Introduction To Horror
Some Horror films are sometimes combined with the sci-fi genre, and a usual plot may be that the menace or monster is related to a corruption of technology, or when earth is threatened by aliens, demons etc. The fantasy and supernatural film genres are not synonymous with the horror genre although thriller films may have some relation when they focus on the revolting and horrible acts of the killer. Horror films go back as far as the onset of films themselves, over a 100 years ago, From when we are young people have used there vivid imaginations to see ghosts or some sort of scary entity in shadowy or dark places, or rumours have been spread that a certain place has been haunted, which all adds or reinforces the fear gained from horror films. Watching a horror film gives an opening into that scary world, into an outlet for the essence of fear itself, without actually being danger. There’s also a very real thrill and fun factor in being scared or watching disturbing, horrific images, and people like to put themselves to the test whether they are able to get through the movie without being scared, this further supports the popularity with horror films.
The conventions of Teaser Trailers
· They are much shorter than theatrical trailers.
· They can’t give away too much information about the film- they must leave the audience wanting to know more.
· They don’t follow the narrative and a re usually not in chronological sequence (they usually use a non-linear structure).
· They are released a long time before the film and are the first trailer to be released.
· You might not see any actual characters in it.
· A teaser trailer might not contain any footage from the film.
· The Teaser Trailer may promote the director (sometimes known as an Auteur)
· Montage editing is common (though not mandatory).
· The pace is usually slow and picks up momentum.
Current Horror Films
Scream
Scream is a 1996 American slasher film written by Kevin Williamson and directed by Wes Craven. The film follows the character of Sidney Prescott, a high school student, who becomes the target for a mysterious killer known as ‘Ghostface’.
In this Film the protagonist and final girl is called Sidney (unisex name), and the antagonist is the masked killer known as ‘Ghostface’, which ends up being her boyfriend Billy Loomis. There are several people who can be classed as ‘red herrings’ in the film such as Sidney’s father Neil Prescott, her friend Randy Meeks and town deputy Dewey Riley. This all adds to the tension and build up to the film, which I believe added to the success of the film.
Release Date: December 20th 1996
Director: Wes Craven
Genre: Slasher
Studio: Woods Entertainment
Distributor: Dimension Films
Running Time: 111 minutes
Budget: $15 million
Box Office: $173, 046, 663
Paranormal Activity
Paranormal activity is a 2007 American supernatural horror film written by and directed by Oren Peli. The film focuses on a young couple, Katie and Micah, who are haunted by a supernatural presence in their home. It is presented in the style of ‘found footage’ from a camera set up by the couple in an attempt to photograph what is haunting them.
Release date: October 14 2007
Director: Oren Peli
Genre: Supernatural horror
Studio: Blumhouse Productions
Distributor: Paramount Pictures, Dreamworks Pictures
Running Time: 86 minutes
Budget: $15, 000
Box Office: $193, 355, 800
Paranormal Activity 3
Paranormal Activity 3 is an upcoming 2011 American supernatural horror film and third film of the paranormal activity series, which will be set 18 years before the events of both Paranormal Activity 1 and Paranormal Activity 2.
Release Date: October 21 2011
Directors: Henry Joost, Ariel Schulman
Genre: Psychological Horror
Studio: Blumhouse Production
Distributed: Paramount Pictures
Final Destination 5
Final Destination 5 is a 2011 3D horror film written by Eric Heisserer and directed by Steven Quale. It is the fifth instalment to the Final Destination film franchise and stars Nicholas D’agasto, Emma Bell, Miles Fisher, Arlen Escarpeta, David Koecher and Tony Todd (who is only returning cast member of the series). The motion pictures world premiere was August 4, 2011 at the Fantasia Festival in Montreal, Canada. It was released in real 3D and digital IMAX 3D.
Release Date: August 12, 2011
Running Time: 92 minutes
Budget: $40 - $45 million
Box Office: $102, 109, 713
Studio: New Line Cinema, Practical Pictures
Distributed by: Warner Bros. Pictures
The Woman in Black
The woman in black is an upcoming 2012 supernatural thriller film based on Susan Hill’s novel ‘The Woman in Black’. It is a remake of the 1989 film of the same name and will star Daniel Radcliffe as lawyer Arthur Kipps. Jane Goldman for Hammer Films is writing the film. Originally planned to be shot in 3D, it was eventually shot in 2D. It is due to release in the US on 3rd February 2012 and in UK cinemas on 10 February 2012.
Release Date 10th February 2012
Directors: James Atkins
Genre: Supernatural Thriller
Studio: Hammer Film productions
Distributed by: Momentum Pictures (UK) CBS Films (US)
Film Director: Oren Peli
Born in 1970 (age 41)
Occupation: Film Director, producer and screenwriter
Oren Peli is an Israeli-born American film director and screenwriter best known as the director/creator of Paranormal Activity. He is also a video game programmer. Oren Peli has also worked on the PC version of the game Mortal Kombat 3 as a programmer. He wrote and directed paranormal Activity. He directed the film Area 51 which will be released in 2011. He also produced with Steve Schneider and Jason Blum the thriller film insidious, which is directed by Leigh Whannell. On September 22nd 2010 it was announced he would be producing Lords of Salem and the film will be written and directed by Rob Zombie. On November 17, 2010, Dread Central reported that Paranormal Activity 3 will hit theatres on October 21 2011.
Horror Film Conventions
In Horror films there tends to be something iconic in the film whether it’s a specific colour scheme, a prop within the film, an actor etc. but it becomes iconic of the film.
Another convention is there tends to be a death in the first five minutes of the film however many films don’t follow this convention such as Paranormal Activity.
The basis of a Horror film is there’s been an intrusion of an evil force of supernatural origin, into the everyday world.
Another convention is the Final Girl Theory, which is usually associated with ‘slashers’ this refers to the last female alive to confront the killer, the one left to tell the story. They also usually have a unisex name and challenge the stereotype by gaining masculine traits to overcome the antagonist at the end of the film.
Another convention is the background or décor, most horror films are set in suburban or countryside areas where it is isolated and uncommon, and this is in contrast to what the audience may think.
Horror films are unsettling films designed to:
· Frighten and Panic.
· Cause dread and alarm.
· Invoke our hidden worst fears.
· Captivate and entertain us in a cathartic experience.
· Often conclude in a terrifying and shocking finale.
· Focus on the dark side of life.
Fears created by horrors
For different types of audiences it can deal with our fears of:
· Nightmares
· Our Vulnerability
· Alienation
· Terror of the Unknown
· Fear of Death
· Loss of Identity
· Fear of sexuality
Characters
There is always a lead character that often results as the survivor in the film otherwise known as the protagonist.
The killer/monster otherwise known as the antagonist often has a trademark characteristic in the way they kill for example the people they kill or the weapon they use to kill them.
There are also usually stock characters, which usually fall victim to the antagonist one way or another.
There is also the ‘red herring’ this is used to make the plot of the film more interesting by fooling them to think that a particular character is the antagonist and keep the audience guessing but later revealing they aren’t in fact the antagonists.
It is usually good against evil, the two characters conflict
The outcome is the good person always survives or defeats the ‘bad guy’/Protagonist.
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