The Horror Genre

L.O: •To be able to apply what we have learnt about the conventions of the horror genre to analyse film openings•To start to think about how we could apply these conventions to our own production work

Conventional characters

• Zombies• Vampires• Psycho killers• Female victims• Male heroes

Conventional settings

• Haunted house• Science lab• Forest• Graveyard

Conventional sound

• Low sinister bass notes• Children singing• Screaming• Creaky doors• Howling wolves

Conventional narrative

• Based on a true story• Revenge• Camping trip goes wrong• Scientific experiment goes bad

Conventional iconography

• Crucifix• Grave stones• Knives/axes etc• Full moon• Blood• Masks

Conventional camera work

• Extreme close ups• Hand held camera• POV shots• High angle• Low angle

The Exorcism of Emily Rose

Watch the opening scene of the film:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcC5nitXol4

Make a list of typical conventions that are used in the sequence.

ActivityIn pairs, look on You Tube for an opening of a horror film of your choice.

1. What typical conventions are used in the opening scene?2. How does this film challenge the typical conventions of the genre?3. What techniques does the director use to grab the audience’s attention and make

them want to watch the rest of the film?4. Which of these techniques and conventions could you use in you own

productions?

Write up your analysis onto your blog with a link to your chosen opening scene.There are some links you can use on the next slide…

Links to Opening Scenes

• The Grudge http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-Kjg6jLgQ8• Paranormal Entity

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AzS9HI96Q0• Halloween 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2xQhjYWKbE• Scream http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFCStOMqpfk• The Ring http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4e4DBZ_eeGg• Dog Soldiers http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2X5RL-U8ec

More links

• The Omen http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eq04D4xf9Xw

• Dawn of the Dead http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrsjnH-by2E

• Creepshow http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gbLnw6Muk0

• Child’s Play http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COexY4FJEEI