Unit 03: Research Techniques

Understanding Horror Movies

Unit 03: Research Techniques

Horror is an ancient art form. We have tried to terrify each

other with tales which trigger the less logical parts of our

imaginations for as long as we've told stories.

Unit 03: Research Techniques

We like to be scared, experience emotions that are rare. We

tend to take a dark pleasure in being afraid, knowing that by

the end of the story or movie will be safe.

Unit 03: Research Techniques

We take pleasure in our voyeuristic nature by watching

someone else being hunted, tortured, scared or being

mutilated

Unit 03: Research Techniques

Horror Films themselves are disturbing, they are designed to

frighten and panic, cause terror and distress, and to

summon our hidden worst fears, often in a chilling, appalling

climax, while captivating and engaging us at the same time

in a emotional experience.

And yet we take pleasure from them?

Unit 03: Research Techniques

Horror films successfully center on the dark side of life, the

forbidden, and strange and alarming events. They deal with

our most primal nature and its fears: our nightmares and

our vulnerability.

Unit 03: Research Techniques

Horror films go back as far as the beginning of films

themselves, over a 100 years ago. From our earliest days, we

use our vivid imaginations to see ghosts in shadowy shapes,

to be emotionally connected to the unknown and to fear

things that are improbable.

Unit 03: Research Techniques

Watching a horror film gives an opening into that scary

world, without actually being in danger.

Weird as it sounds, there's a very real thrill and fun factor in

being scared or watching disturbing and horrific images.

Unit 03: Research Techniques

Reoccurring Characters in Horror

Vampires (Blade, From Dusk till Dawn)

Monsters (Frankenstein, Cloverfield)

Werewolves (Twilight, Company of Wolves)

Ghost (Sixth Sense, Paranormal Activity)

Serial Killers (Silence of the Lambs, Seven)

Psychotic killers (Saw, Psycho)

Demons (Exorcist, The Amityville Horror)

Dolls (Childs Play, Puppet Mater)

Zombies (Shaun of the Dead, 28 Days Later)

Unit 03: Research Techniques

What are the generic conventions?

Unit 03: Research Techniques

Fear: What makes us scared?

Unit 03: Research Techniques

How have horror films changed?

Unit 03: Research Techniques

What role does sound play?

Unit 03: Research Techniques

What are audience expectations?

Unit 03: Research Techniques

What roles does sex play in Horror?

Unit 03: Research Techniques

How are males and females represented in horror?

Unit 03: Research Techniques

Is it true that sometimes not seeing what is there is more horrifying

Unit 03: Research Techniques

Learning Outcome TwoTask One: Identify the Horror Genre and discussTry to give examples and use imagery

01: Look at early horror films (1930s) and discuss how they have developed to the present day

02: What are the key ingredients of horror films?

03: Discuss the use of sound in the horror genre

04: What are audience expectations of horror films?

Unit 03: Research Techniques

Learning Outcome TwoTask Two: Identify the Horror Genre Research

Produce a variety of Primary Research techniques on horror films

Unit 03: Research Techniques

Leaning Outcome Three: Present Results of (Learning Outcome 2, Task 2)

Task One: Results

Produce a detailed log of findings

(Use charts or graphs to express results)(A written account of the results)

Unit 03: Research Techniques

Leaning Outcome 03: Present Results of (Learning Outcome 2, Task 2)

Task Two: Presentation

01: Collate information. You may add imagery, sound, video content to support your research

02: Present work in an appropriate way (written format, presented orally, video format or PowerPoint)