Horror Genre

Genre refers to a primary method of film categorization, which is fundamental to communication making information more controllable. Genre includes ideological ephases and themetric preoccupations. Horror genre consistently popular since the 1930's that attracts predominantly youth audiences. Themetric preoccupations can reflect moral fears in society and reflect changes in attitude. Most horror releases occur in late October (Halloween period). Horror allows film makers to move away from the moral and ethical obligations of the normal social order into a new aesthetic space.


Horror films aim is to make there target audience feel unsettled, from using techniques such as; effectively centring on the dark side of life, the forbidden, and strange alarming events, dealing with our most primal nature and its fears, our nightmares, our vulnerability, our alienation, our revulsions, our terror of the unknown, our fear of death and dismemberment, loss of identity, or fear of sexuality. These methods are often shown in a terrifying production of mass creativity, while at the same time captivates and gains entertainment for the target audience interest through the cathartic experience. Adapting on horror as a genre whatever dark, primitive, and revolting traits that simultaneously attract and repel us are featured in there films. Horror as a genre is created from the design of attracting your attention on the basis of keeping you on the edge of your seat calculating an unusual atmosphere from fright, terror and blood.       

This film genre incorporates a number of sub-genres and repeated themes, such as slasher themes, vampire themes, serial killers, zombie themes, demonic possession, alien mind control, evil children, cannibalism, werewolves, animals attacking humans, haunted houses, Frankenstein, satanic, teen terror etc… The horror film genre is often associated with low budgets and exploitation, but major studios and recognised directors have made an interest towards this genre in present times. With this horror as a genre is on the incline with more films breaking into the mass market of film production with the success of recent films. Some horror films exhibit a substantial amount of cross-over with other genres, particularly science fiction because of the easily associated link with shock and fright. However certain stories and themes have proven popular and have inspired many sequels, remakes, and copycats e.g. Frankenstein, The Creature from the Black Lagoon, Dracula, Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, werewolves, and zombies.

Overall a horror text consistently tests the implications of the behaviour of humankind, the impact of late industrial capitalism, the effects of historical determinism and the enduring influence of the need to preserve some notion of moral order, social valve and consual justice. From this research I have expanded my knowledge on the basic guidelines to what my horror film has to contain. The elements I am going to use in my film productions are: the fear of death, nightmares, shock and fright, night time scenes, hand held camera (to make you feel the scary atmosphere) and I am using the sub-genre of evil children.