Camera angles and movement in horror films

Birds eye view-

The birds eye view is used throghout a horror film for a very significant reason. By using this shot it creates a sense of the victim of the person that is in the shot is powerless and vulnarable. This is a key feature in a horror film as it will imply to the audience watching that that person is in danger and could be at risk of harm.

Close up shot-

Close up shots are generally used to create a sense of reaction form the character. By the camera zooming into the character's face it shows their reaction and emotion. These shots are also used to capture key details of the scene that it is in. This is imprtant in a horror film as the audience need to be updated with what the character is feelingand this can have an impact on the audience themselves.

 

Tracking or Panning shot-

The tracking shot and panning shots are used in ahorror film to portray the movement throughout the film. This is used very productively in horror films because it can connote a character being followed or watched in a scene. It al;so can be used to create a sense of location in a film as the audience is able to see where everything is happening and they have a full view of the surroundings of the characters. Suspence and tension is building throughout the movement of the character because of the way that the audience is unable to know what is going to happen next.

Reverse shot-

A reverse shot that is used in ahorror film is mainly used to show the audince a consequence of an action and what would of happened if a character done something differently. It helps the audience to identify the realization of the character and their actions in the film. This can then  add to the suspence that is built up in the scene. Reverse shots are also used to connote potential flashbacks in the film fo ther characters. This is highly significant in a horror film because most events in a horror film are based on regret and hwo the character shouldnt have done something.

Tilted angle shot-

Tilted angle shots are used particually to create a sense of disorientation for the audience. This shot could simplify a supernatural being present as well as giving th audince a different shot of an incident across to the audience. Another way a tilt shot can be used is to create a sense of point a view for a character that could be on the floor looking up. This can reval to the audience that the character is in danger.

Extreme long shot-

This shot can be used in a horror film to establish the location and surroudnings of where the film is taking place. This shot can put into perspective how deserted a town can be in a horror film. This is done in ahorror film to add to the suspence and creat the tension for the audince straight away at the start of the film. This automatically tells the audince what the film is going to be like as well as what kind of epople will be in it.

Low angles-

Low angles are very important in horror films as this shot can connote to the audince how scray and intimidating the villain is in the film. This could make the audince feel like the victim in the film may feel insignicant and powerless. The weakening of the character will then build the tension for the audince as they dont no what is gonna happen next with the antagonist.

Hand held camera shot-

This type of sot is used in a horror film to give the film a sense of reality. By using this kind of shot it draws the audience in and makes them feel as if they were more involved.

Point of view shot- 

This shot is used to help the audience see the point of view in the eyes of the character in the film. This is popular in horror films because it helps the audience feel more involved in what is happening in the film at the time. For example in the scene the character could be going down into a dark room therefore the audience will feel a lot tension as they will feel as if it is them that is in the action. There could also be a scene where the character in the film is being held at gunpoint therefore the audience will feel threatened by what is happening. 

Embedded video of an opening that shows a very specific camera shot- a head shot;

Example of Hybrid Genres in Horror

A hybrid genre is a mixed origin or composition. It is a way of categorising films. It is a film that combines two film genres in order to create a combination of both the films. 

Western and Horror- 'Deadlands' 

Sci-Fi and Horror- 'Aliens' 

Action and Horror- 'From Dusk till Dawn' 

Body and Horror- 'Teeth' 

Comedy and Horror- 'Beetlejuice' 

Psychological Horror- 'The Exorcist' 

Science Fiction and Horror- 'Pitch Black'

Slasher and Horror- 'Psycho' 

Romance and Horror-'Bram Stockers Dracula'

Opening Credits in general and Opening Credits in horror films-

Opening Titles in general-

Opening credits are a big part of the film industry and it is becoming a much bigger importance in the film industry. Originally opening credits were only used to state any copyrights of the film where as now they are used for a lot more different infomation on the film and the institution. The most important type of film credits that are used in a film are firstly the film title. This tells the audience what the film is exactly about and can determine the hints of the story line. Another set of important titles that are used are a list of actors and actresses that are in the film. This can then determine the popularity of the film as the actors that are acting the film can be famous therefore this will cause publicity fr the film and make the audience come to watch it. More now than before, directers are starting to state their names at the start of the film  by adding their name to an opening title. This is done to cause publicity of that directer's other films, so if the audience decide they enjoy this film they might want to go and watch another film made by that directer. The colour and boldness of the fil titles will also determine the popularity of the film because it depends on whether the titles will draw the audience in or bore them. The colour of the titles will also let the audience know what kind of film it will be, for example if the titles were red this would convey a horror film as the red can represent danger or blood. If the titles were silver or white the film titles may represent a Sci-Fi feeling it. The usage of titles throughout the time period of media has been a very big change as it has progressed and been made a lot more popluar as well as advanced.

Opening titles in Horror Films-

The opening credits in a horror are the most important in a horror film. They can vary in colours as well as shapes and sizes. All opening titles are important within a horror film due to the fact that they can determine, for the audience, what the type of subgenre the horror film can be. For example red writing can connote danger or gore within a horror film because the colour red can usually be associated with blood. These openign titles are usually large and bold to convey death and violence. They usually involve loud music in the background to inform the audience that the film may be a slasher.  A set of white titles in a horror film are usually associated with the supernatural and ghosts. They are known to appear slowly to give the film an eary feel right at the beginning. As well as this they are usually small and the writing is staggered. This is to put the audience on edge right at the beginning of the film to add to the tension and suspence.

