On this page we have researched different aspects of the horror genre. this includes looking at iconic horror films to see the common themes , symbols and scenes used and the storyline for inspiration. we also looked at the several different sub genres and what they commonly include and how they are different from each other. our sub genre is slasher so we had to research this genre before we could make our media products. Technical and symbolic codes are important elements to be used in our trailer as we looked at how they are used in horror trailers.
ICONIC HORROR FILMS
HORROR SEMIOTICS
Symbolic and technical codes are regularly used in horror movies. Those Trailers are some examples.
This trailer features a lot of religious symbols such as the cross and the bible giving a sense of insecurity as even God cannot save the characters. This gives the horror genre a stronger fright factor as things that we would usually associate with safety are flipped and gives a sense of fear.
religious symbols such as these can connote (the cross) innocence , good and purity. however , symbols such as the satanic symbol is a juxtaposition and can connote evil , darkness , revenge and death. just from using certain symbols in horror movies they can infer different meanings to the audience. this is an example of an symbolic code.
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In this trailer, it features a lot of silence to create tension as the antagonist is blind and relies on sound. This makes the silence even more impactful as it brings together the scene making it feel like anything could jump out to the audience.
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HORROR SUB GENRES
HORROR THEORIES
Slideshow on Horror Theories including: Genre , Narrative , Representation and Audiences
This video demonstrates the use of the "MALE GAZE" in film. it is how the camera is used in the point of view of a male an example of this is when the camera focuses on a womans features in a sexual form. This can also be seen when women are portrayed as inferior and weak.
TRAILER CONTENT ANALYSIS
The trailer content analysis was one of the first tasks we did that allowed us to look specifically at TRAILERS. To analyse them by camera , sound , editing and shots. As we are going to be making our own trailers this was useful in showing the certain patterns of trailers and what they contained. For example in almost every trailer only around 3 shots of the aggressor were shown in comparison to victims which was more than 10 times. That is an aspect we can take on board and emulate.
TREATMENTS
We all made one individual treatment. A treatment is like a pre-plan of what the film is going to be and consist of. For example characters , synopsis , symbolic codes and so on. A treatment really helps to begin planning and stimulating ideas for trailers and gave us more knowledge on all the different aspects that need to be considered when making a film.
FILM CRITS
These our some of our film crits. We did three each and this was really effective in making us analyse the horror movies we watch and try to break down the narrative , characters and setting. You could see some similar patterns between movies but they always manage to be slightly different from each other , which goes back to Steve Neale's theory on genre. These were very helpful and could have inspired some of our own ideas.
STORYBOARDS
These our some of our storyboards that we did previously. We did these to illustrate the ideas of our treatments to help us visualize them. As you can see the drawings did not have to be perfect , but it was very effective practice for when we actually have to make our horror trailers and need a storyboard to follow and create.
SUMMER WORK
For our summer work we had to either make horror magazines or posters. Most of us chose to do posters and this is what we achieved without any teacher's assistance , all our individual works. We used common codes and conventions of horror posters (film title , dark lighting , credits) and tried to make them look realistic and different.