Themes of Horror/Thriller

After taking into account my personal experience of our genre I have concluded four main themes that are shown.

·         Torture – An example of this is shown consistently throughout the Saw movies. The main protagonist Jigsaw inflicts a frequent pain on the proposed victims in order to teach them a life lesson in order to improve their life. This is also an example of the theme of moral philosophy.

·         Mind games – This is particularly evident in the thriller genre, examples of this is in Batman, here the audience is constantly processing events and predicting later events, the film attempts to make this prediction incorrect.

·         The Supernatural – The most recent example of this film I have recently viewed is Wolfman. The story is about a man who turns into a werewolf once the moon is full.

·         Death and Murder - Chainsaw manicure is a great example of this. However, although it may seem like the character is killing pointlessly. The story reveals that there is reason behind his actions. This can also be related to the area of revenge.

Our Stages of Narrative. . .

After great discussion in our group we have shaped the narrative structure which our moving image production will follow. My previous research into narrative structures demonstrated that most mainstream production follow the five stages of narrative proposed by Todorov. However, my research also highlighted that most horror/thrillers do not follow this structure chronologically although still including if not all, the majority of the stages. As our narrative follows such a structure it conflicts typical narratives although demonstrates the convention of a horror/thriller film. Our narrative should leave the audience in the up most anxiety and show know predictable path.  

Equilibrium
- Rural village establishing a close net community, all is well and normal.
- Traditional social event where the majority of the village attend (families, shop keeper, priest etc).

Disruption
- Suddenly when all seems fine, a little girl disappears inconspicuously.
- The ‘abduction’ becomes known (screams, panic etc).

Recognition of disruption
- A week on and the sister of missing child becomes suspicious of the disappearance (she believes her sister is still alive).
- The investigation begins

Disruption
- During her field investigation molly walks past the park where a group of young children are playing. A young boy goes through tunnel and as he comes out all his friends have disappeared, another abduction has taken place (this time witnessed by the audience)

Attempt to repair
- Molly finds out about the missing boy that evening, and her intuition develops.
- She goes to the scene of the crime, where she finds a symbolic religious cross necklace (boy pulled of priest during taking) “it’s the priest”
- Molly rushes to the church where the door is left slightly ajar.
- Molly looks in fear. Breaths deeply, bell chimes begin.
- Door slams in time with bell, molly gets dragged away into the darkness (a prayer being chanted)
- Revealed to missing children, Sunday school idea.
- The unholy appears on the final chime.

Classification and restrictions. . .

The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC)

I am carrying out this research in order to distinguish my target audience and provide a suitable certificate for my media advertisement campaign. This allows me to develop a greater knowledge and understanding in what we can include and exclude from our teaser trailer.

The company was first established in 1912 and still remains strong to present day. The BBFC can be described as “A highly expert and experienced regulator of the moving image (especially film, video/DVD and video games), and also a service provider for new and developing media.”

The BBFC provides the competent classification of moving images into age and advisory related categories. So therefore, the companies’ main focus is to provide the public with information of whether or not moving image content is appropriate for viewing. They illustrate the significants of protecting those who are vulnerable within society, e.g. young children from unsuitable content such as blood and violence. They also have an influence on the inadvertent breaches of UK law and maintain to provide media industries with security and confidence publicity trusted.

One issue that the company has acknowledged is the change in culture diversity. With this, they have not chosen to simply ignore it but instead embrace change and meet requirements accordingly. A key example of this is the newly developed 12A, allowing the viewing of certain movies for those under 12 as long as accompanied by an adult. Whereas, before if you were not twelve, then you could not view it.

One of the key ambitions of the company is to

• Respond to changing social attitudes

This demonstrates that the company will continue to change and develop and will last meet the needs and expectations of society and be a continuingly trusted company.

List of certifications. . .

U – Suitable for all, more specifically those four and older.

PG – Parental Guidance, here most of the moving image is suitable for children but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children.

12A – A cinema certification whereby, viewing is promoted to those over the age of twelve unless accompanied by an adult. It is still not recommended that those under twelve watch the moving image but leaves the decision up to the accompanying adult.

12 – Only suitable for those older then the age of twelve. This is because it contains material that may cause distress to someone younger or what parent may perceive as unsuitable.

15 – Suitable only for those fifteen years and older. In this classification close attention should be paid to the content of; discrimination, drugs, horror, imitable behaviour, language, nudity, sex and violence.

Are primary concerns;

·         Horror – Although tough peril and threat is allowed we can not relate these to any forms of sadistic or sexualised behaviour.

·         Imitable behaviour – If we included any form of dangerous behaviour, it should be shown in no great detail. For example, if self harming is shown, do not glamorise the weapon and only show briefly.  

