Similar Media Works

Genre: Horror
Sub Genre: Psychological
horror

Laura Oakey
 Dictionary Definition

Horror: a film in which very frightening and especially

unnatural things happen, for example dead people coming
to life and people being murdered.
Psychological Horror: emphasises the plot and characters
equally. The Characters often have to resolve problems
within their own minds. The problems within their minds
often are an attempt to explain important events.

Laura Oakey
 Common Elements
When people think about horror films there are several things which come to mind
that are pretty standard elements. These tend to be:
• An Antagonist- The bad guy (normally a monster such as Frankenstein or Dracula,
sometimes a murderer. )
• A Protagonist- The innocent, normally the victim of the antagonist
• Diegetic and Extra Diegetic sounds- To build up tension and frighten the audience.
• Dark Colour schemes- To highlight the sinister feeling of the film.

Psychological horrors tend to have very similar elements however the actual storyline
and characters are much harder to make clear than just a horror. Psychological
horrors are based around trick of the mind and a battle in the mind. The common
elements of a psychological horror are very similar to that of a typical horror however
there are some more elements that are commonly included, these are:
• Psychological twists – These are used to play on the audiences minds to make them
think one thing but then change it suddenly so they have to think the complete
opposite.
• Mental Danger- The characters and audience is exposed to mental danger more than
the common physical danger which is common in generic horrors.
• First person narrative- The story tends to be narrated by one of the characters. This
enables the audience to know exactly what is going on and feels much more involved
in the film which is very common in psychological horrors.

Laura Oakey
Storyline and Characters - Horror film storylines are very basic, but the elements and editing techniques that are used
lead the viewer to think more about what is really happening. The story line of a horror is meant to be unsettling they are designed
to frighten and panic, cause dread and alarm, and to invoke our worst fears, often in a terrifying and shocking way which
captivates attention and entertains . The story line of a horror film focuses on the dark side of life, the forbidden, and strange and
alarming events. The story lines makes the audience deal with our nightmares, our vulnerability, our alienation, our terror of the
unknown, our fear of death, loss of identity, the fear of sexuality through primeval nature and its fears. Storylines evolve around the
process of discovery either the discovery of death or the discovery of a monster.
A horror film tends to always have both a antagonist and a protagonist. The antagonist is always the killer or the evil person and the
protagonist tends to be the main character which the action and event is based around. These are both the main characters in the
film. These characters are used the most in the film, the audience may not ever know what they look like, but they have a clear idea
about their role within the story. In some Horrors there is a Monster or a creature these characters induce fear in the viewer and add
emotion and provoke the audiences thoughts and feelings.

Setting- The landscape or the environment can suggest the type of story that will be presented. Interior shots allow for different
meanings opposed to exterior shots. The settings of a horror are varied depending on the character and the script of the media. A
chosen setting is used for the sake of the plot. These settings can develop through out the film, revealing more about the plot or a
discovery. The settings within a Horror film can be very important, they create certain moods and lead the audience to think and
feel in a certain way. Horror films tend to be set in very dark, wet, damp places where things are able to jump out and add
atmosphere to the film. Certain light is used to also create a certain atmosphere, the filming of the film tends to take place when the
light is brightest- either at dusk or dawn. Darkness can be used to connote the unknown, making the audience feel fear. Red or
orange light connotes death, pain or danger to the audience as redness denotes blood.

Structure- The narrative structure within a horror tends to stay the same. There is always a setup, confrontation and a
resolution. This is a conventional structure of a horror film, this impacts the audience as they are able to tell what is going to happen
without knowing the details and the storyline. This structure can be changed but then this changes the audiences expectations. In
psychological horrors the structure may be changed, this may be used to surprise the audience and change the fear they feel as
they are unaware of what might happen meaning that thoughts within the film are more important than the characters actions.

