First I began by researching the typical horror settings
and seeing what films chose which settings.
Mental
Institutions
How do you know if you are sane?
Mental institutions are filled with the unknown, as most of
us have never visited one, and most of us have no idea what they involve. When
combining the human presence with this setting, it combines the audiences known
with the unknown, making it good ground to set a horror film on.
Session 9 (2001)
A cleaning crew work to clean a building that used to be an asylum for the mentally insane. They struggle to get the job completed, as they begin to experience odd sounds and disturbing images.
This creates a realistic situation in a setting that the audience are not familiar with.
In The
Home
Are you ever really safe?
Instead of putting the audience in an unfamiliar setting,
some horrors place the unknown into where the audience would normally feel most
comfortable. This makes the film stay with the audience, as it seems more
realistic.
House
at the End of the Street (2012)
A girl moves to a new home, following her parents’ divorce.
She begins to fall for the mystery man living nearby, until she begins to
wonder what he may be hiding in his basement..
Using the relatable storyline of divorced parents causing the protagonist to move away, as well as the setting of a home, there is the potential to create a really scary plot for the audience.
The Woods
If you scream and theres nobody around to hear you, did you make a sound?
The woods is a good horror setting for reasons other then the fact that it may be familiar or unfamiliar to the audience. It's a space full of objects and presence, yet it is easy to feel isolated. There is often no phone signal, leaving the idea the anything could happen and you are left helpless. It's easy to hide in if you are running from a killer, but it's also easy for the killer to hide from you. It creates an atmosphere of seclusion that leaves the audience in fear of what could happen.
The last house on the Left (2009)
After causing grievous bodily harm to two young girls, the group find shelter in a secluded house in the woods, that happens to be the holiday home of the girls family they had just assulted. The parents unite in the attmept to capture and kill the group that harmed their daughters.
The fact that the gang are able to attack the girls so easily is due to the isolated setting of the girls holiday home. It creates the idea that the secluded country side is to feared.
Our research interviews have told us that people feel safest when surrounded by people. We want to combine the idea's of feeling safe with feeling completely vunerable.
A lot of the main tension in Horror Films is built by playing a musical score along side the footage. Disturbing soundtracks (non- digetic sound in movies) are often the key in building suspense and terror, whether its the screech of violins in 'Psycho', or the deep chords in 'Jaws', they support the motion picture's aim of terrifying the audience. The music can sometimes be so terrifying in the horror genre that scientists researched reasons as to why music can be so chilling. They claim that non-linear sounds that represent the noise of familiar sounds, for instance screams, are often incorporated into the most famous scores to tap into instinctive fears. Horror films in the 1930's like 'Dracula' and 'Frankenstein' used next to no music at all aside from in the title sequence. This carried forth trough the 40's and 50's, with films only using jolting sounds, however it is believed that the revolution of the musical score arrived in the 1960's due to Bernard Herrmann's famed score in Alfred Hitchcock's 1960's horror 'Psycho'. The score included the ear piercing screech of violins that coincided with the stabbing of a knife in the infamous shower scene.
Bernard Herrmann
Other composers that helped shape the modern day use of musical scores are John Carpenter for 'Halloween' (1978), William Friedkin for 'The Exorcist' (1973) by using a compilation of sounds including Mike Oldfield's 'The Tubular Bells'.
The accompaniment of combination music created a whole new league of horror films, as silence became too familiar and calming. the use of scores consequent in the audience being constantly on edge. It also emphasises the use of climaxes, as the pitch and volume increase during a piece of music.
In our own movie opening we hope to include a combination of silence and understated music in order to create a tension that will withhold the suspense throughout the scene.
By Alexandra Gibson
Wednesday 19 December 2012
Iconic
Sounds of Psychological Thriller Films
The films Jaws
(1975) probably has the most iconic music when it comes to music is
psychological thrillers.
