Genre Research Task

Genre Research Task 

The genre I have chosen to research is horror. 

One of the many generic elements within horror films is dark lighting that is used. Dark lighting is used within horror films to create the fear factor and to give the audience a sense of anticipation and a slight sense of mystery, a film that defies this element of horror films  is The Shining, which uses light, open areas and uses the element tension through nothing to create the 'scare' factor and a fear of the unknown. Another generic element that is used within horror films is shadowing of rooms, faces and objects. Shadowing is used within horror films to create mystery and to make the audience wonder what it is, shadowing is also used to shadow the face of the antagonist to give them a demeaning exterior. Also, another generic element shown within horror films is that the females present in these films always are the victims. The usual themes within horror films are good vs bad, killers and victims etc. 

Horror films, are created to get a reaction out of an audience through the use off fear, shock, graphic scenes and 'jumpy' scenes. Also, fear of the unknown gains a reaction from the audience as usually the masked killers within horror films are shown as a true life representation that death will come to us  at any time.

Some horror films cross over with other genres of films, such as musical (Phantom of the Opera), sci-fi (Alien)  and love (Dracula). Horror links into sci-fi well because it helps create and extend the fear of the unknown for the audience 

Examples of Horror Films;

• The Conjuring.
• The Babadook.
• The Shining.
• A Nightmare on Elm Street.
• The Exorcist.
• The Mist.
• The Woman in Black.
• Scream