Macro elements within horror
Character • When creating a character for horror, there are many things that need to be taken into consideration. Firstly, there are almost certainty going to be an antagonist and protagonist (these themselves have their own requirements for dress etc.) • Protagonist The protagonist consists of 4 sorts of ‘good guys’ which consist of a hero and/or victim. • The hero will usually be set a mission of some sort. Whether this be to kill someone or leave their comfort zone to try and find a long lost object. They would stereotypically be a male and usually survive. But, this is not always the case. • The victim will usually be subject to attacks from any sort of evil (this could range from birds to zombies) will usually end up getting killed. Meaning that this protagonist rarely survives. • The donor will usually be in possession of something that will be of use to the protagonist, this could range from a high class weapon to some medical supplies. • The helper will usually be the accomplice of the antagonise, helping them on their journey to solve the ‘mission.’
Character (continued) • Whenever a protagonist is used in a film, there will almost certainly be an antagonist. The antagonist will usually be the one that is the start of all the trouble. For example, if there was an evil monster that had been created, the creator will be the antagonist. The common forms of an antagonist are : • A monster • Someone that has been mutated (the common form is a zombie) • A freak or someone that is having psychotic issues • A serial killer
Character (continued) • Children If they do decide to use a child within a horror they will play quite an important, sinister role. This will be done to add the most amount of thrill factor to the watching audience. The child will stereotypically be casted as a girl and not a boy. This is mainly because the audience simply find a little girl scarier than a boy. Drawings by the children are often used. This could be a drawing of a monster that is creeping them out or stalking them. These drawing would usually have a huge psychological effect on the viewer, showing them how bad things are getting if the children are involved. • Monsters There will always be a monster in one form or another. Literally anything can be made to look as a monster and become scary. But, there are a ew main chosen ‘monsters’ used by directors. These consist of: • Zombies • Vampires • Poltergeists • Demons
Setting • The setting within a horror is usually consistent throughout most that are created. These consist of: • Abandoned ghost towns • A small community (usually isolated from other civilisation) • But, this can include bigger, well known cities or urban areas. When they do this, the director has to ensure that the feeling of isolation is still emphasised on (as this is on of the biggest adrenaline builders in horrors.) • Furthermore, a more enclosed setting can be used. Whether this is using an old house (these are usually filled with bad memories) a hospital (this is because people have died here) or a setting that will keep the audience on the edge of their seats.
Stereotypical Narratives • Slasher type horror films usually involve a psycho/someone psychotic who will be going on a killing spree/sequence. This would usually be undertaken by someone wielding a violent weapon. For example, an axe or knife. They can also overlap with the crime and thriller genre but not always. Stereotypically, every protagonist dies, meaning that the antagonist is left to escape and are not traced again. • Gothic type horror films are very different to the other narratives. It is a combination of Goth and horror (which can create a scary combination) and will contain a romance that will not be obvious to the viewer at the start. But, as the films proceeds, the romance between the pair will become more evident. Although the longer romance is held off, the more suspenseful it becomes (which is the aim) But, the love would not be with someone that is expected, it would be between two different species for example (Vampire and Human)
Stereotypical Narratives (continued) • Psychological type horror films would usually mainly focus on a characters past issues or current mental state. For example, their guilt and instability. Or, they may even be supernatural. • A common plot in all types of horror films is a failure via technology. This can range from a simple burglar alarm not working (putting the protagonist in danger) to a car breaking down (this would put them in an unknown, hostile, isolated territory.
Micro elements within horror
Diegetic and non-diegetic sound • Stereotypically, low pitch, fast music will be used. This will help keep the viewer on the edge of their seat and build up adrenaline (which is the key to a good horror) • An ominous sound is commonly used. The prime example of this is when you hear the tone of a dead dial tone on the protagonists phone. This enhances the amount of danger they actually are in and creates fear for the protagonist. • Whenever the antagonist is on the phone to the antagonist, the voice would usually be deep (giving the sense of mysteriousness) and will be hard to identify them.
Editing • Fast editing is commonly used. This is done to intensify any chase scenes that may happen within the film. This helps build up adrenaline for the viewer. • Dark and gloomy filters are often placed over the top of footage in order to create suspense as the audience is limited in their view of the surroundings.
Camera Work There will be many high and low angled shots in a majority of horror films. This will be to focus on who the antagonist(s)protagonist/s are and who the antagonist/s are. The low angle (looking up) will be showing the amount of power that the antagonist is holding. On the high angle, this will be the antagonist’s point of view. In contrary, the protagonists will be shown using a high angle as this shot makes the protagonist appear smaller and therefore more vulnerable.
Mise en scene • Props Props that are used are usually nasty. They will be sharp, dangerous and made to inflict pain on their intended target. These consist of items like knives, chainsaws and guns. Props also include one of the scariest objects that can be used in a film, dolls. These are simply included to signify the intensity of the horror.
• Costume Costume usually tends to be quite dark colours, black being the usual choice, this helps enhance the evil within the piece, for the antagonist. When choosing the protagonists clothing, it is different. These would usually be lighter to show the goodness within them (letting the audience know whom is good.)