Researching Character Types

 Character Types

        Hello everyone! Although I briefly talked about character types in my last blog post, I wanted to dive deeper into the different roles characters take in a horror/slasher and how they drive the plot forward. The main character types I will be talking about are the masked killer, the final girl, the comic relief character, the cheerleader, and the skeptic. 

~ The Masked Killer

    The stereotypical masked killer is one of the most well-known conventions in horror/slasher movies. The killer becomes more mysterious and fearful for both the audience and the characters themselves when they wear a mask to hide their identity. They appear detached and monstrous due to their lack of facial expression, which increases anxiety since those watching are unable to figure out their motives. They seem almost indestructible, continuing to go after their target no matter the damage they take. By doing this, it makes the characters work harder in order to defeat the killer, extending the plot.

    Silent masked killers (Michael Myers), human psychopaths (Billy Loomis), supernatural beings (Freddy Krueger, Candyman), and taunting killers (Ghostface) are some categories of slasher movie killers.

~ The Final Girl

    The final girl is a trope that particularly refers to the last girl or woman who is still alive to confront the murderer, usually the one who is left to tell the story of the killing. She may have a past connection to the killer and is sometimes shown as more vulnerable, but she fights back using weapons against the killer. 

    The final girl is often shown as smart and observant, usually the first to realize that something is wrong, which helps her survive. She is traditionally portrayed as morally responsible, avoiding behaviors like drugs, alcohol, or risky choices that lead to other characters’ deaths. She is also resourceful and determined, using her surroundings and quick thinking to fight back. By the end of the film, she is often left physically or emotionally scarred, showing how the experience has changed her.

Final girl in 'Totally Killer'

~ The Comic Relief

    In horror/slasher movies, comic relief characters typically fall into categories like the stoner, the nerd or outcast, the joker, or the chatty best friend. At least at first, these individuals use comedy, sarcasm, or jokes to lighten the mood and divert attention from the increasing danger and fear. The viewers can relate to them since they are frequently more likable than the main characters. Although their deaths frequently indicate a change in tone, reminding the audience that the threat is real and the danger is serious, their job is to relieve tension and bring brief moments of laughter.

Marty- The Cabin in the Woods

~ The Cheerleader

    The cheerleader character is a trope that has both vulnerability and popularity. She is often opposite to the innocent and  "Final Girl," being shown as immature, mean, or obsessed with boys. Cheerleaders are often the first victims, especially after participating in dangerous activities, which strengthens the killer's character as a high threat. This character is frequently shown as terrified and hysterical when danger occurs, which enhances the suspense and gives the impression that her death is inevitable. Sometimes it's reversed, and the cheerleader turns out to be the murderer, hiding a darker side behind her cheerful and carefree image.

Mean Girl Personality- There's Someone Inside Your House

~ The Skeptic

     The skeptic is a logical character who denies the idea of a significant or supernatural threat. They generally explain strange events with common sense and ignore warnings from those around them, acting as the opposite of characters who believe something is wrong. Usually, this rejection causes action to be pushed back, increasing the risk and advancing the story. The skeptic is shown the truth too late, and regret, showing that logic itself is useless in a world where there is a large threat.

Richie Kirsch – Scream (2022)

~ Conclusion

    To sum up, character types are important for the creation of horror/slasher movies and for the progress of the plot. Each character, from the masked killer to the final girl, comedic relief, cheerleader, and skeptic, plays an important role in creating tension, fear, and suspense. These characters keep the plot going while helping the audience to easily understand the situation at hand. 

   

~ Sources

- https://www.polygon.com/22735035/horror-movie-masks-jason-michael-myers/#:~:text=Sacks&text=Like%20the%20blank%20and%20shiny,they're%20coming%20after%20you.

- https://nofilmschool.com/best-slasher-villains#:~:text=Michael%20Myers%20('Halloween')&text=Michael%20Myers%20is%20the%20embodiment,to%20come%20back%20for%20more.

-https://horror.fandom.com/wiki/Final_girl#:~:text=4%20References-,History,s%20satirical%20horror%20film%20Scream.