Events and Actions- In a horror there are always events and actions. An action is when a character does something to
themselves and an event is something which happens to the character. In a psychological horror there are more events than
actions. Although the event is mental not psychical it is something that happens to them to make them think and feel in a certain
way. This makes the audience react making them feel scared and frightened.

Lauren
Tolliday
 Target Audience
Usually the target audience for mainstream horror is people aged 16 – 24. This is mainly due to the
fact the most horror films are certificate 15 or 18. They are certified this way because the content
of these films often contain explicit content and scenes that could disturb younger viewers. Another
reason for this targeted age group is that film production companies will often advertise using
adverts in teen magazines and music channels, which are also aimed at people of ages between 16
– 24. More related to psychological thrillers, the age range of audience would tend to be slightly
older. This is because the plot and story lines are often a lot more intricate and complicated, and
therefore require more knowledge and concentration.

With concern to gender, horror films are stereotyped to be aimed at men, this is because of the
idea that men will feel more manly after watching a horror film. However, more recently the
audience has spread more out to females as well. This shows both men and women both enjoy
watching horror films for the adrenaline rush that comes with watching one.

In terms of the four C’s (Cross-cultural Consumer Characteristics) horror films would be more aimed towards
Mainstreamers. Mainstreamers are concerned with stability and security. I have said this because generally people
watch horror films to make them feel more secure, as if the scary things are happening in the film so will not happen to
the audience. Also it could be aimed at aspirers as they look to improve themselves. This could be done by watching a
horror film and then feeling better about themselves after.
In terms of the groups defined by the marketing company LifeMatrix, horror films are more aimed towards the
Fun/Antics group and the Rugged Traditionalists. This is because the fun/antics group consists of active young couples,
it is typical of couples to watch horror films together as the male wants to comfort the female if she gets scared. The
rugged traditionalists are males with traditional values, and a love of a the outdoors. The members of this group watch
horror films to feel even more ‘manly’

As psychological thrillers are a sub genre of horror, they do not have as bigger target audience but are still very widely
watched. This is because psychological thrillers are not often blockbusters as they are usually made by more individual
film institutions as apposed to institutions such as Universal. The audience of these films are usually more appealing to
followers of the independent film industry, rather than general audience. There is less of an audience than that of
Hollywood films due to independent film companies having less budget to play with. Meaning they cannot advertise as
widely as Hollywood blockbusters do. This is because films companies who make psychological thrillers are usually
Abi Crafter
more concerned more with the art of film making apposed to the actual profit.
 Audience Expectations
• Plot will effect the audience mentally rather than explicitly- less blood
and gore than other horror sub-genres
• Plays on audiences personal fears and anxieties, leaving them with
these feelings even after the film has finished
• Invariably there will be a death but the audience will be questioning
when it will happen rather than how it will happen
• Identity of antagonist not revealed until well into the plot
• Shocks audience using music and editing techniques rather than
violence
• The use of ‘psychological’ within the genre title shows that the horror
experienced will be mental rather than physical
• Antagonist often has a mental/emotional issue causing them to
behave the way they do.

Jenny
Carter
 Typical Mise-En Scene
There are many typical elements of mise-en scene that appear in horror films.

Costume- The protagonist is usually dressed in very pale or white colours, this is
meant to show the audience that this person is innocent, and as in horror films the protagonist
is usually killed it can also be seen as symbolising heaven. The make up of the protagonist is
usually very minimal and natural, this is to make them look more child like, and innocent, like
they do not know what is to come. The antagonist is usually wearing an item that is either dark
or red. This is to symbolise danger to the audience, the colour of red could symbolise death or
blood and the dark colours connote mysteriousness. The make up of the antagonist is usually
quite smoky/ gloomy and dark, this adds to them looking mysterious and spooky.

Lighting- As and when the protagonist appears on the screen, the lighting is usually
quite bright surrounding them. For example if the protagonist is in a certain room, and they are
alone, the room would be brightly lit. This is again to connote heavenly qualities to the
audience. If there is going to be an important scene in the film, where for example a murder is
going to take place, the lighting can dim, the room or setting will become darker to connote
danger. This will be a big indicator to the audience that something is about to happen.

