Research into similar products:Research into the horror genre

As stated in a previous blog post i am heavily leaning on the idea of having it follow the genre of either thriller or horror and as in my previous blog post i took my research into the thriller genre it was only fitting that i took a look into the horror movie.

The horror genre aims to create a sense of fear, panic, alarm and dread for the audience. The films in the horror genre often have a unsettling tone and rely on scaring the audience through the portrayal of the their worst fears. They normally centre on the arrival of an evil entity, person or evil force. Horror movies even incorporate mythical things like ghosts and that of the supernatural and include large amounts of gore and violence. Horror can be connected through a hybrid into the thriller genre.

Most horror movies tries to play with the audiences emotions and so the genre will try to prey on the following aspects.

• Nightmares- Something everyone experiences.
• Vulnerability- Inability to withstand the effects of a hostile environment.
• Alienation- Being alone is one of the scariest thoughts for most people.
• Fear of the unknown- Not knowing whats going to happen- can be as simple as a low lit room.
• Death- The inevitable and also the unknown.
• Loss of identity- Losing everything you once were.

Setting:

It is often set in a small urban community or an isolated place. Dark (low key lighted) settings. The setting likes to connotes  the idea of being alone and isolated. Most often the setting will have a 'dark history' connected to it. Most common horror movie settings are forests, any type of abandoned building, small urban communities or even the bigger cities. Most settings are further away from communities as this ploy so that the protagonist won't be able to run for help.

Camera work:

• High angle shot- This type of shot makes the object or person look incredibly vulnerable and powerless.
• Close up shot- This is used to see the reaction and emotion that is on the characters face. This shot can also capture detail in an important scene.
• Tracking- Simply this shot connotes movement within the movie world. This type of shot is used very effectively in the horror genre as it could imply that someone is being followed or watched.
• Tilted angle- Can add a-lot of dramatic tension to the scene. One of the great examples that horror movies use this shot as if the camera is a character lying on the floor and you see what they see. It can also be used to get a different shot across to the audience.
• Long shot- To establish the movies setting or establish the scene.
• Low angle shot- Can make the main antagonist seem even more intimidating or scary to the audience, can make the character below the villain or even the audience feel weak and insignificant.
• Hand held camera- Adds a sense of reality to the movie, make it seem like it really happened.

Mise en scene

The film often uses props to promote the idea of it being a horror and to also spook the audience, can add to a scene and make it more dark and sinister. Lighting in a horror usually follows the idea of it being more pulled back and the colours not being too extravagant, by the colours being more low-key it gives it a more 'sad' and sombre mood.

Iconography:

Most horror movies uses this technique with objects that the audience can relate too. They usually have aspects like ghostly figures, dark places and unusual things happening such as doors slamming etc. In the case of supernatural horrors there is normally a priest who comes in to solve the dark story.

Visual style- Colours like red and black which can imply and link to evil, blood and danger. The low-key lighting can represent the dark tone. Props can also be featured.

Character types:

The main protagonist- Often the victim or hero of the movie.

The main villain- Often a monster or mutated freak.

Technical codes:

• Camera work is very expensive and not natural; high and low an angle connotes fear.
• POV shots are important because they allow the audience to see the world from the monsters eyes.
• Sometimes framework uses depth of field, makes it harder to see the monster creeping up.