Film Openings
The dominant in this frame would be the two characters but
more so the character to the right of the frame. The close-up of her attracts the audience
specifically to her facial expression indicating fear as if she’s seen
something that the other character has yet to and with the addition of low-key
lighting even anticipates danger. The contrast between the high key lighting
further to the top of the frame and the lower key lighting at the bottom
signifies how the characters are coming from the good down to the evil. The lack of lighting causes discomfort as the
lighting is only cast so far this builds tension amongst audience as they are limited
with knowledge of the surrounding. Also the low angled shot of them walking down
the stairs suggests they are superior upstairs and faced with a disadvantage coming
down to the basement. After
the characters, the next focus is of the subsidiary contrast, the wooden
banister that the character is hiding behind although she is gaining no
protection by it. This film goes along
with the convention of horror films being set in an old or abandoned
house. Part of the wood piece divides
the frame with each character on either side creating a division between each
other visualizing tension amongst one another.
This may be true by the way that they are handling the situation. The character on the left seems more
confident and prepared shown by the fact she is fully clothed. However the
woman on the right is wearing a white dressing gown signifying vulnerability to
what is about to come to pass and may even be killed off. We can assume from this and how she is stereotypically
dressed quite masculine that the woman on the left is the protagonist and could
be the ‘final girl’ and the other her sidekick.
This example of mise en scene in horror is useful in the way it contains typical conventions of horror, such as low key lighting suggesting that the action is happening during the night and the setting of an old house. Ideas for my horror
Codes and Conventions of HorrorTechnical codes
Ideas for our horror
Character stereotypes
Ideas for my horror
Iconography
Ideas for my horror
SettingsFor a horror film the setting is usually isolated and abandoned are locations with a hidden past. This can create a sense of tension of how they are alone, so horror films tend to be set in the evening due to the unknown of the dark and also the low key lighting and colours anticipates death. However the setting of horror film can be varied and can be set at any time of the day at any location.
Ideas for my horror
Narrative structure and themes
Narrative structure provides a formula or template in film production. Without a typical narrative structure genre films would not be recognisable to audiences and conversely films would not be able to break with predictability. Horror films generally end on a cliffhanger leaving an open narrative implying a never ending plot. For example, typically in a slasher film (which is the sub genre we have decided to go with for our film opening) the narrative begins with a disruption of equilibrium to which the characters in the film attempt to resolve. The disruption is usually a murder of an innocent victim either during the opening scene or the introduction to the narrative itself.
Typical scenarios in horror films: Secluded location- characters typically get into troublesome situations where there is no one to help them. Some typical setting are mentioned above. The fact that the characters are at a disadvantage with no help or idea what they're about to faced with anticipates death for one of the characters or even the fact that nothing good will happen beyond this point while they are at the location. This is distressing for the audience, as they have an advantage seeing an established shot of the setting so they know how to escape and how to use the environment to their advantage. Characters forget about threat- almost always a negative thing, its probably features in almost every horror film. this feature is overdramatised in many spoofs of horrors such as Scary Movie for its stupidity and naiveness of the characters. This is frustrating for the audience to watch who are more engaged on the on screen situations more so than the characters. Power is cut- this includes phone lines so they are unable to access help, they are essentially alone in the situation and vulnerable to any danger and death is inevitable. Also having the power cut brings a sense of the characters being brought back to a time where there is no technology and people were more vulnerable in the public eye and helpless. Someone investigates a strange noise, leading them into danger instead of away- one of the most over used horror movie conventions and typically includes an encounter with the threat which may result in the murder of one or more characters. This may be extremely annoying for the audience to watch as themselves as spectators know that nothing good can come from this. However this also will feed their curiosity as to what the noise is and where it came from and essentially help them find out more about the killer. Victim cowers in front of a window or door- there are numerous possibilities to include a scene with this particular scenario. The killer could break through the glass or door and grab them or when the victim looks out the window they don't see acting and when they turn around the killer jumps through or the killer may even already be behind them. The fake scare- the fake scare is generally not connected to the threat, e.g. someone slamming a door or a new person coming into the room unnoticed. This is very effective at teasing the audience and makes the film more unpredictable for them. Warning is ignored- due to human nature we find it compelling to go somewhere we were advised against. This anticipates someone’s death; the character will almost always be confronted by some sort of danger. Again, this is frustrating to the audience who are familiar with these types of situations due to the over usage in horror films and know by now not to go there. Someone is killed in the opening -this is not necessarily a negative aspect of the narrative. This generally occurs in 'slasher' horrors as our own and sets the mood for the rest of the film and the narrative is usually based around this murder to find out who the killer is and what they are after. Stormy night – The use of a storm to create fright may stem from the typical childhood fear of thunder and lightning. This use of pathetic fallacy is generally to portray anger of the killer and that during the storm another victim will die but also the fact that storms tend to happen during the evening, a typically dangerous time of the day on its own. Ideas for my horror
How horror films have subverted convention
Many successful horror movies such as ‘Halloween’ and ‘Psycho’
we would class has generic horror films which use the typical convention may
be able to predict the following events made by the killer/victim/hero etc.