Camera Angles-Horror films can use a very wide range of camera angles to depict different things such as
emotion or action. If the director of a film wants the audience to see and the feel the emotion displayed by a
character, a close up is often used. This is because using a close up will allow you to see the characters facial
expressions. A close up is often also used when a weapon or something similar is in shot, for example a knife or
gun, this shows the seriousness of the situation, if you can see the blade of a knife very close up you can
instantly realise that something will happen. Also in this situation an extreme close can be used, this would be to
show a specific part of the weapon, e.g. the trigger on a gun.
Other technique used in horror films is angled shots, such as low and high. A high angle may be used to show
the protagonist when they are in danger. This will make them appear to be smaller and vulnerable as the
camera is looking down on them. A high angle shot can be used to show the antagonist, this will make them look
bigger and taller, making the audience think they a strong-willed.

Abi Crafter
 Technical Codes
Camera Angles- Camera Angles can be used to express a point of view or the relationships between
people and their environment within a scene. Camera angles can also be used to create an emotional
meaning between the character and the audience. For example, a high angle long shot focused on a
single person can suggest the person’s insignificance and weakness as they are presented as being
small. A low angle shot can suggest that the person is important and powerful as the camera is
looking up to them. The frequency and number of cuts can create atmosphere. A small number of
cuts in a long piece of film could create the feeling of tranquillity, stability, or calm. On the other
hand, the same technique could suggest the monotony of the main character action. Quick, frequent
cuts might indicate urgency, excitement, or chaos.

Lighting- Lighting can be very important in a film, brightness, dim light, or shadow can affect
our response to characters. We are more likely to fear a character who is always seen in the shadows
as the audience is unable to see their facial and body expression and what they look like this adds
tension to the scene. Altering the colour or quality of the picture can also add atmosphere. A red filter
could be very effective to emphasize a scene of danger and pain as this denote blood. Soft filters can
be used to create white and pale colours create atmosphere as these denote innocence.

Sound- In physiological horrors both diegetic and extra diegetic sound is used. Diegetic sound is
used within the scene, this could be a conversation between the two characters or music that is
within the scene or sounds made by objects in the scene. Sound effects are also used with a film to
add extra meaning, sound technician’s and editing techniques allow the audience their attention on
key sound effects by altering the balance of the diegetic and extra diegetic sound. Music Volume can
convey information and affect the audience’s emotions. Loud music can make the audience feel
tense and scared as the build up of sound can suggest something is going to happen. Heavy rhythm
can cause changes in the body which the mind could interpret as anxiety, fear, or excitement.

Lauren
Tolliday
 Symbolic codes
Language- Dialect, choice of words, and slang can all indicate the
character’s background, social class, or education. The symbolic
meaning in this case is in the form of the words rather than in the
content. These are very important as the audience may interpret the
character very differently after hearing them speak apposed to just
looking at them. The language used explains a lot about a person, the
audience is then able to build up an opinion on the character.

Costume- The style of dress can indicate historical date or the type of
character. A lot of information can be distinguished from a characters
costume, it can indicate what the person has been doing and where.
Costume can signal a characters personality and plot situations or as
metaphors to reinforce the action.

Lauren
Tolliday
 Technical codes- Editing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHf6Th-E3kE&feature=related

This is a clip from the horror film 28 Weeks Later directed by Juan Carlos Fresnadillo and
edited by Chris Gill. Editing of both the visual and auditory elements of the this section
effectively builds tension. Some of the ways in which editing has been used include:
At 1.18 when a knock is heard at the door, the shot cuts rapidly between close-ups (CU) of the characters
sat round the table turning towards the sound. This highlights the significance of the sound and allows the
audience to see the characters’ facial expressions, therefore enabling them to empathise with them.
The low-level extra-diegetic humming sound that begins after the knocking builds tension significantly as it
effects the audience subconsciously. This sound would have been added during the editing process. The
sound crescendos then changes to haunting synthesized sound, reflecting the bright light shining into the
darkness of the room.

