Genre/Character Research

    For my portfolio project we decided to choose the horror genre. Horror is defined as, "painful or intense fear, dread or dismay". Horror movies inflict such feelings upon the audience by utilizing a variety of technical elements and techniques. Most horror movies have an unsettling plot or premise in which they follow in hopes of frightening the viewer. Some movies such as Cannibal Holocaust (1980) or Antichrist (2009) broke boundaries due to the controversial topics and gruesome imagery displayed. These movies were banned in many countries, but played an influential role in paving a way for the horror genre.

Scene from Cannibal Holocaust (1980)

    So what elements allow a movie to be considered horror? Horror movies, rely heavily on lighting, music, and prop/set design in order to create the ambience of the film. By using darker lighting it restricts the audience from seeing what is to come, essentially making the film scarier. Music can be used to create anticipation and suspense as the antagonist is about to attack a victim. Prop and set design is essential for creating films based on unrealistic places or things, such as monsters. 

   

Alien from Alien (1970)

    Characters  horror films tend to be younger adults aged 15-25. They tend to make unwise decisions in order to advance the plot. For example, the character approaches the dark silhouette outside their window. These unwise choices allow directors to progress the plot along and introduce the antagonist. Many horror movies have teenagers as the characters as the target audience is young adults. This allows the audience to relate more to the characters and the way they act as they are around the same age. Many stereotypes have formed due to the way horror movies portray their main characters as dumb and unware of their surroundings.

References:

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/horror

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horror_fiction

https://screenrant.com/most-common-horror-movie-stereotype-characters/