My genre - an introduction
Now that I've extensively researched the general conventions of trailers, posters and websites, I have decided to create a marketing campaign for a film from the horror genre. I will be creating a fictional horror film that will either be a sequel or part of a franchise or based on existing source material such as a novel by a famous horror writer. This will give me more scope to create authentic teaser trailers or TV spots.
Genres are defined in a number of different ways including:
Genres are defined in a number of different ways including:
- Iconography - visual and aural clues such as setting, props, costume, figure behavior, lighting and music.
- Narrative patterns - typical storylines specific to that genre.
- Character types - Types of character that perform similar narrative functions in films from that genre.
- Intended effect - different genres provoke different emotional responses from the audience.
- Actors/directors - certain actors and directors often work almost exclusively within a particular genre.
- Set pieces - particular moments of action that we always expect from a genre.
One useful website that has helped me gain a greater understanding of the conventions of the horror genre is filmsite.org:
Horror film conventions
Horror films are created to frighten and unnerve, to trigger our inner fears whilst entertaining the audience simultaneously. Horror films revolve around human anxiety and explore the darker elements of life. Horror films pry on our primal nature and its apprehension, our systematic fear of the unknown, monsters, aliens and fear of death are all essential elements to meddle with.
The same elements that disgust and repel us are the exact thing that attracts us towards viewing horror films. Therefore, the majority of horror films will revolve around monsters, death and gore tied in with science fiction.
The website mentioned above is essential to an in-depth understanding of the layout and history of horror films. It describes how the earlier initial horror movies were heavily rotated around vampires and monsters since gaining popularity in 18th and 19th-century literature, for example, 'Dracula' (1931). After several decades, the horror genre narrative progressed to futuristic, science fiction, ideas involving zombies and the supernatural, for example, 'Alien' (1979).
Now that I have finalised my decision to pursue creating a short film of the horror genre, the first thing I will do is look at numerous trailers from films that belong to the horror genre.
Horror films are created to frighten and unnerve, to trigger our inner fears whilst entertaining the audience simultaneously. Horror films revolve around human anxiety and explore the darker elements of life. Horror films pry on our primal nature and its apprehension, our systematic fear of the unknown, monsters, aliens and fear of death are all essential elements to meddle with.
The same elements that disgust and repel us are the exact thing that attracts us towards viewing horror films. Therefore, the majority of horror films will revolve around monsters, death and gore tied in with science fiction.
The website mentioned above is essential to an in-depth understanding of the layout and history of horror films. It describes how the earlier initial horror movies were heavily rotated around vampires and monsters since gaining popularity in 18th and 19th-century literature, for example, 'Dracula' (1931). After several decades, the horror genre narrative progressed to futuristic, science fiction, ideas involving zombies and the supernatural, for example, 'Alien' (1979).
Now that I have finalised my decision to pursue creating a short film of the horror genre, the first thing I will do is look at numerous trailers from films that belong to the horror genre.
Comments
Post a Comment