then zooms in towards the house, increasing in volume creating tension as the house becomes closer.

The camera continues to zoom in towards the house, it pans upwards slightly, and then continues to zoom in towards the middle upstairs window. As the  camera zooms in to a close up of the window and it becomes the full frame, there is a non-diegetic rustling sound. The camera then jumps to a medium close up inside the house, where a man is standing in a bathroom, and places a small brown case on the lid of the toilet. The camera pans to follow the man, as he walks towards the sink, and zooms out to a medium shot of him looking in the mirror covered in blood. This gives us a sense of dread, and mystery. It makes up wonder if he is a killer, or if he has been injured. The woodwind part of the music then stops, however the bass slows down, and begins to screech. This creates a sense of tension.

The camera then jumps to a close up of the man washing his hand. The hands are covered in blood. This gives us the impression that he is a killer. The non-diegetic music becomes deeper, and faster. This adds to the tension created in the previous scene. The camera then flicks to a medium close up of the mans face. The mans face has blood dripping from it.

The camera then continues to zoom in to a close up of the mans face, creating further tension. The scene then jumps to a close up of the brown case opening, within the case is a suit, in a clothes bag. This creates a sense of mystery and makes us wonder what the man is up to. The camera then zooms out to a long shot and shows the man undressing. The camera then pans, to show the man get into the shower. The scene then jumps to a medium shot of the man cleaning steam of the mirror and looking at himself.

The music then stops, and only continues in small, fast bursts. He then gets a pair of scissors and starts cutting his hair, and beard. The camera then jumps to a close us of the hair he has cut off in the sink. It then jumps back to a close up of him shaving his beard off completely. This creates a sense of mystery and makes us wonder why he is changing the way he looks. It gives the impression that he is more likely to be a killer, than to have been injured. The scene then jumps to an extreme close up of his eye, as he puts a contact lens in.

The camera then jumps back to a medium shot showing him clean, and shaven, putting a crisp white shirt on. It them flicks to a close up of a pair of mens black shoes, before he puts them on. The scene then jumps to a close of of him tightening a red tie. It then zooms back out, and shows him standing in the mirror putting on a suit jacket. This makes us wonder where he is going, because he has completely changed the way he looks from the very first scene he was in. It then pans slightly to the left, and zooms in towards the mirror as he checks himself out, until it reaches a medium close up. He then smiles to himself in the mirror. This gives the impression that he has two identities, leading two very different lives.