I N T R O D U C T I O N.
This is our horror genre research section, were there is a collection of our work from over the transition period and over the summer holidays. We are showing you the amount of research we have done on horror, to grasp a nice insight on what we will need to do to produce great media products.
HORROR SUB-GENRES.
Here are short facts on each sub genre, including film examples and more.
HORROR THEORIES.
There are various different theories for the production of horror products,
bellow we have included information on Todorov's, Burton's and Propps Theories.
Enjoy...
bellow we have included information on Todorov's, Burton's and Propps Theories.
Enjoy...
Todorov's Theory.
Firstly, the definition of a Theory is “a supposition or a system of ideas intended to explain something especially one based on general principles independent of the thing to be explained”. All horror films include a theory some kind of background story that plays a massive part on the antagonist’s behavior.
The theory could also be on how the antagonist must be defeated, for example in the Nightmare on Elm Street, Freddy Kruger kills his victims in their sleep with the claw of his hand. Therefore it would be suggested to potentially kill Freddie he would have to be slashed with his own claw. Another horror theory is to project culture conflict, to that underlying real issues can be recognized through the film, giving it a sense of realism which creates more of a horrific atmosphere.
The Todorov theory has an Equilibrium which is a starting point, with what the situation begins with. Then the Disequilibrium is where the situation changes for the worst. Finally the Resolution is the problem/ issue being solved. In slasher films it is usually a innocent female who is the protagonist who has to gain masculinity to end the antagonists live/behavior in the Disequilibrium.
The theory could also be on how the antagonist must be defeated, for example in the Nightmare on Elm Street, Freddy Kruger kills his victims in their sleep with the claw of his hand. Therefore it would be suggested to potentially kill Freddie he would have to be slashed with his own claw. Another horror theory is to project culture conflict, to that underlying real issues can be recognized through the film, giving it a sense of realism which creates more of a horrific atmosphere.
The Todorov theory has an Equilibrium which is a starting point, with what the situation begins with. Then the Disequilibrium is where the situation changes for the worst. Finally the Resolution is the problem/ issue being solved. In slasher films it is usually a innocent female who is the protagonist who has to gain masculinity to end the antagonists live/behavior in the Disequilibrium.
BURTON'S THEORY.
Genre : is a specific type of film, in this case we are looking at horror.
Genre's are important to audiences and institutions because it helps them to know what exactly should be seen through the film. Institutions often have to make their genre known through engaging prospects to get their audience interested. Without having a film genre we wouldn't be able to identify the film and institutions would have difficulties aiming the film at a specific audience.
Burton's theory involves using the key elements with genre.
Genre : is a specific type of film, in this case we are looking at horror.
Genre's are important to audiences and institutions because it helps them to know what exactly should be seen through the film. Institutions often have to make their genre known through engaging prospects to get their audience interested. Without having a film genre we wouldn't be able to identify the film and institutions would have difficulties aiming the film at a specific audience.
Burton's theory involves using the key elements with genre.
This means: Key element= Protagonist + Stock characters + Plots and Stock situation + Icons + Background Decor + Themes + Genres. ALL genres from monster to super natural use key elements which are put together to add emphasis on the greatness of the genre. However not all films will use the key elements, which may cause the audience difficulty in identifying the genre.
Explaining the Key elements.
Protagonist: The last person to survive in a horror film, often labeled the hero.
Stock characters: Those who help to tell the story.
Plots and situations: The story-line, why is this happening?
Icons: are often props such as masks, axes and knifes.
Background and decor: The setting of a horror film and the technical aspects such as lighting, which is often dimmed and or low.
Themes: Basing the film on one or more particular issue.
Explaining the Key elements.
Protagonist: The last person to survive in a horror film, often labeled the hero.
Stock characters: Those who help to tell the story.
Plots and situations: The story-line, why is this happening?
Icons: are often props such as masks, axes and knifes.
Background and decor: The setting of a horror film and the technical aspects such as lighting, which is often dimmed and or low.
Themes: Basing the film on one or more particular issue.
PROPP THEORY.
"Vladimir Propp developed a character theory for studying media texts and productions, which indicates that there were 7 broad character types in the 100 tales he analysed, which could be applied to other media: The villain (struggles against the hero) The donor (prepares the hero or gives the hero some magical object)".
Back ground information on Vladimir Propp:
1920: A Russian critic
Often interested in folk tales.
He noticed how folk tales were similar in various areas, he went on to say all characters have a narrative function, providing a structure for text.
The often used characters found by Vladimir:
The hero: A character who seeks something
The villain: Someone who opposes the hero or blocks their quest.
The donor: who applies an object with magical properties.
The dispatcher: The person who sends the hero on their quest.
The false hero: who disrupts the heroes quest by making false claims.
The princess: acts as the reward for the hero.
The father: who acts to reward the hero.
Vladimir's suggested theory is that there is a struggle between the hero and the villain.
The hero is then branded, the villain is overcome and the state of disorder is settled.
ICONIC HORROR FILMS.
