Analysing a Genre of film with examples HORROR

Unit 10 Analysing The stylistic and narrative codes and conventions of fictional films and genres

What is a horror film?

A horror film is a film that is made to be unsettling as it has a purpose to scare to audience. Some examples of horror films are The Shining, Psycho and The Descent.

In film, Codes are systems of signs, which create meaning. they can be divided into two categories, technical and symbolic. Technical codes are all the ways in which equipment is used to tell the story in a media text, for example the camera work in a film. Conventions are used to represent certain topics, characters and events. When you start to scrutinise these conventions, you'll find that often, they are used to shape how we think about a character or event. When it comes to characters, conventions can easily turn into stereotypes.

Stylistic Film styles. 

Film styles are recognisable film techniques used by filmmakers to give specific changes or value to their work. It can include all aspects in making a film: sound, 

mise-en-scene, dialogue, cinematography, editing or attitude.

Horror Narratives

"Narratives 'capture' their audiences by making them want to know what is going to happen next”

Narrative conventions are important for defining genre and is the main convention in any movie. 

A typical horror narrative is easy to think of because there are millions of horror movies with similar story lines, thats what makes it recognisable to the audience. To discuss and understand the storytelling methods used in horror, we need to consider the use of Macro and Micro features, this includes; Narrative Structures, Theory, Themes, Use of characters, Use of settings, Micro features (visual and sound techniques) And how they are used to draw the audience into the diegesis of the film. 

Narrative themes in Horror

One key theme across in the Descent is the theme of entrapment and isolation. Some common themes in horror include; Death and murder, Revenge, Religious beliefs, Survival and  Supernatural. Tzvetan Todorov devised a typical narrative structure that most films conform to. He identified 5 key stages of narrative that can be applied to most films. narrative theory explains the order the narrative is shown: Equilibrium, Disruption, Recognition and Attempt to repair and Equilibrium. Claude Lévi-Strauss has suggested that narrative structure depends on Binary Oppositions. This is when two opposing forces are at work throughout the story – it causes the conflict that is essential in moving the narrative forward.These two forces can be represented through characters, conflicting ideas or themes.

Narrative structures in Horror

all stories shared common structures - they were organised in similar ways and followed similar patterns. These shared structures help us to understand how stories will progress, and help us keep track of who the characters are, and the roles they will play.

A narrative convention of any genre is its predictable set of plot events• each act is similar.The first act in a horror film focuses on central characters beginning a venture into a strange and threatening setting. unleashes a wave of violence that leaves many dead. those who survive the initial onslaught begin to fight back, fear and fatigue provoke dissension within the group, putting them at greater risk. he climax of the film generally involves a dramatic, sometimes apocalyptic, showdown between the main characters and the monster, in horror films the resolution of the plot leaves open the possibility of the monster’s return.

Examples of binary opposites• Good vs. evil •Empowered vs. Victim • Decisive vs. indecisive• Human vs. alien • Humanity vs. technology•

Symbolic codes in Horror

Horror films often use action codes very cleverly. It is often scarier to let an audience's imagination fill in the blanks. Horror directors might use action codes to imply horrific things happening, but leave the audience to imagine the terrible details. Semic codes are the way in which objects, characters, and settings take on particular meanings. The function of these codes is to ask a question or delay an answer to a question. Enigma codes, confusingly, can set and solve puzzles in the story. Proairetic codes, Also called 'action codes' these are signs that tell us something is about to happen. They are 'shorthand' ways of advancing the narrative and creating suspense. Cultural codes refer to the a world outside the narrative of the text. They might not refer to reality itself, but to other stories, works of art or fictions from the real world – if we don't know the text being referenced, we won't understand the code.

Why genre is important for audiences

Audiences are experts of genre, They use their understanding of genres to build expectations about a film they haven't seen yet. This might be based on knowledge of the star associated with that genre (e.g. I like most Will Smith movies, so I will go and see Seven Pounds); or it might be based on an understanding of the conventions of genre: "that looks like a horror film, and I like scary movies”. Genre also helps producers to 'construct' an audience for their film. Because audiences use genre to choose films, producers can rely on those audiences coming back again in the future. By appealing to 'horror fans', producers can be sure they get the right people coming to see their movie, which will make it more successful. There is often a sub genre in horror films, which are strongly included in the story line. These may include religion, sci-fi, teen slashers, monsters or vampires. For example the horror film 'Carrie' has a strong link to the religion Christianity. 

