Research: Genre

 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

In a horror movie, everything is made to feel super scary. The lights are usually really dim or flicker, making everything look spooky with lots of shadows. The colors are dark, like black, gray, or red, which makes the mood feel creepy. The places where the movie happens are usually old, abandoned houses, dark forests, or creepy basements. There are often weird and scary things around, like old dolls, broken mirrors, or sharp tools. The bad guys wear ripped, dirty clothes and have scary makeup on. The music is soft and spooky, with sudden loud sounds that make you jump. Sometimes, the camera shows things from weird angles, which makes you feel nervous. All of this makes you think something really bad is about to happen.

 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

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Genre/ sub genre

 Horror, found footage

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

The sound design includes creepy noises like whispers, echoing footsteps, and dripping water, which create a spooky atmosphere and keep the audience on edge. Sometimes, there are really quiet moments that make everything feel even scarier because every little sound stands out. The echoes in the catacombs make it feel like the characters are isolated and trapped underground. the Dramatic music adds to the feel of scaryness and excitement during scary parts, and the sounds of the characters breathing heavily or screaming help the audience feel their fear. Some sounds, like chains rattling or bells ringing, symbolize deeper meaning that is basically showing how the characters are trapped by their past. The background noises, like wind and footsteps, make the catacombs feel real and dangerous. Overall

☆ Editing 

The found footage style makes it look like the characters are filming their adventure with handheld cameras, which makes it feel real. Quick cuts during intense moments make everything feel urgent and panicky, while slow-motion scenes let us see the characters’ fear up close. Jump cuts keep the action fast and interesting, so we never know what will happen next. Visual transitions, like fading and blurring, show how the characters get more confused as they go deeper into the catacombs. The sounds are timed perfectly with the scenes to make jump scares even scarier. Plus, close-ups of the characters' faces show their fear and help us sense with what they’re feeling. Overall, the editing helps create a fast-paced experience that makes the movie even more suspenseful and horror.

☆ 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

 Horror, found footage

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)?

there are some important things that represent people, places, and events. Katie is someone who has had spooky things happen to her in the past, while Micah doesn’t believe in ghosts and tries to film everything. The movie takes place in a regular suburban house, which makes it scarier because it shows that strange things can happen even in normal places. The creepy events, like objects moving by themselves and weird noises, represent our fear of things we don’t understand. Micah’s cameras show how we try to figure out what’s going on, but it doesn’t always help. The invisible ghost represents unseen fears or dangers that we can’t control. All of this makes the movie feel more real and super scary because it plays on our fear of the unknown.

☆ 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

The movie uses a lot of quiet moments, which makes every small sound stand out and feel more terrifying. Simple things like footsteps, doors creaking, or objects moving on their own become super scary because they happen in such silence. The film also uses low, rumbling noises to signal that something bad is about to happen, creating a feeling of dread. There isn’t much music, so the natural sounds of the house, like the wind or creaks, make everything seem more real and unsettling. Sometimes, sudden loud noises are used for jump scares, making the audience startled and on edge. Overall, the use of sound is simple but very effective in making the movie feel creepy and tense.

☆ Editing 

the editing is simple but really helps make the movie scary. Since it's a found-footage style movie, it looks like the characters set up the cameras themselves. There are lots of long, uncut shots, especially at night, so you have to watch closely and wait for something scary to happen. The movie moves slowly during calm scenes to build tension, but cuts faster when things get intense to make it feel more chaotic. It often jumps from day to night quickly, making the nights feel scarier because that’s when the paranormal stuff happens. The editing isn’t fancy, which makes it feel real and adds to the creepiness, like you're watching something that actually happened.

☆ Camera

The film uses a found-footage style, so most of the shots are from handheld cameras or static cameras set up around the house, which looks like the characters are filming themselves. The cameras stay in one place, especially in the bedroom and living room, making you wait and watch for any small movements or scary things in the background. There are also some point-of-view shots that show what the characters see, making you feel like you’re right there with them. The night vision and low lighting make everything look creepier, with shadows and dark corners that feel spooky. All these camera angles help create a real-life haunting vibe, making the movie even more intense and frightening.

These are my small research

✮ Terrifier 3, 2024

Target audience, and how are they appealed to?

the movie tries to attract viewers in a few simple ways. It has a lot of scary and bloody scenes that fans of horror movies enjoy, especially with Art the Clown doing creepy things. The main character, Sienna, is a strong girl who fights against the bad guy, which makes people want to cheer for her. The movie also adds some dark humor and funny moments, making it enjoyyable for people who like both scary and funny stuff. It talks about important ideas like facing fears and surviving, which makes the story more interesting. 

