2. An effective film opening
An effective film opening normally opens by starting of th the introduction of the
storyline which then the protagonist and the antagonist are introduced. Generally
in a horror film, people expect to see blood, gore and weapons involved what
normally a predator. This is not always a case as they like to to do this later on as
they build up tension. The lighting and angles of the camera build up tension
before showing the gore. This adds a dramatic effect as they are building up to
something.
3. Genre
Sub genres are a subcategory of a particular genre. For example, For example
you have gore which is blood, screaming and shouting, a phone ringing or
weapons being shown. The absence of icons are the things that make something
scary and or gives the perception that something more scarier or something scary
is going to happen.
4. Types of monsters in horror
The types of monsters in horror are things such as; zombies which are mutations,
witches which are classed as aliens, werewolves casted as devils, evil queens
casted as dracula's. However there is also a concept nowadays of having things
like dolls, teddies, clowns used as a monster or something to scare people with
things that are usually used to make people happy.
5. Monsters in horror
Monsters in horror films can be represented in many different ways, it usually used
depending on the fears of society as the time. For example back in 1950s they
probably had more horror films which had monsters that were draculas and
witches where as now in 2015 they will be suing mosner audhc as teddies and
clowns as monsters. The first monster in horror was a zombie and the concept
was a zombie s a human mutated and has given the perception
that they are not just monster but have emotions too and that
they are another form of a human.
6. Key developments in Horror
In 1930s horror films were based on literature and the monsters involved were Dracula and Frankenstein.
In 1950s and 1960s monsters such as aliens were introduced to take away some of the nation's cold war
by allowing humankind to seem in control and wanting to achieve peace. During this era, films such as
‘Godzilla’ were made. In 1970s, realism was introduced to the genre and more relatable films generated
more fright during this time and films such as ‘Psycho’ were made. In 1980s, slashers were the most
popular subgenres in Horror, these films included special effects creating monsters as villains. Films such
as ‘An American Werewolf’ were made at this time. In 1990s, Psychological thrillers were introduced and
fear of the unknown was used widely. The film ‘Blair Witch Project’ changed the horror genre completely
as it introduced a unique style as, films such as Se7en and had a lot of religious connotations as victims
had to pay for their sins. Finally in the 2000s, films being made were starting to show things like,
predictions for world chaos and destruction such as, ‘The Day After Tomorrow’ and films as well as ‘Final
Destination ‘ showing inescapable and unprovoked deaths.
7. Why the genre changed the way it did overtime
Horror genre has changed overtime because over the years Horror has had to
change in order to suit their target audience and to make sure it's not repetitive
which makes it boring and predictable. The changes included, plots being more
complex with things such as cliffhangers at the beginning and scenes being more
psychologically baffling, for example; the different angles and shots that are used
to make scenes more realistic and things such as blood and gore which has
increased the shock of the viewers.
8. Big hits
The most bigs hits since the genre horror came out are:
Psycho- 1960
Alien- 1979
Sleepy hollow- 1999
Halloween- -2007
The conjuring- 2013
Extinction- 2015
9. How it will help me
Researching the sub genre’s and the history of horror will help me with my film
opening as I will be able to learn what is used frequently, what is popular and what
most horror films have in common that have been a successful hit. This is
beneficial to me as I will be able to pick the similarities and use them in my film
opening which will be interesting and relevant to the genre. Also, it will help me
plan my own work because I will have an insight of what the audience will be
expecting, helping me understand what the current trend is in the Horror genre.
This will allow me to pick out popular aspects from previous historically popular
horror films.