Codes and Conventions in the Horror genre

Horror films are unsettling films made to frighten and panic their audience but entertain them at the same time. Horror films have similar codes and conventions to other films and specific symbols to make up the films iconography which allows the audience to identify the genre. Some horror films however, challenge these conventions to make the film original and unpredictable. Different aspects of media texts are made to set the horror genre: narrative, characters, settings, props, colours, costume, lighting and sound.

Characters

Characters and themes in a horror film are often predictable but can still be used to create impact in a horror film. They are used as a storytelling method which builds relationships with the audience. Horror films try to use characters that the audience can relate to as they are more likely to find it interesting and realistic. Horror character used are the protagonist and the antagonist.

As death is extremely common in horror films there will also be a killer. The killer can be both alive or dead such as ghosts. For example in the film 'Evil Dead' a demon kills many of the other characters. A horror film will always include victims, usually a general character which the audience can relate to. These victims will experience a traumatic event such as death. However the main character usually doesn't die but instead loose all those close to them. The term ‘Final girl’s is used to describe the female hero of the slasher film, the final girl is aggressive and is routinely placed in a situation where she has to save herself. The monster is by far the most important character, it is described as dangerous and is defeated by the forces of good in the film.

Mise en Scene, Lighting and Locations

The setting in a horror film could be located anywhere. However, the most stereotypical setting is usually in an abandoned or isolated location for example in the middle of nowhere, a house or a forest. A horror film is often based in an area with a minimal amount of people.  So the audience knows the victims are alone with the villain and are vunerable. This is to give the main character the opportunity to be harmed without any obstacles. 
Lighting us used to create an eerie atmosphere, low key lighting is often used in horror films. Darkness makes the audience feel more tense and vulnerable as they are unable to see into unknown which is a purpose of a horror film. Artificial lighting is used to create shadows and silhouettes to create enigma for the audience so they carry on watching. 
Extreme close ups are used in order to empathisethe facial expression of the victims, Tilt also used in order to create disorientation. Establishing shots are used in order to show the full location which the film is set. Handheld is used in order to look realistic. Point of view makes the audience feels as if they are the character. Dolling to give the audience to idea that the character is being followed.

Costumes and props

Costumes should make the characters role recognisable for the audience. The antagonists in horror films are usually dark to fit in with the typical semantic field of mystery and the protagonists tend to wear light colours to represent hope. Iconic horror costumes, for example, the scream mask, makes us automatically think of this film. A horror film often includes weapons as they have an association with death. However the weapons used are those which inflict slow pain, which connotes a horror film. Props such as Fake blood, Masks are used to hide the killers identity.

Colours 

Horror films usually use colours which connote death, danger and darkness e.g. the most stereotypical colours used are black white or red. 
Red- danger, the devil, blood, threats, violence 
Black- mystery, darkness, power, evil, fear, death. 
White- isolating, innocence, coldness
the colours used are usually white writing on a black background or red on a black background. However, no matter what the colour is, the same colour scheme is used throughout the trailer and text to create a semantic field of danger and evilness throughout.

Sound

Sound always used in the background of scenes and it is one of the most important conventions of the horror genre as it is what makes the film tense for the audience.Slow placed non diegetic sound, usually a piano or violin sound, is used to create creepy and eerie atmospheres, build suspense and change the mood for the audience. Synchronous sound is also popular in the horror genre as it is sound which is exaggerated to help scare and make the audience jump as it is very sudden and loud. Horror films often use quite dramatic music or sounds effects in order to empathisewhen something is going to happen. For example if there's a creek in the floor boards it will be extremely loud to create a suspense of fear towards the audience. Secondly the music is often very dramatic and the sound will become louder when a substantial event is going to happen.

Analysing the descent

Setting

An essential element of the film is its location. Neil Marshall amplifies the horror of isolation by positioning a group of characters within the claustrophobic confines of an unexplored cave system, in the centre of a forest. its narrative function is to place the characters within a space that initially offers them an escape from their daily life, but will eventually isolate them from any sense of society in the face of horror. For these woman, they think the area to be beautiful and safe, they enter into the caves confident with themselves and their equipment.

