1. Social Group that commonly
feature in Horror films or movies:
Teenagers
2. Representation of characters in
Horror:
• Teenagers in horror films are represented as predictably naïve and lacking
common sense. An example of this would be by ignoring warnings in ‘slasher’
films or movies such as ’Danger of death do not enter’. This inevitably leads to
their demise which is commonly predicted. This in some forms follows Levi
Strauss’ theory which sates there must always be binary oppositions for
everything within film. The idea of the warning sign (intelligence) and the
teenager who ignores it (lack of intelligence or stupidity). Another example is
good and evil or light and dark, at the end of most horror films or their
respective series the villain is killed or destroyed, this shows the struggle
between good (hero character as shown in Propps’ theory, the teenager) and
evil (the villain, the monster).
3. Representation of characters in
Horror:
• Another way characters are represented is by sexualising the
female characters. This is done with the characters costumes and
attitude. Most teen ‘Slasher’ films or movies have some form of
sexual activity or sexual implication within them. For example short
shorts and a thin crop top is an example of overly sexualising a
female character within the horror genre. In a small way Propp’s
theory also comes into the sexualisation of a female character in
the respect that they are the love interest or princess. This is only
slightly similar however in most horror films there is some form of
romance that ends with death and gore.
4. My Film or Movie:
• For my film or movie I intend to follow the stereotypes to conform
with the rest of the horror genre. This will enable the film to have
interesting characters and follow the genres regular plan. The
stereotypes help give the audience an idea of the character before
they have fully understood them which I can use to my advantage.
An example of this could be the protagonist, the audience can see
the character is a leader before the film has properly started. These
stereotypes are common within horror conventions.
• This will appeal to my target audience as this is what they have
seen before and therefore spend less time trying to figure out what
each character is like and more time on the storyline itself.
Additionally, the characters are following the simple teen
stereotypes which allow people to immediately predict what each
character is like. Horror conventions dictate what the characters are
like and this is what I intend to follow.
