R9 - Hammer Film Productions

Hammer from as14nishatsimi

R8 - Audience Survey

1. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/9WVF8QH
2. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/9QPC26G

These are the two links from our horror movie questionnaire. The reason as to why there is two is because we were using a website called surveymonkey.com, and didn't allow us to create a survey within 10 questions. That is why the first questionnaire is all about the film, whereas the second one is about the trailer and poster. 

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R7 - Textual Analysis of Short Film: 'Abe'

Abe - Rob McLellan

Abe cleverly uses the conventions of a variety of sub genres to create a sci-fi/slasher/thriller short horror film. The first thing we see on screen is the title and the sub headings. This editing technique not only allows the reader to be reminded of the film, but the font is significant as it indicates the genre of the horror film. The long focus on the title entices the audience as they are unaware of what is going to happen next. Similarly, suspense is built as the opening background music is mysterious and slow.  

The frame then cuts to present the setting as a barren old warehouse already suggesting to the audience that it's a horror film without knowing before hand. The long, rhythmic, establishing panning shots between the fluttering moth (significant for Silence of the Lambs) and the dangling, still chains could connote that this is a violent horror story which prepares the audience for what they could be shown at any moment. 

The frame then moves onto a girl strapped to a bed on the right side of the shot. The use of editing blurs her out in the background at first, only focusing on the curtains and then later establishes the shot on her. The use of the curtain is significant as it reminds the audience of Psycho by Alfred Hitchcock, one of the most recognised horror films of all time. The frame cuts to a short close up shot of the chains restricting her hand movement at the same time a non diegetic sound of heavy breathing and footsteps can be heard. This connotes that the villain/killer is coming and the fact that she is strapped to the bed shows how powerless she is to save herself from whatever is coming.

When the robot enters, a close up shot of the girl's expressions shows that she is confused, shocked yet still scared. The robot fundamentally condones that this is a sci-fi film however when the frame cuts to a mid shot of him getting out knives it makes the audience realise that it's a combination of sci-fi and slasher. Every time the robot looks at her there is a short sting amongst the background music which very slowly intensifies. The robot hardly seems frightening to the audience until the moth flutters into the frame which he slices with one swipe. The connotation of the music suddenly stopping could be related to death how when a person dies, everything stops for them which could foreshadow that this is the robot's intention with the girl. 

Continuing over the shoulder shots between the robot and the girl are used as he has a sort of monologue to himself about his past. This almost makes the audience empathise him as they see he only really wants love. As he continues with the dialogue, melancholy background music is played with a mid shot focusing on the robot. A close up shot is then used of the girl as her expression almost changes as she calms down also feeling sorry for the robot. However in contrast the music starts to intensify as the robot says "I must learn to fix you..." indicating that the sharp tools he had gotten out before hand is about to be used on her. This builds tension in the atmosphere and allow the audience to prepare for the slasher part of the film. 

The frame cuts to a long shot of the curtain with the lighting used to present the shadows of the girl and the robot. A non diegetic synchronous sound of a scream is heard as 'blood' splatters across the curtains. Although the audience cannot actually see what happens, it allows them to imagine it which is still as effective as being able to see the gore. 

The asynchronous dialogue of the robot continues over to the next scene where establishing close up shots of another girl and the robot is used. This connotes to the audience that she is the next victim if she doesn't love the robot the way he wants to be loved. The smugness of the robot which is presented in the frames implies that he enjoys this presenting him as insane. The purpose of this is to signify him as the villain as he enjoys marvelling in other people's pain to gain his own pleasure. 

The scene ends there which then turns to black as the music slows down. A heart line can be heard which is ironic as the robot kills people whereas here it presents a living thing. This could connote the robot's immortal life that he can continue doing this whereas he is invincible. The heart line also relates to science, therefore adding to the conventions of a sci-fi. When the cast/production members names appear on screen the music gets less intense as the film finally finishes. 

R6 - Initial Idea before Group Planning

What I’d like in my horror film is an abandoned broken place. For specific shots I'd want to use nature and turn it into a dark aspect to create tension and to present the broken background/setting of my horror story. I'd also want to add frames of a graveyard as that is generally associated with horror films. 

As for characters, I do not know who I’d want them to be or the story line but I do know I want their to be a murderer that has a specific method of killing someone. I also want the film to include things such as psychological horror elements as I find that these are the most scariest horror films that myself as a viewer has experienced. I'd also want there to be a bit of blood as it makes the viewers queasy. 

