Research into Genre

GenresThe genre of our film ‘Psychosis’, the film genre it falls under is ‘Horror’. It also falls under the Sub-Genre ‘Madness & Paranoia’. It falls under the Psychological side of horror films.

Psychological HorrorPsychological Horror and Thrillers are the parts of horror that feels the more real. Seen as through it features the work of humans, either that have gone crazy or that are stranded in exceptional situations. Often linked with the thriller genre, these types of films build most of their horror around psychological tension.

Madness & ParanoiaIn the ‘Madness & Paranoia’ sub-genre, it is about the human mind. The human mind is something that we will never truly understand, and this genre is here to remind us of this fact. Often close to the Slasher genre, these films are nevertheless different in that they do not emphasise on the killing or harm done, however they emphasise on that madness, induced by the mental characters or in some cases supernatural experiences.

Codes and Conventions in HorrorTypes of codes and conventions:• Props• Costume & Makeup • Sound • Camera work (shots)• Representations• Colours• Most of these are included in mise en scene.

Codes and Conventions in HorrorOne type of Code is Editing & Shots. For example in some horror films, flashbacks will be included to take the audience back possibly to see why the killer is so disturbed, and why they are so mentally challenged. This is an example of a flashback in a movie.

Types of shotsAerial shot-used to establishthe scene

Extremelong shot-Establishing shot

Medium Long shot-Includes theBackground.

Medium shot-Mainly for Conversations(two shot)

Close up shot-Shows reactions(includes overShoulder shot)

Extreme closeUp shot- showsTension (mainlyEyes)

Types of anglesCanted angle-Shows how it is disorientated

High angle shot-Shows lack of Power &authority

Low angle shot-Shows power &authority

Extreme high Angle-Shows thevulnerability

settingTypical settings in horror films are in isolated places: a graveyard, haunted/abandoned house, old hotel, woods/forest, dark streets & alleyways, mansions etc.

An example of a setting in a horror is in ‘the woman in black’ which is set in ‘Eel Marsh House’, (a large forbidden mansion which is filled with mysterious paper work as well as being completely cut off from the mainland). it implies an element of horror due to the dark colours and the grey mist connoting isolation and a sense of a haunted presence.

Costume and makeupIn horror, costume can be used for two things. To hide the villains identity, and in some horrors to show the spirits inside characters. For example:

Blood in makeup:In this particular video/film, Blood is on the character lying down,Clearly showing that they are a stabbingVictim. However the character stood above Has blood on his weapon, showing he is the villain.

This type of Costume hasA purpose ofHiding the Villains Identity.

This type of Costume &Makeup is to Show the Audience that The child is Possessed & has an Evil spirit inside.

propsProps in horror are mostly weapons that are used to inflict pain, such as a knife or chainsaw. However weapons like a gun wouldn’t typically be used as they don’t cause pain.

Codes and Conventions

In Horror

Characters

Villain/Killer Innocent Victim

Friend(s)

Police/Forensics

Setting(Isolated places)

Haunted/old houseAsylum/Hospital

Grave yard

Forest/Woods

Mental Patient

Ghost/Demon

Monster

Masked Murderer

Isolated TownProps

Mask -to hide identity

Weapon(Usually never a gun, always a weapon to

inflict pain)

Knife

Axe

Chainsaw

Sound

Foley sound helps build suspense

Exaggerated diegetic sound builds suspense

Long & suspenseful notes

Extreme changes of pitch

Sound effects

HeartbeatDoors creaking

Footsteps

Screaming

Sub Genres

Action horrorComedy Horror

Psychological Horror

Gothic Horror

Zombie Horror

Science Fiction HorrorSlasher Horror