·         Language – Strong language is acceptable but the continuous use of the strongest words will be questioned. Attempt to justify use.  

·         Nudity – Nudity is permitted but not in strong detail.

·         Drugs – Taking of drugs is permitted but in no way should they be encouraged in misuse. The misuse of easily accessible dangerous substances such as aerosols is not acceptable.

·         Violence – This can be strong but not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. Any reference of sexual violence must be discreet and be clearly justified.

18 – Suitable only for adults.

R18 – Only shown in specially licensed cinemas, or supplied only in a licensed sex shop and to adults not less then eighteen years. Usually associated with strong fetish and sex of adults.

www.bbfc.co.uk

Typical narratice structure of my chosen genre and character types

 Propp’s character types

Vladimir Propp (1969) studied 100 tales and as a result developed a character theory that identified 7 broad character types. He argues that these character types could be applied to any other media. He stated that ccharacters have many functions within narratives and each serves a purpose to it.

Propp’s character types -

1.  The villain (struggles against the hero)
2. The donor (prepares the hero or gives the hero some magical object)
3. The (magical) helper (helps the hero in the quest)
4. The princess (person the hero marries, often sought for during the narrative)
5. The father
6. The dispatcher (character who makes the lack known and sends the hero off)
7. The hero or victim/seeker hero, reacts to the donor, weds the princess

www.worldlingo.com

After getting to grips with these character types are then watched two horror/thriller films and identified the character types suggested-

Batman the Dark Knight

·         The villain – The Joker and Two Face, these characters work together as they both share the same enemy (Batman), they cause constant disruption.

·         The donor – Alfred the butler, helps batman in the preparation of his quests and supplies him with fighting equipment.

·         The Princess – Rachel Dawes, she prevent Batman from fighting and the villains use her as an asset of Batman in order to get to him.

·         The hero – Batman, constant attempt to overcome the villain(s)

The Hills Have Eyes

·         The villain – The deformed people living within the mountains are attempting to feed on the characters on their territory.

·         The helper – One of these deformed people living within the mountains however, she attempts to help the family by caring and protecting their child.

·         The Hero – the man who attempts to save his family from the villains by going into their homes and kill them.

So it is evident that not all the character types are typically used within horror/thriller movies but more attention should be spent on the villain, hero and helper. I have also noticed that the villains ever just include one character or a group of. These villains have typically experienced trouble events themselves and show no real reason for their evil. The helper often only plays a minor role in the scheme of things, however, makes a large difference in the success of the hero. The hero, is often part of a group and is the last to survive and comes close to death themselves until they demonstrate a final stand against the villain.

 Todorov’s Narrative Structure

A story can be described as a sequence of event typically known as a plot. This sequence of events are then put together and become a narrative, all media texts have a narrative. So when identifying the narrative we do not look at the story, but the way in which the story has been put together.

Tzvetan Todorov’s Theory of Narrative is a key theorist in media; he outlined five stages of conventional narratives. This is a typical narrative structure and is evident in many mainstream and independent films.

There are as follows:

1. a state of equilibrium at the outset

2. a disruption of the equilibrium by some action

3. a recognition that there has been a disruption

4. an attempt to repair the disruption

5. a reinstatement of the equilibrium

www.longroadmedia.com

I then analysed one the media texts associated with my chosen genre outlining the stages of narratives it follows.

The Hills Have Eyes

The film begins and we are established with a State of equilibrium. The family seem to be on their on the way to a holiday destination in a caravan. A Disruption of the equilibrium then takes place as the car towing the trailer breaks down in an isolated area and the creatures begin to prey on the characters, the young boy is the first to be murdered. This disruption continues for a long period of time as these creatures access the female characters within the caravan. However, there is no real recognition that there has been a disruption instead the male main character attempts to repair the disruption which he assumes is only the broken car as he is not yet aware of the murders some of his family. However, he then reaches a location where these creatures are living and then Attempts to repair the disruption. He realises the threat of these creatures and tries to kill them. There is no Reinstatement of the equilibrium.

So therefore, typical Horror/Thrillers narratives will include the majority of Todorov’s stages of equilibrium. However, disruption of the equilibrium and attempt to repair are likely to make up to majority of the film as this is the stages the build anxiety and excitement to horror films. As shown in this example, reinstatement of the equilibrium is not always apparent. This leaves the audience on a cliff hanger, causing the audience to be left guessing and related to horror it maybe may suggest that the cause of this disruption can’t be stopped and may still be living.

However, in terms of our media production, we are producing a teaser trailer so while we may include elements of these stages they are likely to follow no chronological order in order to not give the plot of the story away.



First steps to developing my website. . .

After earlier research of navigation keys i now feel highly capable of creating my own. This will entail one home page and then five sub-pages. The pages i have included are those that both my secondary research and questionnaire results both demonstrate. I have made it so on each page of my website you have access to the navigational box and therefore, navigation around my site will be easy. 