What would you like to use in your opening from this?

i would like to use the use of lighting and sound from this movie. for example when Art the clown shows up to murder the couple, the lighting starts to flicker and the music starts getting more suspenseful and intenseful. i would like to use the non-diegetic sound from that scene

What would you like to avoid in your opening from this?

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.

✮ Megan is missing, 2011

megan is missing, 2011 (trailer) 

(i couldnt find the trailer from blogger)

Target audience, and how are they appealed to?

Megan is missing is probably for teenagers and young adults who spend a lot of time on the internet and social media. The movie shows how dangerous it can be to meet strangers online and share personal stuff, which is something young people really need to think about. It uses a found-footage style, which makes it feel real and relatable that will get the attention of younger viewers. The film starts important conversations about staying safe online and how parents can help their kids​. it tries to teach kids and teens about the dangers of online predators and why it’s important to be careful when using the internet.

​What would you like to use in your opening from this?

I would like to use the found-footage style - hand-held camera angle because it makes the audience feel more like they're apart of the experience and thats what i would like my groups' audience to feel as well.

What would you like to avoid in your opening from this?

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.

✮ Jumanji, 1995

Target audience, and how are they appealed to?

Jumani 1995 is a family adventure movie and the target audience is mostly for kids and families. The movie is super fun and adventurous because it has a magical board game that brings wild animals and danger into the real world. Kids really enjoy the exciting action, funny parts, and cool special effects. The movie also teaches important lessons about teamwork and being brave. Even though some scenes can be a little scary, Robin Williams makes it funny and enjoyable for younger viewers and their parents too.

​What would you like to use in your opening from this?

the storyline plot of a magical board game but i would like to put a spin on it, instead of being magical and fun it causes a horror disturbance towards my characters in the opening scene, kind of like a ouija board.

What would you like to avoid in your opening from this?

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

✮ Ouija, 2014

Target audience, and how are they appealed to?

the movie is mainly for teenagers and young adults who like scary movies. It tries to grab their attention by using a story about friends who use a Ouija board to talk to their dead friend, which many teens find interesting. The movie has a lot of jump scares and spooky moments that are fun to watch, especially around Halloween. Plus, the actors are young and relatable, which helps the audience connect with them

​What would you like to use in your opening from this?

the first part where Debbie and Laine play with the Ouija board. i would like to use this in my opening scene because it shows the rules and sets a spooky mood. i could use it by filming it in a dark room with shaky camera movements to make it feel like a home video. It would be fun to show the characters laughing and having a good time, but also hint at something scary that will happen soon.

What would you like to avoid in your opening from this?

the movie jumps around between the past and present, and that can make it hard to follow. i would like to keep my opening more simple and clearer. and  Focusing on creating a scary atmosphere without putting on the audience with too much information. so my opening can grab more of the audience attention.

✮ Host, 2020

Target audience, and how are they appealed to?

the movie is aimed mostly at teenagers and young adults who are used to using video chat apps like zoom. The whole movie takes place during a zoom call, which makes it feel more familiar  especially because a lot of people were using zoom during the pandemic. This makes the movie seem more real and relatable to younger people.

​What would you like to use in your opening from this?

there is a scene from the movie when the characters  are casually talking and preparing for the seance, which feels very natural.i would like to have my characters gather to play the board game, laughing and joking at first and the setup should feel casual like in the movie like they aren’t expecting anything bad to happen. but then as the game keeps on going, strange things start happening.

What would you like to avoid in your opening from this?

some of the movie lines in host can feel like typical horror movie lines and thats super cliche. I would want to avoid using overused phrases that audiences have heard a million times, like “Is anyone there?” and instead write fresh new dialogues that the audience would not expect to hear.

​✮ Cloverfield, 2008

Target audience, and how are they appealed to?

The movie is aimed at young adults and teens who enjoy action, sci-fi, and horror. It uses a found footage style which makes it feel like a real event, which helps viewers feel part of the story. The characters are young and relatable so the younger viewers can connect with them more better. 

What would you like to use in your opening from this?

 for my found footage style opening scene i would like to take inspiration from the opening at the beginning of the film when the group of friends is at a farewell party for Rob, The scene is shot with a handheld camera and in this part, the camera is shaky, which makes it feel like you’re really there with them. I can show My characters having fun while playing a game, laughing, and talking, just like the friends in the movie.

What would you like to avoid in your opening from this?

in the movie the plot was too confusing at the start. i felt kinda lost about what was happening. so for my opening scene i would avoid making the plot very confusing and i would keep my story simple so everyone can follow along. and also the movie had too much excessive shaking camera. eventho it can create tension, i would try to avoid making it too shaky or dizzying. i found it hard to see what was happening, i would make sure the camera movement is smooth enough for the audience to understand the action.