- https://the-artifice.com/six-archetypal-horror-characters-and-why-they-are-important/#:~:text=From%20my%20experience%2C%20there%20has,%E2%80%93except%20for%20me%2C%20apparently.

- https://www.watchmojo.com/articles/top-10-horror-movie-victim-types#:~:text=%238:%20The%20Fat%20One,the%20hands%20of%20Jason%20Voorhees.

Researching Conventions In Horror/Slasher

 Conventions In Horror/Slasher

    Hello! Learning the proper conventions in a horror/slasher film is essential to actually making one. Though horror/slasher films usually follow the same stereotypical tropes, it's best to still research all the conventions in them, so that way I have all the information needed to make my own.

~ Characters 

    Horror/slasher films usually include the same character types: the killer, the 'final girl', the popular girl, the nerd, and a comic relief character. The killer seems indestructible. It's like no matter what you hurt the killer with, they just get back up and recover like nothing happened. Doing this drives the plot forward with the horror and makes the targeted characters work harder in order to try and take down the killer. The next is the 'final girl'. This character is the last to survive, innocent, and the one who goes face-to-face with the killer. Then we have the 'Popular girl'. She is often gullible, vain, and the first to get killed. The 'Nerd' is the smart one who helps figure out a way to defeat the killer. The last is the comic relief character, which is used to lighten the mood, but often is distracted.

~ Setting

The movie Freaky taking place at a High School

    In order to build tension and vulnerability, horror and slasher movies tend to select remote, dim, or familiar settings such as high schools, suburban homes, summer camps, cabins in the woods, and abandoned buildings. These settings, which are typically at night, prevent escape routes and increase fear. 

~ Lighting

    Low-key lighting is often used in horror and slasher movies to create deep shadows, high contrast, and a dark, mysterious mood. Also, it can show or mask scene details like a weapon or the killer. As ASC member Roy H. Wagner explains, “where the shadows are is where the audience doesn’t want to be... What kind of person walks into a dark room and doesn’t reach for a light? But if you put the main character in the light and surround that person with shadows, the audience instinctively wants to know what’s going on in that darkness.” By placing the main character in the light and surrounding them with shadows, it's able to pull the audience’s attention toward the unknown, building tension and fear. 

    This technique was especially important in A Nightmare on Elm Street 3, where Freddy Krueger was intentionally kept partially hidden. By not fully revealing him, the audience is unable to relax, making him much scarier.

~ POV Shots 

The POV of Michel Myers in the film Halloween.

    In horror and slasher movies, POV (point-of-view) shots increase tension, mystery, and voyeurism by putting the viewer in the shoes of a character, usually the killer. This method, which is sometimes defined by shaky, stalking motions or deep breathing, hides the identity of the murderer while forcing the audience to follow their viewpoint. As you see the murderer approach someone who is oblivious of them, tension increases.

~ Twist Ending

  The plot twist of the killer being both Billy Loomis & Stu Macher in the original Scream film.

    Plot twists are often used in horror/slasher films to startle viewers while keeping suspense. Unexpected information, such as the killer's true identity, a character's hidden connection in the killings, or the villain not actually being dead, is frequently revealed by these twists. Plot twists are important because they contradict the audience's expectations and increase the suspense and fear of the movie. Particularly in slasher films, an unexpected turn of events close to the conclusion may drastically change how viewers think of the plot, making the ending more unsettling and unforgettable.

~ Conclusion

 In conclusion, learning the conventions of horror/slasher films is important for making a strong and believable movie. Features like familiar character types, dark settings, low lighting, POV shots, and plot twists all work together to create fear and suspense. Understanding them will help me use these conventions in my own film to keep the audience interested and on edge.

~ Sources 

- https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/SoYouWantTo/WriteASlasherHorrorStory 

- https://theasc.com/articles/terror-through-lighting#:~:text=The%20makers%20of%20suspense%20and,t%20reach%20for%20a%20light?

- https://www.colborlight.com/it/blogs/articles/low-key-lighting-in-horror-films-basics#:~:text=Low%20key%20lighting%20uses%20lots,shape%20and%20regulate%20the%20light.

