Conventions
Isolation
Familiar setting at night
High amounts of violence, weapons, gore - iconography
Examples
The Blair Witch Project
Psycho
Friday 13th
Alien
Last exorcism
Drag Me To Hell
Sub Genre
Slasher
Psychological
Torture Porn
Thriller
Comedy/Parody
Representation
Monsters
Society
Teenagers
Women, useless
Promiscuity
Monday 24 October 2011
Propps Character Theory - Narrative
"Propps narrative theory of narrative seems to be based in a male orientated environment (due to his theory actually reflecting early folk tales) and as such critics often dismiss the theory with regard to film. However, it may still be applied because the function (rathe rthan the gender) of characters is the basis of the theory. E.g. the hero could be a woman; the reward could be a man.
Critics argue that Propp's strict order of characters and events is restrictive. We should rather apply the functions and events randomly as we meet new narratives. E.g. the hero may kill the villain earlier than Propp expects. Changing the traditional format will change the whole way the text is recieved.
Some critics claim there are many more character types that Propp suggests and we should feel free to identify them. E.g. the stooge in a sci-fi film, who is usually nameless and killed early on to suggest the power of the alien force, is a typical modern character type."
Story - Sequence of events (plot)
Narrative - presentation to the audience (events put together)
Analysis
Construction
Theme
. All media texts have a narrative
Critics argue that Propp's strict order of characters and events is restrictive. We should rather apply the functions and events randomly as we meet new narratives. E.g. the hero may kill the villain earlier than Propp expects. Changing the traditional format will change the whole way the text is recieved.
Some critics claim there are many more character types that Propp suggests and we should feel free to identify them. E.g. the stooge in a sci-fi film, who is usually nameless and killed early on to suggest the power of the alien force, is a typical modern character type."
Story - Sequence of events (plot)
Narrative - presentation to the audience (events put together)
Analysis
Construction
Theme
. All media texts have a narrative
Types of character
The Villain - Against hero
The Helper - Hero's "sidekick"
The Princess/Prize - Helpless, useless
Her Father - Gives task
The Doner - Gives something to hero
The Hero - Main character
The Dispatcher - Sends hero on mission
False Hero - Pretend hero
The Rougue Hero? The Underdog? E.g. Jack Sparrow, Pirates Of The Carribean
Why is this theory useful?
It avoids treating characters as if they are individuals and reminds us they are merely constructs. Some characters are indeed there just to progress the narratives.
Analysis of promtoional posters: "Halloween", "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre", "Psycho", "Saw 4"
Image relates to title
Dark background
Veins in hand show tight grip
Knife - iconography
Text - "He" - not clear, relates to plot
Insinuating revenge plot
Text - rhetorical question
woman trapped
villain wears mask
chainsaw - iconogrpahy
Based on a true story - scarier
Selling line - relates to image
Image - distorted
Black strips - trapped
Red - iconogrpahy
Broken font, broken mental state
Scales - measurement of time, "weighing" of the victims' worth
Chain - held against will
Severed head - death
Victim - treated like an animal
Iconography - blood
Selling line - relates to plot
Font - measured up, carpentry, saws
How are the key conventions of the horror genre used within the promotional poster?
"The elements and conventions of genre are always in play rather than simply being replayed." - Neale
. Iconography always present- blood, zombies, weapons, mutilation, ghosts.
. Setting - run down, isolated, dark, trapped in domestic area.
. Selling line relatable to plot of film.
. Text matches image and possibly reflects to the theme of the film.
. Characters - challenge eachother due to crisis
. The side characters are killed for the main character's survival.
. Subverts - Challenges horror genre key conventions
. Marketing & advertising:
. Relateable to both film and audience
. Connotations - usually culturally accepted
. Iconography always present- blood, zombies, weapons, mutilation, ghosts.
. Setting - run down, isolated, dark, trapped in domestic area.
. Selling line relatable to plot of film.
. Text matches image and possibly reflects to the theme of the film.
. Characters - challenge eachother due to crisis
. The side characters are killed for the main character's survival.
. Subverts - Challenges horror genre key conventions
. Marketing & advertising:
. Relateable to both film and audience
. Connotations - usually culturally accepted
"The Hole", "The Devil's Rejects" and "Amusement" : Sound
"The Hole" features limited non-diegetic sound, as the film aims to reflect a real situation and relate to and engage the audience as much as possible. Diegetic sound shows the reality of the film, and creates a fairly empty, quiet atmosphere that has an effect on the way the film is viewed by the audience.
