RG "The Woman in Black" (Watkins, 2012)

Genre

• The genre that is represented in 'The Woman in Black' is horror but a sub-genre of supernatural horror.
• In this opening sequence the audiences expectations for a supernatural horror are fulfilled. This is seen through the use of a house as location, the use of selective sound when the girls step on the dolls, and the fact that the antagonist is shown as unknown throughout the scene.

Form and Style of Opening

•  A sense of foreboding is created in this opening scene through the use of sound, mise-en-scene and camerawork. 
• Character exposition is present as we only see a portion of what we are led to be the antagonist of the film. We are also shown a preview of what her role is in the movie, which involves the death of children.
• The titles are integrated into the footage through a transition of smoke, this creates an eery effect for the words 'The Woman in Black' to appear on screen.
• The title of the film connotes negativity as the colour black normally connotes darkness and fear of something we cannot see. The woman being the antagonist reverses the typical convention of a supernatural horror movie as they are normally the protagonist.

Film Language and Narrative

At the beginning of the opening sequence there is an extreme close up of a little girl pretending to sip into a tea cup and then a cut to another extreme close up of the girl giving it to the doll. As they are using teacups and saucers, it represents the idea of the movie being located in England, as tea is shown as a stereotypical part of British life. Meaning the location creates verisimilitude as it is realistic and able for the audience to relate to.

The chime in the music gives the soundtrack a childish feel and the use of children is a very common convention for the horror genre as they are vulnerable, and many humans "care for children" instinct kicks in therefore they fear for the children more. The soundtrack isn't dramatic, but, quite hypnotic and repetitive which builds tension for the audience. Also, through the use of bells, it creates the idea of a funeral for the audience, meaning, the audience realise that the movie will include elements of death throughout.

When the girls stare into nothing in the scene, the audience are intrigued to see what they are looking at. With the known genre being horror, it is suspected it is a ghost or another type of evil creature. The audience soon begin to realise the children have been put into a hypnotic state and create sympathy with the children which places the ghost as an antagonist.

From this sequence we could take the idea of using no dialogue and just non-verbal language to convey the idea of the unknown. We also aim to use a child as the central character in our opening sequence, from this scene, we could take the mise-en-scene and sound used to portray the children as innocent.

Representation and Ideology

In this sequence the children are represented as innocent through the Victorian dolls that are being used to represent the time period this is being set in. This is a dominant ideology of age and gender, as in our society, children and especially females, are viewed as being playful, and harmless.
In this clip we culturally mark the children also, this is because the children agree with the stereotype that audiences have. Which is that not only are they innocent as I previously mentioned, but also are easily led on, and in this sequence we believe it is 'The Woman in Black' that leads them to kill themselves.

Media Audiences

The target audience for this film is the general target audience for horror films which is people aged 15-28. The movie was originally going to be rated a 15, however, when they realised they'd prefer their target audience to be younger (12 and up) they cut parts of the film to make it appropriate to this age rating.
 

WB "Halloween" (Carpenter, 1978)

Genre:
The general audience expectations seem to be fulfilled within this opening sequence. Conventional effects, sounds, camera positions and mise-en-scene are quite clear within this clip. They all seem to fit the horror genre with the use of handicam and the tense generic horror soundtrack.

Form and style of opening:
It is quite a conventional horror opening. It is clear that death is quite likely within this sequence due to shots of Michael's sister being prominent at the start and then being followed up by a shot of Michael himself getting a knife out of the cupboard. The title of this film instantly connotes horror due to Halloween being the time of year when everyone gets dressed up in order to fright people. Moreover it suggests the time of year that the film will be set in as Halloween is a distinct holiday.

