my genre convention draft 1

Behnaz Bazmi
For my project I will be producing a horror genre short movie. As I have researched the Horror movies have been around since silent movies (E.g. Nosferatu: A Symphony Of Horror, Directed by F. W. Murnau a German vampire film.) In the 70s and 80s horror movies was at its highest point and was the most popular genre. However by the end of the 80s and beginning of 90s the scary horror movies popularity started to died down. The horror convention includes features such as death, blood, killing, victim & villain. These types of movies were designed to frighten and cause a panic within the viewers. Some to cause dread and alarm, to invoke our hidden worst fears, often in a terrifying, shocking finale, meanwhile it amuses and entertains the audience. This is also done by using darkness, short snappy camera shots, violent soundtracks, screaming etc.
These factors have helped me with deciding what kind of shots and mise-en-scene I would be using for my short movie. As I watched horror movies through the years I have realised that the older movies have less of an effect on the audiences.
Back in the day when silent movie was out, reactions where a lot different then, then they are now. For example ‘Scream’ 1996 directed by Wes Craven
Had a huge impact on the audience as it brought out the viewers fears, in the year 1996, however if we compare the reactions between 1996 and 2009, the audiences expectations have increased dramatically. In this generation some may even find ‘Scream’ more of a comedy film rather than scary. This is because of the high expectation in what happens in the plot. The audience prefer to see a film that brings out the dark side of life, the forbidden, strange, and alarming events. It could be argued that ‘Saw’ (directed by James Wan) is the new generation of ‘Scream.’ The movie includes a lot more killing, violent, scary features.
Directors try to create a movie that brings out the viewers nightmares, our vulnerability, our terror of the unknown, our fear of death and loss of identity. Its these factors that create the tension within a film which makes the audience panic, but at the same time, at the end of the movie they could argue and reassure their fears it’s just another fictional movie.
Wearing a mask in a horror movie has become a horror convention. It almost represents a feel that a non-identifying character scares audience more than a non-masked character would. ‘Frankenstein, The wolf man, Scream, Saw.) Dolls may some times be used, the reason for this is because dolls are always cute ornaments, but the thought of it been alive freaks the audiences out. For example ’ Bride of Chucky’ 1998 directed by Ronny Yu. Even though its only a doll it has a huge impact on the audience, the unappealing scary looks is a step towards scaring the viewers.
Furthermore its not always masks and dolls which scare the audience. In films such as ‘Jaws’ directed by Steven Spielberg 1975 The villain was the shark. It could be argued that Jaws scared a lot more viewers than a film such as ’The Ring, directed by Gore Verbinski 2002.’ Jaws won 3 Oscars and two was just for Best Sound and Best Music. The movie Jaws would not of been as successful without the spooky soundtrack. This goes to show how much of an effect sound has on scary films. Steven Spielberg has done such a good job on Jaws that to this day ‘Jaws’ leaves people not only scared but terrified of the sea.
Furthermore in horror movies the use of camera and shots used are very crucial. In chase or killing scene not only has the director have to present a chase scene but they also have to make the audience fear, scared, terrified. This is done by quick shots create a scary visual image, extreme close up to extreme long shot to the Dutch tilt are also often used. ‘Jaws’ is a brilliant example, The shining directed by Stanley Kubrick 1980 is also another. Its how the directors use the camera to create fear within the audience.
Lighting is also another factor, that emphasises and creates the spooky feeling. Darkness. In the film
‘The silence of the lamb directed by Jonathan Demme 1991’ the dark setting in the jail, the lighting been mainly dark creates a unsettling feelings. Unlike a romantic film which includes happy natural colours, horror movies tend to have a negative dark side to them.
Overall using the information I have I will try to adapt my short film to the horror conventions. Without the above features a horror would not be scary. To achieve a attention-grabbing, Goosebumps feeling having a dark setting, costume, weapon, victim, villain, dark humour etc.