In this clip, the non-diegetic
music begins when the camera is underneath the water focusing on the female
swimmer from a low angle shot which could also be seen as the shark’s point of
view and at this moment, the camera is quite far away from the swimmer. The
instruments used are string instruments which are what instruments are commonly
used in psychological thriller movies. The non-diegetic music begins with a
peaceful opening to represent the serenity of the ocean; also, the music is not
so intense here because the shark (antagonist) is not close to the swimmer yet.
Also, it makes the audience wonder what is going to happen next to the
protagonist. However, once the camera (the shark) gets closer to the swimmer
and there is a low angle shot from beneath the swimmer, this is when the iconic
music of Jaws begins. The non-diegetic music changes from a low pitch violin to
a lower pitched string instrument starting quietly then gradually increasing
the volume as the shark gets closer. This increases the tension within the
audience and tells the audience that an attack is about to happen. In Jaws
films when the shark is about to attack, this music will always play. As the
shark gets closer to the swimmer, the tempo of the music increases and when a
sudden movement happens, the high-pitch violin plays above of the constant
melody. This makes the audience jump, which puts them in the protagonists
position of their heart rate increasing and feeling scared.
Overall, in the Jaws films,
before an attack, the non-diegetic music begins slowly with a low pitch
instrument playing in the background when the antagonist is far away and the
tempo and volume of the music increases once the antagonist gets closer to the
victim and the attack begins.
The Shining
The Shining (1980) is also
another film that includes iconic music and sounds. In this clip, the
non-diegetic music matches the action and the genre of the film as the music
used would contrast to a film with the genre of romantic comedy for example.
The non-diegetic music starts
with a slower tempo and then builds up throughout this scene as the antagonist
is braking through the door with the axe trying to get to the protagonist. This
is a key element to music in psychological thriller movies as it builds tension
within the audience. String instruments are used and are high pitched to make
the audience feel uncomfortable as it is quite unpleasant and piercing to
listen to which adds to the uneasiness of the action taking place. As well as
the non-diegetic music, there is also diegetic sounds in this clip. For
example, when the antagonist is breaking the bathroom door with the axe, there
is the sudden sounds of the axe hitting the door, which alongside the
increasing intensity of the music, makes the audience fear for the safety of
the protagonist. The diegetic sound of the female victim screaming “NO!” is
once again; high pitched and piercing for the audience to listen to, this makes
the audience feel uncomfortable about the situation and fearful. The diegetic sound
of the antagonist’s act hitting the door is also powerful compared to the
protagonist holding the knife which seems small and harmful compared to the
axe. This is a key element to psychological thrillers as the victim is always
presented as less physically strong. Like Jaws, as the antagonist gets closer
to the victim, the music intensifies and becomes lower in pitch; however, the
high pitched string instruments continue to play in the background. This
increases the fear and tension within the audience as it shows that something
dangerous is about to happen.
Overall, I think that in our
film opening, we will take all these point into consideration about the music
and sound of a psychological thriller as we aim to make the audience feel
uncomfortable, tense and scared when watching. We also want them to question
what will happen next in the film and we think that the building of tension
within the music will contribute to this.
Sir Alfred Joseph was an English film Director and Producer. He pioneered the many techniques used in thrillers and horrors to this day. He had a successful career in the British Film industry and then moved to Hollywood in 1939. His career spanned over more than half a century. In his time he developed the techniques we see today in all good horrors and thrillers. He pioneered the use of a
camera made, to move in the way a persons gaze gave might, forcing his audience to engage in a form of "voyeurism". His stories often included fugitives on the run from the law and blonde female characters. Many of Hitchcock's films have twist endings and thrilling plots featuring depictions of violence, murder and crime.
Hitchcock directed more than fifty feature films in a career spanning over six decades. often he was regarded as the greatest British filmmaker, he came first in a 2007 poll of film critiques in Britons Daily Telegraph .
Here are some of Hitchcock's greatest films:
The Birds
Dial M for Murder
Shadow of a Doubt
Notorious
Strangers on a Train
Rebecca
Vertigo
North by Northwest
Psycho
Rear Window
By Harry Crotty
Wednesday 12 December 2012
National Classification and Censorship of
films
Current certificates:
(Universal) Films are suitable for all ages as there
is nothing unsuitable for children.
