Horror films are originally based on classic literature such as Dracula and Frankenstein. They often are based on a serial killer or a supernatural presence such as aliens or a ‘monster’.They are very usually set in a haunted house, or in a lodge in the middle of a forest, they concentrate on isolated locations or suburban American homes.
The narrative of horror films according to Propp are as followed:
Equilibrium – Disequilibrium – A new state of Equilibrium
Also, that each character in the film has different functions to create the narrative:
The Hero – who saves the day
The Villain – evil one who causes the disequilibrium
The Helper – who helps the hero on their quest/the sidekick, the helper usually ends up dead
The Victim – this character can also be seen as the hero, they are the result of the villains evil but also go out to destroy the evil
The Donor - Extra quality to help the hero
Typical Camera shots –
EXTREME CLOSE – UP = creates tension, shows facial expressions, connotes the victims distress.
CLOSE – UP = subject fills the frame, shows more about the actions of the character but also shows emotion.
DUTCH TILT = Often used to create disorientation.
EXTREME LONG SHOT = creates the scene, can also connote someone watching from a distance.
LONG SHOT = can be used to show someone in a surrounding but also see the villain approach from behind, creates tension.
Lighting is very important in the making of a horror film; it usually is the key in what creates the tension in a scene along with sound. For example if you have a young women in a room and have a killer approaching from behind to attack her, it would be more affective if the room was dimly light than if it was very bright.
To prepare ourselves for the project we set a day to watch the following horror films: The Strangers, The Ring, Scream trilogy and An American Haunting.
These are all typical American horror films, with a killer/monster and victim that doesn't have any particular pyscological thriller sense that you get with most horror films, we did this on purpose as we didn't want our own film to be portrayed in this way so we thought it would be best to keep to the classic horror - we no hidden story or twist but just pure terror and fear. With these type of films you can easily guess what happens in the end, but I think that with a horror film you aren't going to watch some cleverly thought out, big-twist, shocker of a film, but something that will scare you witless and hide behind your cushion to.
These are all typical American horror films, with a killer/monster and victim that doesn't have any particular pyscological thriller sense that you get with most horror films, we did this on purpose as we didn't want our own film to be portrayed in this way so we thought it would be best to keep to the classic horror - we no hidden story or twist but just pure terror and fear. With these type of films you can easily guess what happens in the end, but I think that with a horror film you aren't going to watch some cleverly thought out, big-twist, shocker of a film, but something that will scare you witless and hide behind your cushion to.
We are going to look at all these typical horror conventions, and make sure we can put as meny into our own project as possible to make it as professional looking as we can. We aren't looking to over complicate it with any over ambitious story, but just a pure good horror trailer, which does what it sets out to do - SCARE!!
