Genre research

GENRE RESEARCHBy Holly Emmerson

CHARACTERSVictims are typical in a Horror film, especially female victims as women are still stereotypically seen as weaker and more vulnerable than men. These female victims are usually blonde and attractive so it appeals to a male demographic.One specific characters is almost usually portrayed as the most annoying and usually is one of the characters that does get killed off, however not always first.Other characters can include a person in denial of the real events happening around them (usually male), a hysterical character who usually results in being killed (usually female), a hero (typically male and strong built) who may survive until the end and the evil one (antagonist). This antagonist can take the form of anything, i.e. werewolf, vampire, zombie, serial killer, ghost etc.If the antagonist is human, then a mask is typically worn (e.g. The Collector, The Strangers etc). However, if the character is actually inhuman then this might prove effective in playing on the inbuilt fears of humanity, i.e. the unknown. This characters is almost always the centre of attention through the film.Sometimes couples can feature in Horror films and are usually killed/attempted to be killed off when they are in an embrace and oblivious to the events unfolding in front of them (which builds typical frustration in the audience watching).

Casey Becker – Scream (1996)

The Collector – The Collector (2009)

Jules/Curt – The Cabin in the Woods (2012)

SETTINGS/LIGHTING

The most common locations in a Horror film are isolated, lonely and remote locations that could be abandoned. These type of settings are used to build tension and nervousness within the audience. Although, other locations can be featured in Horror films to create a more unique film of that genre which would mean that the audience would be even more naïve to the events going to happen.

The lighting of the film is typically kept in low-key lighting to maintain a mysterious and ‘dark’ vibe for the film. These shadowy effects created by such low light reflects the nature of the film, whether it be the darkness of a troubled mind in a Psychological Horror, i.e. Stoker (2013) or the shadowed room of a ‘slasher’ film, i.e. Scream (1996).

PROPS/NARRATIVEThe props used, i.e. weapons, used in Horror films can vary but the typical types used are ones that cause significant pain/damages. For example, chains, guns, knives, ropes, fire, chainsaws and axes are commonly used. These props are used to match the plot/genre of the film. An example is the film Saw that used chains to keep characters captive as well as handsaws as their only mean of escaping. Guns were also used in this film along with other gruesome torture traps that the Saw franchise is known for.

Narrative in a Horror film is usually completed in a linear narrative structure using the sequence of all being well (equilibrium), a disruptive event (disequilibrium) and then a resolution (new equilibrium) with many events occurring in-between.

TECHNICAL CODESTechnical codes used in Horror films are;• Use of hand-held camera (for a more realistic/panicked effect/builds tension).• High and low angle camera shots (for effects to distinguish stronger/weaker characters).• Point of view shots (allow the audience to empathise with the person/see through their

eyes). • The editing used can create short and fast paced cuts between scenes/shots to create

pace within a sequence. • Closed and open framed shots can create atmosphere within the shot. For example, a

closed framed shot can make the object in view seem trapped and more closed-in whereas an open framed shot with nothing around can create a sense of solitude/loneliness.

SOUNDSound used in Horror films is typically both non-diegetic and diegetic.

For example, common non-diegetic sound is creepy and eerie melodic music which is used to create tension and ‘creep out’ the audience watching.

Diegetic sound used can be dialogue from any/all character in the film or sounds included in the storyline. For example, the sounds of footsteps when a character is walking along a wood floor would be diegetic sound.