
Film Production-Fiction
Unit 10
HORROR


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TASK - 1
LOCATION
For a horror film the location of the movie very important because this is where the scenes will be set and this will tell the story to the audience watching. The Location of the movie should be a place that make the audience feel fear and unsettled. Usually places such as abandoned houses , old malls etc . familiar locations that has been used in horror films are : Ennis House- House On Haunted Hill , Monroeville Mall - Dawn Of The Dead. These are set in either a abandon area, also The use of the building can symbolise to the audience a feeling that the setting might be oppression and dreariness for the audience.
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LIGHTING
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In a Horror film lighting is key to movie's as light will help set he scene also by helping show the main characters/ villain . High key lighting would be used to catch the main characters facial expression or their body language. Also , low key and blackouts will also be very necessary as using black will be used to create suspension for the audience also the low key lighting will help create tension as something might pop up and scare the audience. This is what make a great horror film as lighting is used a lot in films.
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COSTUME
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Costume is one of the most important elements for a horror film as the costume that a character has will Connote who they might be in the film , with using costumes in horror is different as characters present with different costumes , for example in the movie IT the Main character/villain wears a clown costume with a red baron in his hand , this symbolises that the character has a certain item with them that make them stand out from the other characters . This also tells the audience how to tel the different between the different characters.
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PROPS
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The use of props is used a lot in horror films as props help define the characters role wether it could be a protagonist or a antagonist . The prop could be used as a weapon or something to help protect something /someone. Props could be : A Bat , Hammer , etc.
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NVC
Non-Verbal Communication could be used a lot in a horror film but it depends on the event that is taken place . NVC is important as it will help to see the characters facial expressions on what they are feeling and could be experiencing , this give the audience the chance connect and experience the same feeing that the characters . This is how audiences face having favourite characters.
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CAMERA TECHNIQUES
Camera techniques are important in horror films . The use of camera techniques is useful to show the action for the audience. The use of blackout, creates tension for the audience. Camera techniques such as: High angle , Tracking , Big Close up , Canted Angle etc are used a lot in film to create tension and suspension for the audience watching.
SOUND TECHNIQUES
Infrasound, the sound that can't be heard, plays a vital role in setting an ominous tone. Infrasound is a wavelength of sound that is just out of range for human ears to hear, however this does not stop it from causing a reaction in humansSound Effects
For example, distant creepy movements and eerie haunting winds that are played in the background are what build up the spooky atmosphere. Sound effects that mimic human fear, including pulsing heartbeats and slow and heavy breathing, also increases the level of scariness. Sound in a movie includes music, dialogue, sound effects, ambient noise, background noise and soundtracks.
EDITING TECHNIQUES
Scare Factor that include:
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Use Blur. A blurred background is a key factor in increasing the scare factor of your horror film. ...
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Focus On The Background. ...
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Use The Right Music. ...
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Keep The Monster Hidden. ...
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Add Special Effects. ...
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The Perfect Reaction Shot.
Here is a few techniques that is used in horror films, Some of these techniques are used to show the storyline of the film and the other techniques is used to upset the storyline of the film to make the audience feel uneasy. Continuity editing, montage, and juxtaposition. Continuity editing is showing something as it happens. Montage takes clips from different scenes or movies and puts them together to create a new scene.
CHARACTERS /STEREOTYPES
Horror films may incorporate incidents of physical violence and psychological terror; they may be studies of deformed, disturbed, psychotic, or evil characters; stories of terrifying monsters or malevolent animals; or mystery thrillers that use atmosphere to build suspenseTypical elements of a horror story include serial killers, otherworldly figures, and graphic violence, though these are not required! While the horror genre is closely related to thriller and suspense, there is a distinction among the three.
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These are the most common stereotypes of characters in horror films:
- The Entity. ...
- The Harbinger. ...
- The Pawn. ...
- The Scholar. ...
- The Hunter. ...
- The Cop. ...
- The Final Girl. ...
- The Jock.
STOCK SITUATIONS
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A stock character is a fictional character based on common social or literary stereotypes. These characters usually rely on stereotypes for their names, mannerisms, and characteristics, such as :
The Hunter, The Cop, The Final Girl, The Jock, The Bad Girl, The Killer.
