Trowbridge College

Over view of Horror

By Harry Burbidge

Over view:
This genre inflicts negative effects on viewers, tensifying their fears completely.
One main Horror theme is supernatural, with ghosts/other fictional events (e.g. paranormal activity).
Another is 'Macabre'. It has a 'disturbing' tone and the concept of death.
I feel my plot suits 'Macabre'. Someone breaking into other peoples house, intending to kill, is very frightening.

History:

The first horror films (1890-1920s) used gothic and macabre approaches (e.g. 'Frankenstein').
In the 1950s', technology brined more success. Now horror filmmakers could move onto present day affairs.
Horror of Armageddon' uses a science fiction sub-genre, to depict human kind coming to an end (e.g. zombie apocalypse).
The 1970s - 1980s used concepts like 'Incarnation' and evil children. These became popular subjects. Renowned horror films,
such as 'The Exorcist', included these ('possessed children').
Later, came sub genres, including psychological, Slasher (e.g. Scream) and killer animal stories (e.g. Jaws).
In the 2000s, Horror became teen-centred (e.g. Final destination). They focused on young couples/youths as main character/s.
Realistic villains are now used, including serial killers (e.g. Friday the 13 th). These villains are based on real people. Thusly
scaring audiences more.

Codes and Conventions:

Horrors usually involve the intrusion, of an evil force/event. The main character/s try to survive it.
The ending should be unexpected. For example, the antagonist turns out alive and kills the protagonist.
Sometimes, there is closure in the story. I.E the main character survives, defeating the antagonist.
Common conventions for audiences, involve them experiencing new types of fear.
We watched a Horror called Buffy the vampire slayer.
The beginning had a girl and boy sneak into a school. We suspected the guy would suddenly attack the girl. However the girl
became the vampire and attacked him.
Conventions for endings, mainly involve a suspicious man being the antagonist, or something appearing out of the blue.
It is typical for the victims, especially the considered weak ones, to be victims.
Horror uses diegetic (visible sounds sources) sounds, including footsteps and non-diegetic sounds (non - visible sound sources),
such as a heartbeat).
Extreme close ups dead victims are used for audiences to identify with the concept of fear/death.

Genre:
Among, Macabre and supernatural, there are sub genres.
Science Fiction (e.g. 'Alien').
Psychological
Slasher
Gothic
Comedy (e.g. 'Scary movie')

Discussing Sub Genres:

Gothic sub genres give a bleak and dark setting, increasing the likelihood of audiences to be immediately unnerved.
Psychological gives more realism, basing antagonists on people, who actually have these types of mental health problems.
This makes a realistic storyline for audiences, as they know some people can be like it (but not as dramatized).
Science Fiction deals with events, relating to scientific possibilities (e.g. Aliens).
It allows audiences to view something new and completely 'other worldly'.
Thusly, very scary, original looking antagonists are created.

Iconography of Horror:
Iconography refers to symbolic images, recurring in Horror films. Examples include death symbols, a haunted house or
disfigured face.

Visual style is vital. It includes dark colours (e.g. red and black), which link to danger and blood.
My Horror will mainly be filmed around evening/night time, to create a dark, unsettling atmosphere.
Low key lighting is useful in creating shadow/un familiar shapes in blackness.
Antagonists, usually hold knifes, or stakes also.
Conclusively there are a variety of elements, which can be incorporated into Horror.