1. An Introduction to
the Horror Genre
What is the horror genre?
What is the task for this Controlled Assessment?
What are the conventions of horror?
2. Horror Films you have watched
โข List as many horror films that you have
seen.
โข Share your list with the other people at
your table.
โข You have five mins to do this.
3.
4. Fear itself
Write down what you are afraid.
What other fears do
people have?
Why is the horror genre so powerful?
the
dark
ghost
s
clow
ns
bees and
wasps
aliens
monste
rs
The
unknow
zombie
s
spide
rs
5. Fear of the Unknown
Horror of Personality
(Psycho)
Horror of Armageddon
(Invasion of the Body Snatchers)
Horror of the demonic
(The Exorcist)
Dystopian world view
6. Audiences of Horror
Why would audiences want to โescapeโ with a
genre that stimulates fear and anxiety with
horrific events?
A Nightmare on Elm Street = 9 sequels since 1984 Saw = 6 sequels since 2004
Halloween = 10 sequels since 1978 Final Destination = 5 sequels since 2000
Friday the 13th = 12 sequels since 1980 Paranormal Activity = 4 sequels since 2007
7. โAn opening sequence for a new film in the horror genre,
using original images. To include titles.โ
Research [30]
โข Genre Research (sub-genres,
conventions, opening sequences, etc.)
โข Brainstorming (possible camera,
costumes, music, locations, narrative
ideas, etc. including sketches)
โข Audience Research 1 (questionnaire โ
min. 10 questions & 20 people surveyed)
8. โAn opening sequence for a new film in the horror genre,
using original images. To include titles.โ
Initial Planning
โข Treatment (an outline of your film)
โข Character Profiles (details on your
characters and their background)
โข Audience Research 2 (feedback once
you present your idea and info on how that
has impacted your film)
9. โAn opening sequence for a new film in the horror genre,
using original images. To include titles.โ
Production Planning
โข Storyboards (1 per group โ these can be
colour drawings or photo storyboards)
โข Production design pages (details and
reasons why youโve chosen specific
locations, costumes, camera angles, etc.)
โข Script (dialogue, sound choices, voice-
over)
โข Shot Lists / Shooting Schedule
10. โAn opening sequence for a new film in the horror genre,
using original images. To include titles.โ
Production & Editing [60]
Film your film. You can use school cameras or your own if they
are HD. You are encouraged to film outside of school.
No planning = no permission to film! Your research & planning
folder must be signed off before you can start the next phase.
You will be marked onโฆ
โข Holding a shot steady (so use a tripod where needed)
โข Framing
โข Variety of camera angles/shot distances
โข Selecting mise-en-scene
โข Continuity editing
โข Sound
โข Titles & appropriate transitions
11. โAn opening sequence for a new film in the horror genre,
using original images. To include titles.โ
Written Evaluation [30]
12. The Conventions of Horror
Films
๏ง Typical plot line
๏ง Typical events
๏ง Stars / Actors
๏ง Style of filming and
editing
๏ง Dialogue
๏ง Type of characters
๏ง Typical settings
๏ง Expected props
๏ง Main themes
๏ง Mood
๏ง Music
List the conventions of horror movies (conventions
are the elements you expect in a horror film): Try to
fit in an example from the horror films you know.
Fill in the conventions sheet
13. Some important things to know
about Genre
Genres change over timeโฆโฆ
When a particular type of film becomes popular, it
is imitated, then a genre develops. Over time,
certain conventions become โthe rulesโ.
Eventually, changes occur, subgenres appear.
Some may become full genres in their own right.
A mature genre can be parodied or mocked (Scary
Movie).
Films may mix their genres to appeal to more
audiences.
14. Some important things to know
about Genre
Genres can be made up of sub-genres, each with
their own specific set of conventions.
What are some sub-genres of horror?
slasher, teen terror, serial killers, zombie, vampire,
alien, psychological, found footage
Try to name a film that fits each subgenre
15. Some important things to know
about Genre
Genre movies tell us about the time in which they
are made, not set.
Genre movies reinforce ideas in society.
In The Ring, there is a fear of technology โ Samara can kill you through
the television & a phone call says you will die in 7 days.
Genre movies often involve conflict between
accepted ideas and โthe otherโ.
16. Watch and Write
โProm Nightโ (2008), Nelson McCormick
โScreamโ (1996), Wes Craven
โDarkness Fallsโ (2003), Jonathon
Liebesman
โThe Ringโ (2002), Gore Verbinski
โSawโ (2004), James Wan
Fill in the Opening Sequence Analysis sheet
Editor's Notes
Can you name these horror villains and the films theyโre from?
These areas are the common ones that horror villains fall into. Theyโre either not right in the head and are just loony psycho killers, itโs the end of the world (like a zombie film) or there are demons or ghosts from โthe other sideโ.