ACTION

LOCATION
Los Angeles sees a lot of action when it comes to filming, especially when it comes to filming, well, action movies. From 80s classics like "Commando" and "Beverly Hills Cop" to more modern features like "Iron Man" and "Transformers," the LA area has been home to some of cinema's biggest adrenaline-filled moments.Far and away the most popular location in the world for filming movies and television shows, Los Angeles has been the cultural center for the film industry since the Golden Age of Hollywood in the 1930s and 1940s.
The location are important in action as there is many scene that need to be shown and as quick cuts will be used throughout the film , this helps show the location and the setting of the action that is being displayed on the screen.
LIGHTING
The lighting setup guides the eye to a specific actor, prop, or part of a scene. Lighting reflects the psychology of characters. The amount, size, color, and harshness of light surrounding a character can be adjusted to match their emotions. Lighting defines and supports the genre of the film.
The two main categories of filmmaking light sources include artificial and natural light. Artificial lights can be either on-camera or off-camera, while natural light nearly always comes from an outside source such as the sun or a window.
COSTUME
Costumes are one of many tools the director has to tell the story. Costumes communicate the details of a character's personality to the audience, and help actors transform into new and believable people on screen.
Props
- vehicles - of all kinds, including cars, bikes, motorcycles, other motorised carriers
- costume components - shoes, clothing, and accessories such as glasses, masks, cloaks, jewellery, medallions, bracelets, necklaces, helmets, gloves, watches, hats
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A prop is any inanimate object that an actor interacts with in a film. There is a wide range of props that vary on how they are used and what they are used for. Props are bought, designed, and created by the property department (also called props department) which is led by the prop master.
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Personal props – Objects worn or handled directly by the actors.
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Set props – Furniture or oversized background items not built into the set.
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Trim props – Set dressings that provide a polished and fully furnished look.
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Breakaways – Special effect items designed to break upon impact.
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NVC
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The film demonstrates how to understand and engage conflicts with Nonviolent Communication (NVC) by describing facts, feelings and needs and asking for a specific action. NVC is a universal process you can use to solve conflicts and restore trust.
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CAMERA TECHNQUES
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Extreme long shot
First up we have the extreme long shot. Also referred to as an extreme wide shot, it conveys contextualising information to the viewer about where the action in a scene is taking place or sets a character in their context.
Long shot
This generally shows the full length of any featured characters from the feet to the top of the head and is used to show a character in relation to their immediate surroundings.
Close-up
The close-up is often used to show a character from the top of the shoulders to the top of the head. It’s used for capturing a character’s facial expression, heightening emotions and building tension.
High-angle
The shot below is at a high angle. Angles can use any of the framing types we’ve discussed above, but the camera must be positioned at an angle looking down at the subject. Generally, a high angle is used to make the subject within the frame seem small, isolated, vulnerable or less powerful.
Low angle
The low angle can also be used in combination with any camera shot type, but the camera must be positioned down low at an angle looking up at the subject. Generally, a low angle is used to make the subject within the frame seem large, imposing, daunting or more powerful.
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TASK 2 : THEORY
HORROR
Barthes theory :Semiotics
Horror films are centered around the dark side of life, the forbidden and strange, unexplainable events. They deal with our most primal nature and it's fears: our vulnerability, nightmares, alienation, our terror of the unknown, fear of death and/or our fear of sexuality.
Horror movies use semiotics to build an identity for the characters with a specific type of signs and messages which can tell you about the character.
Todorov Theory: Narratology
This discusses the order of the narratives and how all narratives share a movement from equilibrium to another so horror movies uses this for when the movie is progressing and is changing it increases the suspense and more unexpected things to keep it interesting.
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Levi Strauss Theory: Structuralism
This theory states that there are binary opposites in movies, in horror movies there are binary opposites between the villain, the victim and the hero.
Neale Theory: Genre
This theory is about how all the media products have a repetition of generic codes and conventions that helps to differentiate a media product from another, for example the jump scares make horror movies different from actions movies.
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ACTION
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Barthes Theory: Semiotics
1 of the things that Barthes discusses with this theory is in how some signs, images, words etc communicate different things in Action movies they use semiotics in stereotyping the heroes for example as you can see in this picture the heroe are usually men.