"The Devil's Rejects" does not try to make the film too realisitic, and uses much non-diegetic sound, especially during scenes containing sex or drugs, and the main scene of violence at the end.
"Amusement" uses an equal mix of diegetic and non-diegetic, possibly to aid the scenes in their effects upon the audience, and uses fast paced music to create suspense and tension.
"The Devil's Rejects" does not try to make the film too realisitic, and uses much non-diegetic sound, especially during scenes containing sex or drugs, and the main scene of violence at the end.
"Amusement" uses an equal mix of diegetic and non-diegetic, possibly to aid the scenes in their effects upon the audience, and uses fast paced music to create suspense and tension.
"The Hole", "The Devil's Rejects" and "Amusement" : Settings
A common occurance with horror films, is the settings being isolated and often dark. This is because unfamiliarity will cause both the audience and characters to be unsettled and vulnrable. "Amusement" follows this, but "The Hole" and "The Devil's Rejects" seem to feature the isolation with the unfamiliarity rarely within the film. Although "The Hole" is set almost entirely in one large, dark room, the characters are fully aware of their surroundings, but not always of those they share the area with beyond the walls they are trapped in. This is particularly effective, as the audience is able to see how such a length of time and a small space can change the characters and the way they interact with eachother.
"The Devil's Rejects" shows the main charaters, also the criminals, as being relatively free. They have acess to transportation and travel during daylight through towns, however they are forced out of their most familiar surroundings, their home. Entrapment is often felt by their victims, as they are usually in either a hotel room or a cage, and gradually throughout the film, the characters' surroundings begin to trap them.
"The Devil's Rejects" shows the main charaters, also the criminals, as being relatively free. They have acess to transportation and travel during daylight through towns, however they are forced out of their most familiar surroundings, their home. Entrapment is often felt by their victims, as they are usually in either a hotel room or a cage, and gradually throughout the film, the characters' surroundings begin to trap them.
Thursday 20 October 2011
"The Hole", "The Devil's Rejects" and "Amusement" : Themes
The most common themes/motives displayed in these 3 particular films are mental disorders, obsessions, seeking approval from family, revenge, violence, sex, loneliness, fear, power, death, status, coincidence, childhoods, desperation, torture and twists. Although these are found to be linked to many other films, the way they are presented and used as crucial components of the plot is what could potentially weaken the foundations of the film.
For example, the theme of a murderous family in "The Devil's Rejects" could have taken all uniqueness away from the film and caused the audience to assume it was "just another", but the use of the theme of a strong family and presentation of them being united in their cause saved it, and it is rare to see a conventional American family that openly admit to being murderous animals. The contrast adds a dark humour and an interest in their behaviours, as they switch from killers to a family, and sometimes become both at once. We as an audience begin to ask questions about how they came to be this way, and become more and more aware of the flickers of the themes as the film goes on.
For example, the theme of a murderous family in "The Devil's Rejects" could have taken all uniqueness away from the film and caused the audience to assume it was "just another", but the use of the theme of a strong family and presentation of them being united in their cause saved it, and it is rare to see a conventional American family that openly admit to being murderous animals. The contrast adds a dark humour and an interest in their behaviours, as they switch from killers to a family, and sometimes become both at once. We as an audience begin to ask questions about how they came to be this way, and become more and more aware of the flickers of the themes as the film goes on.
Wednesday 19 October 2011
"The Hole", "The Devil's Rejects" and "Amusement" : Characters
In each of the 3 films, there isn't necessarily only 1 main character, but a group and multiple killers. This is most likely to provide a range of personalities and likeable qualities for the audience. The use of groups also highlights the similarities and differences between the individuals, using the contrasts due to the often found juxtapositions within the groups to make the characters memorable, seem more like real people and emphasise important things about them, for example movement, thought, feeling, action and reaction, dialogue, expressions and personal styles.
In each film, the most innocent looking woman is the most brutal, again playing on opposites. The methods of brutality may differ from mind games to violence, but is present. It is also common for the killers to act on animal instinct, and to show no remorse. However, when the characters hide the evidence of their atrocities, the audience have the ability to detect fear in them, or decide that they were simply prepared and wise.
