Horror Opening Task

Horror Opening Task

  

Question 1
List genres of films (consider your presentation style

This is a mind map of the different genres of film. There are many more however I found that these particular ones were the most common and well known.

 

Question 2
 What are the conventions of the horror/thriller genre

Thriller and Horror films both use suspense, tension, excitement as their main features. Thrillers are especially known for providing sudden rushes of emotions and exhilaration. There are many purposes to horror films and one of the main purposes is to potentially scare and excite the audience.  A thriller film is meant to keep the audience on the "edge of their seats". Both of the genres horror and thriller are meant to potentially frighten/startle the viewer and to provide a emotional rush. Common types of horror films are often based around supernatural themes such as ghosts, serial killers and zombies. Common types of thrillers include crime and mystery thrillers.

 

Question 3
 What is suspense?

Suspense to me is those few short seconds where you have no idea about what's going to happen next. Will the murderer kill the poor girl or will the hero save the day?

According to the oxford dictionary suspense is: "a state or feeling of excited or anxious uncertainty about what may happen". Horror and thriller films often use suspense to intensify the frightening scenes within the film. When watching a film suspense is usually created by a build up of events that lead the viewers to become involved mentally within the film. Many viewers can find suspense exciting and spooky.

 

Question 4
Write a definition (with image example) for each of the 3 shot types - match on action, shot/reverse shot and the 180 degree rule

Match on Action - 

Example of Match on Action

Match on action which can also be known as 'cutting on action' is where one shot cuts to another shot showing the action of the subject first shot. Match on action creates an impression of flow or continuity where the action being displayed draws the viewers attention away from the slight cutting.

Example of Shot/Reverse Shot

Shot/Reverse shot -

A shot reverse shot is where the camera looks at one subject who is talking to or looking at another person. Then the other character is shown looking at the original subject. It is often known as a feature of the Hollywood style of continuity editing.





The 180 Degree Rule -

The 180-degree rule will keep the camera on one side of the action. The camera stay on the side of the axis through the whole scene. This keeps the character grounded. It keeps both of the characters looking at each other even though they may not both be in the frame.  The 180 degree rule is known as a rule because the camera is not allowed to go over the axis.

Wikepedia provides this diagram for the 180 degree rule

Example of the 180 Degree Rule