As the boy talks about what is happening outside, the shot tracks
the woman ask she goes to look through a gap in the wall. The
shot then cuts to her point of view (POV) and we see that she is
looking out onto an empty field. This is contrasts with what the boy
is saying, making the audience aware of the danger but showing
the outside as appearing safe, therefore adding tension.

At 2.59 the shot again cuts back to the woman looking outside.
The calm is then suddenly broken by a loud crashing and rasping
noise and shot cuts rapidly to the woman’s point of view to make
the audience aware of the partially obscured face of the zombie
outside. This type of editing is called a ‘shock cut’ and aims to
scare the audience by juxtaposing two radically different scenes-in
this case the calm and supposedly safe scene of the group talking
to the boy and then the cut to the zombie braking into the shed.

Jenny
Carter
 Camera Angles and
shots
Horror focuses on two main characters the antagonists and the protagonist. Close ups, extreme close ups and mid range shots
are used to make the audience focus on these characters. This enables the audience to follow their movements and become
familiar with the characters personality, thoughts, feelings and attitudes and meaning that the audience know their role within
the film making the audience feel comfortable. As well as the antagonist and protagonist in a horror there is always a monster
or a creature created by accident, these may never been seen by the audience. Camera angles and shots may be used to
connote its is presents within the film. Shadows can be used to show that it is these but not to show it identity. This puts the
audience on edge as they aren't aware of what it looks like but they are aware of its purpose in the film, this creates fear.

In a horror film the use or close up shots and mid shots are used to stop the audience from seeing the surroundings, events or
people that would reveal the plot ending or give away information that would make it easy to figure out the mystery to early.
Close up shots can create suspense because you can never see everything around the characters so the audience becomes
anxious and frightened.

Tracking and panning is used a lot with horror films. Characters are tracked or the camera pans around the scene to show
their movement, instead of cutting between shots to show what they are doing. Panning and tracking shots are used to make
the audience think and feel what the character is in the film. Long or mid-range shots are used for these sequences as they
set the scene and show the audience where they are. Wide shots from a further distance are usually for setting the scene also

Conversations between two characters are filmed using shot reverse shots and an eye line match. Both these shots are used
to show who is talking in the scene allowing the audience to focus on the character speaking. When these shots are used an
extreme close, a close up or a mid shot is used to show the character. An extreme close up or a close up shot is used to show
the importance of the conversation and the expression on the characters face. A mid shot is used also to show the characters
body movements and body expressions, this may be important to the audience as it shows how they feel and think about
something. When showing two characters talking, the 180 degree rule is always used. This shot is used in the same scene
showing the same left/right relationship to each other, this is to used to show the two characters in the scene. If the camera
passes over the imaginary line connecting the two subject this may confuse the audience as is may confused them to where
the characters are positioned within the room.

Lauren
Tolliday
 Generic Symbols
• Antagonist against protagonist
• Antagonist often unseen until later in film
• Back story to all characters- helps audience connect with
them
• Tension
• Death
• Insecurity
• Isolation
• Weapons
• Innocent and unsuspecting victim/s
• Mental rather than psychical violence
Scene from The Shining, 1980
• Plays on audiences fears and emotions
• The fear of the unknown
Jenny
Carter
 Ideology
Ideology is a very key point in horror films. This is because with horror films there comes
much stereotyping. However this is because of moral panics, Chomsky and in some ways
Hegemony. This has shaped peoples ideas upon horror and psychological horrors and
affected the way people view the genre of horror.
Moral panics- affect the ideology of horror films as there is a hyped over-reaction to the
media which causes people to believe that society‘ s values have collapsed. ‘28 days later’
is a very good example of this as the people in it have lost all sense of society and are
focusing on surviving rather than working together as a society. It also highlights issues
which could potentially happen, perhaps not on such a large widespread scale but there
still is the possibility which could worry society as a whole.
Chomsky- Argued that the mass media can be used to divert people’s attention away
from real issues. This is highlighted in the horror films which were made in the 1930s,
they were made to takes peoples minds off the approaching world war. It was an escape
from the reality. This is why people commonly think that horror films are very different to
reality and feel that watching horror films is an escape from what is happening in the
current world.
Hegemony- Hegemony is the way people in power choose to maintain control. In the
1940s all horror films were banned from being shown, as those in power felt that it was
unwanted propaganda from Hitler because of the current political issues. In this case the
government wanted to ensure that no dominant ideologies were considered as the war
was such a sensitive issue. By those high up in power maintaining their control through
censoring films it does not let all of the opinions and ideas for new horror films come
through, for fear that it may mean that their control will be reduced.

