Genre Research Activity

Lauren Nau

Period 8
Nov 5, 2018

Genre Research Project

1. The genre I chose to research was horror in films.
2. Genre conventions through content are the characteristics that are seen in the plots off a majority of horror movies. These similar aspects can be spotted in a wide variety of movies in this genre that have been made over the years. In horror movies, there generally is a specific bad character and specific good character that are introduced into the story. The characters can be an array of things, from humans to monsters to even spirits. The overall tone is always intense, due to the fact that it is never known what comes next. Foreshadowing can sometimes be seen, in which helps to preview relationships between objects that soon will develop. The scene is usually set during a stormy or dreary night, which helps to create the atmosphere for the movie. Similarly, a weapon is usually used in order for protection or to inflict harm. Horror movies also generally involve a scene in the beginning in which a line of communication being cut off, or the electricity going out.
3. Specific genre conventions help to develop the production techniques needed to create an effective horror movie. There are specific aspects in horror movie films that are almost always included. The color scheme is generally dark, including dark colors and filters. These help to create the tone and overall atmosphere of the horror movie. The color red is also seen throughout the films, symbolizing both danger as well as blood. In regards to the music, there will be scenes that rely on the sounds to create the suspense and horror elements. By using low pitched music, different emotions can be developed. Movies that are in the horror genre are usually fast paced, including scenes with tons of action. The film itself will include tons of movement, causing the editing to sometimes be choppy in order to fit in with the plot. By combining a variety of different production techniques, a movie in this genre can be successfully developed.
4. Horror movies are generally marketed in similar ways. Advertisements are created, such as trailers to the movies. These trailers are played on youtube and television. The trailers are also played in movie theaters as an advertisement before movies with a similar genre. In creating the posters and advertisements, the monster is usually teased. A photo or short clip of the antagonist is shown in order to attract the audience in to see the movie. However, the scariest parts are not shown in order to keep the suspense for the actual movie. The colors used on physical advertisements are dark and often include red. Social media accounts are created on twitter and instagram in order to interact with the youth. Horror movies are also marketed in interactive ways, such as creating physical advertisements to place in busy areas. Another important aspect to getting people to be able to watch these horror movies are the actors that are used in the movies. Although this is not a physical marketing technique, a horror movie is bound to be more popular if the actors are well known.
5. Friday the 13th is a popular horror movie that came out in 1980. Despite how old the movie is, it still conveys the majority of the genre characteristics that were discussed. In terms of advertising for this movie, both a trailer and movie posters were created. The posters are primarily dark, and all include the outline of a man holding a bloody knife. These colors are primarily chosen in order to fit in with the genre. As well, a snippet is written on the top introducing the horror movie, and attempting to engage people with the movie. That can be shown that an introduction to the antagonist in the movie will be a human killer. In the trailer, the killer is seen in snippets, not giving away the actual story in the movie.

In terms of the movie, the elemental factors that are present in horror movies can also be seen in this one. This movie takes place at a camp, where camp counselors are murdered. In the history of the camp, a boy drowned because his counselors were not paying attention. His mother and him come back and haunt the camp, killing off all of the counselors. In the movie, there is are specific bad guys established, primarily being Mrs. Voorhees. As well, there is a primary weapon used, in this case being a knife. The knife is foreshadowed on the movie posters. The movie is filmed in the dark, and it storms often helping to create the atmosphere. Besides the actual plot, the movie relies on production techniques to help it create the tone. It is fast paced and includes a lot of motion, establishing the high energy movie. Similarly, music is a tool often used in order to create suspense and intensity as people were hiding or being murdered. Although this movie is an older horror movie, it still includes the basis of the specific elemental factors that go into creating a horror movie.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yO3eVly1GSI

6. The movie IT came out in 2017, and is a modern example of a horror movie that uses these factors. In terms of advertising, a trailer was made giving a preview to the movie. It was played on social media, in movie theaters, and on youtube. As well, the posters were created used dark colors in the background, and then contrasted it with a bright yellow and red in order to draw attention and create suspense for the plot. The monster, who is a clown, can be previewed in the back of the movie poster reaching for the little boy. The poster introduces each main character, without giving away any facts that make up the movie.

In the movie, a group of young kids have to battle against a clown that lives in the sewers. Being some of their biggest fears, they have to team together to take this force down. In the movie, there is a lot of foreshadowing present. The clown is symbolized by a red balloon, which is seen before he appears. The balloon is red to represent the idea of destruction and death. Besides the red, the colors of the movie get darker when the monster is introduced and when he is around the children. The overall tone of the movie is established with this characteristics. Adding to it, the music is instrumental in making the tone intense. As there is high action, the music changes to fast paced and suspenseful rhythms. The film has a lot of movement and action in it, creating the fast paced vibe. Overall, the movie IT is a modern example of a movie that falls into the genre characteristics of a horror movie.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKJmEC5ieOk

7. List/Clips of other movies that fall into this genre:

1. Insidious: The Last Key

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88tuPoO3J_Y

2. Annabelle 2: Creation 8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KD9obpR5Sfg&vl=en

3. Truth Or Dare

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkgaPwd5_aM

4. The Nun

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=si-vId7U1WU

5. Halloween

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wo3Fusg7zc

6. Psycho

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WtDmbr9xyY

Hi, my name is Lauren Nau and I am a senior at Cypress Bay High School. I am interested in working in the film production industry when I am older, which is the main reason why I took this class. I play lacrosse and enjoy being active and working out in my free time. Throughout this blog, I will be sharing my adventure as I study AICE Media and create my film. The purpose of this blog is so I can publish and keep track of my advancements as I work on creating my film. I will be updating this blog periodically in order to update my progress. Stay tuned for my film adventure!