Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Friday, December 10, 2010
Targetting an Audience: Scream
How does this film target particular social groups
Scream aims at an age group between 18 and 25. This is because of its teen horror sub genre, containing mainly teenage protagonists. This can be made for both genders as there is a strong female protagonist that women can relate to. For males, there is action, gore and attractive women This is a film with a predominantly white cast, aimed at middle aged white people.
How are these social groups attracted to the product?
These social groups are attracted to the product through things like adverts etc, which are broadcast on television, the internet, magazines and billboards. Other methods of attraction are;
- Junklets
- Billboards
- Reviews/ word of mouth
Scream aims at an age group between 18 and 25. This is because of its teen horror sub genre, containing mainly teenage protagonists. This can be made for both genders as there is a strong female protagonist that women can relate to. For males, there is action, gore and attractive women This is a film with a predominantly white cast, aimed at middle aged white people.
How are these social groups attracted to the product?
These social groups are attracted to the product through things like adverts etc, which are broadcast on television, the internet, magazines and billboards. Other methods of attraction are;
- Junklets
- Billboards
- Reviews/ word of mouth
Summary of effective horror movie features
From my research, i have found the following methods are used best to create an effective horror opening;
Camera Work
- Camera angles are mainly handheld to give a sense of realism
- Medium shots are used mainly for conversations/ build up etc
- Close ups are used of iconography and of the monster fodder, to give the antagonist a sense of closeness.
Editing
- Minimal editing used to show calmness, editing speeds up with presence of the antagonist to show fear and panic.
- Motivated shots used to hint at the antics of the antagonist.
- Matched cuts (Shot/reverse shot) are used to show conversation.
Lighting
- High use of filter lights to create shadows and a chairoscuro effect.
- Protagonists lit more than antagonist, this has been done to represent morality etc.
Sound
- Eerie, non diegetic sounds fade in and out to create tension when danger approaches.
- Diegetic screams and shouts used as iconography of the genre.
- Crescendo used to build tention.
Camera Work
- Camera angles are mainly handheld to give a sense of realism
- Medium shots are used mainly for conversations/ build up etc
- Close ups are used of iconography and of the monster fodder, to give the antagonist a sense of closeness.
Editing
- Minimal editing used to show calmness, editing speeds up with presence of the antagonist to show fear and panic.
- Motivated shots used to hint at the antics of the antagonist.
- Matched cuts (Shot/reverse shot) are used to show conversation.
Lighting
- High use of filter lights to create shadows and a chairoscuro effect.
- Protagonists lit more than antagonist, this has been done to represent morality etc.
Sound
- Eerie, non diegetic sounds fade in and out to create tension when danger approaches.
- Diegetic screams and shouts used as iconography of the genre.
- Crescendo used to build tention.
Setting
- Isolated house, an ordinary environment provokes a sense of horror through realism. Any isolated, inescapable setting can be used.
Characters
- Monster fodder constantly used, no development of caracter or back story given, antagonist is myserious.
Narrative
- Linear, stating a very clear beginning, middle and end. Flashbacks can also be incorporated into this.
- Three act structure, includes set up, confrontation and resolution.
Music Research
Batman 1989
This film is not of the horror genre, but its gothic aspects create a very interesting soundtrack. The soundtrack consists, mainly, of orchestral elements. However it uses more individual and spookier instruments such as a celeste - a piano-like instrument which creates a high pitched chiming sound.
Composed by Danny Elfman, who features minimalistic aspects in his compositions, the piece gives a dark feel which suits the directing style of Tim Burton. The gothic yet heroic feel of the piece suits Batman's character perfectly through a minor tone.
This would fit perfectly into my piece as a 'dark' element within the soundtrack is essential to a horror movie. r
This film is not of the horror genre, but its gothic aspects create a very interesting soundtrack. The soundtrack consists, mainly, of orchestral elements. However it uses more individual and spookier instruments such as a celeste - a piano-like instrument which creates a high pitched chiming sound.
Composed by Danny Elfman, who features minimalistic aspects in his compositions, the piece gives a dark feel which suits the directing style of Tim Burton. The gothic yet heroic feel of the piece suits Batman's character perfectly through a minor tone.
This would fit perfectly into my piece as a 'dark' element within the soundtrack is essential to a horror movie. r
Case Study 2: Saw II
Saw II begins with production titles. The first scene commences with a close up of a light bulb through a green filter, depicting the scene as isolated and gloomy, and also being representative of the light of thew protagonist being engulfed by the evil of the antagonist. A panning shot is then taken, across a dark space, to create a wipe effect which immediately leads to a close up of a vent, giving the feeling the character is being watched and thus provoking fear.
The camera then pans across the room in order to focus on a small, green filtered light on the wall - implying more feelings of isolation and claustrophobia. A motivated cut is then used to show the audience a telivision and a half open box. This hinting nature keeps the audience attracted by making them more involved with the movie, making them look for answers.
Iconography is then revealed through a close up of a mirror depicting the characters mutilated eye. The use of a mirror and a television creates noteable distance between the antagonist and monster fodder, which leads us to view the antagonist as 'unbeatable' or omnipotent, though this view, generally, changes and the antagonist is defeated at the end of the piece - equilibrium restored. The shot revealing the device around the neck of the character completes this establishing sequence of shots, stereotypical iconography of the genre (blood, darkness etc) are used throughout.
The majority of shots are handheld, a common trait of the horror genre which evokes a sense of closeness and places the audience into the film. Frantic quick edits are used to build tension and panic, reflective of the character, in the viewer. Filter lights are favoured over key and back lights to create lots of shady dark corners - almost a chairoscuro effect,
The camera then pans across the room in order to focus on a small, green filtered light on the wall - implying more feelings of isolation and claustrophobia. A motivated cut is then used to show the audience a telivision and a half open box. This hinting nature keeps the audience attracted by making them more involved with the movie, making them look for answers.