However this by no means lessens the impact they have on the audience by
creating psychologically disturbing and horrifying scenes as other horror
films.
Ways in which horror films have done this include; the use of sound, no resolution to the narrative and subverting gender stereotypes. For example in the original of ‘Texas chainsaw massacre (1974)’during the iconic dinner scene, there is minimal help from a non-diegetic sinister soundtrack to heighten tension and anticipate the victim’s death and dictate the audience understanding of the film and emotions, these are navigated through the character now, using the sound of her diegetic struggle and scream. ‘Sinister’ is a perfect example of a text with no resolution of a narrative. In this case good does not overcome evil as usually imagined and fails in an attempt, leaving the audience with an enigma as to whether this will continue onto another family or if there be a sequel to resolve the narrative. A way in which horror films subvert the gender stereotype in evident in ‘The Addiction’ as where the attractive female tends to be the victim who almost always is killed off at some point in the film, is portrayed to be the villain. Example of an opening scene from an unconventional horror film-‘Drag me to hell’
Sub-genres in horror
|
|
Art of the title
'The Number 23'
The disjointed editing disorientates the audience making them feel more disturbed and unease. The typography of the cast names, producers and director are shown in black printed lettering like from a typewriter on to antique paper. The effect of this is as if we are in the mind of the disturbed character and his obsession of the number 23, the use of this font suggests the character hasn’t been able to evolve with society and adjust to the present technology. Too, ‘23’ is collaged all over the screen emphasizing his fixation and as though he is haunted by the number. Also as the words are in black this gives status to the number that it must be of some sort of importance. The title is in red foreshadowing the number 23 is dangerous and a warning to stay away as suggests death. The red also signifies the love that the character has for the number. During the title sequence it reveals facts about the number 23 to get the audience more eager for what’s to come. After revealing the facts red ink spills over them. This suggests that the character is possessive over his findings and want them to be a secret only for his knowledge. Another interpretation maybe that death or danger follows after knowing these facts seen as the ink hiding them is red or the red may even be blood spilled from people who have known of these secrets as a consequence.
‘Cabin in the Woods’
The title for this film is introduced during mid conversation of two characters with non diegetic screaming in the back. The use of this makes the audience jump, as it was introduced at an unexpected time during a relaxed scene may imply that the audience do not know what to expect for the rest of the film keeping them on edge and more aware. It is shown in bold red block font with ‘the cabin’ in a larger font size than ‘in the woods’. This suggests that it is the cabin you should more so afraid of where is most dangerous than the woods but still isn’t safe.
Production companies
Hammer was founded in 1934. The company didn’t originally
begin making horror movies, but after the success of The Quatermass Experiment
in 1955, the company produced many gothic monster movies, working alongside
Universal and Columbia, who helped them to maintain their productions in Bray
Studios. Unlike Hammer, Universal which was founded in 1942, has produced a
wide variety of films over the past 100 years, including action movies,
science- fiction movies, comedies and horrors. They now have several studios
worldwide and theme parks, with various rides based upon some of their most
popular film franchises, including Jaws and Harry Potter. Since the 1960s,
Hammer had become increasingly popular worldwide and still produces a wide
variety of horror films to this day, such as 'The quiet ones'. Also being a british film production company this will be an ideal company to open our film opening.
Twisted Pictures was founded in 2004. Unlike the previous production companies mentioned, Twisted Pictures has only produced horror movies. Its most famous movies include Saw and Texas Chainsaw. The company has also taken part in the making of the video games for Saw and Saw 2 helping promote synergy for this type of genre which isn’t typical. Ideas for my horror
Visual Effects in horror |
|
Ideas for my horror
- Our film would isn’t a high concept film and so
would have a low budget so wouldn’t use these visual effects
- However If we were able to use this technology I
would use it to emphasise the goriness of the murder scenes.