Genre research - typical storyline and characters

Genre research - typical storyline and characters

The are many stereotypical characters that are used in horror films. There is often a female who is portrayed as venerable, this character is usually blonde, annoying and unintelligent. Also when they are killed off during the film the scene is usually gruesome. This character helps to create suspense and tension as they will be scared and jump frequently which will have a similar effect on the audience.
An example is:

Casey Becker in Scream

Another stereotypical character in a horror film is a popular teenage male. This character is usually portrayed to be one of the most popular character in the film and they act loud and untouchable however they are killed off.
An example is:

 

Ryan Merrimen in final destination 3

 

Many films within the horror genre have similar storylines, this is effective as the audience think that they know what is going to happen in the plot but then when a horror film involves something original it will scare the audience easily. They are also mostly set in a realistic situation and this is so the audience can relate the story which will scare them more and keep them interested. Many horror film involve plots which involve: evil forces, ghosts, monsters and serial killers.  One example popular storyline is where a house is haunted by a ghost or a spirit. This storyline is used in many films and two examples are the woman in black and paranormal activity.

 

 

 

Detailed storyline for First 2 minutes

Detailed 2 minutes

With discussing what our main storyline was going to be we had to do a detailed 2 minutes of what we would include in it and what effects etc. The 2 minutes will include the titles in which we will be flicking from two different scenes which will start the first scene. The titles will include sound effects of children laughing and creepy clown/circus music which will add to the effect of doing a horror genre. The two scenes will include the ending sequence which will inform the audience on what the story will be about and the other scene will be off a children entertainer which will include children and balloons etc. There will be creepy clips off random objects which will stick in the audiences mind and may give clues. After the titles the main two minutes of the film will be setting the scene of maybe a police station with information of murders coming in, and maybe setting the scene of the small town its set in. The two minutes won't give too much information towards the storyline as it will show people getting up and getting ready for work, a very normal day to day routine, which will confuse the audience after the creepy unusual titles. We want to include typical features of horror genre and our own mix of features from other films. We want to open with a good titles which will set the storyline for the audience.

Research of Iconography

Iconography
In the genre of horror films there are many themes throughout which makes iconic fears to the audience. Themes add the the audience's fear as they will react more if they notice the themes of horror films.

These are some themes that are associated with Horror Genre:

• Good versus Evil
• Depression
• Religion
• Childhood issues
• Revenge
• Supernatural
• Insanity 
• Madness
• Suicide
• Nightmares
• Possessions 

The regular themes used in horror films can be genuine problems in reality which makes it more realistic and can continue icons throughout horror films which helps the audience link to what may be the cause of maybe the character acting strange.

Research on Mise-en-Scene

Mise-en-scene

By making our group decision we considered aspects of a film which included mise-en-scene which includes setting, make up, props, costume and lighting.

Setting
By basing our film on a horror genre we wanted to use typical horror settings, however put our own twist on it and add setting which wouldn't be associated with a horror film.
As in our film the main character murders people we wanted the typical settings of a dark spooky forest and dark alleyways etc. However as he is a children's entertainer by day we wanted to set the scene of him being an average man through the day, adding other suspects in it may add crime scenes which adds another genre to it. Settings in films show where the main action is set and can indicate where about it is.

Make up
The make up we are going to use is to create a scary clown which looks smudged and broken down as we didn't want the make up to look precise like other horror clown films.We researched the film 'IT' by Stephen King as the make up used in that is very simple and in a way cartoon like. We looked on Google to have a look how other people have done clown make up in which we came up with the idea of doing an average clown style make up but have it smudged and crumbled like The Joker on Dark Knight Rises.




Costume
For the costume we haven't really gone into detail with what we exactly want, however when the character is as a clown we will go for the traditional clown outfit, however make in unique by ripping it and making it look dirty and old, as though alot of damage has been taken to it. For the other characters we will use we will add the normality by having them in costumes such as suits etc. Costumes are used in films to indicate who certain characters for example a police man they will be wearing a police outfit.

Props
Props usually used in our chosen genre tends to be associated with murderous objects for example a knife, rope, a gun, some sort of tool etc. In horror films they tend to not be a typical prop as there are many things that murderers can use. Therefore we want to come up with a unique idea in which wouldn't be associated with a horror genre. Props can be used in horror films to be founded which gives away the murderer in the film, this way it can give clues throughout, which we want to do.

Lighting
Lighting usually used in our chosen genre it tends to be very dark and dull, usually highlighting a specific character or highlighting with a dim light where the action is going to happen. We are going to go with the typical lighting as we think the lighting and music of a horror film is what makes it scary. We have researched lighting in films and want to make it very dark and in a way disturbing to watch due to music and lighting, as we feel like if they feel uncomfortable they will find it more scary.

Genre research - similar films

Genre research - similar films 
Our group has decided to create the first two minutes of a film which is similar to others in the horror genre. We did individual research on films within the horror genre so that we could gain a better understanding of their conventions and to give us ideas for our storyline. There are a few films in particular that I think are similar to the one we creating.