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Black Christmas 1974, was also released as silent night, evil night is an independent slasher horror film, directed by Bob Clark. A Group of sorority sisters receive threatening phone calls and end up being stalked and murdered.
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The Evil Dead, 1981. The director being Sam Raimi, producer Bruce Campbell. The plot involves 5 teenagers mass murder in a restricted cabin on vacation.
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The Hills Have Eyes, an American horror film in 1977. Directed by Wes Craven, the story involves a wealthy family endeavour a road trip, then they are attacked by a collection of savages who have been stranded in the desert
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Scream, 1996 is a American Slasher film, by Kevin Williams. The plot focuses on the character Sidney Prescott a high school student in the town of Woodsboro.
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TRAILER CONTENT ANALYSES
We have watched various horror trailers no more than 2 mins and recorded our content
analyses, which include the amount of graphic content, the shots of victims, sound techniques
and more. This will help us to gain ideas for our own trailer.
analyses, which include the amount of graphic content, the shots of victims, sound techniques
and more. This will help us to gain ideas for our own trailer.
Film Title: We Are Still Here
Director: Ted Geoghegan Released: 2015 Shots of Victim: 3 Graphic Content: Gruesome Sound techniques: Repetitive non diegetic sound, creating tension. Camera techniques: Transitions Locations: House |
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Film Title: Final Destination 3
Director: James Wong Year: 2006 Shots of Victims: All shown throughout Shots of Aggressor: 0 Graphic Content: Builds up to it then goes away before you can see. Sound techniques: Non diegetic sound, connotes anxiety and fear. Editing techniques: Fades & Washes Camera technique: Tracking and panning Location: Amusement park. |
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Film Title: Hostel
Director: Eli Roth Year: 2005 Shots of victims: 6 Shots of Aggressor: 3 Graphic Content: Limited Sound techniques: Slowed non dietetic music Editing techniques: P.O.V Camera techniques: establishing shot Location: Hostel |
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Film Title: The Pact
Director: Nicholas Mccarthy Year: 2012 Shots of victim: fast but quick Shots of aggressor: distorted images Graphic content: none Sound techniques: Diegetic sound Camera techniques: P.O.V Locations: House. |
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Film title: House Bound
Director: Gerard Year: 2014 Shots of victims: Lots but not as exposed Shots of aggressor: Small amount Sound techniques: Diegetic sound & background sfx. Editing techniques: Quick cuts & transition’s. Camera: Close up shots Locations: Abandoned house |
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Film Title: Nightmare on Elm Street
Year of release: 2010 Director: Samuel Bayer Shots of victim: 2 long shots Sound techniques: sfx & foley Editing techniques: Slow motion Camera techniques: Panning |
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Film title: Saw
Director: Kevin Greuderd Year: 2010 Shots of victim: long shot, close up & middle. Shots of aggressor: close up Sound techniques: voice over, sound track and sfx Editing techniques: quick cuts Camera: panning, tilting & zooming Location: abandoned property. |
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HORROR SEMIOTICS.
Horror semiotics can be applied to mise en scene.
The elements of mise en scene are:
Setting: the place or type of surroundings where something is positioned or where an event takes place.
Lighting:equipment in a room, building, or street for producing ligh
Props: objects to enhance a look.
NVC: Communication without the use of spoken language. Nonverbal communication includes gestures, facial expressions, and body positions (known collectively as “body language”),
Costume.
Apply semiotics to mise en scene allows you to analyse obvious meanings and interpret them.
Signs can often mean different things in different cultures which could cause various interpretations for the meaning of signs/ symbols.
The three types of signs in semiotics are:
Iconic signs: signs which look like what they represent. Popular signs.
Symbolic/ arbitrary signs: that have a meaning that must be culturally learnt.
Indexical signs: Suggestive signs.
The elements of mise en scene are:
Setting: the place or type of surroundings where something is positioned or where an event takes place.
Lighting:equipment in a room, building, or street for producing ligh
Props: objects to enhance a look.
NVC: Communication without the use of spoken language. Nonverbal communication includes gestures, facial expressions, and body positions (known collectively as “body language”),
Costume.
Apply semiotics to mise en scene allows you to analyse obvious meanings and interpret them.
Signs can often mean different things in different cultures which could cause various interpretations for the meaning of signs/ symbols.
The three types of signs in semiotics are:
Iconic signs: signs which look like what they represent. Popular signs.
Symbolic/ arbitrary signs: that have a meaning that must be culturally learnt.
Indexical signs: Suggestive signs.
FILM CRITS.
Below are images of some of our scanned in film crits.
We watched horror films from splatter to super natural and wrote down all the information we got from it as well as our own personal reviews on the film.
We watched horror films from splatter to super natural and wrote down all the information we got from it as well as our own personal reviews on the film.
TREATMENTS.
We each had to create a treatment for our own original film concepts. This involved choosing a sub genre, creating a story-line, title, tag line, protagonist and antagonist. We also wrote how our individuals films would support todorvo's theory! Each of us created our own symbolic codes and used semiotics so that we could come together as a group and decide on which concept to take forward....
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