Questionnaire Analysis. . .

1)      This graph shows that more females have filled in the questionnaire then males.  Ideally we should have given the questionnaire to equal numbers. However, due to the random sampling technique used, this did not happen. Nonetheless, it is only a 3% difference so should give no real bias to our results.

2)      This graph demonstrates that our target audience ranges from 14 – 19, this means that our results will be suited to them, representing their views and opinions on what they want from our trailer, poster and website.

3)       This graph clearly shows that the vast majority of population asked do participate in watching films so therefore be able to provide individual knowledge, experiences and opinions.

4)      This graphs shows that the majority of people watch films at the cinema monthly, while very few people watch them weekly and yearly. This gives us an idea of when we would release our teaser trailer. So, results would suggest that the trailer should be released around a couple of months before full length release.

5)      This clearly indicates that people do research about a film before viewing it. So therefore, it shows that there is a need in the market for advertising techniques such as the website we will create as well as being effective.

6)      The most popular of film poster highlighted by these results are Pirates of the Caribbean and The Crazies. Surprisingly, these two posters follow very different conventions. Both show no real image of any characters however; demonstrate an iconic image of the film. So this is defiantly something I will need to consider in the production of my poster. Both of the posters have placed the text towards the bottom of the page and follow a sinister theme, suggested by the use of low key lighting. This shows that horror/thriller posters are an effective method of advertisement, building confidence in our genre choice. However, looking at similar posters of these genres from the questionnaire results are low. Looking at these posters, they include more text and reveal an actual image of a character. Suggests that this should be avoided.

7)      This graph tells me that when producing my film poster I should spend a lot of time and high levels of detail in the creativity and production of the main image. However, while results suggest this, I will be sure to still take as much pride and care in all aspects of my film poster.

8)      These results highlight the features of a magazine people find least important. I found these to be font and background. So therefore, I may include less text on my poster as it has little influence on the success of my poster and draw more attention to areas such as the main image.

9)      Again these results show me that my final productions of my film poster, website and teaser trailer are affective methods of advertisement within the real industry. However, 13% said that it depends on the advertisement. Proposing that for my productions to be effective I will need to meet the standards expect and a level of professionalism.

10)  This graph shows me that maybe we do not need to have our production on the name of a major production company so gives us the option of creating our own individual production company and logo.

11)   This result again backs up the value of the website I will be creating and its influence within the real market. Also, we can see that television has the greatest result suggesting that the teaser trailer we create should also be distributed on the television as well as cinemas. His enables us to access a larger audience and therefore, an increase in the potential target market of our film.

12)  Looking at the most popular choices we can see that all are male. This leads us to believe that maybe if not the main character then one of the leading roles should be a male. Each of the character also has in the past been associated with the main stream productions of horror/thriller. Providing us with an idea of what an audience wants to see from actors from such genres.

13)  Prior to this questionnaire we as a group had already decided on the genre of horror, but we felt that we should ask this question as it would identify what genre a larger number of people are interested in. Fortunately, results showed that horror was the most popular. This shows us that we had made the right choice of genre and that it is one that people will be interested in.

14)  This demonstrates a number of various feelings an audience expects to encounter when watching a film. Out of these I selected ones which related the genre of horror/thriller; suspense, scared, fear, surprise, excitement and confusion. Knowing this would allow us to focus my and the groups productions around these emotions and best attempt to create these feelings from the audience.

15)  Trailers, pictures, cast and synopsis were the highest results of this question. This tells me that these pages will be essential to include in the production of my website, meeting the demand of the target market. However, in my website I would also like to include something not mentioned in order to add something new to the pages in order to stand out that bit extra.

16)  Results of this question demonstrate that genre, cast, recommendations and narrative are the most important criteria when choosing a film. Thinking realistically, the cast of our cast are likely to not be known at all due to expenses. However, we will be sure to have included those who are highly capable actors/actresses in order to meet the requirements of such standards as best we can. The genre we have already established as the correct decision due to our groups and the peoples asked most popular choice. The narrative of our production will have to be to the best of quality; however, as we are producing a teaser trailer, we should give no chronological narrative away.

17)  This demonstrates that red, black and white are all very popular colour schemes. Luckily, this relates very well with our chosen genre and should be taken into consideration in the production of our poster and website.

18-23) These graphs demonstrate what the audience see as most important in a number of aspects of the advertising campaign as a whole. Looking at these results the importance of iconography and soundtrack has been highlighted. This proposes that close attention should be paid to the codes and conventions of my chosen genre and that they should be demonstrated throughout my advertising campaign in order to illustrate the effectiveness of my productions.

Our Questionnaire. . .