Characters

The characters in the film consist of six women fighting for their lives against the caves and a group of primitive people, the Crawlers. The main character, Sarah is seen as the weak character at first but ends as the strongest, whose strength and aggression come from her deeply traumatised state after losing her family. Juno, the assumed hero, has a representation which fluctuates between masculine and feminine. Marshall provides opportunity for the women to display their physiques and physical prowess. Rebecca’s free climb across a chasm in the film demonstrates extreme physical strength. The Crawlers, like all Horror film monsters, are located within and associated with the landscape. They are part of the wilderness and have adapted to living inside the cave conditions. As such they represent Nature as a primitive fear, as a violent and unpredictable force.

Iconography

During the film, the six women come across a partly devoured stag during their hike to the cave entrance, the animal’s corpse functions as a symbol of the slaughter the women will eventually encounter. The skulls and mounted heads can all be seen to signify the six women. Since they are all hunted and once caught they are all killed. Making the woman the fresh meat of the narrative.The road sign welcoming visitors to the Chatooga National Park, is pierced with six bullet holes, one bullet for each of the six women.The costumes which the woman wear throughout the film, are tight climbing clothing that emphasis the muscular nature of their bodies. Sarah’s torch functions in the opposite manner, instead of offering warmth and safety it illuminates the horrors of the physical space, revealing the conditions which the Crawlers live in. 

Cinematography

Marshall depicts the landscape as a very cold, almost dead space. He shows this in each scene using a muted palette of cold blues, whites and greens. Using aerial shots of the landscape, showing the vast amount of mountains and greenery. Following with the shot of the road until it catches up with the car, are all establishing shots of Beth’s car driving through the dangerous wilderness and consolidating the women’s isolation from any sense of relative safety. The road appears as a thin line cutting through the forest, this shows an insignificant moment of human presence within the volume of the surrounding trees.The contrast of nature and the characters Defines the narrative’s oppositions of the primitive against the civilised and the six women against the tribe of Crawlers. 

Sound

Their dialogue throughout the film indicates that the women are experienced. As they walk to the cave’s entrance, Rebecca says that they are entering a Level 2 Cave System, assuring them that “it’s quite safe, don’t worry” also reminding them of the potential dangers of caving. Even after the exit tunnel collapses the women know what to do and remain calm and focussed, working together in an effort to find an escape route. 

Themes

The narrative concerns the entrapment of a group of people in an isolated location.

In narrative terms, The Descent can be equated to the Slasher genre in that the six women are all being hunted in an enclosed space, with each one systematically being killed as the narrative draws to a close.

Sarah’s descent into Caverns becomes a metaphor for her guilt at causing and surviving the car accident that killed her husband and daughter. The guilt at losing her family is played out through her slaying the Crawler family. The Crawlers are a metaphor for her traumatic loss. As the film progresses, the number of Crawlers increase implying Sarah’s trauma gains in strength. Because of this, Marshall shows Sarah waking up to find herself still within the Boreham Caverns.

The Shining analysis

The Shining is a Psychological Thriller film released in 1980. It is the story of Jack that takes up a job to be a caretaker of a hotel over the winter, He temporarily moves in with his family, However, spending time on his own sends him insane, to a point in which he try’s to kill his family.

Stanley Kubrick tells us simple story of losing complete sanity through a unique perspective. As a whole the film successfully achieves its goal of keeping the audience right at the tip of their seats and anticipating what’s going to happen next. Jack Torrance was a one of a kind character, who was trapped by his own demons within the hotel.

Setting

Shot in secluded hotel high in the mountains which is inaccessible to anyone, the setting itself creates an atmosphere of seclusion. The emptiness of the hotel combined with the unusual setting complements each other greatly, allowing Kubrick to capture great shots; the film was very fast paced but at the same time had long, intense pauses creating a synchronised effect between each shot.

Characters

The breakdown of the family was not as clear prior to it happening; Jack’s character lacked depth which would have been vital before his eventual breakdown. The choice of actors and their portray play huge factors in creating a horror film. Nicholson’s brings a character to life with his portrayal of Jack’s psychotic, twisted mind. With the audience observing his every move. In the film you feel like you can see right through Jack’s mind. He had the audience observing his every move. Wendy’s personality on the other hand is illustrated as passive and hysterical making her seem eventually vulnerable as the film proceeds. She does not dare to conflict with her husband even in the most unfortunate situations makes her almost flawed character seem more human and damaged. The film reveals our need for companionship; loneliness is something we as humans, find it impossible to endure.