In each film, the most innocent looking woman is the most brutal, again playing on opposites. The methods of brutality may differ from mind games to violence, but is present. It is also common for the killers to act on animal instinct, and to show no remorse. However, when the characters hide the evidence of their atrocities, the audience have the ability to detect fear in them, or decide that they were simply prepared and wise.
Monday 17 October 2011
"The Hole", "The Devil's Rejects" and "Amusement" : Plot
"The Hole" and "Amusement" display clear background stories and reason within the plot that have been gradually explained throughout the films, relying heavily on the psychological elements to appeal to the audiences' want of a complex storyline and the freedom to draw their own conclusions about the mental health, emotions and justifications of the characters' actions and reactions.
By providing motives for the protagonists, they are no longer ruthless killers in the eyes of the audience, but troubled people. Often, plots such as this cause the audience to try to understand and even favour the killer at one point or another, or at least feel sympathy for them.
By letting the audience into the minds of the main characters, they can often relate to them somehow, and will feel their feelings with them. A plot such as "The Devil's Rejects" also allows this, but relying heavily on the sexual and violent aspects of the film has slightly numbered the effects on the audience reaction, and instead we root for the antagonist. Some may look at the "senseless killing spree" based films as cliché and bland, however if made correctly can sometimes match films with a deeper "original" plot.
By providing motives for the protagonists, they are no longer ruthless killers in the eyes of the audience, but troubled people. Often, plots such as this cause the audience to try to understand and even favour the killer at one point or another, or at least feel sympathy for them.
By letting the audience into the minds of the main characters, they can often relate to them somehow, and will feel their feelings with them. A plot such as "The Devil's Rejects" also allows this, but relying heavily on the sexual and violent aspects of the film has slightly numbered the effects on the audience reaction, and instead we root for the antagonist. Some may look at the "senseless killing spree" based films as cliché and bland, however if made correctly can sometimes match films with a deeper "original" plot.
"The Devil's Rejects" Poster Analysis
Text: angled, fits with background, all uppercase showing emphasis on title, unconventional title placement, red and white
Image: movement, iconography (guns & blood), unusual for the woman to stand on the outside as the men will usually protect the women
Background: hot, reflects area the film is set in, mainly yellow, orange, black, unusually bright for a horror film poster
Colour: although image & background are coloured and bright, they show heavy shadow, showing contrast between the plot and the warm setting
Selling Line: none
Reflection upon the plot: limited, although directly addresses the film ending. Despite the characters wearing plain clothing, they are not plain characters. As the background is a road, the idea of being ''on the run'' is put forward. Features no selling line, but instead a review.
Trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMYQP5uRMkY
Trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMYQP5uRMkY
Sunday 16 October 2011
"The Hole" Poster Analysis
Text: Reflecting light, showing juxtaposition as a hole is dark, mainly lowercase, showing a low level of panic/highly serious matter
Image: eye contact from all 4 main characters, chiaroscuro photography, sepia tone, narrator main focus, fade into background
Background: plain, works with image
Colour: almost none, tones used for dramatic effect
Selling Line: Short, reflects plot, punctuation for emphasis, same colour as film title, capital letters for emphasis
Reflection upon the plot: The 2nd image directly relates to scenes from the film, as does the use of the narrator being the main focus of the main image, as the other 3 characters' stories are told through her. By placing Mike in front of the other 2 characters, the poster emphasises the importance he holds to both the story and to the characters, Liz. The use of the title as the only light source shows that the plot is based around entrapment and voyeurism, and includes the title within the image.
Trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0E75vi3ETc
Friday 14 October 2011
"Amusement" Poster Analysis
Text: Distressed, angled, relating to nature of the film, hung by what looks to be an imitation of a stretched piece of skin/cloth
Image: Dark mid shot, shot obeys rule of thirds, subject is a costume but gives the impression of eye contact
Background: simple, dark room, hanging pictures suggest basic living/working space
Colour: mainly red, yellow and black, carnival colours to reflect image
Selling Line: matches colour of text, line is mentioned in film, relates to image of clown
Reflection upon the plot: The image uses the costume worn by character "the laugh", and the background features the isolated area that the victims are chased through. The colours and shadow show juxtaposition in the purpose of the film, as they are warm and the fading of the image into background suggest an unseen twist. The text is displayed upon key horror iconography (sharp objects) and an important aspect of the film (the cloth/skin)
Trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqlmChTHGUk
Image: Dark mid shot, shot obeys rule of thirds, subject is a costume but gives the impression of eye contact
Background: simple, dark room, hanging pictures suggest basic living/working space
Colour: mainly red, yellow and black, carnival colours to reflect image
Selling Line: matches colour of text, line is mentioned in film, relates to image of clown
Reflection upon the plot: The image uses the costume worn by character "the laugh", and the background features the isolated area that the victims are chased through. The colours and shadow show juxtaposition in the purpose of the film, as they are warm and the fading of the image into background suggest an unseen twist. The text is displayed upon key horror iconography (sharp objects) and an important aspect of the film (the cloth/skin)
Trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqlmChTHGUk
Wednesday 12 October 2011
"The Hole", "The Devil's Rejects" and "Amusement" : Comparison
After watching "The Hole", "The Devil's Rejects" and "Amusement", I noticed some similarities and differences between the three films. For example, the ''Final Girl Theory'' can be applied to all three, and are against "Propp's Character Theory". The main characters are all groups of friends/family members. All three also focus on teens/young adults. However, they differ in plot, as "The Hole" and "Amusement" heavily rely on a psychological motive, whereas "The Devils Rejects" seems to focus on mainly sex and gore.
Plot twists are evident in all three, and "The Hole" and "amusement", most likely due to their psychological nature, are narrated by the ''Final Girl''. Iconogrpahy is also important in these films, and in all three the killer uses and typical weapons to kill, such as knives, and blood is shown. As well as more unconventional methods, such as "The Hole", where many of the deaths are accidental, (except Martyn's drowning and the murder of Geoff').
Close ups and diegetic sound are often used in horror films such as these, as expressions of the characters are important to the audiences emotional reactions, and the sound is crucial for a realistic effect. Isolated areas are also a key aspect of these films, as is heavy shadow, pahtetic fallacy and a background story. All three also seem to follow "Todorov's Narrative Theory" also, and can definately be applied to the "Male Gaze Theory" and include scenes of a voyeuristic nature. They also seem to be responding to the "Desensitisation Theory" with the levels of violence and scenes designed specifically for the shock factor.
Director: Nick Hamm
Narrator: Liz (plot = flashbacks)
Protagonist: Mike
Antagonist: Martyn
Others: Lisa, (implied to be Liz) Geoff, Frankie, Alex, Psychiatrist
Themes:
Bulimia
Claustrophobia
Schizophrenia
Obsession
Loneliness
Power
Control
Love
Status
Desperation
Revenge
Improbability
Coincidence
Class/Cliques
Extract from a Review: "It's a very good concept but the film fails to live up to the initial promise. Trying to tell the story in an interesting way through flashbacks backfires as the only interesting version is the last one, meaning you have to wait for more than half the film before getting to the good stuff. This is made all the worse by how unlikable all the four characters are. Number one rule; if you lock your audience in with a small amount of people, make sure their characters are at least interesting and a bit amusing. Between whining, shouting and blaming each other you'll be wishing for the whole place to fall down on their heads and end the wittering."
Source: http://awannabewriters.blogspot.com/2011/04/film-review-hole-2001.html
Director: Rob Zombie
Protagonist: Captain Spaulding
Antagonist: Sheriff Wydell
Others:
Tiny
Rufus
Mother Firefly
Baby
Otis
Themes:
Revenge
Murder
Torture
Boredom
Family
Sex
"Violent Western"
Extract from a Review:
"The characters are so much better than in the first film. They are obviously further developed and more convincing. More real. Somehow less of a freakshow, despite Captain Spaulding’s unsettling appearance. Sheri Moon Zombie looks and feels more at ease in her role as Baby – the Devil’s own candy. Otis is 100 times scarier with a big, bushy beard and now looks like guitar god Zakk Wylde from Ozzy Osbourne’s band. Leslie Easterbrook has taken over from Karen Black as Mother Firefly and her performance during the scenes with Wydell in the police station will blow you away. She is, as they all are, completely evil."
Source: http://www.eatmybrains.com/showreview.php?id=89
Narrator: Tabitha
Protagonist: Shelby
Antagonist: The Laugh
Others:
Lisa
Cat
Themes:
Revenge
Psychology
Childhood
Torture
Extract from a Review:
"The acting was decent enough, nothing great, but as it was the only positive aspect of the film it’s worth mentioning. Katheryn Winnick, Laura Breckenridge, and Jessica Lucas all played the victim well enough and showed us realistic enough characters before this point. Katheryn Winnick stands out the most as she takes on the role of the heroine. Keir O’Donnell was somewhat creepy, but really wasn’t a very effective villain. He seemed to have a very underdeveloped mind set, which should have been complex, darkening, and interesting as someone who thrived on killing even from a very early age. Still, there wasn’t much there."
