Research into horror films

1. Research of film posters and DVD
covers for suggestions of
characterisation, narrative, genre and
audience etc.

2. Horror

3.  Horror film covers tend to have very dark,
cynical colours on their DVD covers to show the
extent of the horror genre.
 The front cover usually relates to the main story
or character of the film. i.e. Hannibal cover is a
picture of Hannibal.
 The text on the covers of the horror films tend
to be simple and sometimes linked into the
image on the cover. i.e. Hostel’s front DVD
cover…
 On horror film covers, there is sometimes
spotlights on important objects on the cover.

4. Narratives of Horror Films
 Generally, in horror films there is a chronological narrative that is
an ongoing story with no flashbacks.
 You very seldom get a non-chronological narrative in horror films.
 The narratives in horror films tend to be simple and they focus on
the horror in each scene rather than flashbacks in the film.
 The assumption is that the way a horror film is told is going to be
very similar across all horror films, that’s what makes it
recognisable to the audience.
 A narrative convention of any genre is its predictable set of plot
events.

5. Typical 3 Act Structure
 As sited in Film a Critical Introduction.
 The first action a horror film focuses on is central characters beginning a
venture into a strange and ultimately threatening setting.
 Stumbling into a forbidding, and often forbidden, setting unleashes a
wave of violence that leaves many of the protagonists dead. As those who
survive the initial onslaught begin to fight back, fear and fatigue provoke
dissention within the group, putting them at greater risk. Those who have
come in contact with the monster may try to warn the larger community,
or they go to the authorities to muster up support, only to be met with
disbelief and derision.
 The climax of the film generally involves a dramatic, sometimes
apocalyptic, showdown between the main characters and the monster,
with varying results. In contemporary horror films the resolution of the
plot leaves open the possibility of the monster’s return.