(Parental Guidance) Some scenes may be unsuitable for children.
Films May include mild language and sex or drug references.
(Cinema only since 2002) Films under the ‘12A’ category are
considered to be unsuitable for very young children. Those aged under 12 must
be accompanied by an adult, aged at least 18 years. Films can contain mature themes,
discrimination, soft drugs, moderate swear words, infrequent strong language
and moderate violence, sex references and nudity.
(Home media since 2002) Nobody younger than 12 can purchase or rent
a DVD, Blu-ray disc or game with this certificate. The content is the same as
the ‘12A’ rated films.
Nobody younger
than 15 can watch a film rated ‘15’ in the cinema unless accompanied by an
adult aged at least 15 years. A child that is not 15 years cannot buy or rent a
DVD, Blu-ray disc or game with this certificate rating. Films with this rating
contain adult themes, hard drugs, frequent strong language, strong violence and
strong sex reference.
Only adults allowed to watch a film with this
certificate rating in the cinema or purchase/rent on DVD, Blu-ray disc or game.
A film rated 18 does not have a limitation on the bad language used. Hard drugs
are generally allowed and explicit sex references, as well as detailed sexual
activity. Included in a film with the certificate rating of 18 is very strong,
gory and or sadistic violence, strong sexual violence is also permitted unless
it is excessively graphic.
"If you ever wondered where you're dreams are from..you look around you"
- George Méliès
George Méliès was a french illusionist and filmaker, who was a crucial part to the earliest days of cinema. He was one of the first pioneer's of the horror genre when he created the first horror movie 'Le Manoir du diable' (The Haunted Castle) in 1896. The film only lasted 3 minutes however it set the bar for all the great horror movies that were to follow over the next 100 years.
Alfred Hitchcock
1899-1980
"Give them pleasure- the same pleasure they have when they wake up from a nightmare."
- Alfred Hitchcock
Alfred Hitchcock was on of the first feature length horror directors. He is considered Britain's greatest film treasure due to his groundbreaking cinema. He specialised in suspense and psychological thrillers. He created some of the most terrifying films of his time including the iconic 'Psycho' (1960) and 'The Birds' (1963).
Roman Polanksi
1933- Present
" My films are the expression of momentary desires. I follow my instincts but in a disciplined way"
- Roman Polanski
Roman Polanski is a director, known for his psychological horrors in the 1960's, 'Rosemary's Baby' (1968) and 'Dance of the Vampires' (1967) He is greatly inspired by Alfred Hitchcock, which is apparent in 'Repulsion' (1965) as he uses motif's from psycho amongst others. He specializes in psychological horrors, and concentrates on the terror rather than the gore.
Steven Spielberg
1946- Present
"I always like to think of the audience when I am directing. Because I am the audience."
- Steven Speilberg
Steven Spielberg is one of the most treasured directors of all time, and a certain main contributor to the horror genre. He acted as director for one of the biggest horror franchies of all time: 'Jaws' (1975). He also largely contributed to 'Poltergeist' (1982) as a writer and producer.
Tim Burton
1958- Present
"It's good as an artist to remember to see things in a new, weird way"
- Tim Burton
Tim Burton is renound for his wild imagination, creating dark twists even in his films designed for children like 'Corpse Bride' (2005) and 'The Nightmare Before Christmas' (1993). However his real knack is in creating demented, terrifying horrors. After creating the worlds of 'Beetlejuice' and 'Edward Scisscor Hands' it was apparent that Burton had a vivid imagination regarding horror. Two of his most terrifying films to date are 'Sleepy Hollow' and 'Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street'.
By Alexandra Gibson
Saw V Opening Credits: 9 Frame Analysis
In this first shot, there is non-diegetic music
which identifies the genre of the film for the audience as the instruments used
are string instruments which creates the feeling of eeriness and uneasiness.
When the red cloud effect appears behind of the text, the sudden non-diegetic
sound effect of a lightning bolt striking contrasts with the string instruments
playing which foreshadows the scariness of the film. The background colour of
this shot is black which is repeated throughout the opening credits as this
suits the genre of the film and continues to make the audience scared.
