HORROR
- Conventions of Horror
The use of ominous and tense music to evoke a sense of impending doom is a common practice in horror movies. For instance, the renowned sound for Alfred Hitchcock's classic film "Psycho," which features shrieking violins, has come to represent terror. Another common practice, using dim lighting and dark, shadowy environments to heighten the frightful atmosphere. This is best shown in James Wan's "The Conjuring," when the haunted house is frequently enveloped in darkness, increasing the audience's suspense for the next horrifying encounter with the paranormal. These cliches help horror movies provide viewers a deeper psychological and emotional experience, which increases their ability to frighten viewers with memorable moments.
- Production Techniques in Horror
Production techniques in horror films are vital in creating a chilling and suspenseful atmosphere. Sound and music modification is one often employed method. In Stanley Kubrick's "The Shining," the spooky sound design and unnerving ambient music are essential components in creating tension. The combination of abrupt, startling noises and quiet can frighten and unsettle viewers, heightening the atmosphere of dread. In order to further confuse and generate a sense of unease, creative camera techniques including tracking shots, slow zooms, and deft framing are used. These production methods, when paired with creative lighting and set design, greatly enhance the ability of horror movies to frighten and intrigue the audience.
- Marketing Horror
The marketing of the horror genre is a methodical procedure that takes advantage of people's fundamental fascination with fear and their need for thrilling experiences. In order attract potential viewers' interest and build suspense, trailers and advertising frequently focus on the most frightful and exciting scenes. To communicate with viewers, movie companies frequently use interactive promotions, viral marketing, and social media campaigns. Additionally, cryptic taglines and ominous, captivating imagery are frequently used in horror movies to create a recognizable and unsettling brand identity. Uncanny creatures or symbols, such as the mask from "Halloween" or the creepy doll from "Annabelle," can also be effectively used as marketing tools. Furthermore, horror movies usually have a planned launch date to capitalize on holidays like Halloween. To further stimulate fans' interest and create hype, they are generally accompanied with immersive experiences, haunted house activities, and merchandising. All of these promotional techniques are designed to appeal to viewers' innate terror responses and entice them into the thrilling world of horror films.
- The Shining (1980)
A classic example of the horror genre, Stanley Kubrick's "The Shining" is renowned for its skill in generating tension and terror in the audience's mind. The renowned Overlook Hotel and a backdrop that contributes to the sense of isolation and impending doom, is what creates the creepy mood of the film. With its slow tempo and tense camera work, the movie keeps audiences on edge the entire time, allowing them to experience the protagonists' mounting anxiety and dread. The captivating portrayal of Jack Torrance, spiraling into insanity, by Jack Nicholson is unsettling and unforgettable. In addition, the film's eerie sound design and haunting soundtrack by Wendy Carlos and Rachel Elkind add to the ominous atmosphere. "The Shining" is a classic instance of how the horror genre can delve deeply into the human psyche and leave a lasting and unpleasant effect on its viewers. It brilliantly addresses themes of familial breakdown, the supernatural, and the breakdown of one's sanity.
- Hereditary (2018)
"Hereditary" by Ari Aster is a terrifying and extremely unpleasant movie that perfectly captures the essence of the horror genre through its skillful use of psychological distress and familial dread. The film explores the breakup of an apparently normal family as they deal with paranormal forces and hereditary trauma. It uses the uncomfortable dynamics of a family in disarray to create an oppressive mood of anxiety through its slow and relentless pacing. The film's terrifying and startling scenes make it difficult to differentiate between the supernatural and the actual world, leaving spectators feeling uneasy all the time. The film's intensity is increased by Toni Collette's outstanding performance, in which she plays a mother on the cusp of insanity. "Hereditary" illustrates how this horror may tap into our deepest anxieties, disrupting our sense of reality and producing an unsettling and unforgettable experience.