                           

Examples of opening Credits-

Editing styles in Horror Films --

Editing styles in horror films are very important within the movie. It is important because it helps to identify the genre as well as adding to the fear and tension of the film.



Transitions-

Transitions are popularly used in horror films. The most common used in the openings of horror films are fade to black screen and straight cuts. The fade to black screens are used to add to the tension and create a mysterious atmosphere at the start of the film to scare the audience straight away. Its also to make the audience feel on edge and a sense of unease. They suggest the fear of the unknown and lets the audience know that something is not right. Straight cuts are used for fast paced cuts and sometimes jump scares. They are basic styled editing but they are very affected. Examples of this are 'Annabelle', 'Texas Chainsaw Massacre' and 'Sinister 2'.




Fast and slow paced shots-

These shots are usually seen in an opening of a horror film to trigger the feeling of fear for the audience that are watching. This will cause the audience to feel uneasy not knowing what is going to happen next. Shots are slowed down to create the sense of a character's life flashing before their eyes as well as to add to the suspense that is created. Both slow and fast paced editing shots make the audience feel a lot more involved in the film because when both are happening the audience will need to concentrate on what is happening in the film to try to avoid being scared why whats happening in the film. Examples of films that relate to this editing is 'Orphan', and 'The Conjuring'.



Filters-

Filters are used to suggest certain moods or feelings and for the audience to determine the genre of the horror film. So the moods are stereotypically dark and incomprehensible. A blue filter on a film could be to suggest coldness, loneliness and isolation. A red filter can usually associate with death, danger and violence. White filters can suggest innocence and purity. Examples of this type of editing are the films, 'The Woman in Black', 'You're Next' and "The Cabin In The Woods'.



Splicing-

This is usually carried out at the end of the horror film where several scary parts of the film are rapidly edited together to cause disorientation of the audience due to the fact that everything is happening at once. Examples of films where this is shown are 'Poligeist', 'Friday the 13th' and 'Evil Dead'.

Sub-genres of horror films

Action horror- 

This sub genre is a mix of elements of the supernatural and intrusion of evil, with guns, fighting and chase scenes that are usually seen in the action adventure genre of films. Elements of an action horror film could include demons, zombies, gore, vicious animals and vampires. Examples of an action themed horror film could be "Dawn of the dead", 'From dusk till dawn' and 'Blade.' 

Body horror-

This sub-genre is horror generated by the degeneration or the destruction of the human body. Limbs from the human body are used to create monsters or unnatural movements and dysfunction to create fear. David Cronenburg is a well known producer of these kind of sub-genrered films. Some body horror films include 'Teeth', "The invasion' and 'Cabin fever'. 

Comedy horror- 

This sub genre altimatly crosses over with black comedy. This sub genre is a mix of comedic type scenes but also with a few scenes with a scary twist. The film 'Legend of the sleepy hollow'  is said to be one of the best sub genrered comedy horror film. Examples of a comedy horror film are 'Scary Movie', 'Shaun of the dead' and 'Gremlins'. 

Gothic Horror-

Gothic horror sub genre includes elements of goth and horror. Some of the earliest horror films that were made fit into this genre. This genre usualyy contains elements like castles, dungeouns, ruined landscapes, extreme landscapes and magic of the supernatural. Examples of this sub genre includes 'Dracula', 'Frankinstein', and 'The Mummy'.



Psychological Horror-

This sub genre is created by using the characters fears, guilt and belief throughout the film. It also focuses on the instablity of emotion and also the supernatural to build tension and reinforce the plot of the film. The horror that is created comes from the reality ofthe particular sub genre. Examples of this sub genre include 'The Ring', 'The Shining' and 'The Exorcist'.

Science Fiction Horror-

This sub genre usually deals with the supernatural and paranormal but is nolt limited to mad scientists and also experiments gone wrong. Thsi sub genre can also deal with the an uncontrollable fear of technology. Examples of this sub genre are 'Alien' and 'The Mist'.

Slasher Horror films-

This sub genres usually deals with a lot of violence and also revolves around a ill-minded serial killer stalking or killing a numerous amount of innocent victms. The killer usually uses a specific choice of weapon to kill their victims. Slasher films are also built up with a lot of mystery, suspence and may sometimes overlap with crime in some circumstances. Examples of this genre include 'Pshyco', 'Prom Night' and 'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre'.

 

Zombie Horror Film-

Zombie films protray viral reliving corpses and mindless humas that feed off the living. This genre inlcudes a lot of action aswell as horror which is key to build suspence in the film. Examples of this genre may include 'Night if the Living dead', 'Dawn of the dead' and 'I am Lengend'.

Japanese horror films-

Japanese horror (often abbreviated as J-horror) is Japanese horror fiction in popular culture, noted for its unique thematic and conventional treatment of the horror genre in light of western treatments. Japanese horror tends to focus on psychological horror and tension building (suspense), particularly involving ghosts and poltergeists, while many contain themes of folk religion such as: possession, exorcism, shamanism, precognition, and yōkai.

Subgenre for own film-


I believe that my groups own opening to a horror film is a type of slasher horror film. This is because the antagonist in our film is stalking the victims by standing outside looking in from the window in the door aswell as the window in the living room. My groups idea is built up with suspense and tension therefor it fitsthe stereotypical slasher horror.