A storyline that I think would be a good one is that a girl is at home with her mother. She hears her mother calling her so she replies saying "yes?". After repeating this twice, her mother doesn't reply. So she starts to make her way to the stairs, and again, asks "yes mum what do you need?". Confused and frustrated as she still gets no answer, she slowly makes her way down the stairs. However she looks up and see's her mum standing on the opposite side of the room. Her mum then says "don't go... I heard that too" which at that point the film ends. 

R5 - Camera Shots

R4 - Genre Theory & Moving Image

" Genre is a system of codes, conventions and visual styles, which enables an audience to determine rapidly and with some complexity the kind of narrative they are viewing" - Turner, 1993: 83

 

GENRE IDENTIFICATION

- Genres are not a representation of the real world, but are media products.

- Genre depends and works through intertextuality and is understood in terms of others.

- All genres have a central element around which they are constructed.

- When watching a film, we recall our 'generic memories' so identify a genre so we know what is more likely to come up and what we should expect.

- Genre ultimately relies on the audience's knowledge and experience of them in order for a process of understanding or intertextual reading to take place.

 

MOCKUMENTARY:

- Are parodies of the documentary genre.

- Fictional stories

- Use handheld cameras quite often, natural sound and lighting

 

ICONOGRAPHY:

- An icon is a type of sign and resembles the object for which it stands.

- Many film productions use iconography whether its in the film poster, or in the actual film.

- Frame, location, image, set design, costume, placement of objects, special relations , the interplay of light and shade, camera position and angle view can be used to accentuate iconography.

 

GENRE CRITISISMS:

- Circularity: to establish a genre, you need to firstly isolate its content which then presupposes the existence of the genre.

- Linearity: descriptions may be too static to accommodate adequate generic developments and diversity.

- Labelling: Generic systems are too large (which is why we need sub genres).

- Repetition: Films often replicate those before them making a continuing line of similar films with similar storylines. (lack of variety).

 

 



R3 - Conventions of a Drama

Examples of Drama (popular examples of TV and Film) :

• Period Drama - Les Miserable                  

• Teen Drama - Gossip Girl                        
• Gritty Drama - Kidulthood                       
• Comedy Drama - When Harry Met Sally   
• Tragedy Drama - The Impossible             

R2 - Summary of Horror Genre Readings

The increase of Horror film production has risen vastly in today’s modern society. In fact so much so, that almost every week a local multiplex is showing a film that may be considered as ‘horror’. The nature of horror comes from the ‘basis of our nightmares’ so things we may do in life such as sitting round a campfire telling ghost stories could easily become an opening to a horror story. The last thing we’d ever want it a real life horror story therefore to watch it play with your fears has become such a part of our generation especially through TV, film and graphic novels. (E.g. The Fog 1979). This distinctly divides the population into two: the first being those who love the thrill of a horror whilst the other is among those who wouldn’t dare have anything to do with it.
 

Every horror film follows along the codes and conventions which has developed further throughout the total production of horror fanatics. These are used in two ways. The first is the way in which it permits the audience to recognise a horror genre. Thus therefore making it easier by less explanation of the plot/characters etc. as we generally know what to anticipate. And secondly the notion of the genre is useful for the media producers. Certain types of horror become best sellers within audiences so it allows producers to ‘adopt and adapt’ what they consider to be winning formulas.     
 

From the 30’s – 70’s horror was considered to be the lowest of the film world. However Alfred Hitchcock’s ‘Psycho’ (1960) amongst other films, changed society’s perspective perhaps being one of the first horror films to be treated seriously. Similarly Jaws, Steven Spielberg (1975) and The Exorcist, William Friedkin (1973) very quickly joined best sellers. The contrast in the level of importance of joy that horror started out with to now has vastly improved as with more technology, books etc. than ever before, audiences are more open to selecting the types of horror that interest them, rather than the normal ‘genre’ of horror. Predominantly, this genre is no longer an adult genre and it is popular within audiences of all ages due to the views/readers. Ghostbusters is now a cartoon for children whereas beforehand was a horror film for adults, evidently showing the movement as well as development of the types/conventions of horror.

This ‘genre’ can then be divided up into different categories as well as including different elements for example monsters, gothic elements, the devil incarnate, aliens from outer space, horror characters and horror comedy.  A more general element is the involvement of women as part of the main storyline, acting on their vulnerability to present the ‘horror’ as more frightening to the audience. Many critics have claimed that the horror genre is essentially misogynistic and can be used to reflect a perspective of demeaning women. Therefore not all these conventions may necessarily be considered as a good thing, yet the audience still want to see this occurring in the films. Overall, the horror genre will always outrage certain members of the community. 

R1 - Sub-Genres of Horror Films

Sub Genre

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