Film language - telling the story:
Mise-en-scene is crucial within this sequence as it straight away within the first five seconds shows you the time of year that the film is set in. You see a pumpkin which indicates that it is Halloween and thus connotes the likelihood that this is a horror film.
The use of a handicam throughout this sequence creates a sense of mystery as we are unaware of the figure/force that we are in the position of. We become aware that the figure we are positioned with is human and either a child or a female due to the hand of the figure when pulling out a knife from the cupboard.
The use of sound is extremely effective throughout this clip. The use of the conventional chromatic sustained strings anchors the clip and creates a sense of tension building up to the stabbing.
As a group we could take many ideas from the clip. Firstly the use of the handicam created a very tense atmosphere as their was a sense of mystery throughout right until the end. Moreover the sound really anchored the use of the handicam as the conventional music made the clip have that horror vibe with it.

Narrative:
We are first introduced to the antagonist who watches the victim for a brief spell before stabbing her with a knife. The narrative positions us with the antagonist throughout this opening sequence due to the use of the handicam. The narrative doesn't really introduce us to the teen victim and all that is revealed that she knows the antagonist as she calls him Michael. The narrative only shows antagonist at the end of the sequence and we realise that he is only a kid and then assume that he killed his sister whilst the people beside him are his parents. The sense of mystery really helps to create and sustain tension throughout the clip. Moreover, the positioning of everything within the narrative really gives off that horror vibe and thus creates a very tense atmosphere.

Representation and ideology:
Teenagers and a young child are shown through this clip. A dominant ideological discourse is present throughout this sequence as the teenage girl is the victim and a little child is the antagonist. This is a prominent theme in horror films, having a possessed or insane child as the antagonist.

Media Audiences:
The target audience for this film is most likely the age ranges of 15-28 as they are the ages where most people enjoy horror. Thus the use of teenage girls and boys makes it more scary due to the fact that you are of the same age and therefore it could be you. The preferred reading of this text is that the child is either evil or possessed and therefore the girl is innocent and targeted. An oppositional reading would be where the viewer sympathises with the child as she brought it upon herself from her actions.


Age
Ideologically loaded
Residual ideology

DW "A Nightmare On Elm Street" (Craven, 1984)

Genre
- The sub-genre of this film is Slasher. This is made clear by the stock characters and stock scenes, like a young, female protagonist, an older male antagonist with a set of hand blades for a weapon, an adult unaware of the events, and heavy connotations of violence.

Form and Style
- A sense of foreboding is created through sound, mise-en-scene and camera work.
- Character exposition is created through narrative.
- Titles of actors, producers and directors appear in the bottom corners of the frame, with no fancy graphics or movement.
- The main title of the film slides up from the bottom, to the centre of the screen. The typography uses red and white fonts that are irregularly sized and positioned to connote the slasher, psychopathic element of the film.
- The title of the film "A Nightmare On Elm Street" connotes a sense of dark and mystery with the word nightmare, but also the sense of an illusionary, and out of control situation. The use of a street name implies the film is within a domestic environment, which connotes verisimilitude and realism.

Film Language
- Mise-en-scene
- Dark, low key lighting is used throughout the sequence to convey meaning, which connotes doom and sense of mystery as a lot of the shot is hard to clearly see.
- Costume props and location are also used extensively to convey meaning. The whole scene is very industrial, with knives, pipes, hammers and big work benches and machines. These are used to connote a dangerous, busy atmosphere.
- Camera
- Close ups are used extensively on the antagonist, and only his hands are shown, there are no shots of his face. Leaving the antagonist hidden from the audience is a key feature of slasher horror, as it connotes mystery and the unknown.
- Sound
- Non-diegetic sound is used to anchor the sequence, for example high pitch sustained strings play for a lot of the clip, which are key in building tension when the protagonist is looking for the antagonist, and also when she is trying to hide from him.
- An eerie chromatic synth riff is also heard playing. The use of the chromatic scale connotes the unknown as it doesn't stick to a regular scale. This creates dissonance and tension.