- https://nofilmschool.com/point-of-view-shot

Researching Horror/Slasher

 Let's Watch Horror/Slasher

    Hello everyone! Yes, the subgenre I chose for my horror film was a slasher. So, since horror/slasher will be the genre I choose for my film, I thought it would be a good idea to actually watch the opening of two horror/slasher films and see what they have in common and what really makes them a "horror/slasher" instead of just a regular horror film. 

~ Totally Killer (2023)

    The opening scene for 'Totally Killer' starts off fast-paced and strong. The scene opens on a regular Halloween night, where a lady is handing out candy to those trick-or-treating by herself. When reviewing the candy she has left in her bowl, the camera does a slow push-in behind her in order to mimic the illusion of someone coming up behind her. She hears the floor creak and quickly turns around in surprise, only to find no one there. This is meant to put the viewer on edge and makes the viewer wonder questions like "Is there someone in the house?" and "What will they do?"

    For a moment, there is silence, then someone knocks on the door. Doing this disrupts the quiet momentarily, scaring the audience. A masked man is at the door, and the lady answers it. After the lady notices his suspicious behavior, she closes the door on him, but he is able to break in. After an intense and brutal fight scene, it ends with her being killed. Trick or treaters walk in and discover the body, while we are able to hear the diegetic sounds of sirens in the background. 

    This opening scene makes the watcher wonder, "Who is the masked man?" "Who is the woman he killed?" and "Why did he want to kill her?" All these questions build up to the main story. Throughout this scene, the lighting was dark, setting the mood ominously and making the viewer feel unsettled. The scene constantly built tension through sound and camera movements. 

    For example, like when the killer left the house, and the woman was still on guard with her knife up, the intense, unsettling music stops, then quickly returns when the killer comes through the door behind her. The camera angles quickly shift from the killer's POV to the victim's to emphasize the intensity of the scene. All these elements go together to create an intense, frightening, and thrilling scene. Now, what makes this a 'slasher' film is the immediate killing and gore as soon as the movie starts. It follows the same trope of the stereotypical masked killer and vulnerable victim.   

~ Scream (2022)

    The opening scene for Scream (2022) starts off a little slower to get to the action than the other film; however, this helps to build more tension and anticipation of what's to come. We are shown a girl who is cooking and on her phone, then her phone rings. She answers it, and a guy she doesn't know on the other end. The conversation starts normally until he asks her to play a game with him. She hangs up and locks her doors. The phone rings again, and she is threatened to answer it. The guy on the other end then makes her answer questions about a scary movie. After getting a question wrong, the killer threatened to kill her friend. The girl opens the door to her house in an attempt to save her friend, but is met face to face with a masked person with a knife instead. He manages to cut her with the knife, but she closes the door before he can get into the house. The killer manages to get in by unlocking the door and goes into a gruesome fight scene with the girl. It ends with sirens in the back coming to the house and her getting stabbed. 

    At the beginning of the scene, there is no nondiegetic sound, only diegetic sounds like the phone ringing, the music the girl is playing in the background, and the sound of the pot boiling something. However, when things start to get intense, and we figure out the real reason the man called the phone, there is an unsettling slow music in the background in order to put us in the same mood and fear that the girl is in at that moment. The music also changes when the girl meets the masked killer. Instead of the slow, unsettling music, it shifts to a loud, screeching, and intense sound.  Doing this mimics the viewer's brain's natural distress signal and triggers an immediate fear and stress response in the brain. The sudden loud sounds are meant to startle the watcher, interrupting the once slow, low background noise. 

     Throughout the scene, the lighting was also very dark and dimmed. This triggers anxiety in the watcher, heightening the suspense. By doing this, it creates an atmosphere with a moody tone, reflecting the character's fear. Behind the girl, we can see that the doorways and hallways are dark, almost making it impossible to see what's in that spot.  By restricting the visibility of some spots in frame, it makes the viewer on edge or in suspense about whether something or someone is hiding there 

    There are many close-up shots of the girl, which makes the audience focus on the character's emotions and what she is feeling. Through the fight scene, the camera angles switch fast, and there are random camera movements to make the watcher feel the chaos of the scene. 

