JH: Horror Film Openings: Research

JH: Horror Film Openings: Research:

• We concluded we would make a horror film. However, we are unsure as to what kind of horror it may be such as 'slash' or 'Psychological'. As a result, I have chosen to analyse one of each type: 

The Shining:

• The mood of this extract is quite clearly reflecting the genre being horror through a use of sinister and deep horn instruments, however this soundtrack juxtaposes that of the camera work which consists of effective establishing shots to set the scene for the film. In my groups production, we believe that sound is crucial to our production and hence replicating this sinister deep soundtrack may prove worthy to create the mood for the production.
• The Camera work used may be hard to replicate as it was filmed from a helicopter, which if course we cannot do. However, establishing shots can still be replicated from stationary positions in order to set the scene and location of the shoot. This will be very effective especially if the chosen location reinforces or juxtaposes the mood produced by other techniques used.
• An interesting thing to take note from 'The Shining' is the fact there are few cuts which is unconventional for every genre of film however, combined with large establishing long shots the continuous footage grabs the audiences attention and draws them into the film.
• However, it is highly unlikely that we will replicate the 'no cutting' technique in our production as one reason which makes this technique very successful is the fact it is filmed off a helicopter. However, one thing this technique does create is it calms the viewer and draws them in to a false sense of security which reinforces the psychological horror genre of this extract. This effect created by the beautiful scenery is something that we wish to replicate but through different techniques, such as calm shots of woodland to ease the viewers mind before cutting to something more dramatic.
• One thing dislikeable about this opening sequence is the lack of plot inclusion, which for our production will hopefully be much the opposite as part of the required criteria. In addition to this I like the simplicity of the credits transition however, If we were to replicate this it would be smoother and in a more fitting typeface and colour for the horror genre.

A Nightmare On Elm St (Alternate Opening 2010):

• Being more of a 'slasher' horror film, the opening to 'A Nightmare On Elm St' has a high cutting rate offering two lines of action to create the mood of the film being eary and spooky. The two line of action are created using high cutting rates and cross-cutting between the antagonist constructing a claw and children playing hopscotch. This offers a juxtaposition between shots to highlight how sinister the films plot is. The creation of two lines of action through cross-cutting is something that my group will look into to create a more in-depth plot and can form something of a chase sequence which fits the horror genre.
• The sound used in this opening mirrors the eary mood created by the plot. This is done through soft choirs harmonising in a minor key with the inclusion of strings also in a minor key. The scale used in this clip is somewhat effective and a minor key is something that would be ideal to replicate to match the negative mood of our productions genre.
• In addition to the soundtrack, diegetic sound is used and enhanced of the antagonist creating a weapon which obviously highlights its purpose and intentions for later in the film. The enhancement of sounds within the world of a film is something crucial for horror films and would be effective if replicated in our group task, however instead we would enhance the sound of a twig snapping or anything else conventional to the horror genre.
• The mise-en-scene in the extract highlights the genre perfectly by using sinister props such as the glove, slow motion leaves and conventional horror props such as sinister chalk drawings. In addition to props, the typeface and transitions of the credits are much more preferable than the shining as they suit and match the mood of the films genre. The props, typeface and colours are something that would be excellent to replicate for our production to reinforce an eary atmosphere in the clip. However, a higher skill in editing may be required to perfect the flow of the credits.
• The plot of the opening is something that may also prove effective if replicated as the inclusion of children in a slasher film reinforce how sinister the films is as children are often represented as a burden or a character (Damsel) in distress.
• In conclusion techniques which seem valuable for our own productions that can be emulated include high-slow cutting rates which establish two lines of action between something innocent (children) to something a lot more sinister (antagonist). In addition this extract highlights the importance of sound and credits to improve a films effect on the target audience.