Codes and conventions of the Horror genre

The Horror Genre like all genres have different sub genres and codes and conventions that define it.

The Sub-Genres of horror are

-Zombie
-Vampire
-Last Girl
-Dark Fantasy
-Gothic

General Horror Movie settings

-Haunted House


-Woods



-Graveyard



-Empty Streets



-Castles

Iconic Antagonist and threats in the Horror genre.

-Mad scientists

-Psychopaths

-Vampires

-Werewolfs

-Zombies

-Monsters

Preliminary Exercise

Match on Action: protagonist walking up the stairs (0:02, 0:15)

180 Degree Rule: was not broken during the conversation (0:26, 0:31)

Shot Reverse shot: used throughout the scene with the two characters talking to each other (0:26, 0:40)

Shot/Reverse Shot

A shot/reverse shot is an alternating shot, usually used on a conversation between two people. The two shots that are used must be equal in distance from an object and on opposite sides. This is used so we can see both of the people's faces when talking as well as their reactions.
This technique is very easy to create on the 180 degree rule and can be used over and over again in the same scene.

First scene


Second Scene


Third Scene, Back to the same camera angle as the first

Match on Action

Match on action is a cut between two shots of the same action from different positions. This makes it a simultaneous movement. Match on action is a good technique because it is unnoticeable by the audience and its great for action shots.

First Shot



Second Shot


Cuts from the teen beginning to open a door to the door being opened

180 degree rule

The 180-degree rule is a line of action not to be crossed.


The camera can be placed in any position as long as it remains on one side of the action. If the camera crosses the line of action, the actions will not make sence (Eyeline not meeting)

Preliminary Exercise Idea

For the preliminary task we have to film and edit a character opening a door, crossing a room, sitting down in a chair opposite someone else and have a short conversation, we have include examples the 180-degree rule, match on action and shot/reverse shot.

An idea we have for the task is a scene where two business men make a deal with a briefcase.

Setting:
Office

Mise en scene:
- Briefcase
- Suits
- Ties
- Computers
- Chairs
- Tables
- Telephone rings

How fear and suspense is created in 'The Sandman'

Lighting:
In the first scene with the mother and the child in the house, the room has nice bright orange and brown colours, which are connotations of warmth. when the child goes up to his room the lighting changes to a cold blue which is the opposite the warmth of his mother and the room.
The Lighting change makes the audience feel what the boy is feeling.

Sounds:
Piano notes are used when the sandman appears, which unnerves the audience as it is unknown what this figure is. This fades away to silence as the Sandman gets closer to the boy, and it is unclear what will happen next. which increasing the tension of the audience.

Camera movements:
To disorientate the audience, A Dutch tilt is used when the boy is climbing up the stairs which emphasis the feelings of fear running through the boy’s mind.

Horror Movie Case Study: Alien

Ailen is a horror/Sci-fi film Written by Dan O'Bannon and Directed by Ridley Scott whom is a famous directed and is know for such non-horror films such as Black Hawk Down and Gladiator. It is also been rumored that he is to produce the Ailen Prequals in 2013.

Alien is first film of the Alien series, it was released in 6 September 1979 and was a big hit at the boxoffice. It stars Tom Skerritt as Dallas and Sigourney Weaver playing Ripley as the main roles.
The Film starts with a mining ship that lands on a planet to investigate upon a SOS, the entire crew are unaware of the danger when a alien life-form attach's itself to the face of a crew member. It is later established that Unknown to everyone, this is just the start of the terror of the Aliens which will affect every member of the crew. The main conventions used in the film are of Aliens, Blood and Gore, Fear and Darkness

Welcome to my AS Media Blog

I am Chris Townshend, The camera man for creeper films and I am one of three students working on a horror film opening sequence that lasts 2 minutes.
For the sequence, We have to use a number of different camera and editing techniques to show we understand them all. they will be explained in a later post

This blog is to show our understanding of different film techniques beening that of a horror genre or not and also explaining the thought process and reasoning behind each decision and idea we make for the sequence.