The first film that I think is similar to the one we are creating is Stephen King's IT.

 

This films is similar to our storyline as they are both based around a murdering clown. They also both base on and feature children as the clowns main target.

 

Another film that is similar to our storyline is called Halloween.

 

Like our horror film this film also features children and teenagers as main characters. It is also similar to our idea as the murderer is killing multiple victims in a small town due to a having a mental issue. In our storyline the murdered is being mentally possessed and this is causing him to murder his victims.

Group's General Storyline

Group's General Storyline

Our storyline is based around this one character who recently has been having troubles in thier life and as a result they have been forced to turn to a job that they cant particularly see themselves enjoying. Its their first day as a childrens entertainer and as the day progresses we find that there is a reason that this particular job has been open for a while. By day our character is just a childrens entertainer down on their luck. But by night, unaware of their actions, we find that they change and crave a murderous nature. They gradually begin to pick off the members of this small remote town, which they have found himself stuck in, until they comes across a face that they recognise, their sisters. The towns people begin to realise that their has been a lot of people gone missing recently and they go in search of them, this only makes this murderous childrens entertainers job much easier and much more desirable. After a series of gruesome murders, our character wakes the next morning completely unaware of what he has done. The only thing that brings questions to their mind are the traces of splattered blood across their costume the next morning. They then return to work for the second time and yet again becomes possessed by this murderous clown spirit. Unable to stop these murderous cravings, they begin to pursue their sister until the time comes when they meet and pace of the storyline greatly increases. Scenes within the film bring up questions that are unanswered until the final scene, and the conclusion is not one to be expected. This film is seen from the perspective of several of the towns people, including the person who is possessed by the clown spirit. The clown tends to target children and is often seen luring kids from the playground during the dark winter afternoons. Although we see through the clown possessed characters perspective the production is set up so that the other towns people are unaware of who this murdering clown is and therefore adds a lot of tension to certain scenes. The way it is set up also makes the audience question whether it is actually this down on their luck character that is within the clown costume. 

Individual Storyline

Individual Storyline

 

Emily Spraggan and her family have just moved into a new home on the outskirts of the town. The house has had several previous owners but not one of its previous residents have stayed any longer than a couple of days and the only one to question this is Emily. As the story progresses we find that the town is not everything it is expected to be, a dark secret lingers throughout the towns people and Emily gradually begins to reveal the truth behind the town. We find out that over the past number of years a series of murders have occured and the killer has never been caught yet the towns people don't seem worried in the slightest. This girl emily ventures further into this mystery only to find out that while she has been hunting the truth, the killer is at large once again and is directly targetting her. The storylines paces greatly increases as a series of events occur and then comes to a final conclusion where many questions are answered, but everything is not what you expect.

Genre Research - Iconography

Iconography

Throughout the horror genre things such as iconic themes, storylines and characters are used throughout the horror genre. These are also used to add to the familiarity of one to another, this familiarity helps to make the audience think that they know what is about to happen which then allows it to scare them when the plot is different. These iconic features within the horror help to make it instantly recognisable as a horror genre film.

Iconic things throughout the horror genre include:

• Implies to the viewer who are the good characters and who are the evil ones.
• Haunted houses
• Symbols of death and terror
• Disfigured faces and masks
• A screaming female victim who later goes on to be the last one standing.
• Murder weapons such as knives, clubs, general household items e.t.c.
• Woods and cellars
• Blood and body parts
• Dark colours such as reds and blacks
• Icons of the supernatural
• Religious symbols
• Supernatural beings

Sources:
General Horror Slideshow
Horror Genre Conventions

Genre Research - Mise En Scene

Mise En Scene

The features that make up the Mise En Scene of a film are generally similar within the horror genre. These features and the way they are presented help to build the tension and create an eerie atmosphere within the scene. There are features and the way they are presented in order to create the scene listed below.

Setting

Within the horror genre the settings are usually very stereotypical and with the help of the other Mise En Scene features it helps to create the atmosphere of the scene. Settings are usually selected specifically to  help the audience familiarise with the characters and the situation in which they are in. By doing this, it helps to involve the audience and cause a sense of reality. They also tend to be everyday settings such as: schools, towns, hospitals, parks, woods e.t.c. The settings used are mostly abandoned and/or run down, this is done to give the setting some history.

Lighting

The lighting throughout horror films is generally dark and dingy. This is done to help create a sense of mystery and terror in the scene. It also done like this to create shadows in which something could be hidden that the audience may not be able to see or it may be barely visible. This dark and dingy lighting is generally used during tense moments within a film as it adds to the intensity, also by doing this it helps to create relief through the change of lighting from dark to light.
 

Costume
Costumes are generally used throughout horror films either to present who the killer is or show a character within their role. For example, a character wearing a local police uniform shows that she is local to the town and enforces the law, it helps to add to their personality. Also within the horror genre costumes can be used to mask an identity of a murderer, this is used to help create mystery around this character and involves the audience by making them question things throughout the film.
 