Narrative
- The order of the narrative: introduction to the antagonist character, introduction to the protagonist character, protagonist seeks out and finds antagonist, antagonist attacks protagonist.
- Major themes presented: good vs evil, human vs unknown.
- Protagonist
- We are made to identify with the female protagonist, because she is given reaction shots and prevalence over the antagonist.
- We are made to feel alienated against her because we see her invading someone else's space and home.
- Antagonist
- We are made to identify with the male antagonist because we are shown his home and his environment, and the set up of him making his knife claws. We are also shown the protagonist invading his territory which makes us side with the antagonist.
- We are made to feel alienated against him because we are not shown anymore than his hands, so we are made to feel as if he isn't an important character.

Representation & Ideologies
- The protagonist in the sequence is a young woman, and she is represented as foolish and naive by going to find out the source of the noises she can hear, and ends up seeking out the killer. This is a dominant ideological discourse for horror films, for both age and gender, as it is a cliché for someone to go somewhere that they wouldn't in real life.
- The antagonist in the sequence is a male, who's age and identity is hidden from the audience. Because of this, he is represented as a mysterious and creepy character, and also quite dangerous as it is stereotypical to hide the killer from the audience in slasher films, and he is shown to be able to go undetected from the protagonist. This is dominant ideological discourse of the antagonist in slasher films.

- Ideological construction
- Marginalised
- Value judgement

Media Audiences
- The target audience of "A Nightmare On Elm Street" is ordinary teenagers and young people, so was designed to appeal to a mass audience.
- A preferred reading of the text is that the antagonist is a dangerous, yet clever and organised killer who is going to seek revenge on a younger audience, and will kill many in the process.
- A negotiated reading is that the antagonist has bad intentions, yet may be useless in his attempts, and is overcome by the protagonist later in the film.

One idea we could take from the opening sequence of "A Nightmare On Elm Street" is not developing the antagonist, as it is a useful technique in alienating him from the audience, and building a sense of mystery around him.

Group Concept Ideas

We have begun to think about using the sub-genre of supernatural horror as it seems to give a lot of opportunities to create a tense atmosphere within an opening sequence. We all thought that the opening sequence of 'The Woman in Black' was very effective with the unseen force influencing some girls to commit suicide for some unclear reason. This sense of mystery appeals to us and thus we are thinking about screening an opening clip somewhat similar to this.
 Moreover, the TV series 'Most Haunted' interested us and we thought we could emulate something like this. Having an opening sequence of a film crew alike the ones in 'Most Haunted' really appeals to us as a group. An idea is that they are searching somewhere which is rumoured to be haunted and come across some form of supernatural horror.

WB Mood Board and Analysis of Thriller Sub-Genre

Different sub-genres within thriller:

-Comedy thriller

-Conspiracy thriller

-Crime thriller

-Erotic thriller

-Legal thriller

-Political thriller

-Psychological thriller

-Spy thriller

-Supernatural thriller

-Techno thriller

Horrors usually overlap to psychological thrillers and is an extremely popular sub genre. It usually consists of their being conflict between characters mentally and physically. They do not appear to rely on physical strength to overcome enemies, but rather mental ability. Deceptive mind games and external forces are often present creating a very tense atmosphere throughout the film.

 

Story:

Within the thriller genre the protagonist is almost always put in a dangerous situation in which they would be "set against a problem – an escape, a mission, or a mystery". Thrillers consist of plot lines that either put the characters against each other or with some outside force. The force is usually abstract or unseen which creates a "creepy menace" atmosphere. It often presents the world as being rather dark and dismal with scenes that create a very tense atmosphere throughout. There is always and aspect of puzzles within a thriller film as the protagonist isn't sure completely what is going on thus adding to the mystery and suspense. 'Shutter Island' is a perfect example to where their is uncertainty and suspense carried throughout.

 

Setting:

Thrillers are often seen to be set in ordinary suburbs and cities. 'The Sixth Sense' is evidence of this and is possibly the most successful thriller film in recent years. The clip below shows the conventional setting you would expect to find when watching a thriller
movie. 

 

Nevertheless, many films do brake the stereotype and are shot in a more exotic location. This could consist of an unknown foreign city, a desert, polar landscape or even the "high seas". As mentioned above the earth and setting is presented to be very dark with the use of low key lighting. An idea of the world being dark and sinister is often present, although in many Hollywood productions the protagonists defeat evil and the world is made a better place.