Iconography is then revealed through a close up of a mirror depicting the characters mutilated eye. The use of a mirror and a television creates noteable distance between the antagonist and monster fodder, which leads us to view the antagonist as 'unbeatable' or omnipotent, though this view, generally, changes and the antagonist is defeated at the end of the piece - equilibrium restored. The shot revealing the device around the neck of the character completes this establishing sequence of shots, stereotypical iconography of the genre (blood, darkness etc) are used throughout.
The majority of shots are handheld, a common trait of the horror genre which evokes a sense of closeness and places the audience into the film. Frantic quick edits are used to build tension and panic, reflective of the character, in the viewer. Filter lights are favoured over key and back lights to create lots of shady dark corners - almost a chairoscuro effect,
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Case Study 1: Scream
Camera angles/shots
- Handheld shots give the movie a sense of realism and lack of stability. It is this loss of control, combined with the realistic mise en scene, that provokes horror in the audience.
- Shots are mainly medium with little use of long shots. This gives a sense of isolation, emphasising the lack of suppport the monster fodder character has (a trait common within the teen horror genre). When close ups are used, they are taken from the antagonist's perspective in order to give a sense of closeness and dominance.
Editing
- Slow paced editing is used at the beginning to give a sense of calmness, making the initial scare more effective.
- Jump cuts are used to link antagonists location with dangerous objects. For example, a shot of outside the house cuts to an ovens naked flame. This could have been done to foreshadow danger.
- Cuts to shots away from the main character are very brief, her despair is highlighted.
Lighting
- Predominantly, filter lights are used. This creates dark corners and partly lit areas, suggesting to the viewer that there is more than meets the eye in this situation.
- Upon the antagonists presence, only natural lighting is used. This signifies the true dominance of the antagonist over the monster fodder.
Sound
- A parallel crescendo of orchestral music has been used to build tension as the antics of the antagonist become more violent.
- The telephone call becomes somewhat of a trademark of this franchise and, along with constant diegetic screams, is used to provoke horror in the viewer.
Mise en Scene
- An abundance of objects and ornaments in the house almost adds to the sense of shock then the antagonist enters and causes destruction.
- The mise en scene gives a sense of normality which makes the sense of horror more identifiable with the majority of the audience.
- Handheld shots give the movie a sense of realism and lack of stability. It is this loss of control, combined with the realistic mise en scene, that provokes horror in the audience.
- Shots are mainly medium with little use of long shots. This gives a sense of isolation, emphasising the lack of suppport the monster fodder character has (a trait common within the teen horror genre). When close ups are used, they are taken from the antagonist's perspective in order to give a sense of closeness and dominance.
Editing
- Slow paced editing is used at the beginning to give a sense of calmness, making the initial scare more effective.
- Jump cuts are used to link antagonists location with dangerous objects. For example, a shot of outside the house cuts to an ovens naked flame. This could have been done to foreshadow danger.
- Cuts to shots away from the main character are very brief, her despair is highlighted.
Lighting
- Predominantly, filter lights are used. This creates dark corners and partly lit areas, suggesting to the viewer that there is more than meets the eye in this situation.
- Upon the antagonists presence, only natural lighting is used. This signifies the true dominance of the antagonist over the monster fodder.
Sound
- A parallel crescendo of orchestral music has been used to build tension as the antics of the antagonist become more violent.
- The telephone call becomes somewhat of a trademark of this franchise and, along with constant diegetic screams, is used to provoke horror in the viewer.
Mise en Scene
- An abundance of objects and ornaments in the house almost adds to the sense of shock then the antagonist enters and causes destruction.
- The mise en scene gives a sense of normality which makes the sense of horror more identifiable with the majority of the audience.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Sub Genres
The horror genre has many sub-genres. These are, ultimately, genres within genres that help define horror movies further. I have conducted a short research into both psychological and teen horror.
Psychological Horror
This sub genre involves the antagonist being a relatively normal character in physical terms, but is normally mentally abnormal, e.g psycho or sociopathical. He/she will torment the protagonist by means of threats, psychological torture and kills of monster fodder before commiting to a physical attack. These movies are generally fairly simplistic, low budgeted and use little gore/special effects, an example of psychological horror is The Sixth Sense.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7yisJGI0Lg&feature=related
Teen Horror
This involves young, defenceless teens and an antagonist. Normally, the teens are in a vulnerable situation (i.e a party) as is depicted in the film Shrooms. In this movie the teens are taking drugs in the wilderness when the antagonist attacks, leaving the teens unable to call for adult help (a common trait of teen horror movies). The Antagonist is also portrayed to be an older, more powerful being - as is the case in nightmare on elm street. This sub genre uses more special effects in the form of gore, making it harder to film on my budget.
Psychological Horror
This sub genre involves the antagonist being a relatively normal character in physical terms, but is normally mentally abnormal, e.g psycho or sociopathical. He/she will torment the protagonist by means of threats, psychological torture and kills of monster fodder before commiting to a physical attack. These movies are generally fairly simplistic, low budgeted and use little gore/special effects, an example of psychological horror is The Sixth Sense.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7yisJGI0Lg&feature=related
Teen Horror
This involves young, defenceless teens and an antagonist. Normally, the teens are in a vulnerable situation (i.e a party) as is depicted in the film Shrooms. In this movie the teens are taking drugs in the wilderness when the antagonist attacks, leaving the teens unable to call for adult help (a common trait of teen horror movies). The Antagonist is also portrayed to be an older, more powerful being - as is the case in nightmare on elm street. This sub genre uses more special effects in the form of gore, making it harder to film on my budget.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)