As Level - Media

Studies
Component 1:
Foundation Portfolio
 Horror genre
Examples of websites you could use to help
identify the conventions of the horror
genre:

https://www.slideshare.net/Amber2805/co
nventions-of-the-horror-genre-67172644

https://www.slideshare.net/lalaland_xo/hor
ror-film-forms-and-conventions

https://www.slideshare.net/marine18/horr
or-genre-conventions

https://www.slideshare.net/amberloo20/co
des-and-conventions-in-the-horror-genre
Horror conventions - setting
 Other aspects that you need to cover
for conventions of horror
 Iconography – this is the visual style, what you would typically seen through costume, props, lighting, colour.
 Technical codes – this covers the cinematography (camera shots, angles and movement). There are aspects
horror films use more than others and this is often seen throughout the horror films.
 Sound and editing can be part of the technical codes used as well to create meaning
 Narrative structure –think about the way it is told from beginning to end. Is there a structure that is out of the
ordinary? Maybe a segment of the killers life through flashback
Character types that are used within horror films: think about Propp’s character functions (hero, villain etc.).
What other characters are usually seen as well. There tends to be a victim who is usually not very intelligent
 Themes – what things are shown consistently throughout horror films
 What directors specialise in horror/thriller films and is there any information you can gather as to why they do
this? Maybe start with Wes Craven who specialises in slasher horror films
 Discuss the subgenres of horror – slasher, paranormal, psychological, gothic, gore, sci-fi, found footage (quite
a new one).
Horror sub-
genre examples
Exemplar websites
× http://proudfilmopening.blogspot.co.uk/
× nelareslerovamedia.weebly.com
× Jacobreidya2media.weebly.com
× mediaali.weebly.com
× elliereidymedia.weebly.com
× http://jacobreidymedia.weebly.com/
Film openings (opening scenes)

× It follows - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNXxNUL-b3M
× Scream - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNm22s3kP_c
× The Shining - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Jq0SLgE9wI
× The Ring - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvRLihYDBIw
× The Nun - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_akyCqVrAo
× Saw - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0d-PawQBcN0
× A Nightmare on Elm Street -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pbpw2txUg_E
× IT - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRL0Prr2oc8
 Film openings (only credits
opening)
× Insidious - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHfzHN_veH8
× Dwelling - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oe8_DBReaVE
× Zombieland - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AFnThY472c
× Halloween - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_tGvktfjjk
× Halloween II- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjoioWbFt6o
× Se7en (thriller) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BJkDyCdw0c
× Us - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dm82qvn5Crs
× Get Out - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhcT8S7UXMQ
× The Nun - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jilw6PTLjjA
× IT - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6_e5G4S4ts
Carrying out research to inform the planning
stage

× Learners should evidence detailed research into relevant media forms and be able to demonstrate a
confident engagement with the conventions of the form before the selected brief is handed to them.
× (Film Option) Watching the opening sequence to a range of films in the appropriate genre, making
notes on:
 how many titles are displayed during the opening sequences to the film?
 what images are prioritised in the opening sequence?
 what connotations do the images carry?
 how is genre reinforced through symbolic and technical codes from the outset?
 how does the film establish an enigma from the outset?
 what strategies are used to ensure the film appeals to its target audience?
 how has technology been used effectively? You might want to consider camera angles, transitions and
editing techniques.
How many titles are displayed during
the opening sequences to the film?

× In this section it is important to discover through your

analysis of your opening films how many credits and
shown
× Its possible that it would name who was involved in the
production. Director, camera, actors, creators, etc.
× It is also important to describe what type of font is being
used and how it may be conventional to the drama genre.
What images are prioritised in the
opening sequence? What are the
connotations?

× In this section it is important to explain what images are

being used and why. There may be no images. There may
be just opening credits. But think about colours, what is
being shown. If there are blank screens, explain why.
× There may be settings, characters and props being
introduced. For this, once explained, you must think about
what connotations these may have and how it may relate
to the genre.
How is genre reinforced through
symbolic and technical codes from the
outset?
× In this section, think about the symbolic and technical codes. This is
pretty much the iconography. Does the iconography match the
images on screen in relation to the genre of horror (maybe with a
sub genre).
How does the film establish an enigma
from the outset?
× In this section you must explain a little about the narrative. How are questions raised to
the audience?
× Is there something about the characters we do not know?
× Is there a character we do not know about such as existence, capabilities, hidden
agenda, etc.
× Is there something about the story that is a little out of the ordinary?
× Could their be questions the audience ask themselves about the location of where the
film is set?
× Narrative devices – is it a flashback, is it told in order of events (linear or non-linear),
enigmas, plot twists.
× Narrative theory – binary opposites, specific types of characters (Propp’s character
functions – hero, villain, helpers, damsel in distress, false hero), Todorov’s theory of
equilibrium.
What strategies are used to ensure the
film appeals to its target audience?
× In this section you must think who the target audience are of the
film and why the film may appeal to them. Horror would most likely
be discussing the psychographics as opposed to the demographic
but many aspects of demographic can be used as well.
× Teens, emotional, escapism, interests, entertainment, etc. There are
many things you could be discussing here.
How has technology been used effectively? You
might want to consider camera angles, transitions,
editing techniques, sound and lighting.
× Has the use of camerawork been used effectively. Can discuss the image
quality and picture along with the sound that is being heard.
× How has sound been used and what connotations are there (diegetic and
non-diegetic sound)
× Editing, fast/slow paced, what techniques (cross-cutting, match cuts, simple
transitions. Doe it flow with the atmosphere being created in the opening
× Cinematography – how the camera has been used to create meaning. Angles,
shots and movement. Can discuss depth of field (blur and focus)