 

Characters:

-The protagonist will face danger of death at some point, being the protagonist themselves or someone that they know.

-The force and power of the antagonist will always be stronger than the protagonist at the start.
- The narrative construction is based around the protagonists point of view.
- The protagonists and antagonists may face each other, but will usually be mentally rather than physically.
- Each main character involved will be put in some form of dangerous situation.

RG Moodboard and Analysis of the Supernatural Sub-Genre

The Setting

'The Exorcist' was set in a normal family home

It is conventional for a horror movie to be set in the protagonist's home. The location may vary, however, the setting is normally close to the main character. Supernatural's are set in people's homes or locations near to them because it promotes the fear or something unknown or unwanted being in someones personal presence, making you frightened as this is normally a place you would associate with comfort and enjoyment. Also, the theme of supernatural is almost always beyond our known reality, as nothing has been scientifically proven. Placing a supernatural horror in a normal place we can relate to, such as the home, creates verisimilitude and makes it more realistic for the audience.

The Plot

In Supernatural horror films there are normally two common themes. The first of this being a story which involves a home where previous residents have lived there and died, and new residents move in, with the spirit of the previous residents haunting them. For example, the movie 'The Amittyville Horrors' takes this format of plotline. 



The other common type of plotline used in this sub-genre is where a spirit/ghost takes control of a humans body or curses them. This takes place in the Supernatural horror 'The Exorcist'.

'Drag Me To Hell'

Characters

The characters that feature in this sub-genre of horror films appear to be 'normal' people that we can relate to. The main character is conventionally female, and are harmless, caring and loving human beings. Supernatural Horror's are different to slashers in the way that the main characters are not often being punished for the haunting they are receiving. In most cases, they do nothing wrong and do not deserve the horror they get. This is apparent in the movie 'Drag Me To Hell'.
Usually, the audience begin by fearing and hating the spirit that is haunting the main characters in the movie. However, as the narrative progresses, the audience take a more positive view on the haunter as they realise they are there for a reason, and aren't just mindlessly tormenting. 
This is apparent in the movie 'Mama'. This is as you begin to realise the ghost is just protective over the children because she see's them as her own, as she lost her own baby when she committed suicide with the baby a long time ago. 

The ghost in 'Mama'

Costumes

• The costumes used are often very simple. This is so that the audience aren't distracted away from the occurrences on screen. 
• Main character wears studio and conservative attire, nothing provocative or revealing.
• Main female character is likely to wear something sophisticated
• Also likely to wear casual garments when in the home, for example, jeans.

Events or Occurrences

• The creaking of a door or a curtain blowing in the wind are stereotypical as it represents the idea of the unknown.
• Normally takes place at the beginning of the narrative, to indicate to the audience the idea of something else being present.
• Often in this sub-genre, you see a shot of the protagonist looking into a mirror, to see the 'ghost' beside her in the reflection.
• There is often the searching of the house by the main characters to try and reveal the history of the ghost.
• For example, in 'Deadline', the main character searches the attic with the aim to find out more about the 'visitor' and finds video tapes of the couple that once lived in the house and are now haunting it.
• Other conventional features are, the flickering of candles, evidence of unknown appliances, peeping through the key hole, squeaky noises such as the creaking of the floor, dripping water and the protagonist hiding in the corner of a room.

Sounds

• Orchestral music is often used.
• Empathetic music is used to show the emotions of the characters that feature.
• Contrasting sound is often used to show a difference in the events in the shot, with the juxtaposition of a contrasting sound to create irony. Such as using the laugh of a sweet, innocent child, with the aim to create fear.
• Amplified sound is often used to create emphasis on certain sounds that would be used to scare the audience, such as the suspense of a loud creaking door, or faint whispering from a spirit.

