Studying Horror Films The Conventions

So You Think You Know Horror Name the films that the following characters appear in: Name the films that the following characters appear in:

The Conventions of Horror Films List the conventions of horror movies (conventions are the elements you expect in a horror film): List the conventions of horror movies (conventions are the elements you expect in a horror film): Complete the conventions sheet attached Complete the conventions sheet attached Complete the conventions sheet attached Complete the conventions sheet attached

Horror Movie Conventions 1 Blood Blood Death Death Killing Killing Villain Villain Victims Victims Haunted houses and isolated settings Haunted houses and isolated settings Monsters Monsters Evil Evil

Horror Movie Conventions 2 Weapons Weapons Darkness Darkness Storms Storms Chase sequences Chase sequences Gore Gore Violence Violence Screams Screams Ghosts Ghosts

Suggested horror movies to watch: Scream Scream The Ring The Ring Gothika Gothika The Others The Others Blair Witch Blair Witch

Narrative and Character Narrative: most, according to Propp, film narratives follow this structure: Narrative: most, according to Propp, film narratives follow this structure: Equilibrium – disequilbrium – a new state of equilibrium According to Propp again, there are certain characters in films and stories with certain functions: According to Propp again, there are certain characters in films and stories with certain functions: the hero – the one on the quest and the one who saves the day the villain – the evil one who causes the disequilbrium the helper – a person who helps the hero on their quest/the sidekick the victim – at the mercy of the villain the donor – someone who has something special which will help the hero Complete the narrative and character worksheet on the horror movies that you watch Complete the narrative and character worksheet on the horror movies that you watch

History of the Horror Movie Condensed… Horror movies have been around since silent movies (Nosferatu). Obviously being scared is something the audience want. The horror movie received a huge revival in the late 70 ’ s early 80 ’ s (Omen and Nightmare on Elm Street) but died a sad death in the late 80 ’ s and throughout most of the 90 ’ s. However, with the advent of the horror smash parody Scream the genre is, once again, extremely popular. What was frightening back in the silent movie days and what is frightening now may well have changed. As society changes so do our fears. For example, when moving image was first invented footage of a moving train caused fear in the audience because people really believed that the train would come straight out of the screen The web address above will take you through the top one hundred horror movies.

Camera Angles Extreme Close Up: This is used to Emphasise something. What is this image Emphasising? In other Words, what is the Connotation of this Image?

Camera Angles Close Up: This is where the subject fills the frame it shows emotion. what is the connotation of this of this close up?

Camera Angles Dutch Tilt: Where the subject is tilted. Often used in horror to create disorientation. What is the connotation of this Dutch Tilt?

Camera Angles Extreme Long shot: This is where the setting Fills the frame. It is An establishing shot which Sets the scene…what is the Connotation of this shot?

Camera Angles Long shot: this is where we see the subject in relation to their surrounding surrounding the setting dominates. what is the connotation of this image?

Camera Angles Medium long shot: this is where the setting and the subject are in equal proportion. What is the connotation of this still?

Camera Angles Medium Shot: this is when the subject is cut off at the waist. You can still see their costume but also some of their emotions. What is the connotation of this still?

Camera Angles Medium Close Up: When you can still see some of the subject ’ s physique but their emotions are clearly evident. What is the connotation of this still?

Camera Movement Zoom = when zooming in the camera does not move Zoom = when zooming in the camera does not move Tracking (dollying) = the camera moves smoothly towards or away from the subject Tracking (dollying) = the camera moves smoothly towards or away from the subject Pan = the camera moves from left to right following a moving subject. Pan = the camera moves from left to right following a moving subject. Hand-held camera = produces a jerky movement, creating a sense of reality/chaos Hand-held camera = produces a jerky movement, creating a sense of reality/chaos Steadicam = a hand-held camera worn with a harness to achieve a steady shot Steadicam = a hand-held camera worn with a harness to achieve a steady shot

Editing This occurs everytime that a film is cut. A film is never shot in the order that the events happen. This would cost a fortune: all sequences with the same location will be shot at the same time regardless of where they appear in the narrative. Sometimes the opening sequence to a film will be the last sequence to be shot. When a sequence has high octane action the cuts/editing is fast and numerous… Chase sequences are very good to demonstrate this

Soundtrack and Sound effects Soundtrack: this is the music playing in the background. It can be diegetic or non-diegetic. If the sound is part of the narrative, the action (eg: a radio playing in the shot) it is diegetic. However, more often than not, the soundtrack is non-diegetic. Music playing in the background which is not evident in the action. Sound effects: these are the effects added during post- production. For example, explosions, birdsong… Jaws: watch a shark approaching sequence without the sound and then with the sound!? Notice the difference…

Costume Costumes tell you something about the character (the genre too)? What are the Connotation of the following costumes?

Props What are the connotations of the props in these images?

Lighting What are the connotations of the lighting used in the stills below?

Mise-en-scene If you were to pause a moment in a film, that frame would be mise-en-scene. Textual analysis of elements within this frame, in terms of denotation and connotation, is mise-en-scene.

Mise-en-scene…