Development of Genre (Horror)I will research the development of the genre of horror from the years 1920 until 2010. For each film I chose in a decade, I will speak about the genre,

themes, types of characters, the narrative of the movie, the techniques each movies use and how each movie it appeals to the audience. It is very important to this research as I feel it will help me with my opening sequence in order for my opening sequence to be good quality and appealing to my target

audience.

DateFilm Title and Certification

Themes and Genre

Characters Narrative Technique Audience appeal

1920The Phantom of the Opera

Certification: PG

HorrorLove, Murder, Revenge, Ghosts

Antagonist: The Phantom- He opposes the hero and falls in love with Christine Daee.

Protagonist:Vicomete Raoul de Chagny- Handsome good looking character.

Princess of prize: Christine Daee

A crazy disfigured music composer who lives in a dungeon beneath the opera house seeks love with a young opera singer and tries to find revenge after realising this love is unsuitable and doesn’t want anyone to have her if he can’t have her.

Sound- There was no sound used at all throughout the movie. It was a silent film; however, the sound track was enough and overcame the visual information.Mis-en-scene- The costumes and makeup that was presented throughout the film stood out in order to be more appealing and overshadow the use of a silent film.Camera- very few variations in camera shots because there was not much equipment used as it was filmed in the 1920’s.

The audience at the time of the 1920’s may have been really appealing to them due to the fact that narrative is expected and realistic for something to happen at the time. This film may be more appealing to middle/high class people as the opera is considered a wealthy leisure.Additionally, in the 1920’s it was expensive to watch movies and therefore only the higher class people are able to watch it.

1930Night of Terror

Certification: PG

Horror/ ThrillerMurder, Haunted house, spooky

Antagonist: Arthur Hornsby- He fakes his own death and then commits multiple murders.Victims: Many people

The heirs to a family fortune are required to attend a séance at a spooky old mansion, however

Camera: There are various camera shots used in order to show all the scenery in depth to the audience.Editing: The use of jump cuts speed up the pace in order to

The audience may watch this movie and use it as some sort of distraction. There is so much going on throughout the film of people dying and therefore the audience is distracted from

house, family feud

throughout the film due to the fact that the antagonist has murdered them all.

throughout the night; members of the family are being killed one by one.

build up suspense after the death of each character.

their personal life.Audience from the higher class may find this movie more appealing as it is about rich Families and it is set in a mansion.

1940 House of Horrors

Certification: Approved

Horror/thrillerRevenge, Murder, Psycho.

Protagonist: Marcel De Lange- He is a sculptor who is depressed about his life and decides to commit suicide. However, ends up saving the antagonists life.

Antagonist: The Creeper- Ends up killing the critics.

A struggling sculptor is depressed about his life and therefore decides to commit suicide. However, as he was about to do so, he spots and saves a madman called ‘The creeper’ from drowning. After the creeper is saved, Marcel has the creeper as the subject of his sculptures. As the reviews come in, Marcel has The Creeper murdering the critics.

Sound: The use of the non-diegetic cake helps build suspense and awareness throughout the film. The non-diegetic sound also gives a more abrupt tone throughout the movie.

Editing: The use of jump cuts builds up a faster pace throughout the film which highlights the fact that this movie is a horror/thriller.

Male audience may find this movie appealing as it is about murder and included many male characters. However, due to the fact that the main characters are good looking, the female audience may also be attracted in watching this movie. As the main character wanted to commit suicide, some of the audience may relate to this character and therefore feel better about themselves as they are not alone in that situation of stress and depression.

1950 Horror Protagonist: John Dr John Holden Camera: As this is a black and This movie may be mostly

Curse of the Demon

Certification: PG

Cursing, Death, History, Danger, Religion.

Holden- he aims to expose the witchcraft and devil worship. Antagonist: Julian Karswell- Portrays threatening and violent behaviour and is the cult leader.

travels in London with the intentions to expose a devil cult leader. However, Holden is a sceptic and doesn’t believe in the powers Julian Karswell has. Karswell then curses Holden with his satanic powers.

white movie, the use of close-up and long shots allow the audience to identify the characters more and feel as if they are part of the movie.

Sound: The use of the non-diegetic sound of the voice over which creates the effect of storytelling and can also be used to aid continuity in the film so the audience can gain a better understanding of what is going on between scenes.

appealing to the upper class due to the events that happen throughout the film. For example, the fact that John Holden travels to England in the 1950’s may attract the upper class as only the upper class were able to travel to other countries at that time. However, the working class may also be attracted to this movie as they would see it as a form of escapism from the real world.

1960 Psycho

Certification: 15

Psychological horrorTheft, Mystery, Money, Crime, Death

Protagonist:

Victim: Marion Crane- Runs away with $40,000 and ends up being murdered by the antagonist ‘Norman Bates’.Antagonist: Norman Bates- He is found guilty for murdering Marion Crane. Later on in the film a psychiatrist discovers that he has a split personality and that he murdered his mother from young age.

A secretary steals $40,000 of a client who has given her the money to put in his bank account. She then ends up running away with the money and bumps into a young man Norman Bates who has a split personality and ends up murdering this woman.

Editing: There was slow build ups to sudden shocks. This is used for effect as it keeps the audience focused and excited; it alarms the audience and highlights the fact that this film is a horror.

Mise-en-scene: Hitchcock used significant and colourful scenery. This encourages the audience to watch the film and it is more shocking that such negativity can happen in colourful scenery’s.

The film Psycho may appeal to a passive audience. As it is directed by Alfred Hitchcock, one of the top directors within the horror genre, so therefore the audience may want to watch it for this purpose only. The fact that the female protagonist is murdered so early on in the movie may be appealing to men as it would make them feel superior. Additionally, the fact that Marion Crane runs away with $40,000 may be appealing to the lower class as they would feel as this is something that would help their economic state.