Lighting

Daniel Radcliffe using a candle for light in 'The Woman in Black'

• Back lighting is often used in scenes where the spirit will not be exposed, so we can only see the silhouette of a spirit.
• Profile lighting is used to make a character appear sinister, it indicates to the audience whether a character can be trusted or not.  
• Under lighting is lighting that comes from below the scene and this is done in scenes of desperation for the characters. Also used is minimal lighting via the use of torches or candles through the characters as the audience fear what they cannot see.

DW Slasher sub-genre analysis and moodboard

Vera Dika narrows down the slasher sub genre into 3 categories

- Catharsis: "A release of fears about bodily injury or from political or social tensions of the day"

- Recreation: "An intense, thrill seeking, physical experience similar to a roller coaster"
- Displacement: "Audiences sexual desires are displaced onto the characters in the film"

These are some breakdowns of different aspects of the sub-genre...

Hero/Heroine

- Usually female

- Final girl concept (See representation of gender post)

- Quiet and nervous

- First to notice missing friends

- Doesn’t indulge in illegal material

- Refuses alcohol, drugs and sex

- No rebellious behaviour

- Aware of killer while friends are having fun

- Ends up fighting the killer

Killer

- Usually male

- Hidden identity

- Concealed by mask or lighting/camera

- Doesn't speak much

- Able to withstand injury

- Childhood or previous trauma

- Handheld weapon; knife, axe, chainsaw etc.

Victims

- Young, usually teen

- Stereotypically attractive

- Indulge in illegal material

- Alcohol, drugs and sex

- Easy prey for the killer

- Violence usually occurs during sexual activity

First Victim

- Minority character

- Usually expects to die

 Adults

- Unaware of killers attacks 

- Sometimes killed themselves

- Usually away (holiday/work)

Police

- Slow-witted, don't trust emergency calls

- Sometimes laugh off the threat

- Sometimes turn up too late

- Generally shown as useless

Stock Situations

- Killer experiences trauma

- Young group guilty of something

- Killer's aggressive nature revived

- Killer identifies guilty group

- Group take no warning

- Killer stalks group

- Members of group killer

- Hero/heroine sees murders

- Hero/heroine sees killer

- Hero/heroine battles killer

- Killer wounded in battle

- Hero/heroine survives

- However is not free

Violence

- High level of violence

- Iconic to slasher

- Less emphasis on plot/character

- More emphasis on violence

- Plot constructed around violent scenes

WB Zombies and Horror Films

Zombies and Horror Films

Read the BBC article - why are we so afraid of Zombie horror?   

 

A study conducted by the Open University's Stephanie Lay showed that people are afraid of seeing 'near human' faces. This makes it clear as to why common devices such as "blank eyes, automatons, masks and ventriloquists' dolls are common cinema devices to instil fear". A psychologist conducted a study and found that 3000 people felt "repulsion" at near human faces. This could be the reason as to why people find zombies scary and moreover why this genre of film thrives greatly within the market.

 

The 'uncanny valley' effect was discovered in a study conducted within the 1970's. The aim was to find out whether having a robot that was more human like would be more reassuring to humans having them in their home or working with them. They found that ultimately this had the reverse effect as they found it quite sinister having a robot looking too human. Lay stated that people felt "the sense of unease that accompanies the sight of something almost, but not quite, human". this again is useful in showing why exactly we are scared and enjoy zombie horror films.

Moreover, the use of zombie eyes on an otherwise human face can unsettle the viewers as the eyes are seen as a key when interpreting peoples faces. Lay talked about
how this uneasy reaction could be caused by the a disruption to how the human brain processes faces. It leaves people to feel uneasy due to the fact that when self-consciously assessing a face, the face presented doesn't quite meet expectations. This also explains why the faces of dolls, clowns and dummies are used so regularly to frighten audiences.
 

                                       

Read the pop mythology article -  what are some interesting observations on audience appeal of Zombie films?

