Horror Genre

My partner Josh and I have decided to focus on the horror genre as we want a fast upbeat opening with pace and short technical shots that look effective and we thought that the horror genre will fit in perfectly with our plans.

The horror genre intends to cause emotional, psychological or physical distress during viewing of disturbing or traumatic moments. This causes individuals to react in fear due to either elements of shock or pure violence. Various techniques are used to create this affect on the viewing audience whether its using unrealistic characters and figures (zombies or phantoms etc) or by using more realistic issues such as; murder,kidnap and so on. It is these freakishly scary aspects of the horror genre that contribute towards the tension and panic. The main purpose of the horror genre is the unexpected events that occur within certain sections in the film, this makes the viewer anticipate what will happen, which takes place when the audience least expects it. The horror genre is usually built up upon these anxieties and fears. There are many sub genres that originate from the horror genre such as: slasher, paranormal, creature features, comedy and survival.

Horror films that appeal to me and may be inspirational in my opening sequence include the following:

Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)- Texas Chainsaw Massacre revolutionised the slasher genre and became one of the most horrific films of all time. This film was inspired by Wisconsin serial killer Ed Gein. The film's opening claims the storyline is factual which adds to the emotional and psychological stress which makes it more horrifying. Psychopathic characters such as 'leatherface' engage in activities such as murder and cannibalism which makes the film appear very barbaric and sadistic, using chainsaws and sledgehammers as weapons. I particularly like the chase scene where leatherface is running after one of the victims with a chainsaw, which emphasises furthermore the brutality and destruction of his chaotic mind. The use of the wide range shots that are used to show her isolation as she is being intimidated within natures surroundings, I would particularly like our film opening to have an isolated character as it creates a focus as well as adding suspense and tension.

Halloween (1978)- Halloween is an American independent horror film directed by John Carpenter. The film is set in the fictional suburban Midwestern town of Haddonfield, Illinois which focuses around a young boy (Mike Myers) who murders his 17 year old sister at 6 years of age. After escaping from a psychiatric hospital he commits murder on numerous teenagers, whilst Dr Sam Loomis tries to prevent him. The main character played by Mike Myers wears a simplistic mask quite similar to a face of Frankenstein, this makes him appear menacing and daunting accompanied with a a selection of knives which presents him as psychopathic. In certain scenes the victims appear to be isolated and trapped which reinforces his presence and his destructive mind.

Friday the 13th (1980-present)- Friday the 13th is an American franchise, which consists of 12 slasher films, mainly centred around fictional character Jason Voorhees who apparently drowned at Camp Crystal Lake due the the negligence of camp staff. Decades later the lake is rumoured to be cursed which again is set in an open area prone to vulnerability and murder. An open or abandoned setting would be perfect for our potential opening scene. Jason is in all of the films which makes him a vital character to the sequels either as a killer, or a motivated murderer. I particularly like the fact that the horror film is set around a natural quiet environment which evidently proves that anything can occur. Jasons hockey mask has become one of the most recognisable images in popular culture, which emphasises how successful this franchise has become.

I think I would like an isolated character rather than a individual killer, but i particularly like the isolation that is created within these settings to reinforce the idea of dominance and menace they possess. I will be focusing on the 'Zombie Apocalypse' as this is the ultimate isolation of character/s being trapped within their surrounding environment.