History of genreMujammil Ali

IntroductionI have chosen to study the genres Horror and Thriller. Horror films are typically based around ghosts, demons, zombies/monsters and serial killers etc. Thriller on the other hand revolves around mysteries, creating suspense and tensions and building anticipation of things waiting to happen. The features of thriller typically involve violence, mysteries, puzzles, supernatural etc. This research will help me when planning my opening of my film as I will know what to include based on the past and present.

1920’sThese years were the silent era with books used as entertainment and the base of films.

- The first horror film was called The House of the Devil directed by Georges Méliès in 1896. The short film featured many conventions of horror films such as witches and ghosts which are common in films now.

- Alfred Hitchcock had directed the first thriller film called The Lodger (1927) which was based around Jack the Ripper. The film was filled with suspense. He has also directed the next few thriller films such as Blackmail (1929) which was the first sound film in Britain.

1930’s - 1940’sNew technology was invented with one technology that produced diegetic and nondiegetic sound.

- Hit horror films such as Dracula (1931) had been produced by Ted Browning along with Frankenstein (1931) by James Whale.

- Alfred Hitchcock had continued to direct more suspense thriller films with one winning an Oscar called Rebecca (1940). He created more of the conventions used in thriller including suspense and mysteries.

1950’s

People were still relieving from the wars that had taken place in the previous years. Major actors and actresses were used in films and technicolor was introduced.

- The Fly (1958) was an horror film directed by Kurt Neumann which was one of the first films to explore the use of CGI effects in films which helped make conventions such as monsters seem more realistic.

- Thriller films introduced famous actress Marilyn Monroe which encourages more audiences to view the film. Niagara (1953) directed by Henry Hathaway. Different directors other than Alfred Hitchcock had directed thriller films.

1960’sMore CGI was used within horror films. Old attitudes towards sex, violence and social norms was being challenged.

- Horror film called Psycho (1960) directed by Alfred Hitchcock once again had reflected on the changing mindset of western countries.

- New thriller films was directed by Michael Powell who had released many films such as Peeping Tom (1960).

1970’s - 1980’s

Budget horror films were produced with a theme of childbirth and children due to recent events revolving around Thalidomide, which caused birth defects. There was also a violent turn to the thriller genre.

- Horror film Alice, Sweet Alice (1976) featured heavy catholic iconography. Advancement technology allowed realistic close ups engaging audiences. The horror films were popular for creating body horror showcasing bloody content.

- More of the well known actors and directors involving Stephen Spielberg had directed thriller films called Duel (1971). R rated films were produced which had shown explicit scenes.

1990’s - 2000’sThis era showed more psychological/thriller horror and slasher films. The thrillers became more action and psychological as well. More trilogies are being created now such as The Dark Knight Trilogy.

- Horror slasher films involve Seed of Chucky (2004) directed by Don Mancini which was part of the Child's Play series from the 1990’s.

- The Silence of the Lamb (1991) is a thriller directed by the famous Jonathan Demme.

2010’s - presentRemakes had remained popular as well as sequels. More horrors are based around demons and spirits and thrillers become more action.

- Supernatural horror The Conjuring (2013) directed by James Wan was based around spirits and paranormal.

- Unknown (2011) directed by Jaume Collet-Serra. This film successfully was a hybrid of action, thriller and mystery. This proves action and thriller do perform well together.