Laura Oakey
 The Blair Witch Project
Three film students travel to Maryland to make a student film about a local urban legend, The Blair Witch.
The three went into the forests on a two day hike to find the Blair Witch, the party sets out to look for
facts that prove the legend, equipped only with two cameras and a little hiking gear. They have to admit
to be lost in the woods. Eerie sounds at night and piles of stones in places where they have not been
before cause the already desperate group to panic and never came back. One year later, the students film
and video was found in the woods. The footage was compiled and made into a movie. The Blair Witch
Project.
The Blair Witch Project follows the traditional conventions of horror
as it makes the audience feel a sense of powerlessness due to the
hopelessness of the unknown and the fear of being haunted.
Dutch angle shots and close ups allow the audience think and feel
what the characters are, this makes the audiences sense of fear
even realer.
The dark lighting used and the eerie settings connote the sense of
the unknown putting the viewer on edge as they don't know what is
going to happen next.
The Blair Witch Project
is similar to most other
psychological horrors,
the film follows other
common elements
including its story line. It
frightens, panics and
invokes our worst fears.

Both diegetic and extra diegetic

sound is used throughout the Directed by: Daniel Myrick
film, the sound used impacts the Eduardo Sánchez
Date of release: October 27,
viewer adding atmosphere and
1999
tension.
Certificate: 15 Lauren
Country: USA Tolliday
 Psycho
The psycho shower scene is the most famous section of the film and certainly one of the most
famous scenes in cinema history. There are many factors that contribute to making this scene
particularly effective. These include:
Tension and suspense are effectively built up as soon as the antagonist enters
the scene. This is achieved by only showing the antagonists shadow behind the
shower curtain and not revealing their identity (a convention of the genre) and
by allowing the audience to observe this while the protagonist is completely
unaware of the predicament she is in. As the shot zooms in closer to both the
antagonist and the woman, the sense of being trapped is conveyed to the
audience because there is visually less room in the shot.
The use of high-pitched strings as extra-diegetic sound when the woman is
stabbed conveys the horror of the situation and coupled with the woman’s
screams, makes very uneasy viewing for the audience. The sound of the shower
continuing to run as the after the woman is killed conveys the sense of life
going on without her. The close up of the plughole with the sudden match-on-
action to the woman’s eye is shocking for the audience, more so than actually
showing her dead. The position in which the woman is slumped on the floor
after the stabbing makes visually uncomfortable viewing for the audience.
The psychological problems of the antagonist are integral to the plot
(hence the title) but the audience is unaware of this until the end of the
film, therefore leaving them guessing throughout and adding tension to the
plot. The famous ‘shower scene’ uses both diegetic and extra-diegetic
sound to convey the horror of the stabbing , rather than showing the full
extent of the blood and gore that would be present in other sub genres of
horror such as Slasher.

