Genre Assignment

 The Genre I am choosing is horror. 

I chose this genre because it keeps you on the edge of your seat and in suspense. Horror is a fun genre that can spark many different plot twists and ideas. The viewers go through many different emotions like excitement, shock, anxiety, and scared. 

                                                          CONTENT OF HORROR

      The genre of horror is a way to tell a story that aims to bring fear, suspense, and unease to its viewers. Often in the horror genre we see elements like supernatural creatures and terror that is brought upon the audience. Some typical conventions that are often seen in the horror genre are jump scares. Jump scares are often accompanied with dark lighting, shadows, tension, and loud noises. It usually has a suspense build up that comes before it, so viewers get an uneasy feeling. This can make the jump scare reach its full purpose of scaring the viewers. Another common idea in the horror genre is that there is a monster creeping around whether it be under the bed, the closet, a forest, and of course, the basement. Also, the use of a haunted object is very common. Some common objects are dolls or a cursed videotape. One other common thing is when the viewer knows the character shouldn't go into a room or the basement and the character decides to go in. This leads the character to a dangerous situation which can make the viewer frustrated as they knew that decision shouldn't have been made. Audiences usually expect to feel scared, thrilled, and kept being on the edge of their seats throughout. They look forward to the anticipation of the jump scares and plot twists that come with the horror genre. Some sub genres that exist within the horror genre are demonic possession, the paranormal, monsters, zombies, witchcraft, vampires, and many more.

Techniques in the Horror Genre 

    Some common techniques used in the horror genre are suspenseful music, jump scares, eerie lighting, symbolism and physiological tension. Suspenseful music was used in the movie "Psycho" directed by Alfred Hitchcock. During the shower scene, the screeching violin strings during Marion Crane's murder contribute to the unnerving and intense atmosphere. A jump scare that occurred in "The Conjuring" directed by James Wan was during the clapping game. The characters are investigating paranormal activity and tension is built up as they try to find out where the source of the mysterious clapping sound is. The jump scare happens when Carolyn goes to the door expecting to find the source of the clapping when instead a frightening entity is shown. In "The Babadook" directed by Jennifer Kent, eerie lighting is used. Flashes of light is used every time the Babadook is present. The combination of the shadows and the light help add terror to the audience. Psychological terror is used in the iconic scene in "The Shining" directed by Stanley Kubrick. The scene is where Jack Torrance is using an axe to break down the bathroom door while continuously yelling, "Here's Johnny!" This scene scene shows Jack's physiological decent into madness and the terror he inflicts upon his family. Symbolism is also used in "The Shining" with "redrum" that was written in red lipstick on the bathroom door which spelt murder backwards. The red color represents violence and was linked to a supernatural presence within the hotel. It represents to the audience impending doom. Some common lighting technique used in horror are low key lighting to create ominous and mysterious atmospheres, chiaroscuro lighting is usually used to show contrast between illuminated and shadowy areas in horror to inflict tension, and high-key lighting to throw off the audience into thinking that the character is safe and then introduces horror elements that shock the viewers. Some characters that are commonly seen are the monster, the character who doesn't believe the monster or danger is real, the character that takes charge in danger, the character who has a connection to the supernatural, and the comic relief who provides humor. Common camera techniques are tracking shots, zooms, dutch angles, low angles, and close-ups. Sound techniques commonly used are ambient sound, silence, musical score, and jump scares. Some common editing styles used in the horror genre are jump cuts, quick cutting, and cross-cutting. 

Marketing in the Horror Genre

    Common marketing strategies used in horror are teasers and trailers, influencer collaborations and social media campaigns, These strategies help to create anticipation and buzz for people to become excited for the movies. Trailers for horror movies are usually released several months before the actual movie is released. Some ways to find out about trailers for horror movies are YouTube ads, ads at the movie theatre, and on online website ads. There are usually movie posters created for horror movies. You can find some at movie theatre lobbies, online websites, in retail store that sell merchandise for a specific movie, or billboards. The horror genre typically targets its audience through social media by creating hashtags that encourages them to contribute in discussions based on the movie or Q&As with cast members of the movie on Instagram or Twitter. Some types of synergy you see is in "The Conjuring" when the Annabelle doll is introduced. The synergy used in that scene is cinematography, sound design, and storytelling. During the scene the combination of eerie background noises, careful meaning full shots to emphasize the doll's appearance, and the anticipation built is examples of synergy used in the scene. Another example of synergy used appears in "A Quiet Place" directed by John Krasinski.  The synergy of the minimum use of dialogue within the movie, the intense sounds used, and the struggle of the characters to remain silent are examples of sound design, cinematography, and storytelling.

 IT directed by Andy Muschietti

Plot synopsis: The movie follows a group of kids in Derry, Maine that call themselves the losers club. They encounter an evil entity that takes form of whatever frightens the kids, so it could prey on their fears. It usually takes form of a clown named Pennywise. As the kids investigate the mysterious disappearances of the town, they uncover a dark history that the entity appears every 27 years to prey on the children of Derry. The Losers club throughout the movie confront their fears and battle Pennywise and at the end. They think they defeated Pennywise for good.. but did they? 

Throughout the movie there are different conventions of the horror genre that are used. The use of mythical creatures is used as Pennywise isn't a real thing, but a entity that could be anything you fear. It is why Pennywise preys on children because they are typically easier to frighten. Low-key lighting was used in "IT" in a scene in the sewer as the kids are exploring. Pennywise shows up briefly and the lighting is very dark and shadowy. This contributes to the mysterious mood trying to be created. Throughout the scenes where the kids are looking for Pennywise, children's voices can be heard. These voices belong to the victims of Pennywise. He is using the voices to try and instill fear in the losers club to make them vulnerable. Pennywise's laughter can also be heard that is added to create fear and unease. Ambient sounds like creaking floors or distant whispering can be heard in the House on Nebolt Street (the house connected to Derry's sewage system and home to Pennywise). Those sounds create tension and a sense of an evil presence.