Source: http://www.horrormoviefans.com/newsblog/2009/02/06/amusement-review/
Plot twists are evident in all three, and "The Hole" and "amusement", most likely due to their psychological nature, are narrated by the ''Final Girl''. Iconogrpahy is also important in these films, and in all three the killer uses and typical weapons to kill, such as knives, and blood is shown. As well as more unconventional methods, such as "The Hole", where many of the deaths are accidental, (except Martyn's drowning and the murder of Geoff').
Close ups and diegetic sound are often used in horror films such as these, as expressions of the characters are important to the audiences emotional reactions, and the sound is crucial for a realistic effect. Isolated areas are also a key aspect of these films, as is heavy shadow, pahtetic fallacy and a background story. All three also seem to follow "Todorov's Narrative Theory" also, and can definately be applied to the "Male Gaze Theory" and include scenes of a voyeuristic nature. They also seem to be responding to the "Desensitisation Theory" with the levels of violence and scenes designed specifically for the shock factor.
Information and Extracts of reviews:
"The Hole"
Psychological thriller/horror. Based on the novel "After The Hole". - 2001Director: Nick Hamm
Narrator: Liz (plot = flashbacks)
Protagonist: Mike
Antagonist: Martyn
Others: Lisa, (implied to be Liz) Geoff, Frankie, Alex, Psychiatrist
Themes:
Bulimia
Claustrophobia
Schizophrenia
Obsession
Loneliness
Power
Control
Love
Status
Desperation
Revenge
Improbability
Coincidence
Class/Cliques
Extract from a Review: "It's a very good concept but the film fails to live up to the initial promise. Trying to tell the story in an interesting way through flashbacks backfires as the only interesting version is the last one, meaning you have to wait for more than half the film before getting to the good stuff. This is made all the worse by how unlikable all the four characters are. Number one rule; if you lock your audience in with a small amount of people, make sure their characters are at least interesting and a bit amusing. Between whining, shouting and blaming each other you'll be wishing for the whole place to fall down on their heads and end the wittering."
Source: http://awannabewriters.blogspot.com/2011/04/film-review-hole-2001.html
"The Devils Rejects"
Crime, horror, thriller Sequel to "House of 1000 Corpses" (Cult Film) - 2005Director: Rob Zombie
Protagonist: Captain Spaulding
Antagonist: Sheriff Wydell
Others:
Tiny
Rufus
Mother Firefly
Baby
Otis
Themes:
Revenge
Murder
Torture
Boredom
Family
Sex
"Violent Western"
Extract from a Review:
"The characters are so much better than in the first film. They are obviously further developed and more convincing. More real. Somehow less of a freakshow, despite Captain Spaulding’s unsettling appearance. Sheri Moon Zombie looks and feels more at ease in her role as Baby – the Devil’s own candy. Otis is 100 times scarier with a big, bushy beard and now looks like guitar god Zakk Wylde from Ozzy Osbourne’s band. Leslie Easterbrook has taken over from Karen Black as Mother Firefly and her performance during the scenes with Wydell in the police station will blow you away. She is, as they all are, completely evil."
Source: http://www.eatmybrains.com/showreview.php?id=89
"Amusement"
Horror, thriller - 2009
Director: John SimpsonNarrator: Tabitha
Protagonist: Shelby
Antagonist: The Laugh
Others:
Lisa
Cat
Themes:
Revenge
Psychology
Childhood
Torture
Extract from a Review:
"The acting was decent enough, nothing great, but as it was the only positive aspect of the film it’s worth mentioning. Katheryn Winnick, Laura Breckenridge, and Jessica Lucas all played the victim well enough and showed us realistic enough characters before this point. Katheryn Winnick stands out the most as she takes on the role of the heroine. Keir O’Donnell was somewhat creepy, but really wasn’t a very effective villain. He seemed to have a very underdeveloped mind set, which should have been complex, darkening, and interesting as someone who thrived on killing even from a very early age. Still, there wasn’t much there."
Source: http://www.horrormoviefans.com/newsblog/2009/02/06/amusement-review/
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