Roland Barthes‘ Enigma Code Theory

In this blog I will be looking at Roland Barthes‘ Enigma Code Theory and how it can be used in horror.

From this theory I can see that to drive a narrative in a horror film forward I need to consider what questions I want my audience to think of when watching my trailer. I also need to think about the meaning behind my setting, props etc. as the viewer will look at each detail and deduce information.

Wells' Research & Cohen's Moral Panics

In this blog I will be exploring Wells' Research & Cohen's Moral Panics

The Monstrous-Feminine by Barbara Creed

Barbara Creed is a Professor of Cinema Studies at the School of Culture and Communication (University of Melbourne). She came up with the idea of 'The Monstrous-Feminine', and in this blog I will be looking at this theory by applying it to the 1976 film 'Carrie'. Carrie was directed by Brian De Palma, a director whose films were seen as controversial for their graphic violence. He has frequently been branded a misogynist for the way he portrays females in his works. The movie was adapted from a Stephen King novel and it was in fact the first Stephen King book to be made into a film.

In Creed's book (The Horror Reader, Chapter: Kristeva, Femininity, is used to ridicule them. 
Abjection) she states “In Carrie, the film’s most monstrous act occurs when the couple are drenched in pig’s blood, which symbolises menstrual blood". This idea can also be seen in the repeated symbolism of the colour red, such as the red lighting as Carrie prepares to kill (as seen on  the right). The pigs blood is used in a way in which causes humiliation and shame. Showing how the females menstrual cycle 

Mother-Child Relationship

This part of the theory suggests that the mother-child relationships (in horror) hold lots of conflict and clashes. This can be see when the child tries to break free from a reluctant mother. This is shown when the "archaic maternal figure" is put in a context where there is no fatherly presents (absence of the father). In these movies the mother/motherly figure is considered the monstrous feminine. This idea can be seen in Carrie's mother.   

Carries mother is controlling, manipulative, violent and overly religious. She can be seen as the true villain of this film as she pushes Carrie over the edge by trying to shield her from all she deems a sinful act, she is also constantly bringing Carrie down telling her that her fathers absence is her fault.

I myself feel that elements of this theory can be seen in many horror and non-horror films. This disappoints me as it shows females in a negative light but seeing the women as a villain also brings an element of power. However if I was to use a female as a villain I would give them complexity, by not making them as one dimensional as a 'controlling mother'. As for the use of the menstrual cycle I completely disagree with this usage it makes females seem like animals. Overall I feel as though I may use a female villain but will be differing the villain from 'The Monstrous-Feminine' concept. 

The Final Girl Theory by Carol J. Clover

In this blog I will be looking at 'The Final Girl' theory and applying it to a horror film

For my own horror trailer I would like to incorporate the idea of the final girl as I feel represents women to be strong fighters. It also shows how bad the horror is as only one person has come out alive.

'Psycho' (1960) compared to 'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre' (1974)

In this blog I will be comparing 'Psycho' to 'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre'. Both of these films were inspired by the real life American killer Ed Gein who killed many in his hometown (Plainfield, Wisconsin). The idea of using humans as the villains in horror made audiences fearful, it made them discover that the real monsters could look just like them.

From this comparison I have discovered that 'backyard killers' can evoke just as much fear as the supernatural and that there are aspects of both of these film that I could use when making my own horror film trailer.

Laura Mulvey Theory

This is a blog about Laura Mulvey 'Male Gaze' theory. I will be discussing what the theory involves and how it applies to horror. 

Camera Techniques in Horror

In this blog I have created a Prezi discussing how certain camera techniques (angles, shots, treatment) are used in horror films.


From this I have learnt how the audiences feelings are heavily influenced by the camera techniques used. Fear, suspense and more are some things that can be shown through the camera.

Vampires Over Time

In this blog I will be discussing how the representation of vampires have changed over time.

 

Todorov’s Basic Narrative Theory

Todorov’s theory comes in five parts:

1)     Equilibrium - whether it be negative or positive the beginning starts in a balanced equal way.

2)      Disruption - this means that the balance/equilibrium is put off-balance

3)      Recognition – when the charter/characters accept and acknowledge the disruption

4)      Repair – the stage in which there is action put in place to fix the disruption

5)      Reinstatement – when the stage of equilibrium returns

Applied to horror- Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007 film)

1)      Benjamin Barker, reaches London after serving 15 years in prison (in Australia), this is the stage of ‘equilibrium’

2)      When he reaching his old home her discovers from Mrs. Nellie Lovett's that his wife killed herself after she was raped by judge Turpin the man who wrongly charged him. He also finds out that is daughter is alive and living with Turpin. This is the ‘disruption’.

3)      He decided to re-open his barber shop but feels inexorable, he kills his old assistant after he blackmails him and misses the chance to kill Turpin. This is the stage of ‘recognition’.