1970 Halloween

Certification: THX

Horror/thrillerMurder, Childhood, Death

Protagonist: Laurie Strode- She is stalked by Michael Myer and ends up surviving.

Antagonist: Michael Myers- Murders his older sister at the age of 6, and then ends up in hospital. 15 years later, comes out and stalks Laurie Strode.

A psychotic murderer was institutionalized since childhood for murdering his sister for sleeping with her boyfriend, escapes and stalks a student and her friends while his doctor chases him through the streets.

Mise-en-scene: The mask used that is worn by the Antagonist allows the audience to know that he is the villain. Characters are scared of him as he hides behind a mask.

Camera: The way the camera moves in on every little action that happens gives a close up view of everything to the audience. This therefore keeps the audience in shock, and gives a sense of realism.

This movie may appeal to many people however, middle and upper class may be attracted to the film more as in the 1970’s, it was still expensive to watch movies. The audience may attracted to this movie due to the hypodermic needle model. As Halloween is seen as classic horror, more people would feel as if they would want to watch it as they are manipulated into watching it. As the antagonist in this movie is a male, and the victim is a woman, the male audience may feel superior, however, towards the end of the film, the female audience may feel superior.

1980 The Fog

Certification: PG

HorrorAncient, Murder, Ghosts, Revenge.

Protagonist: Stevie Wayne- She is the local DJ who saves many people’s lives and is the ‘final girl’. She also informs people in the area of what to do through her radio show.

Antagonist: Killer fog containing zombie- like ghosts. – They are seeking revenge for their deaths.

A town in California is over taken by killer fog containing zombie like ghost. They end up killing everyone in the town to seek revenge for their deaths. A local DJ, Stevie Wayne is trying to save everyone by telling them to go to the local church

Mis-en-scene: Ghostly costumes used to emphasise on the fact that they are scary characters that want to kill people.

Sound: Non-diegetic sound used to build up suspense and tension as the ghosts come into the town.

The Fog may be appealing to all different classes, however mainly working class due to the poor production of the film.Additionally, this film may be appealing to the younger generation due to the supernatural effects of ‘ghosts’ and ‘zombies’.

through her radio show.

1990 Scream 1

Certification: R

HorrorMurder, Teenager, Reality, satirical

Protagonist: Sydney- She reveals the villains secrets.Antagonist: Ghost face- begins killing of teenagers.

A killer known as Ghost face begins killing off teenagers, and as the body count begins rising, one girl and her friends find themselves contemplating the ‘rules’ of horror films as they find themselves living in a real life one.

Camera: A wide range of camera shots used as there are many characters that are introduced in different ways.

Sound: A variety of different songs used in the films and memorable quotes from movies for satirical purposes.

This movie is appealing to the younger generation as mentions things that are more appealing to younger people. Additionally this film may attract the working class more and may be seen on the safety stage of ‘Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs’. The audience may watch this movie for their own gratification. This movie may be seen as some sort of escapism from reality due to the use of satirical theme explored throughout.

2000 Drag me to hell

Certification: PG-13

Victim: Christine Brown- She is a loan officer has to refuse to extend a loan to a gypsy woman and therefore the woman places a curse on her.Antagonist: Sylvia Ganush- This character ends up cursing Christine Brown because she refused to extend her loan.

A loan officer, Christine Brown has to refuse to extend a loan from a gypsy woman, Sylvia Ganush and therefore the woman ends up placing a curse on Christine Brown. Brown then turns to a seer; however the evil forces from

Mis-en-scene: Sylvia Ganush is dressed as an old- gypsy. Emphasises on the fact that she is evil and able to curse Christine Brown.The fact that Ganush has one eye that looks scary also informs the audience that she is the antagonist. Sound: The sound used was of the ethereal childlike soprano vocals that feature prominently throughout the sound track. This

In this movie, most of the characters are females. This may be most appealing for the female audience as they would feel more dominant in the society presented in this film. In contrast, men come across as more dominant in society so this film is a great way for personal identity, ensuring that women are able to define who they are. As the main character in this

the curse push her to a breaking point.

also builds up suspense. film is a good looking female, and in context of the male gaze theory, this means that males would be attracted to her which means that they would watch this movie.

2010 Sinister

Certification: R

Horror/ ThrillerCrime, History, Murder, Death.

Protagonist: Ellison Oswalt- When moving into a new house, he is the only member of his family that’s aware that there was a crime scene and starts to research in order to help him with his new book.Victims: Ellision Oswalt children- his daughter is killed due to the antics of her father.

Ellison Oswalt is a writer who moves into a new house where there was a crime scene in order to find information that would help him with writing his new book. Every night he would stay up and watch the film projector that would view previous children that got murdered in this house. The same thing ends up happening to his children.

Camera: A wide variety of shots to introduce the audience to every place in the house were the crime was committed.

Editing: The use of jump cuts speed up what’s happening in the scene to build up suspense and keep the audience aware of what’s happening. However, the use of slow pace allows the audience to concentrate on the little details that Ellision Oswalts comes across.

This film may be appealing to middle/high class men as the main character in this film is middle class who is hardworking and intrigued. This encourages men in the category of ‘self actualization’ section of ‘Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs’ as they would want to explore more. Additionally, middle aged woman may be attracted to the main character as he is good looking. According to the male gaze theory, this encourages female to watch the movie.

Overall, the research I have done for the 10 movies in 10 different decades have helped me a lot for planning ideas for my opening sequence. I have learnt that the protagonist and antagonist have a big impact on the movie as a whole, as well as the how they are portrayed through the use of techniques. Camera, mis-en-scene, editing, and sound all have an great effect on the movie and help the audience to have their own perspective on each character.