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Friday, October 4, 2024

Research: Genre

This is my genre research.

I don't watch horror movies, so I don't have much knowledge regarding this genre. But since my group decided to pick horror, I did some research into this. This is the result.


A Quiet Place (2018)


What conventions does it conform to?

This movie follows typical horror conventions, like the constant chilling and tense atmosphere with little amount of dialogue, giving out a feeling of danger throughout the movie.


What conventions does it subvert?

This movie doesn't rely on loud jump scares or eerie music to scare its audience. Instead, it is filled with a lot of silence to put the audience deeper into the characters' shoes.


What representations are there? (people/places/events)

The movie represents a family struggling to survive in a post-apocalyptic world. The places are desolate and portrays isolation.


What technical elements are used to give meaning to the representations?

The little sound and near-complete silence are used to create a tense atmosphere and brings the audience closer to the characters in the movie.

Close-up shots of facial expressions help convey emotion and fear without words or sound, making silence a powerful storytelling device.



Get Out (2017)


What conventions does it conform to?

This movie slowly builds-up tension as the story progresses which can be seen in a lot of other horror movies.


What conventions does it subvert?

This movie subverts typical horror conventions by focusing more on racial and social tension rather than supernatural forces, giving a horror twist to everyday interactions.


What representations are there? (people/places/events)

The film represents the African American experience through the main character, who faces racism disguised as politeness. The setting is a quiet, upper-class suburban home, which is the main background focus throughout most of the movie.


What technical elements are used to give meaning to the representations?

Close-up shots are used to show the main character's powerlessness and psychological aspect, with dark lighting and muted colors to build tension. The soundtrack is unsettling and minimal.


Below are the 8 other films that I analysed more broadly, with interesting elements that I might incorporate into my film.


Hereditary (2018)


Target audience, and how are they appealed to?

The target audience is mainly older teens and adults aged 16 to 40, especially the ones who love and appreciate psychological horror. It appeals with its unsettling atmosphere, immense grief, and suspense.

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

The slow yet eerie tension and long shots to build up the unsettling mood of the movie.

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

The intense, slightly overused gore in some scenes which might be distracting and too much within a movie.


The Conjuring (2013)


Target audience, and how are they appealed to?

Older teens and young adults who love supernatural horror are this movie's target audience. It appeals with its more realistic storytelling compared to some other supernatural horror movies.

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

The period setting and suspense build-up before terrifying events helps bring authenticity into the story.

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

Overly relying on jump scares to bring suspense into the movie can feel predictable and even repetitive.


It Follows (2014)


Target audience, and how are they appealed to?

More mature teens who enjoy indie horror movies. It appeals due to its fresher concept, which an inescapable supernatural entity.

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

The constant pacing and sense of being continuously followed, creating immense suspense throughout the movie.

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

The ambiguity around the main villainous creature might frustrate viewers who seek a clear resolution.


Midsommar (2019)


Target audience, and how are they appealed to?

Appeals to younger adults who enjoy more psychological storytelling. It appeals by subverting the typical horror by scaring in daylight throughout the movie.

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

Its unique setting choices, like its unsettlingly bright contrast.

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

The very slow opening pace might frustrate some audience who prefer darker grittier movie openings.


The Babadook (2014)


Target audience, and how are they appealed to?

More mature audiences aged 17 to 40 who are interested in traumatic psychological horror with immense grief and emotional themes.

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

The use of a metaphorical monster to represent internal struggles, creating a more unique experience for the audience.

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

The psychological themes shown in the movie might be too heavy and complex for some audiences.


Sinister (2012)


Target audience, and how are they appealed to?

Mature teens and young adults who love found-footage supernatural horror. Its appeal comes from its combination of horror with elements of investigation.

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

Found footage elements add a more realistic touch to the movie's horror theme.

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

Over-the-top violence might disturb and overwhelm some audiences.


The Witch (2015)


Target audience, and how are they appealed to?

More mature audiences who enjoy horror with 1600s historical settings.

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

Historical settings can add to the realism of the movie.

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

Slow pacing might backfire for a horror intro when suspense should generally be introduced early on.


Don’t Breathe (2016)


Target audience, and how are they appealed to?

Mature teens and young adults who love home-invasion themes as well as high tension. The appeal is the claustrophobic house setting and mix elements of thriller and horror.

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

Confined spaces increases tension and anxiety which can help add suspense to the movie scene.

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

Explicit and graphic violence can shock, disturb, and even overwhelm some audiences.


This video taught me how to improve my opening scene ideas


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