Research into my Genre! ✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧
My group and I have decided to create a film opening in the genre of Horror. Here is my research into the codes and conventions that are used in the openings of text from this genre.
Typical conventions from the Horror Genre:
Films from this genre usually include characters that are reckless, curious, stupid/an idiot, clueless where they get themselves into stupid situations that put them in danger. And murderers, devils/ demons, monsters, witches, satan, innocent people and old people. The settings are usually set in abandoned places, asylums, basements/attics, cemetery, family homes that become haunted, forests/in the woods, cave/tunnels, secret evil hideouts.The costume/ props are usually weapons like axes and knives. Masks and more mysterious dangerous items. The makeup's usually sfx bloody makeup, a clean soft glam look to showcase a normal person, a sick and pale look, and facepaint, body paint, and silicone are mostly used. Horror films usually showcase the colors Red ( danger, warning, death in a bad way), Black (eerie, scary, soulless, unknown), and white (purity, innocence, death in a peaceful way.
mise-en-scene
sounds
the sounds used in a typical horror movie are diegetic sounds, which are sounds the characters can hear, like footsteps, creaky doors, or someone breathing. These sounds make it feel like something bad is coming. Then there are non-diegetic sounds, which are sounds the audience hears but the characters don’t, like creepy music or loud noises to make you feel scared. Silence is also used a lot because it builds tension when it’s really quiet, you expect something scary to happen.
camera
In a horror movie, camera angles are used to make things feel more scary, the usual camera angles being used for this are Low angles that make bad guys look powerful, while high angles make people seem small and scared. Dutch angles tilt the camera to make everything feel weird. Close-ups zoom in on a person’s face or something important to show fear, and extreme close-ups go even closer. POV shots let us see what the character is seeing, especially when they’re in danger, and tracking shots follow characters when they’re running or being chased. Over-the-shoulder shots make it seem like something is sneaking up behind them. All of these angles help make the movie scarier.
edits
in a horror movie, editing tactics and used such as, quick cuts that make fast scenes, like chases, feel intense, slow cuts build up tension before something jumps out. Cross-cutting switches between two scenes happening at the same time, which makes it scarier when one character is in danger. Jump cuts suddenly change shots to surprise the audience. A montage shows a bunch of quick clips to show time passing, like someone getting ready for danger. Match cuts connect similar images from different scenes, and cutaways briefly show something else, like a creepy detail, to build suspense.
AS ABOVE, SO BELOW , 2014 𓃶 🜏 𖤐 𐕣 ⁶⁶⁶
Produced by: Legendary Pictures Brothers Dowdle
Distributed by: Universal Pictures
Genre/ sub genre
What conventions does it conform to?
As above so below conformed to the conventions of a horror story being set in abandoned places. the whole movie was set under the city of Paris in the abandoned tunnels. it conforms to many conventions from scary and adventure movies. It’s filmed like the characters are holding the cameras themselves, so it feels real and close. The movie is about a group exploring the spooky catacombs under Paris, searching for the Philosopher’s Stone, which makes it like an adventure. As they go deeper, they see strange, supernatural things and face their own fears and mistakes. The story also uses myths like Dante’s Inferno, where it seems like they’re going through different levels of hell. The characters are familiar types, like the brave leader and the one who doesn’t believe. the characters also deal with their past mistakes along the movie, which is a big part of psychological horror, where what's happening messes with their minds.
What conventions does it subvert to?
As Above, So Below changes a lot of things we expect from horror and adventure movies. it subverts the usual using of super shaky cameras like most found footage films, instead, the use of camera is more steadier and the story about finding the Philosopher’s Stone is clearer. Once the characters enter the abandoned catacombs, there’s no way out, which makes it even more scarier, and makes the audience feel more not at ease and claustrophobic and the storyline changes from a treasure hunting like plot to a more survival/life and death situation. The main character Scarlett, isnt perfect like what you would expect in a typical adventure/horror movie. she's academcially smart yes but her decisions put everyone at risk, and the group falls apart as they face their own fears. theres no clear villain or monster in this movie too like in usual horror movies, the horror comes from their own minds and the creepy catacombs. The ending leaves questions unanswered, without the usual happy ending. making the audience rethink the whole movie making it feel more unsettling and mysterious.
What representations are there? (people/places/events)?
In as above, so below a lot of things in the movie represent history, myths, and the characters personal problems. The characters each have their own struggles, like Scarlett (the main character) is the typical "obsessed academic" trying to finish her dad’s work by finding the Philosopher’s Stone, and George feeling guilty about his brother’s death is a secret hes kept to himself and in the movie it gets unraveled . zed represents denial and fear of facing the consequences of his personal life. papillon and souxie represents the locals and familiarity because they are the one of guides them thru the underground catacombs. and last, la taupe represents the typical "doomed character" that represents the consequences of breaking into forbidden places that you shouldnt be in. The Paris catacombs are real, but in the movie, they also stand for the characters fears and secrets and traumas kind of like when they go through different levels of hell like in dantes inferno. The Philosophers Stone represents the dangerous idea of wanting too much power and the consequences you get if you keep on being greedy. There are also a lot of ancient symbols and mystical stuff in the movie.