Iconography

Mirrors play a large part in The Shining, often revealing a previously hidden detail, or even hiding details itself. In the bathroom scene, although there are mirrors are shown, the camera angle hides the two characters reflection, it shows that the mirrors are hiding the literal and metaphorical sense, which could also be seen as a metaphorical way of hiding the pasts of the two characters. The lighting in the scene is also fairly low key, not completely covering the room with darkness, but also not completely illuminating it. At the end of the film there is a photo shown of the main character Jack, attending a ball at the hotel in 1921, six decades before he became the caretaker, indicating that somehow he has been either alive since then or reincarnated, which will confuse and excite the audience.In films, Usually the villain will be on the left side of the shot and the protagonist is usually on the right side. The left is the evil side and the right is the good side. Since Jack usually is on the left side of the screen, the viewer subconsciously associates Jack with evil.

The director Stanley Kubrick carefully placed the horrific images combined with excruciating background music that would give you utmost panic. The overflowing blood scenes were a visual masterpiece that seemed almost surreal. You were never too certain as to what was about to happen next showed his creative flair.

Cinematography

The Shining contains lavishes of red throughout the film, with certain scenes more vivid than others, This alone is a fairly common convention of the horror genre, as the colour red has connotations of danger, passion and death. The use of red blood to indicate danger and the insanity of Jack Torrance has impacted his son, as he writes murder backwards on the wall in blood. The wall is white which is a peaceful colour and there is no indication of danger, so there is a clear contrast. The suspense, blood and gore made the film so intriguing; the audience was kept wondering throughout as to what would really happen next. The Shining wouldn’t have been the same if Kubrick didn’t add the yellow/ green colour to film, which created a complete different atmosphere; and setting the perfect cautious mood for the audience whilst watching the film.

The typical codes and conventions of the horror genre would consist of close-ups, long shots and Ariel shots. Kubrick samples a series of Long/Ariel shots, to anchor his isolation, and close-ups to highlight his insanity. The lighting can influence how the film looks. Stanley Kubrick uses light differently than most standard horror movies. The majority of the film is shot with lots of stark lighting. This use of lighting highlights the contrast between the evil supernatural world and the realities of the natural world. The scenes at the Torrance family’s home were shot with natural lighting in contrast to the Overlook Hotel’s artificial white light. During the first scene low key lighting is used. Jack is in the bar and ordering a drink, and the lighting comes from underneath him, highlighting his deranged face.

Sound

The 1920's style music which can be heard in the background is often related to ghostly experiences in standard horror films, as it allows the film to focus on the creepy soundtrack of the hotel. The use of non-diegetic music, is a regular convention of horror films, as it ramps up the tension and uneasiness for the audience, as they have little to no idea as to what is to be revealed. Kubrick’s choice of unnerving music and sound effects is one of the most crucial factors that add to the cramped atmosphere; keeping the audience tense and ready to be scared.

Themes

Isolation and loneliness are one of the major themes in this film. Jack’s main reason to losing complete sanity was because he started to slowly isolate himself from everyone. At the beginning of the film we are shown that the car is moving towards a hotel. The hotel is located in a secluded place, which creates a border between the family and the rest of the world. 

Wendy talks the the fire department in one of the films scenes, they are the only people she can talk to shows her desperation for human interaction. The duality theme of the film represent the two faced nature of humanity, In Jack’s case it started as a mere irritation into aggression towards his family. Detachment from reality is another major theme circling throughout the film. Jack works alone, isolating himself from his wife and child. The severity of his detachment is shown with his writing, ‘all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy’. Danny is a major factor of the theme of clairvoyance. Seen through messages sent by Tony, Danny tries to prevent what the future beholds. Tony sends Wendy messages in a mirror written ‘red rum’ The reflection of which reads ‘murder’ is a reflection of both the past and the future. The word has a significant connection to the hotel, since the hotel itself is filled with unexplainable paranormal activity that causes people to be in a disturbing state of mind. The characters have trouble with deciding what is real and plain imagination.