By Sadiah Naseri HORROR GENRE

THE HORROR GENRE IS A FILM GENRE THAT SEEKS A NEGATIVE EMOTIONAL REACTION TOWARDS THE AUDIENCE BY PLAYING WITH THEIR MIND AND THEIR INDIVIDUAL FEARS. HORROR GENRE OFTEN CONCENTRATES WITH THE VIEWER'S NIGHTMARES, HIDDEN FEARS, REVULSIONS AND THE HORROR OF THE UNKNOWN.

MISE-EN-SCENE Location/Settings Objects/Props Costumes/hair/make-up Body language/Facial expressions Lighting/Colour MISE-EN-SCENE IS A FRENCH TERM THAT KIND OF TRANSLATES AS ‘PUT IN PLACE’. ALTHOUGH BEFORE YOU PUT THINGS IN A PLACE YOU HAVE TO CHOOSE THE PLACE WHICH IS ALSO THE FIRST ELEMENT OF MISE-EN-SCENE.

LOCATION/SETTING In every horror movie the locations are always in an isolated area, abandoned house, Barnes and farms, Cities, Cabins, Creepy hotels, Graveyards, Pirate ships, Basements, Hunting places etc. This is because its some of the most common locations to have horror movies made/filmed. It creates more fear and alarm to the viewers due to being in an unknown setting, places where you would be aware of not to visit or think about going to. Choosing Locations and settings is important. Most Locations and settings have connotations, which are underlying or ‘hidden’ meanings.

Example In 2002 the movie ‘The Ring’ was located/filmed in an isolated and abandoned area surrounded by wood and far from socialisation of other humans or a living creature. This was to represent the abandoned feeling of the girl that fell/frown in the well to die and be left alone. In 2012 the movie ‘Sinister’ was located/filmed in an abandoned house far from socialisation surrounded by trees. Through this one was representing the negative emotion from the sinister face and that he was the course of the disruptions in the family and all the family’s before that. In 2014 the movie ‘Treehouse’ was based on a modern day 80’s movie, which was also located in the middle of the woods in a treehouse in an isolation area, away from socialisation. It was represent the haunting feel towards the treehouse due to it being abandoned and uncared for a very long time.

OBJECTS / PROPS Objects and props are used to ‘dress’ the set/ actors. They can also be used to create a variety of meanings in a film. In most Horror film’s, if not all use objects and props such as knife's, swords, machete’s, gun’s, bottles of poison, weapons, aliens, pointy teeth, dead body’s furniture (Background Props) etc. In Horror films they use antique or modern (depending on the year it was made or being filmed as) furniture and paintings to signify that the film is set in the past or if the film is set in the present. Also the same objects could signify that the occupiers of the house are rich.

EXAMPLE In 2009 the movie ‘Friday the 13 th ’ used the machete sword and the hockey mask to represent the main two props of the film, which stand out as the important objects. It also set’s the scene as a horror movie due to the sword and mask being covered by blood and dirt. In 1980’s the movie ‘Cannibal Ferox’ also used a machete as the main prop, covered in blood. This was to represent to beast of a man that the character was. In 1965 the movie ‘Die Monster Die!’ used a medieval weapons hammer as the main props. Tis was to represent a evil old man wanting to murder other’s.

COSTUME, HAIR & MAKE-UP The obvious purpose of costuming is to dress an actor according to his character and it plays a large part in the mise-en-scene because it instantly signifies a characters period, personality, culture, status and job. Lawyers wear suits, nurses wear scrubs, and a drifter could wear worn out shoes, ragged shirt, and baggy pants. In Horror movies their mostly wear dull and dark clothes to blend in and make it seem more fitting into the scenery of a horror film and not have bright clothing to stand out to much and make it more of a happy day. Make-up is also very important signifier. And Horror movies use make-up more than others.

EXAMPLE In 2014 the movie ‘Annabelle’ the doll was dressed in a Victorian styled old white dress with a red bow around her waist. Her hair done in pig tails showing the innocence of the doll with very heavy make-up on showing a bit of the evil side in the eyes and smirk. In 1990 the movie ‘Child’s Play 2’ the doll is wearing a dull stripped jumper, little make-up with messy hair. Due to him holding big scissors and a sinister look on his face you can tell that the doll is evil. In 2002 the movie ‘Carrie’ the women/actress is wearing a long veil/silk dress covered in blood, little make-up also face covered in blood and hair loose down and over her shoulders.

BODY LANGUAGE / FACIAL EXPRESSIONS We say more with our Body language and Facial expressions than we do with words. We can quickly recognise someone’s mood from their facial expressions if there are sad, happy, scared etc. In Horror movies you can tell when the characters are feeling scared or feeling brave.

EXAMPLE In 2010 the movie/poster ‘Insidious’ the body language and facial expression was serious and no emotions shown in the boys eyes. He looks possessed. In 1931 the movie/poster ‘Dracula’ the body language and facial expression is strong due to the Dracula is standing above the man shows his dominating him. Shows he’s got the power over others.

LIGHTING Lighting helps to convey the mood or atmosphere of the scene we are watching. The audience’s attention can be focused or guided by brightly lighting an object or person while keeping other objects or person in relative darkness. Low-key lighting is often seen in horror movies and thrillers, comprising of a lighting pattern that has both bright and dark areas in the frame. In Horror Films it also creates tension and suspense by using shadows to mask or conceal elements in the frame from the audience’s.

EXAMPLE In 2009 the movie ‘Paranormal Activity’ was always using low key light through out the film, to match with the atmosphere. Around the bed, on the faces and all around the room/house. In 2013 the movie ‘Oculus’ was also done in low key lighting through out the film, to create shadows and suspense towards the audience. You can see shadows on the face and on the girls body.