☆ Mise-en-scene
In as above, so below, the way the movie is made to helps us understand what the characters and places really mean. The Paris catacombs aren’t just spooky tunnels, they show the characters' fears and secrets. As they go deeper, the dark and messy catacombs make it feel like they’re stuck, both in the tunnels and in their feelings. The low lighting and shadows make things hard to see, which adds to the fear and shows that they can’t control what’s happening. Things like the Philosopher’s Stone and old symbols show how the characters want to learn powerful secrets, but this can be really dangerous. The characters’ dirty and ripped clothes show how tired and worn out they are getting as they face their fears. The creepy sounds, like whispers and echoes, create a spooky feeling and show their worries about what might be hiding in the dark. All these details work together to show that the real danger isn’t just the scary catacombs but also the emotional struggles the characters have to face inside themselvess
☆ Sound
☆ Camera
handheld camera style which makes it feel like we are right there with the characters as they explore the catacombs. Close-up shots show the characters’ faces, capturing their fear and anxiety, so we can connect with them better. Wide shots are used to show how big and creepy the catacombs are, making the characters seem small and trapped in such a dark place. POV shots let us see what the characters see, making us feel their fears firsthand. Over-the-shoulder shots are used during conversations, helping to build tension and show what they are looking at. Dutch angles create a feeling of confusion and unease, making everything feel off. Low-angle shots can make certain characters or threats seem more dangerous, while tracking shots follow the characters as they run through the catacombs, creating a sense of thrill and urgency. these different camera angles work together to create suspense and make the audience feel like they are part of the scary adventure of the movie.
PARANORMAL ACTIVITY , 2009 ☠︎︎ ⩇⩇:⩇⩇
Produced by: Jason Blum, Oren Peli, Steven Schneider
Distributed by: Paramount Pictures
Genre/ sub genre
What conventions does it conform to?
Paranormal Activity has several conventions that make it a typical horror movie, especially in the found-footage style. The film is shot like a documentary, using handheld cameras and static cameras around a normal basic house, which makes it feel real and relatable. It builds tension slowly, with small creepy things happening at first, then getting scarier over time, which keeps the audience on edge. A supernatural entity is the plot to the story, playing on our fear of the unknown and unseen. The sounds in the movie, like eerie noises and sudden loud bangs, help create jump scares and build suspense. The relationship between the main characters, Katie and Micah, adds depth to the story, showing how the supernatural events affect their lives and their relationship. The movie uses creeping horror, where the fear comes from what might happen next rather than constant scares. Finally, it has an ambiguous ending that leaves viewers with questions, making it even more unsettling. All these elements work together to create a chilling experience that keeps the audience engaged and frightened.
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What conventions does it subvert to?
Paranormal activity subverts some things like Instead of the main characters being helpless, Micah tries to face the supernatural by setting up cameras and getting involved, which is different from most horror movies. The scary thing in the movie isn’t a monster or killer that you can see it's an invisible, unknown force, making it more about fear of the unknown. There’s also not a lot of constant action; it has quiet moments that slowly build up tension. The movie is set in a normal house, not a creepy or haunted place, which makes it feel more real and scarier. Instead of looking polished, the found-footage style makes it seem like real life, and the open-ended ending doesn’t give any clear answers, leaving viewers feeling uneasy. The movie also spends time showing how the haunting affects the relationship between Katie and Micah, adding more emotion to the story. This all makes the movie different from other horror films and keeps the audience guessing and scared.
What representations are there? (people/places/events)?
☆ Mise-en-scene
The whole story takes place in a normal suburban house, which makes the spooky stuff seem even worse because it could happen anywhere. The lighting is mostly dark, especially at night, which adds to the fear of what might be hiding in the shadows. Everyday objects like beds, doors, and lights are used in creepy ways, and the video cameras are really important because they show the ghostly events that the characters don’t always see. The characters wear regular clothes, making them seem like normal people, and the way the camera is set up in certain spots, like the bedroom, makes every little movement feel super scary. Even the quiet moments and small noises make you jump, adding to the overall tension. All of these things together create a sense of fear and suspense, making the movie really intense.
☆ Sound
i would like to avoid using too much gore to the point where it disturbs the viewers so much and using explicit scenes like nudity.
i would like to avoid using too much gore to the point where it disturbs the viewers so much and using explicit scenes like nudity.
i do now want too many happy sounds/ background music or mythical magical sounds like in the movie, instead i would like it to be suspenseful and thrilling and horror-like
