1. 1. Researching Genre- Horror
2. 2. HorrorEmotionsCharactersImageryThemesFearStressAngerDesperationSurvivalinstinctSlashersMonstersGhosts/spirits AliensDemonsVillainsVictimsDamsel-in-distressGroup of A familyBlood friendsWeaponsSilhouettesReflectionsFireThe dead-skeletonscorpsesOldandphotographsCoffinsFootprintsBrokenglassHauntingPossessionAbductionZombiesApocalypseSerialkiller
3. 3. American Horror Story (2011)
4. 4. Blood is extremely common in horror movies, as they aim to tap into your fears, including anatural fear of being brutally hurt or even killed. The fact that bloodied tools are present impliessomeone has already been hurt in a sadistic way, fitting in with the horror theme perfectly.
5. 5. Children are a common occurrence is recent horrors. Their natural innocence provides a distinct contrast tohorror films- nobody expects a child to be evil. Using a negative image is a way of connoting their dark side,which everyone has deep inside. Vintage photographs often appear in horror films because sometimes themisfortune is caused by someone from the past, or they experienced it themselves.
6. 6. Broken glass is a common connotation for carelessness, somebody has accidently knocked oversomething , most probably whilst they were in a hurry i.e. running away from danger.Alternatively, broken glass can occur out of anger, if someone smashes it. Anger is seen as atrigger for wrong-doing, hence it fits in with the horror theme.
7. 7. Seeing body parts of unusual objects/animals in jars is more uncommon in modern-day horrorshowever they still successfully act as a horror stereotype. This is due to the disturbing mind-setone must have to present creepy things in this way.
8. 8. This shows a title dissolving perhaps? The idea that it is dissolving gives the impression thatchemicals are being used. Chemicals can cause serious damage, hence they are threatening andintimidating, perfect for a horror.
9. 9. Chains are particularly threatening; they can connote being tied up or even hung. Therefore, dueto their menacing connotations , they often fit in to horror films well. The noise of their rattlingalso creates an eerie atmosphere, like something sinister is approaching or taking place.
10. 10. This shot is a particularly disturbing one- it shows someone under some plastic, however we areunsure as to the circumstances. The person could be dead or being held against their will. Thecould have been suffocated using the plastic. All of the previous make it a shot suitably matchedto a horror film.
11. 11. Often in horror films, you see body parts of people, yet not the rest of them. In this particularshot, you can only see their hands, you cant decipher their expression to see if they are a threator not. Therefore, we must automatically assume they are, making the thought of coming acrossthem very scary.
12. 12. It appears this is the person in the previous shot, holding on to a pair of clippers. Once again, youcant see their face. The fact that they are in possession of a weapon immediately makes themseem menacing, ideal for a horror.
13. 13. Skeletons are often found in horrors because people tend to be scared of the dead or of dying. The fact thatthis has clearly happened to someone, and theyve only left behind a skeleton, implies whatever locationyoure at is a scary one. There is also a couple of reflections shown. Mirrors are often used in horrors becausethey increase the number of people you can see, ultimately making them seem like more of a threat becauseyou cant identify which one is real.
14. 14. This shot encompasses all things horror: fire, broken glass, children, coffins. All of these aspectsare scary- fire and broken glass can be dangerous and harmful, whilst coffins connote death andthe childs innocence creates a strong contrast.
15. 15. Insidious (2010)
16. 16. The blood red colour chosen for the titles is stereotypical of a horror. Blood is nearly alwaysincluded in this genre, so to see it used for the titles is to be expected and sets the theme for themovie.
17. 17. As I mentioned in the American Horror Story shots, children are often shown in horror filmsbecause their innocence provides a contrast against evil. Furthermore, children are morevulnerable, so using them as victims in horrors only serves to make the horror more menacing.
18. 18. Silhouettes can sometimes be found in horrors because they create a feeling of unease. Itappears as though the victims are being watched.
19. 19. Like I mentioned earlier, certain body parts can often be made visible, without including the restof the body. By using a face, it allows the audience to see the expressions, so they are able toidentify sinister characters. Candles are often used to highlight these particular parts.
20. 20. Dark shadows and silhouettes imply there is an evil presence watching or intimidating thecharacters. This idea is extremely alarming, therefore the audience feel disturbed, just theimpression horrors aim to achieve.
21. 21. Reflections are regularly used in horror films because they created the feeling of being watchedor of there being multiple threats. The reflection in this shot is showing an ominous face,creating a feeling of unease, perfect for a horror.
22. 22. A lot of horror take place in old houses, so grandfather clocks represent this. The chiming of theclocks also creates tension in the atmosphere.
23. 23. Footprints automatically have the connotation of an intruder. Intruders are often theperpetrators in horror films, so seeing footprints immediately makes one suspicious.
24. 24. A Nightmare On Elm Street(1984)
25. 25. Tools are often shown in horror films because they can be go-to weapons for the attackers andeven for the victims as a form of defence.
26. 26. Here you can see the attackers weapon of choice. The choice of weapon can affect the wholefilm- they could be a slasher, arsonist etc. Therefore it is important for horror films to show theweapons being used.
27. 27. Dark corridors or alleyways are regularly used in horror films because the darkness and opennessmake them feel intimidating- you can barely see and you have nowhere to hide.
28. 28. The fact that a mask is being worn fits in perfectly with the genre. Masks can be made to lookscary, creepy, disturbing etc., therefore they can always be made to fit in with the theme of thefilm and successfully scare you. Being able to see the eyes peeping out of the mask makes themstand out and look a lot more piercing. This makes the predator look a lot more sinister.
29. 29. Fire is a common occurrence in horrors because it is so dangerous to be around. Therefore firecreates a feeling of unease. It can also connote anger because of the colouring, representing theattackers anger or rage which is causing them to turn evil.
30. 30. By showing the victim actually being attacked, you get a sense of the emotions- fear, dread,hatred- theyre experiencing, putting the audience in their shoes and making the audience feelscared too.
31. 31. Here you can see a cross. Religious symbols- particularly crosses are used in horrors becausesome believe they keep evil at bay. Therefore they are used as a defensive weapon by the victims.
32. 32. Decidedly, based on my research, the most common ingredients for any horror areblood, fire , silhouettes and close-ups. In modern day horrors there are also aconsiderable number of children included. After performing my research, I havedecided I will aim to include blood, shadows or silhouettes, footprints and reflectionsin my film opening because I feel these ingredients make any film universallyrecognisable as a horror. I also feel they are the most effective at creating an eerieatmosphere- I want the audience to feel on-edge and uneasy from the get-go. I mayalso choose to include candles because I wont be able to include fire, as its toodangerous, plus the flickering lights help set the scene.