The document analyzes top directors in the horror genre to help the author with their upcoming film production. It discusses Wes Craven, Stanley Kubrick, Tobe Hooper, James Wan, and George Romero. For each director, it provides biographical information, lists some of their horror films, and identifies trademarks and techniques they used, such as Craven's emphasis on costumes/appearances and use of foreshadowing. The document aims to increase the author's knowledge of successful techniques within the genre.

1. Top 5 Directors within
the Horror Genre
Suzanne Micael
In order to direct and produce my film production, It was important I analysed some
of the successful film directors within the Horror genre in the years and key
techniques and trademarks these people used in their own movies. This would also
increase my knowledge of the industry recognising key examples of films within
Horror.

2. Wes Craven
August 2nd 1939
List of Films
 Last House on the Left (1972)
 The Hills Have Eyes ( 1977)
 Stranger in our House (1978)
 Deadly Blessing( 1981)
 Swamp Thing ( 1982)
 Invitation to Hell (1984)
 The Hills Have Eyes II (1977)
 A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
 Chiller (1985)
 Deadly Friend (1986)
 The Serpent and the Rainbow (1988)
 Shocker (1989)
 Night Visions (1990)
 The People Under the Stairs (1991)
 New Nightmare (1994)
 Vampire in Brooklyn (1995)
 Scream (1996)
 Scream 2 (1997)
 Scream 3 (2000)
 Cursed (2005)
 Red Eye (2005)
 My Soul to Take (2010)
 Scream 4 ( 2011)
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Information on Director
Craven , a household name in the Horror Genre has
innovated the genre in many ways with his endless list of
successful slasher films.
Since his first role in the film industry as a sound editor,
his skills and knowledge of the industry particularly this
genre has developed. One of his majorly celebrated films
include Scream as well as the rest of the Scream Series
which kick-started many trends now seen in modern day
Horror flicks. I chose to analyse Cravens films as I wanted
to see trends that he has used consistently in many of his
films as a person of experience.
Directors Trademark
Craven emphasises on his characters costuming and appearance to
convey a specific portrayal of the stock characters.
His Villains are often deformed and appear monstrous
Foreshadowing is a key convention in Cravens film to suggest the
ways in which the character will die.
Films include a camera movement that follow the characters in their
escape from the villain.

3. Stanley Kubrick
July 26th 1928 - 1999
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List of Films within the Genre
 The Shining (1980)
Other films outside the Genre
 Lolita (1962)
 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
 A Clockwork Orange (1971)
 Barry Lyndon (1975)
Directors Trademark
Extreme camera angles for example the opening
credit to ‘The Shining’ displays an ariel shot to set
the scenery of the location .
Wide angle shots and tracking movements for a
smooth finish.
Artificial lighting in the foreground in particular
shots to highlight the main character
Information on Director
Although Kubrick did not venture into the Horror genre often in his career, ‘The
Shining’ still arguably remains to be one of the most famous depiction of the
Horror Genre. Many aspects of this film were very refreshing at the time it was
released such as the trailer shown at the time, which alone captivated a lot of
people intrigued by the bloody hallway. Kubrick managed to change and
influence many of the up and coming directors of the 20th century in this one
film. This was the main reason I wanted to watch this film, including the fact this
film is a personal favorite.

4. Tobe Hooper
January 25th 1943
List of Films within the
Genre
 Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)
 Death Trap (1977)
 The Poltergeist (1982)
 Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 (1986)
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Directors Trademark
 Hooper relies on a solid script and dialogue that builds to
a characters portrayal.
CGI effects to create more realistic looking deaths
Structured shots compiled to display a sequence of
events.
Use of mise-en-scene props for example the chainsaw in
‘Texas Chainsaw Massacre’
Information on Director
Hooper began his career as a college lecturer and
documentary camera man slowly developing his film
techniques. His influence in the horror genre became
more popular in the mid 70s after his accomplishment
with Texas Chain Saw Massacre.
Hooper since has been honoured with many awards for
his achievement in film and is now known as a true
‘Master of Horror’.

5. James Wan
February 26th 1977
List of Films within the Genre
 Saw (2004)
 Dead Silence (2007)
 Death Sentence (2007)
 Insidious (2010)
 The Conjuring (2013)
 Insidious Chapter 2 (2013)
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Information on Director
As one of the more modern Horror film directors,
Wan has seen success with the majority of his films
earning him his position in this directors list. I chose
to look at his films as an inspiration for my film as his
target demographic is similar to mine and having
watched almost all of his work, I have recognised
trademarks and conventions that I could use in my
production. Wan has been described as one of the
most exciting new filmmakers to hit the genre over
the last few years
Trademarks of Director
 Location and mise-en-scene has to be
visually phenomenal
Certain editing techniques to create a scary
motif
Orchestral eerie sound motif
Ensure the audience are able to pick up on
many details.

6. George Romero
February 4th 1940
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List of Films
 Night of the Living Dead (1968)
 Season of a Witch ( 1972)
 The Crazies (1973)
 Martin (1976)
 Dawn of the Dead (1978)
 Creepshow (1982)
 Day of the Dead (1985)
 Monkey Shines (1988)
 Two Evil Eyes (1990)
 The Dark Half (1993)
 Bruiser (2000)
 Land of the Dead (2005)
 Diary of the Dead (2007)
 Survival of the Dead (2009)
Information on Director
Producing on the most celebrated Horror movies of all time ‘Night of
the Living Dead’, Romero has gone on to direct numerous other
films within the genre not experiencing the same success but still
including his quality line of the work. His work revolutionised the
‘zombie’ films of the 20th century. His films are considerably
gruesome and his story telling techniques combined create a truly
horrifying element to the genre.
Directors Trademarks
Extreme makeup effects and
makeup in the creation of his
Zombie characters
Ambient Sounds of general
objects to create the sounds of
the movement of the Zombies
Close-up shots to present the
makeup of the zombie.