Make Up
In the horror genre make up can be used to create scars and markings on a character which could potentially tie in with the plot. It can also be used to mask a characters identity and add to the realism of the costume, for example in Stephen Kings 'IT' the costume and make up used helps to present the killer as a clown, if make up wasn't used then the character would be less realistic and therefore less terrifying.
 

Props
Props are often used within this selected genre as weapons are often used in order to kill a murderers victims. Often knives, handheld cameras, torches e.t.c are used. Props can also be used in order to reveal more to the storyline and potentially progress it forward at a faster pace. They can also be used to create tension and mystery, for example a torch and handheld camera used in a dark lighted abandoned home.

Genre Research - Storylines & Characters

Typical Storylines and Characters

Throughout the horror there are many storylines and characters which are used often in many films. These help to make the story relatable, through the use of the characters. And by using similar storylines it helps to keep the audience familiar with the genre.

Typical Storylines

Storylines within the horror genre are generally very similar but with slight differences, this helps to allow the audience to think they know what is about to happen but the slightest of change to the plot can successfully scare/puzzle the audience. Typical storylines are used in order to make the audience feel familiar with the situation on the screen and this helps to draw them in. Some typical horror storylines include: A family move into an old house, at first everything seems perfect but things drastically start to change. They find out the house has a horrible history and are haunted by an evil spirit; A mental patient escapes from an asylum and is targeting a group of members of a small town one by one until he is killed by the last remaining character; A family move into a new town and the towns secrets slowly begin to reveal themselves e.t.c.

Typical Characters

Characters within the horror genre also rarely change, it all depends on the targeted audience. And because they generally target a teenage audience then the casting are generally relateable characters. You also find that the personalities of the characters within a horror genre film are generally similar.Teenagers are often seen in horror films. Also you also find that you have the stereotypical killer within a slasher horror genre film. Typical characters within films in the horror genre include: the vulnerable blonde female, the sporty popular male, the unusual geeky male, creepy children, non-believer, psychopath e.t.c.

Typical Characters Slideshow

Genre Research - Similar Films

Genre Research - Similar Films

Within our group we have chosen to create the first two minutes of a film which falls within the horror/thriller genre. By researching similar films it helped us to gain a better understanding of the genre and the conventions of the genre. Below is a list of films that i feel are similar to the one we are about to create.

• Stephen Kings IT - This is the most similar of the selected films within my research to what we want our film to be like. Like this film we have also chosen to go along with the murderous clown idea. 

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqqBpAqnGKg
Review: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/stephen-kings-it1990/

• Halloween - This film has some similarities to our selected film as it is based around a character that has mental issues and is unable to control them as they lead him on a murder spree within a small innocent town. We are also choosing to follow this mental illness route within our film. 

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5ke9IPTIJQ
Review: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1009113-halloween/

• The Texas Chainsaw Massacre - This film shares some similarities with our selected film, but this one has more to do with the appearance of the killer. The killer in this films wears a mask to hide his identity when carrying out his acts, much like our chosen character. 

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vs3981DoINw

Review: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1021112-texas_chainsaw_massacre/

• Paranormal Activity - The similarities that this film and our film share is the fact that our chosen character only commits his violent acts when wearing his mask, this could suggest that he is possessed by the mask much like how the characters within this film become possessed by a spiritual being. 

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_UxLEqd074

Review:  http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/paranormal_activity/

• The Cabin In The Woods - The only similarity that this film and ours shares is the woodland setting in which a lot of the action within our film takes place. 

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJUIgf7lsCY

Review: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_cabin_in_the_woods/

Conclusion:
Through this similar film research it has helped our group with ideas and iconic features of the horror film genre which will help us a lot when it comes to advancing with our storyline.

Research on Horror Genre

Genre Research
In our group we have decided to do a film with the genre of horror/thriller/ with the topic of clowns. In the process of thinking of the film description we had to do some research on the type of genre so we had a better understanding.

Similar Films

• 'It' Stephen King
• Killjoy
• Halloween
• American Psycho
• Saw

All these films are influential in many ways as they are either about serial killers or they are about clowns for the storyline. 'It' by Stephen King is the most influential film for us to make a similarity as the main storyline is about clowns and he is also a serial killer, which is a similar storyline to what our group has decided on doing.

Also in horror films they use similar storyline's which can be repeated, for example a family moving into a haunted house with children and then they experience paranormal activity and either the children or parents get possessed by a 'devil' or 'demon'.

Another typical horror film plot is a group of teenagers going on a trip and they gradually all get killed one by one, which may involve a cabin or a masked serial killer. they usually keep one person to last which will kill the murderer.

These are some examples of horror films which include typical aspects of horror films:

Some of these films include paranormal activity usually with children involved. They also tend to have a dark, long corridoor in the house also maybe a big clock or children's toys.