The plot of the film is realistic, making the audience consider their own
mortality and whether the same thing could happen to them. Audience is
aware of the back stories of the characters, making them feel closer to
them and more involved in the plot. The film shows how horror can occur in
seemingly normal situations, again causing the audience to consider their
own safety. Title and year: Psycho, 1960
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v Country of Origin: United States Jenny
=8VP5jEAP3K4 Carter
 Donnie Darko
Donnie Darko doesn't get along too well with his family, his teachers and his
classmates; but he does manage to find a sympathetic friend in Gretchen, who
agrees to date him. He has a compassionate psychiatrist, who discovers hypnosis is
the means to unlock hidden secrets.

His other companion may not be a true Directed by: Richard Kelly
ally. Donnie has a friend named Frank- a Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal
Date of release: 25 October
large bunny which only Donnie can see. 2002
When an engine falls off a plane and Certificate: 15
destroys his bedroom, Donnie is not there. Country: USA

Both the event, and Donnie’s escape seem

to have been caused by supernatural
events. Donnie’s mental illness, if such it
is, may never allow him to find out for Laura Oakey
Mise- en- scene for Donnie
Darko 2001
This clip is the end piece of whole film. The film has
gone the whole way through and this is the final bit
which shows what actually happens to the characters.

The extra diegetic sound of this clip really highlights

the emotion and shows the feelings of all of the
characters in the scene. The diegetic sound reiterates
to the audience what is happening and how things are
working out in the story.
The clip also makes good use of colour schemes in both
the clothing that the characters are wearing and the
sets to reflect the personalities of the different
characters. Donnie (played by Jake Gyllenhaal) is
wearing mainly white and light colours to show his
innocence however this is contrasting with the dark set
which highlights the evil and the bad things that can
come from Donnie.

The dark lighting really emphasises the dark feeling about the film and shows the bad things that could and
have happened especially in contrast to the light clothing that the rest of the characters are wearing.
There is a large range of shots used ranging from wide shots to extreme close ups. The extreme close up shots
emphasise the emotions felt by the characters and helps the audience to feel more involved in the film. The
wide shots make it clear to the audience what is happening so that they do not get confused and are not
unaware of what is going on.
The body language of the Characters shows to the audience that something bad has happened and has made
the uneasy feeling of the film very clear to the audience. The characters movements are stiff and not natural
which really picks up on the sad feeling of the clip.
The mise-en-scene helps the audience to get an ever better idea of what is happening in this part of the film.
They feel as though they have a more important role in the film and the tension is built up helping the audience
to feel the emotions that the characters in the film are currently filming.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PUFJmsCZLE Laura Oakey
 Mise En-Scene – Awake
(2007)
This film is classed as a thriller. Its narrative is about a man, the
protagonist, and a group of doctors, the unknown antagonists.

Lighting- The lighting in the operating room is focused on the main

character, the protagonist, it is an internal light in the form of an over
head operating light, it is not from outside the scene. The lighting around
the rest of the characters, who in this scene are all antagonists, is slightly
darker and has heavy shadowing.

Camera Angles- There is a strong variation of camera angles used in this

scene, from close ups to long shots. There is a close up of the protagonists
face, showing the tape on his eyes and also showing that he is asleep, or
so the other characters think. The use of a close up show that he cannot
move to alert anyone and therefore shows his urgency.
There is then a mid shot/over the shoulder shot of the female surgeon, she
is discussing their plan convincing another character to go through with it.
It shows her persistency to the audience. The camera then switches to a
close up of the male surgeon, using an eye line match. This allows the
audience to see that the two are having a conversation with each other.
As he is wearing a mask we cannot see his whole face and facial
expression. We can however see very clearly his eyes. They show that he
has some fear and uncertainty for what is to come.

Sound- The only sound that can be heard is the dialogue, the voices are quite soft, until the female
surgeon talks about going through with it were her voice becomes a lot more assertive to show the
audience she is serious about. The only extra-diagetic sound is the dialogue from the protagonist, it is like a
monologue as he is talking over the top of what is happening. The way he talks really shows his fear and
desperation.
The majority of the dialogue is very quiet and soft, like the characters are trying to be secretive and don’t
want anyone to over hear what they are talking about.

Abi Crafter