PRE RESEARCH
Under this section, you will be able to find material such as genre research, codes, and conventions, sub-genres of horror, the analysis of 3 horror opening scenes, and inspirational directors.
HORROR GENRE
HORROR GENRE
The horror genre is defined by the feeling that causes fear. It is meant to scare, startle, shock, and even repulse audiences. A horror story often shocks and its films additionally aim to evoke viewers' nightmares, revulsions, and terror of the unknown. Basic Slashers have existed for a long time but really became popular in the early ’80s with the success of Halloween and Friday the 13th.
GENRE CODES AND CONVENTIONS
Mise-en-scene-
Typical conventions include low-key lighting, dark clothing, fake blood, and props such as knives and weapons. Low key lighting is usually used to create darkness, making the audience feel more tense and vulnerable as they are unable to see. Dark colors are used such as red and black representing darkness and danger. Red connotes blood threats and violence, and black connotes mystery, power, fear, and death. White is also typically used which represents isolation, innocence, and coldness. Iconography is what gives the audience the initial fear factor.
Setting-
In a horror film the setting could be located anywhere, however, the most stereotypical settings are the ones that connote isolation and fear. Some examples are basements, dark streets, forests, and empty houses. These are the ones that create tension as the audience automatically knows something wrong is going to happen.
Camerawork-
The most typical shots used are high angle and low angle shots as they connote fear and separation from other characters. Point of view shots are usually used to show what the antagonist can see. Close-ups are also used to show the character's expression and reaction. Horror uses unique and unusual angles to create confusion and an unsettling feel with the viewer.
Sound-
Diegetic and non-diegetic sound is very important in horror films in order to create tension. Conventional sounds can be footsteps, heartbeat, screaming, fast-paced music, and creaking doors. Non-diegetic sound is always used in the background of the scenes, it is what makes the tense for audience. Slow-paced non-diegetic sound is used to create a creepy environment and build suspense. Synchronous sound is exaggerated to scare the audience by a very sudden and loud noise.
Characters-
Young children and teenage girls are normally used in horror films as they are seen as vulnerable and people feel empathy towards them.
SUBGENRES OF HORROR
ANALYSIS OF 4 OPENING SCENES
I am not sure which subgenre of horror to choose, therefore I have decided to analyze 3 opening films of different subgenres. Scream is a slasher/killer movie as it features a serial killer. Jaws is a multi-genre film. This is because it combines monster horror and adventure. It follows, is a combination of the teen slasher and supernatural sub-genres of horror.
I have decided to choose the psychological horror genre for my film opening. It focuses on mental, emotional, and psychological states to frighten and unsettle its audience. They are designed to terrify but also play with the audience's mind. I have analyzed the opening sequence of “Split” as I am thinking of featuring in my film a girl who suffers the mental health condition of dissociative identity disorder, like the split protagonist.
