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'.