The scenario that you are positioned in within a zombie apocalypse is very popular because it is survivable and thus poses the question "will I survive?" People are attracted towards this genre because through the film making, the viewers are led to believe that they would survive it. There is no need for any special genes or athletic ability, as long as you use your head you will survive. Other end of the world scenarios do not pose the same attraction. It is made very clear that you almost 100% wont survive, and even if you survive their is no attraction due to the whole world being completely destroyed. Furthermore, you couldn't just be anyone like within a zombie scenario, you would have to fit a certain list of credentials in order to survive.

Regarding zombies themselves, their seems to be two different types that generally appear within films and TV series. Differing from movie to movie, the zombies are either fast and agile, or more commonly slow and sluggish. Series such as the 'Walking Dead' show slow zombies that are thus easier to kill than fast zombies in films such as 'World War Z'. These types of zombies are quicker and more athletic, thus harder to kill and escape from. This leads to it becoming less attractive as an apocalyptic fantasy. Due to death not being certain, the audience are able to truly become engaged within the screening and gain their own perspective of how they would act if positioned in the same scenario.

We become immersed within these scenarios and almost want to be a part of it as we believe we could survive and become a hero. The idea that you could be strong and courageous really appeals to the mass audience and thus is a reason for the genre's success. Moreover, it is also quite appealing because it is based around normal people within normal scenarios.  This is evident "from shopping montages in 'Night of the Commet' and 'Dawn of the Dead' (both versions), to the sporty new hybrids they drive in 'The Walking Dead".

As well as creating this hero image, the text also talks about how it enables you to bash people around the head and get away with it. In addition, the scenario enables you to kill people and get away with it. As horrible as it may be when thinking into it deeply, it is attractive to an audience. To be able to unleash all your anger and frustration on some emotionless figure that wants to eat your brain is a position that many people would quite like to experience; certainly once the danger of death and being eaten alive has gone. We are creatures that enjoy violence and the idea of a zombie apocalypse due to the "dark side of the force" within us. This is reinforced within the extract when showing the game 'Call of Duty: Black Ops'. We clearly enjoy violence and the idea of a zombie apocalypse otherwise the genre wouldn't be successful, within every corner of the media. 

 

Watch the 'why do we love zombies' video - what are some key findings/observations of the clip regarding zombie horror?

This video makes it quite clear that in the current economy, zombie movies are extremely popular. There is reason to debate the reasons for the popularity at the moment even though throughout the era of television and film it has always been somewhat popular. A theory for the popularity of zombies that was put across throughout the video was due to the amount of creativity that was available when creating a zombie. Even though you could argue that they all look the same, there is a lot of choice in deciding how exactly each zombie should be made to look vile and dismembered.

The video also talked about how most zombie films/series are based on the 1968 film "Night of the Living Dead". The commentator on the clip stated that this is the "bible" for all zombie movies. The classic zombie walk and attitude that is present throughout most films was taken from this movie; it is seen to be the starting point in the frenzy over horror films. There are only a few examples of films that challenge this stereotype.

The popularity is clear with zombie walks taking place in most big cities but there is an overhanging question to why this is. This video mentioned how it makes people think how they would react in a certain situation like this due to the fact that zombies are based on normal people who are then changed for the worst. Moreover that they are vile disgusting animals. This for some bizarre reason it interests and excites us as viewers. In comparison to a vampire, who can be identified without the need for any blood and guts, zombies are much more exciting to a viewer and thus attracts a larger audience.

One point that was made was that zombies aren't actually that scary. The commentator stated that zombies may be disgusting to look at but they aren't very quick, agile, clever or very aware of what they are doing. This leads to them being very easy to kill and get rid of. He then developed this by saying it isn't always the case when a series such as the 'Walking Dead' is shown. This is because you grow close to the characters and are able to see over the series how slowly the zombies eat away (literally sometimes) at every inch of humanity that is left within the characters and the world around them. They may not be jumpy scary but the idea that they can possess a world and destroy humanity can be taken as a scary thought. Throughout the video it was said how this is usually quite hard to convey within a movie as there simply isn't enough time, yet on the contrary can be conveyed very effectively within a series such as the 'Walking Dead'.