The next screen shot
has the non-diegetic sound effect of metal chains clashing with one another
which represents the visual effects on screen which is barbed wire twisting
followed bya dagger going through the
centre of the barbed wire. The barbed wire twisting coincides with the
independent production company’s name. The barbed wire and the dagger in this
shot also foreshadow the events of violence in the film. The barbed wire is
then tightened around the dagger and then pulled and the dagger is released
from the barbed wire which is wrapped around it. This visual effect shows the
torture that is endured during the saw films.
In this shot, the non-diegetic string music is
introduced again and in this shot it intensifies which creates the feeling of
tension within the audience. Once ‘A LIONSGATE RELEASE’ is on screen, a bright,
white light highlights the words one by one in time with the non-diegetic
music. An image also appears once the light reaches the ‘EASE’ of ‘RELEASE’.
This image, however, is hard to identify which creates the feeling of
uneasiness for the audience making them feel unsure of what is to come.
However, the dark colour used tells the audience that the image coincides with
the genre of the film which is horror.
During the transition between this shot and the
previous shot, the non-diegetic music is less intense once the text if off
screen, however, once ‘TWISTED PICTURES PRESENTS’ appears on screen, the
non-diegetic music intensifies once again. Behind the text, the un-identified
image becomes clearer in this shot and to the audience, it looks like a wall
covered in slime, however, it is still a very UN clear image which continues to
make the audience feel uneasy.
Once again, during the transition between this
shot and the previous shot, the non-diegetic music is less intense and then
intensifies when the next shot appears on screen. Like the previous shots, the
illuminating light highlights the text on screen. In this shot, the picture is
most clear and appears to be the outside of a building. This represents to the
audience the feeling of imprisonment as it looks like an old, worn down
dungeon. This is an eery image and foreshadows the events that come in the
film, which are characters being captured and held and tortured in a worn down,
old building.
The next shot zooms onto a figure which the audience
is unable to identify with until lightning strikes and lights up the room in
the shot and the audience is shown a man lying in the middle of the empty and
dark room.
In this shot, the background is clearer to see than
the previous shots. This shot shows the clearest picture of the background.
Like the previous shots of the credits, there is a light illuminates the
letters one by one. The non-diegetic sound that sounds like someone taking a
deep breath in matches the speed that the small light is moving at. In this
shot, the background relates to the genre of the film and it looks like a dirty
wall which represents the hostage situation that the characters are in.
This is the first shot of the film that the audience
see of a character. As the audience has not received any information on the
narrative of the film, this shot seems confusing. The audience are unaware of
what is happening, as is the character. This creates the feeling of uneasiness
which in a theme that runs throughout the film. There is the diegetic sound of
chains rattling which creates the feeling of being trapped and the feeling of
uncomfortable. The panning shot shows the audience the setting of the character
which appears unpleasant and basic.
After the camera zooms into the chains around the
character’s ankles and shows the audience the situation of the character, the
camera zooms into a close up of the character’s face. This demonstrates to the
audience the panic that he is feeling and creates a more intense relationship
between the character and the audience. The audience therefore, feel the panic
that the character is in. When zooming into the character’s face, the camera
begins to rotate to show the character’s disorientation as he has woken up in a
place and he does not know where.
By Melissa Owen
The Horror Film Since 1980
Here is the opening title to the iconic film in the 1980's.
Friday The 13th (1980) Part 2 (1981) Part 3 (1982) The Final Chapter (1984) A New Beginning (1985) Jason Lives (1986) The New Blood (1988) Jason Takes Manhattan (1989) Jason Goes To Hell (1993) Jason X (2001) Freddy vs. Jason(2003) Friday the 13th remake(2009)
We noted the importance of music, colour, and font in attempt to create the sense of a horror film.
This is the opening sequence to Wes Craven's 'A Nightmare on Elm Street' (1984)
We noted the effect that a heightened diegetic sound makes, and the
effect of close-up shots of the hands, which bring the danger
