Representation

In my film opening project, I have so many ideas of what group or event I want to represent. The idea of witches, more specifically about the Salem witch trials really interest me. Although they have the stereotype of being crazy or evil, I would love to represent them in a way that is almost normal and yet somewhat creepy. I think this group of people are either underrepresented or simply misrepresented. Despite the doubts of witches being real, I would love to represent them in a parallel universe where it is widely accepted that witches are real.

In the Netflix television show the Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, witches and warlocks are represnted as normal people who are either hiding their secret from mortals or entirely live in their own world or society surrounded by themselves. This show does a good and rare job of bringing witches into a bright and humorous life but also making it scary; I appreciate that the level of horror is not missing or fading. The film The Blair Witch Project portrays witches as an evil presence and something to fear, but for valid reasons. We grow up learning about evil spirits through film and religion and this film carries on the narrative of fear. I think it's important to have the element of fear because of the horror but also recognize these figures as normal people.

I understand the current representation of this group and very much enjoy it at times, but only now are we getting horrific figures like witches but also ghosts and monsters, and portraying them like there is almost nothing to fear. The way this group in represented in Chilling Adventures of Sabrina is a good step in developing the genre of film. On the other hand, The Blair Witch Project is an enjoyable film and causes a lot of fear which I love, but I wish scary figures were more normalized.

In film, I would retain the scary side in witches and keep the audience in fear, but in a good way. I think these figures in horror are very important and almost the backbone of the genre in all, beginning with the infamous Salem witch trials. I would love to challenge the idea of witches being very secondary to the world. I want to try to show their existence in the mortal world with mortals aware of their presence. I think the humans and witches dynamic would be very interesting. There are definitely still elements of horror in witches that will always be scary.

Drama

Drama

Drama is a genre intended to entertain an audience while utilizing real life-like issues and bringing them to film with great performances and an interesting plot. 

Genre Conventions - Content

The film genre of Drama includes very serious performances usually representing real life. Showing emotion and presenting dramatic situations is a very big part of films in this genre. There is a protagonist who very realistic and is in a realistic sitation whether the conflict is with themselves, others, or other forces. A dramatic film focuses on the best and worst of a character and often times heighten the seriousness of the event. These films, along with that, usually have to do with social issues.  Because of their seriousness, these films are highly respected. 

Genre Conventions - Production Techniques

A great factor in Drama is that they are very serious. What adds to this seriousness is the use of lighting and the very realistic mise-en-scene. Although these films are not always based on real events, real issues, situations, and looks from everyday life is added in costumes, makeup, production design, and setting. Long close-up scenes are very evident in drama films as it is a way to add concentration and mimic real-life conversations or situations as well as heighten the seriousness of the scene. These scenes are also a way for the audience to pay attention to detail. Colors and lighting on screen tend to be a bit more dim but does not define if a film is dramatic or not. Drama films vary in the period of time they are placed in, thus meaning that props and clothing may vary the same. But overall despite the time period, everything on screen is usually as close to real life objects as possible.

Film Sample #1

A Star Is Born (2018)

This is one of the many great examples of a drama film. Throughout the film, the mise-en-scene including the set and costumes were all very realistic and a perfect example of what that life is like in the real life. The lighting in certain scenes adds to the drama. The shots consisted of a lot of close-ups which made the scene more personal and intimate, which are keys in making a drama film. Ally's life as a singer, although rare, depicts that life exactly how it is in reality. This film also touches on the serious issue of alcoholism and substance abuse, both of which are very real and present issues in society.

Film Sample #2

Lady Bird (2017)

This film shows the subgenre of coming of age films. This film shows a unique story about Lady Bird growing up and her relationship with her mother. The representation of her lower-income household is very realistic. What adds to this part of her life is the mise-en-scene of her house and her clothing. The film shows the struggle of her father's unemployment very well. At the same time, she is applying for colleges and the overall content shows the realistic life of a teenager that many go through. 

Call Me By Your Name (2017)

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5726616/

Moonlight (2016)

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4975722/

Titanic (1997)

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120338/

Forrest Gump (1994)

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0109830/

Dunkirk (2017)

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5013056/

Horror

Horror

Horror is a genre intended to unsettle and generally scare the audience. Horror films are usually based around some kind of evil figure, whether it is paranormal or criminal. These films also usually include shock or twist endings. The target audience are people ages 15-25 since they enjoy thrills the most. They are aimed more at men because of their preference for action and violence.

Genre Conventions - Content

The conent of a horror film usually involve death whether it is with the presence of a murder, ghosts, supernatural events. The main character has the job of defeating this evil figure. Horror produces fear by including jump scares, gory images, unsettling fears, darkness, suspense, silence, screams. These are all utilized to have the successful reaction of terror. Horror also has the subgenres including comedy horror, body horror, holiday horror, psychological horror, science fiction horror, supernatural horror, gothic horror, natural horror, and more.

Genre Conventions - Production

Techniques within the production process in terms of horror include dark and isolated settings which is a result of the fear of being alone, a common fear in horror. Common settings are also hospitals, asylums, and hotels, for example, The Shining. The props used in production include objects that cause death or violence, like chainsaws, a knife, or a gun. Colors like black and red have a huge impact on how the audience feels, these colors representing fear and blood. Horror films also utilize the use of low-key lighting to show the fear of the "unknown" and to give off shadows. The costumes of characters are usually dark or even raggedy. Religious items can be seen often in horror films based on the paranormal for priests or religious figures to perform an exercism or some kind of healing. Gore like blood and wounds can be specifically popular with the use of makeup. Lastly, mysteriousness is added with the use of fog and the outside setting of trees and the forest.

Institutional Conventions - Marketing

Horror films are promoted by using short clips as well as slow clips awaiting a jump scare. Because Halloween is a scary time especially for young people, this is generally when horror hilms are released. This time of the year gets people in the mood to feel scared and want adrenaline. To ensure the success of horror movies, trailers for them are placed in common areas like social media or before other movies in the theater. 

Film Samples

The Sixth Sense directed by M. Night Shyamalan

This movie explores the paranormal side of horror. Shyamalan does this successfully by utilzing shocking images of death and unsettling scenes pertaining to death. This film has the audience feeling suspense starting at the very beginning. The Sixth Sense can also be classified as pyschological horror since it does get inside the head of the viewer and causes discomfort. This is due to the main character's therapist profession and the variety of patients and just characters in general with fearful histories. It can be most frightening that the characters and setting seems completely normal, despite the discomforting images of darkness. 

Paranormal Activity directed by Oren Peli

This film represents supernatural horror. Peli does a good job at producing fear by having dark and slow scenes awaiting for either a jump scare or a discomforting ending. This is the perfect example of horror because it really does cause suspense as the more time passes, more destructive events follow. The use of camera angles and shots almost make people not want to look at the screen, causing fear. At the end there is a shock ending (like in most horror movies) and religious objects appear in order to heal the main character.

The Blair Witch Project directed by Daniel Myrick

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0185937/?ref_=ttls_li_tt

The Conjuring directed by James Wan

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1457767/?ref_=ttls_li_tt

The Cabin In The Woods Directed by Drew Goddard

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1259521/?ref_=ttls_li_tt

The Shining directed by Stanley Kubrick

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0081505/?ref_=ttls_li_tt

Psycho directed by Alfred Hitchcock

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0054215/

Introduction

My name is Sofia Desimoni and this blog will be focused on my process of creating an original opening scene. I will be working with the genre of horror.