RC - Genre analysis

1. What is our chosen genre?

Our chosen genre is 'teen horror', which is actually a sub-genre of a teen film. Therefore we will be following the conventions of a teen and horror film to help create our two minute opening. Other sub genres that exist within the teen category are teen sci-fiction, teen drama, teen comedy and teen musicals. Films that are placed in the teen horror sub-genre include 'Scream' (1996), 'I know what you did last summer' (1997), 'Halloween' (1978), 'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1976)' , 'Prom night' (1980) and 'Swimfan' (2002). Out of these I am most interested in 'Scream' because the opening sequence for this film was cleverly done, using the conventions of horror to establish enigma and create tension.

2. Outline specific techniques or styles used within these three teen horror films

In the opening sequence of 'I know what you did last summer', the film that I analysed for my technical analysis, one particular technique that I liked was the blue filter used to make the images look a lot duller, creating this eerie feeling. Another one that also sstruck out to me was the choice of soundtrack, especially when two layers of sound were used. This layering of sound meant that the film could emphasise on the mood of the sequence by playing background music, whilst at the same time playing the diegetic sound that the character or his surroundings made. Both these two techniques could be applied to our opening to help establish the genre of our film.

In the first two minutes of the film 'Scream', many codes and conventions were used effectively to build suspense. I particularly like the idea of a teenager being home alone, creating this desolate feeling, which makes the character a lot more vulnerable. Any technique used to create vulnerability would be an impressive way of underlining the genre of the film. The dialogue in this film is also very effective, this is evident when Casey is on the phone to a stranger and asks, "Why do you want to know my name?" and the phone voice replies by saying, "because I want to know who I am looking at". We could attempt to do something similar to this.

In the opening of 'Halloween', the famous POV sequence is what I distinctly like best about it and this is similar to what Casey and I were thinking of including in our opening. The POV shot puts the audience on edge, as although they are positioned with the predator he/she is unidentifiable, raising curiosity.

3. What is a typical narrative for this genre of film?

A typical narrative for the teen horror genre, is for one teenager or a group of teenagers to be stalked by a predator, who eventually ends up killing them or in most cases one will survive, this is normally the character that is the protagonist in the storyline. Typically in this sort of teen horror the characters will be killed off one by one, to create dramatic effect for the audience. However, there are some types of teen horror films that contrast to the one I have just described, which follow a different narrative. An example of this would be 'Eden Lake', where in this film the teenagers are the ones who are considered to be the threat. Despite this though, most conventional teen horror films are typical of the narrative I outlined at the beginning.

4. What kind of characters are conventional to this type of genre?

In every teen horror film there will always be an antagonist, who most likely will be a murderer, typically this character would be played by a male. The females in this type of film normally play vulnerable characters, and sometimes will be the protagonist, as they are likely to be the antagonist's obsession. However, in some films such as, 'Swimfan' the female plays the role of the murderer and the male the vulnerable victim. It is common that the teenagers within this genre of film will all have some sort of connection like a love relationship or a friendship, which only dramatises the film as you become more attached to each character. In reference to the teen aspect of this genre, common characters would include cheerleaders/jocks and maybe nerds.

An example of an archetypal heroine would be 'Sidney' from "Scream"

5. What are typical locations or settings for this genre?

Many teen horror films are situated in a location, which normally prove to be desolate. Common locations include a school, an isolated house, a grave yard, or possibly a carnival/festival. The settings are commonly dull lighted, with an eerie feel to it. The weather that takes place during the film traditionally mimics the mood of the action, which is called pathetic fallacy.

6. What iconography would you expect to see in this genre?

Iconography is key in teen horror films, with things such as knives, blood, school inform, masks, distorted faces, etc. allowing the audience to clarify what genre the film is.

7. Find examples of suitable costume.

Suitable costumes for this type of film genre would include iconic outfits such as the ones in "Scream" and "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre", this would be in particular reference to the villains. However, for the teenagers their clothing could include school uniform and quite casual clothing.

8. How is lighting/colour used? What effects would you want to create with particular lighting?

Lighting is very important in teen horrors, as it helps to create the mood of the film. Colour can also be used to establish the mood, as each colour signifies a different meaning. For example, red always connotes danger and blood, yellow represents happiness and safety and blue is common for representing coldness and death. With our opening sequence, lighting will play quite an important role. In the part where the teenage girls are on screen, the lighting will be bright and highly saturated, however, when the chase scene is in action the lighting will be dull, maybe with even a blue filter over it?


9. Find examples of fonts which would be suitable for this genre for the title sequence.