    When the girl was watching the door after being attacked by the killer, there is a POV shot of the door. There is also another POV shot when the phone rings again, and she picks it up. She looks around the kitchen, making sure no one is there. By concentrating the camera on the door, it makes the watcher wonder if the masked killer will break through or not. This really immerses the audience into the shoes of the victim, making it feel like you're in the movie.  

~ Conclusion

        Overall, after looking at the openings of Totally Killer and Scream, it is clear what separates a slasher from other horror films. Both scenes had things in common, like the slasher tropes with a masked killer, an isolated victim, and an immediate sense of danger, while using lighting, sound, and camera work to constantly build tension. Whether it’s the fast-paced start of Totally Killer or the slow and suspenseful buildup in Scream, both openings hook the audience right away. All these factors work together to create fear, suspense, and excitement.

Researching Subgenres

 Let's Explore Subgenres 

    Hello! Since the last time I posted, I have come to a conclusion on what genre I am picking for my film. Between romance, action/adventure, and horror, I picked..... horror! 

    I decided to make a horror film because I myself have always loved watching them. So, I thought it would be amazing and such a great learning experience to be able to create one myself and discover everything that goes into creating a horror film. The first step is to pick a subgenre, so today I will be researching some subgenres that go with horror films.

~ Slasher

    Slasher films commonly include a masked killer, a group of vulnerable people, and graphic on-screen violence. They reached peak popularity through the 70s and 80s due to films like Halloween and Friday the 13th. 

    Unlike most movie genres and subgenres, the masked killer (antagonist) is the one who drives the action in a slasher film instead of the protagonist. Because the killers typically receive the most character development and the audience is often convinced to subconsciously root for the villain instead of the victims, film historians and theorists suggest that these killers take major roles in slasher films. For example, the most well-known characters in a slasher film are the killers, like Michael Myers (Halloween), Freddy Krueger (A Nightmare on Elm Street), and Ghostface (Scream).

Examples:  Scream VI                                                            Time Cut 

     .                             

Sources:

- https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/film/slasher-film

- https://blogs.bsu.edu/dlr/2017/03/28/the-slasher-evolution/#:~:text=One%20could%20say%20that%20the,supernatural%20and%20paranormal%20(Wee).

~ Paranormal/Supernatural

    The paranormal/supernatural subgenre is the typical ghost, spirits, and demons in a horror movie. This deals with the supernatural and things that go outside the normal laws of nature. This started in the 1930s and 1940s, but it wasn't until the 1970s and 1980s that the standard trope of demonic possessions and haunting began to take off.

    The difference between this and a slasher film is that instead of going against normal human killers, the protagonists go against supernatural forces like unseen threats. Because of this, it leaves imagination to the audience, building up tension and fear. 

     These films usually include a common setting like haunted houses, abandoned places, or isolated locations. They often follow the same plot of confusion about what is going on, discovering, researching the paranormal, and then finally understanding and fighting it off. 

Examples:    Insidious- The Red Door    /    The Conjuring- Last Rites  

                                                                                                                                      

Sources:

- https://www.lafilm.edu/blog/subgenres-of-horror-films-explained/#:~:text=Paranormal%20horror%20is%20closely%20related,examples%20from%20the%20Paranormal%20subgenre.

- https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/literature-and-writing/horror-stories

~ Comedy

    The subgenre comedy in a horror movie is meant to make the audience not only scream, but laugh as well by mixing humor with scary, suspenseful, or graphic moments. It works by mocking well-known movies, defying stereotypes, and using comedy to offer emotional relief from extreme fear. By doing this, a horror film can become more than just scary, but it can also take viewers on an emotional rollercoaster and increase the feeling of terror. The unpredictable emotional rollercoaster is part of what makes horror comedies appealing to viewers.

Examples:

       Boo! A Madea Halloween                                         Scary Movie 5

                              

Sources:

- https://www.oxfordbibliographies.com/display/document/obo-9780199791286/obo-9780199791286-0077.xml#:~:text=obo/9780199791286%2D0077-,Introduction,the%20later%201980s%20and%201990s.

