STUDYINGSTUDYINGHORRORHORROR

FILMS FILMS

Genre Genre Genre only works through the rule of combination Genre only works through the rule of combination

as long as you have the expected faradisms, you as long as you have the expected faradisms, you can make any number of horror films.can make any number of horror films.

Character + Setting + Props = GENRE Character + Setting + Props = GENRE

A genre is a type of film: romance, comedy, A genre is a type of film: romance, comedy, horror, science-fiction, action/adventure, etc. horror, science-fiction, action/adventure, etc. Sometimes a film borrows from more than one Sometimes a film borrows from more than one genre, these films are called Hybrids.genre, these films are called Hybrids.

StructuralismStructuralismAn ideology or theoretical way of thinking about the An ideology or theoretical way of thinking about the

world that can be applied to film industry,world that can be applied to film industry,

Structuralism film theory emphasises how films Structuralism film theory emphasises how films convey meaning through the use of code and convey meaning through the use of code and conventions.conventions.

Codes & ConventionsCodes & ConventionsCodes and conventions are things that define or Codes and conventions are things that define or

make up horror films. These are the things we make up horror films. These are the things we expected to seen when engaging with or expected to seen when engaging with or watching horror films.watching horror films.

Codes and conventions include things such as:Codes and conventions include things such as:

Characters, Suburbs, ClaustrophobiaCharacters, Suburbs, Claustrophobia Blood, Death, Killing, Villain, Victims, EvilBlood, Death, Killing, Villain, Victims, Evil Haunted houses and isolated settings, MonstersHaunted houses and isolated settings, Monsters Weapons, Darkness, Storms, Chase sequencesWeapons, Darkness, Storms, Chase sequences Gore, Violence, Screams, Location, Fear and Gore, Violence, Screams, Location, Fear and

GhostsGhosts

Equilibrium and DisequilibriumEquilibrium and Disequilibrium Equilibrium is the good stuff that happens.Equilibrium is the good stuff that happens. Disequilibrium is the bad stuff that happens.Disequilibrium is the bad stuff that happens.

there are certain characters in films and stories with certain there are certain characters in films and stories with certain functions:functions:

the herothe hero – the one on the quest and the one who saves the – the one on the quest and the one who saves the dayday

the villainthe villain – the evil one who causes the disequilibrium – the evil one who causes the disequilibriumthe helperthe helper – a person who helps the hero on their quest/the – a person who helps the hero on their quest/the

sidekicksidekickthe victimthe victim – at the mercy of the villain – at the mercy of the villainthe donorthe donor – someone who has something special which will – someone who has something special which will

help the herohelp the hero

Camera Movement & EditingCamera Movement & EditingCamera MovementCamera MovementZoom = when zooming in the camera does not moveZoom = when zooming in the camera does not moveTracking (dollying) = the camera moves smoothly towards or away Tracking (dollying) = the camera moves smoothly towards or away

from the subjectfrom the subjectPan = the camera moves from left to right following a moving Pan = the camera moves from left to right following a moving

subject.subject.Hand-held camera = produces a jerky movement, creating a sense of Hand-held camera = produces a jerky movement, creating a sense of

reality/chaosreality/chaosSteadicam = a hand-held camera worn with a harness to achieve a Steadicam = a hand-held camera worn with a harness to achieve a

steady shotsteady shot

EditingEditingThis occurs every time a film is cut. A film is never shot in the order This occurs every time a film is cut. A film is never shot in the order

that the events happen. This would cost a fortune: all sequences that the events happen. This would cost a fortune: all sequences with the same location will be shot at the same time regardless of with the same location will be shot at the same time regardless of where they appear in the narrative. Sometimes the opening where they appear in the narrative. Sometimes the opening sequence to a film will be the last sequence to be shot. When a 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 sequence has high octane action the cuts/editing is fast and numerous.numerous.

Soundtrack and Sound effectsSoundtrack and Sound effects

SoundtrackSoundtrackThis is the music playing in the background. It can be diegetic or 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: 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 a radio playing in the shot) it is diegetic. However, more often than not, the soundtrack is non-diegetic. Music playing in the than not, the soundtrack is non-diegetic. Music playing in the background which is not evident in the action.background which is not evident in the action.

Sound effects: Sound effects: These are the effects added during post-production. For example, These are the effects added during post-production. For example,

explosions, birdsong, etc.explosions, birdsong, etc.