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Todorov Theory: Narratology
This discusses the order of the narratives and how all narratives share a movement from equilibrium to another.
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Levi Strauss Theory: Structuralism
This theory states that there are binary opposites in movies,
In action movies the interesting thing that keeps the movie alive is the conflict and how strong is the reason of the conflict is between the villain and the heroe/victim and what is the conflict going to produce.
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Neale Theory: Genre
This theory is about how all the media products have a repetition of generic codes and conventions that helps to differentiate a media product from another.
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ROMANCE
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Barthes Theory: Semiotics
Usually in romance movies the structure is that they show 2 characters (normally strangers) and they will make them have maybe similar interests to connect deeper and feel identified. Individually they will show the past and interests of the characters for the audience to build a bond with a character.
Todorov Theory: Narratology
When it comes to the narratology of the movie they use what it works and what people enjoy this is why it hasn't really change but what could be different is the reason of the disequilibrium.
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Levi Strauss Theory: Structuralism
In romance when it comes to binary opposites it could be what makes the couple break up for example in the series Lucifer the romance between the principal couple is that their attitudes, personality and hobbies are opposites.
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Neale Theory: Genre
The codes and conventions in romance movies are also repetitive, we usually see high-key lighting because is a lighting that is happening when there are good emotions and in romance we see love and caring this are positive feelings that differentiates the genre from for example an action movie or a horror movie.
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COMEDY
Barthes Theory: Semiotics
Comedy sometimes uses cultural jokes or stereotypical statements that are somehow seen funny or non offensive in society, for example the stereotype that people with glasses are smart or that latinos know how to dance.
Todorov Theory: Narratology
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In comedy movies the theory of the narratology is more followed in order (equilibrium, disequilibrium and resolution. Usually in equilibrium is where all the jokes and the fun part and then afterwards things get more serious in the disequilibrium.
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Levi Strauss Theory: Structuralism
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This could be in a unstable family or in the case of the movie TED 2 there are conflict between friendships too.
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Neale Theory: Genre
This theory is about how all the media products have a repetition of generic codes and conventions that helps to differentiate a media product from another.
All of the comedy movies use wordplay however this can be hard to understand therefore is a resource that is used when is known that is going to work if it doesn't work the person or joke could come out as weird.
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SCI-FI
Barthes Theory: Semiotics
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The flash of light in sci-fi means that something is about to arrive.
The colour blue is also very used in the genre because it is something perceived as rare in nature.
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Todorov Theory: Narratology
This discusses the order of the narratives and how all narratives share a movement from equilibrium to another.
The narrative in the sci fi movies are quite repetitive we usually see how an association of scientists or the government itself find a something that is dangerous for the earth, they try to find solutions for the problem while there could also come up new problems while trying to find the solution and at the end they slowly discover how to survive to the disaster and the survivors stay alive.
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Levi Strauss Theory: Structuralism
This theory states that there are binary opposites in movies.
Usually there could be like a sabotage inside the group of the scientists or the main protagonist that are trying to save the world
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Neale Theory: Genre
This theory is about how all the media products have a repetition of generic codes and conventions that helps to differentiate a media product from another.
This is quite similar to the semiotics theory things that characterise sci-fi films are spaceships, aliens
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THRILLER
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Barthes Theory: Semiotics
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Thriller movies play a lot with creating emotions such as excitement, suspension, anxiety but theydont want to create fear and make people scared .
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Todorov Theory: Narratology
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The narratology would also apply to this genre.
Where there is an equilibrium (for example a couple of protagonists are in a park) disequilibrium (some crminial chases them and the criminal kidnaps them) recognition, attempt(they try to escape but there issues( resolution (the protagonists escape but at what cost)
Levi Strauss Theory: Structuralism
This theory states that there are binary opposites in movies.
This theory could apply as a protagonist that is the victim and someone is trying to save the victim so is the oppsite to the antagonist that wants something from the victim
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Neale Theory: Genre
This theory is about how all the media products have a repetition of generic codes and conventions that helps to differentiate a media product from another.
Thriller movies are characterised by feature criminals, evil men and women as the antagonists because has less supernatural elements, whereas in horror movies the antagonist are ghosts.
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