Top 5 Directors within the Horror Genre

Suzanne Micael

In order to direct and produce my film production, It was important I analysed some of the successful film directors within the Horror genre in the years and key techniques and trademarks these people used in their own movies. This would also increase my knowledge of the industry recognising key examples of films within Horror.

Wes CravenAugust 2nd 1939

List of Films

Last House on the Left (1972) The Hills Have Eyes ( 1977) Stranger in our House (1978) Deadly Blessing( 1981) Swamp Thing ( 1982) Invitation to Hell (1984) The Hills Have Eyes II (1977) A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) Chiller (1985) Deadly Friend (1986) The Serpent and the Rainbow (1988) Shocker (1989) Night Visions (1990) The People Under the Stairs (1991) New Nightmare (1994) Vampire in Brooklyn (1995) Scream (1996) Scream 2 (1997) Scream 3 (2000) Cursed (2005) Red Eye (2005) My Soul to Take (2010) Scream 4 ( 2011)

1Information on Director

Craven , a household name in the Horror Genre has innovated the genre in many ways with his endless list of successful slasher films.Since his first role in the film industry as a sound editor, his skills and knowledge of the industry particularly this genre has developed. One of his majorly celebrated films include Scream as well as the rest of the Scream Series which kick-started many trends now seen in modern day Horror flicks. I chose to analyse Cravens films as I wanted to see trends that he has used consistently in many of his films as a person of experience.

Directors Trademark

Craven emphasises on his characters costuming and appearance to convey a specific portrayal of the stock characters.His Villains are often deformed and appear monstrousForeshadowing is a key convention in Cravens film to suggest the ways in which the character will die. Films include a camera movement that follow the characters in their escape from the villain.

Stanley KubrickJuly 26th 1928 - 1999

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List of Films within the Genre The Shining (1980)

Other films outside the Genre Lolita (1962) 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) A Clockwork Orange (1971) Barry Lyndon (1975)

Directors Trademark

Extreme camera angles for example the opening credit to ‘The Shining’ displays an ariel shot to set the scenery of the location .Wide angle shots and tracking movements for a smooth finish.Artificial lighting in the foreground in particular shots to highlight the main character

Information on Director

Although Kubrick did not venture into the Horror genre often in his career, ‘The Shining’ still arguably remains to be one of the most famous depiction of the Horror Genre. Many aspects of this film were very refreshing at the time it was released such as the trailer shown at the time, which alone captivated a lot of people intrigued by the bloody hallway. Kubrick managed to change and influence many of the up and coming directors of the 20 th century in this one film. This was the main reason I wanted to watch this film, including the fact this film is a personal favorite.

Tobe HooperJanuary 25th 1943

List of Films within the Genre

Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974) Death Trap (1977) The Poltergeist (1982) Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 (1986)

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Directors Trademark

Hooper relies on a solid script and dialogue that builds to a characters portrayal.CGI effects to create more realistic looking deaths Structured shots compiled to display a sequence of events.Use of mise-en-scene props for example the chainsaw in ‘Texas Chainsaw Massacre’

Information on Director

Hooper began his career as a college lecturer and documentary camera man slowly developing his film techniques. His influence in the horror genre became more popular in the mid 70s after his accomplishment with Texas Chain Saw Massacre. Hooper since has been honoured with many awards for his achievement in film and is now known as a true ‘Master of Horror’.

James WanFebruary 26th 1977

List of Films within the Genre Saw (2004) Dead Silence (2007) Death Sentence (2007) Insidious (2010) The Conjuring (2013) Insidious Chapter 2 (2013)

4Information on Director

As one of the more modern Horror film directors, Wan has seen success with the majority of his films earning him his position in this directors list. I chose to look at his films as an inspiration for my film as his target demographic is similar to mine and having watched almost all of his work, I have recognised trademarks and conventions that I could use in my production. Wan has been described as one of the most exciting new filmmakers to hit the genre over the last few years

Trademarks of Director

Location and mise-en-scene has to be visually phenomenalCertain editing techniques to create a scary motifOrchestral eerie sound motifEnsure the audience are able to pick up on many details.

George RomeroFebruary 4th 1940

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List of Films Night of the Living Dead (1968) Season of a Witch ( 1972) The Crazies (1973) Martin (1976) Dawn of the Dead (1978) Creepshow (1982) Day of the Dead (1985) Monkey Shines (1988) Two Evil Eyes (1990) The Dark Half (1993) Bruiser (2000) Land of the Dead (2005) Diary of the Dead (2007) Survival of the Dead (2009)

Information on Director

Producing on the most celebrated Horror movies of all time ‘Night of the Living Dead’, Romero has gone on to direct numerous other films within the genre not experiencing the same success but still including his quality line of the work. His work revolutionised the ‘zombie’ films of the 20th century. His films are considerably gruesome and his story telling techniques combined create a truly horrifying element to the genre.

Directors Trademarks

Extreme makeup effects and makeup in the creation of his Zombie characters Ambient Sounds of general objects to create the sounds of the movement of the ZombiesClose-up shots to present the makeup of the zombie.