Preparing for MS4: Genre, Narrative and Representation in film

Horror cinema

Learning objectives: To explore fundamental approaches to studying genre

Learning outcomes: To be able to identify codes and conventions in a range related texts.

Horror cinema

Discussion What are your experiences of watching

horror films at the cinema or at home?

Genre: A reminder…

Definition – a type/category of media product

Conventions – common elements reinforced through repetition

Iconography – visual elements strongly associated with a genre

Horror conventions

Task: provide examples for each of these conventions.

Mise-en-scene (location/setting, props, cast/characters, costume, visual effects)

Camera and editing (Typical shots, focus)Narrative (storyline, audience positioning,

order of events)Themes (ideas explored, forces of good/evil,

mood and tone)

Example

Watch this sequence from Switchblade Romance, Alexandra Aja, 2003, France

How is this an example of conventional horror cinema?

Origins

Cinema began in the 1890’s with the development of film technology in Europe and America. Although Hollywood would eventually dominate the industry, European cinema was the first to explore film genre as we know it today.

Germany produced some of the earliest examples of horror cinema with The Cabinet of Dr Caligari (Weine, 1917) and Nosferatu (Murnau, 1922).

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1917)

Can you see any themes that would later become conventional in horror films?

Nosferatu (Germany, 1922) and Bram Stoker’s Dracula (US, 1992)

What has remained the same?

What has changed?

The Blair Witch Project, (US, 1999)

An example of modern horror? Discuss

Ring, (Japan, 1999)

Influence of world cinema

Current trends

Watch these trailers:

Hostel (US, 2005)

Saw 6 (US, 2010)

Last House on the Left (US, 2009)

How would you describe recent trends in horror cinema?

Exploitation cinema

A name attached to films which deliberately exploit levels of sex and violence in order to attract audiences.

These movies have been a part of the horror genre since the 1960’s.

What is being exploited here?

What is being exploited here?

What is being exploited here?

What is the purpose of this film?

Rubber, (France, 2010)

Where next for the horror genre?