4)      He then turns to killing all his male customers because he missed out on killing Turpin, Mrs. Lovett then decides to use the remains of the dead customers in her pies. This this the stage of ‘repair’.

5)      He kills a woman he thinks is a beggar but it is in fact his wife, he kills Mrs. Lovett as she lied and told him his wife was dead. He then lets Toby kill him as he wants to be with his wife. This is the stage of ‘reinstatement’

Although this theory can fit some horror there are some flaws, for example horror movies do not always follow this structure as they cross-cut between times and place. From this theory I have learnt that there are many way in which horror can create a narrative, it can follow a method like Todorov’s Basic Narrative Theory or it could be in complete contrast.   

Claude Levi-Strauss' Theory of Binary Opposition

Claude Levi-Strauss' Theory suggests that every narrative is pushed forward by conflict between to opposites, for example good vs. bad.

From this theory I have learnt that in horror binary opposition is used a lot to draw audience in to show that every positive has a negative.

Aristotle’s theory

This blog is on Aristotle's theory or narrative. Aristotle suggests “for tragedy is a representation, not of men, but of action and life, of happiness and unhappiness - and happiness and unhappiness are bound up with action...”

From this theory I have learnt that in order to get a better reaction from an audience it is best to show them happiness and unhappiness for the characters as they can then see how the narrative has descended into horror.

Propp’s Narrative Functions theory

This is a blog about Propp's theory on narrative.

From this theory I have learnt that characters do not always have to follow the eight Propp listed. Furthermore I have found that a story does in fact need to two essential characters, mainly the the hero and villain.  

Horror Movie Conventions

This is a blog about conventions often seen in horror films.

Horror Films Timeline

This is a post about how horror films have developed over time and why they changed.

Horror Movie Posters Analysis

In this post I will deconstruct three horror film posters and talk about the effect these poster had on me.

Horror Movie Posters Analysis from hibah24

From my analysis I have found that most horror film posters use similar conventions such as dark lighting (black backgrounds) and tag lines that give the audience a small idea about the film without giving away to much of the plot. Although through time the stylization of horror film posters has changed to fit the  horror sub-genre that is popular at the time(i.e Slasher). Over all I have been able to learn some off the common and uncommon elements horror posters use and how to use mise-en-cène  (among other things) on horror poster's to create a certain tone.

 

 

Horror film Villain-Pennywise

Pennywise

Pennywise the dancing clown (also known as Bob Gray) is the antagonist of the Stephen King, book turned movie, "IT".  He was portrayed as an evil being with whose origins are a mystery, although it is said he is from “unknown realm outside the regions of space”. His character preys on the young by tempting them with a friendly yet underling sinister clown (children entertainer) demeanour. The use of balloons as a prop can be seen throughout the film, as balloons are associated with children’s entertainment yet when they pop they can frighten those around much like the way Pennywise tempts the children with the balloons then reveals his true form.  The movie was released in 1990, a time filled with horror films about the fear of the unknown which perfectly sums up with film as the children fear the clown because they don't know what he truly is; until they discover his lair where they find his true spider-like form.

Pennywise wears a bright colourful costume that can be associated with fun, yet his face is threatening with large sharp teeth and big bloodshot eyes. This shows the idea of the unknown again as his costume can be seen as happy and amusing yet he also appears to hold evil in his facial makeup demonstrating how everything is not as it seems. For a long time clowns have been feared my many people, the fear itself is referred to as "Coulrphobia", as many fear clowns this villain came across scary to all ages, this may have been the rezoning for the costume choice.

Pennywise usually uses his victims fear to kill them; he does this by embodying the form of the fear or putting his victims through a scenario that encounters their fear. He also has countless ability such as shape-shifting, partial invisibility, illusions, quick regeneration, telepathic perception, telepathic communication, mind control, teleportation, pollution inducement, telekinesis, weather manipulation, activation and deactivation, acrobatic expertise. Although like all stories where good conquers bad, evil is defeated by finding flaws, Pennywise has a weakness. He underestimates humans, he often makes it easy for his victims to escape as a result of this, furthermore courage and heart can overcome Pennywise and lastly he goes to hibernation for 26–27 years between the cycles.

And So It Begins...

Horror 

I have always been fond of old horror films. They were filled with such ambition and desire, the desire to make the audience feel a certain way. Now fast-forward to the horror films that can be seen in cinemas today. They usually follow the same old theme of a supernatural being (ghost, jinn, phantom) that has haunted a person or place. This story, although perfectly capable of scaring me, it lacks the structure which I adored in the older horrors. Whatever happened to the days of good old scary vampires and clowns. Before special effects, horror films relied on costume and music but now these film use flash post production to keep audiences on the edges of their seats.

I am looking forward to this project as I want to begin to enjoy and analyse both new and old horror films in a way I may have not been able to before. I am also looking forward to researching the theories of horror and how to apply them. Above all I want to be able to watch a modern horror film and be able to appreciate its concepts and execution.