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German expressionism is a movement beginning before World War I in Germany famously known for
many creative movements. These movements were expressionistic famously known through films but also
architecture, dance and paintings. The german expressionism films reflected the gritty reality of life during
that time. The films were mostly prevalent in the 1920s, however the style it introduced, still to this day
influences many directors and producers horror film styles.
German expressionism often included distorted and abstract images. It opposed naturalism and realism.
Thee films focused on creating a dreary atmosphere done famously through the use of lighting, Shadows,
and set designs.
Famous director Fritz Lang was one of the most influential directors of german expressionism he used
distortions and other elements of expressionism to really symbolise the inner feelings of his characters
rather than capturing the realisms of the real world.
Productions designs used with famous director Tim Burton, is a modern day example of german
expressionism influenced film maker. His production designer Bo Welch has inspired me to want to
incorporate german expressionism into my own works. I am particularly influenced by the idea of focusing
on the inner feelings of a character and incorporating a surrealist yet gritty dreary atmosphere to really
produce a horror film. The dark shadows and lightings will be good at creating demonic like figures and
this movement will really challenge the usual codes and conventions of many horrors but I am influenced
by the idea of someones inners thoughts to be personified through the use film.
Other horror films that use german expressionism: Psycho, The Babadook, Nosferatu,
ALFRED HITCHCOCK
Alfred Hitchcock born in 1899 was an english film director, famous for his suspense and
psychological thrillers. Hitchcock has a very recognisable director style, some of his stylistic
choices include suspense building, MacGuffin a plot device that is essential to the
characters on the screen, but is irrelevant to the audience, and finally his plot twist endings.
Alfred Hitchcock's films focuses heavily on the psychology behind his characters, most
famously in the films psycho. Hitchcock investigates into the psychology behind his
character Norman Bates and the troubles he has with his mother Norma Bates.
Alfred Hitchcock has strongly influenced me as I am very interested myself with his plot
twists at the end and the different methods he uses to create suspense. I believe suspense is
a good technique to use in a horror trailer as it makes the audience feel much more
vulnerable as they expect and wait for something to happen. I want to create something
influenced by Alfred Hitchcock and his exploration of the psychology but also his building
of suspense.