- https://simplyshocked.com/horror-comedy-slaughter-and-laughter-at-the-movies/#:~:text=Comedy%20comes%20in%20many%20forms,plenty%20of%20funny%20horror%20movies.

~ Rapping it up

    Overall, being able to research these horror subgenres helped me better understand the wide variety of different types of horror movies. Each one creates fear in a different way, from masked killers to unseen supernatural forces. Doing this research has given me a clearer idea of the direction I want to take for my own horror film. Now, I feel more comfortable choosing a subgenre that I could put my newfound research into. 

Researching Genres

Exploring Genres

    Hey guys, and welcome back! I know, it's been quite a long time since the last post, but now I'm finally ready to start officially working on my original film for my final project. The first step I want to start on is exploring a couple of different genres for my film. I narrowed down a list of 3 different genres that I am considering to use, so we wanted to do more extensive research on our chosen 3: Romance, Action/Adventure, and Horror. 

~Romance  

    Romance movies are mainly centered on a love story between characters, which usually includes  conflicts, but mostly always end with a happy ending. The main plot runs through the development of a romantic relationship that aims to bring out a strong sense of emotion, like passion and connection to the audience. 

    When people are dealing with a hard emotional time in their life, romance movies offer them a way to escape by putting them in a world with emotional connection and comfort. Romance films are also shown to trigger the release of oxytocin (love hormones), which makes the watcher feel a sense of comfort. Romance films have a vast range of subgenres, which include romantacys (Romance + Fantasy), Romcoms (Romance + Comedy), and romance/drama. 

    Examples:

'The Idea of You'- Romance/Comedy

'Beauty and the Beast'- Romance/Fantasy

'It Ends With Us'- Romance/Drama

Sources:

- https://www.rwa.org/the-romance-genre

- https://nofilmschool.com/romance-movie-genre

-https://berkeleyhighjacket.com/column/why-we-love-movies-about-love#:~:text=According%20to%20neuroscientists%20from%20Princeton,too%2C%20are%20worthy%20of%20love%2C

~Action/Adventure

    The action/adventure genre is meant to put watchers on the edge of their seats, keeping them entertained and excited about what's to come next. It's fast-paced, high-stakes, and has intense physical conflict scenes. Plots in action/adventure usually include the protagonists going on quests and journeys, navigating unknown places, and fighting the antagonist.

    Common subgenres are fantasy, sci-fi, and historical films. They also usually have themes such as good vs. evil, survival, justice, and sacrifice. Many people choose to watch these films because they often provide a sense of escapism, excitement, and have cool fighting or visually impressive scenes. 

    

    Examples:

'How to Train Your Dragon'- Action/Adventure/Fantasy 

'Spider-Man: No Way Home'- Action/Si-fi

Sources:

- https://fiveable.me/key-terms/introduction-to-film-theory/action-adventure#:~:text=Action%2Dadventure%20is%20a%20film,dynamic%20pacing%20and%20visual%20spectacle.

- https://nofilmschool.com/adventure-genre#:~:text=So%20how%20do%20you%20create,Why?

~Horror

    When people first think of the horror genre, they think "scary" or "gory", but it's much more than just that. Horror movies let the audience experience real fear, triggering dopamine and adrenaline to make them feel that thrilling rush, while still being in a safe and controlled environment. People can experience so much in just one horror film. They can feel excitement, relief, thrill, empathy, sadness, and happiness in just one sitting. 

    Although many people watch horror films for the thrill, they can also affect people in a positive way. Horror films are also shown to help people process trauma and rehearse responses to dangerous situations. Things like lighting, music, and actions all play an important role in together in helping the scene come to life and create that fearful effect.

    Examples:

"The Black Phone"- Horror/Mystery

"Halloween Kills"- Horror/Action

"Terrifier 4"- Horror/Slasher

Sources:

- https://online.csp.edu/resources/article/pyschology-of-fear/#:~:text=Horror%20entertainment%20can%20trigger%20the,fans%20habitually%20watch%20scary%20movies. 

    By researching and exploring some different genres that films can have, this lets me make a more informed decision on what genre mine will be. I'm excited to finally choose a genre to make my film and go into more detail on what exact subgenre I will choose aswell!