Representation of men and women in horror films

Representation of men and women in horror films:

Traditionally, women are represented as the damsel in distress and are attacked by the killer because they’re weak. In contrast men are portrayed as strong and heroic characters that always triumph over the evil.  However, these representations came from when women had less rights and men dominated. Due to the rise in feminism and cultural as well as society changes, these roles and representations have been somewhat altered. For example, women are seen to outsmart killers and solve the mystery; this is seen in ‘Scream’ when female character Sidney overpowers the killer. Following this, some movies have strayed away from the whole idea of representation completely, and focus more on men and women working together to escape from the killer or death; this is seen in the ‘Saw’ movies.

Following traditional representations, men are seen to be the killers, bad guys and monsters rather than women. This again is due to the power men had rather than women. However, in recent years this has once again changed do to the growing power of women. For example in ‘Jennifer’s Body’ the character of Jennifer Check is possessed by witchcraft, making her into an evil monster that kills men. Within our opening sequence we are going to stick to the conventions of women being weak and vulnerable, however we are not revelealing the gender of the killer leaving it up to the audiences imagination and assumptions. 
Stereotypes are often commonly used within the horror genre, but range from different roles. For example, there is the hero, who is usually male, who aims to triumph over evil and defeat the evil character, all whilst attempting to help others. This stereotype is useful as it can help to establish a key character or figure that men can relate to, and that women can lust after. However, in more recent years women have started to adopt this role as conventions change, for example, Nicole Kidman's character Grace Stewart plays the hero for her children in 'The Others'. Another stereotype is the hysterical, over-emotional character. This character is typically female and will be so shell-shocked by the events that have taken place that they will be too afraid to move or leave the area they are at, therefore causing imminent death or a game of catch and mouse. For example, Erica Leerhsen's character in 'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre'. This stereotype provokes female audiences attention as they can empathise with them as they can relate to their hysterical tendencies. Furthermore it creates suspense as this character is on the edge already and in an erratic mood, therefore anything could happen at any time.
However, even though stereotypes can be very effective when establishing characters and creating suspense and tension, they can also be seen as embarrassing and stereotypical- but not in a good way. Sometimes instead of creating tension and negative vibes, they create humour and are branding as 'funny' 'stupid' horror films, which many not always be what the director is aiming for. For example, 'The Human Centipede' was not aimed to be a funny horror, however due to the casting of ditzy female characters, and the initial idea of them being tied up together in such a way, it is seen more as a comedy horror than a serious mad scientist creating a 'pet'.
In my horror film, I will aim to use stereotypes in a positive, effective way. I will aim to use the 'female hero' to make a female audience relate and feel empowered, therefore supporting and empathising with the character. Furthermore I will avoid the hysterical character as it will be too much of a strong contrast with my powerful heroine, and it may also fall into the 'funny horror' category if I used such drastic opposites. 

Target audience of horror

Horror film target audience is generally men in the age group of 15-25, firstly because most horror films have a rating certificate of 15 due to the content, and secondly due to the fact men interact more with the characters on screen due to surges of masculinity in the situations allowing them to relate. women also can relate to horror films but usually in a more negative way due to the fact women are usually portrayed as the weak and vulnerable. Additionally, dating couples also make up a large amount of the audience as the man can assert an reassuring power over the women who may feel vulnerable, bringing their relationship closer. 
I hope to target couples with my opening sequence or women as the protagontists are women making the audience able to relate and empathise with the characters.

Horror film titles and credits examples

‘28 days later’ (2002)

Plot Four weeks after a mysterious, incurable virus spreads throughout the UK, a handful of survivors try to find sanctuary.

Titles/ credits: done through intercutting the film with a separate title sequence. This can indicate towards the premise of the film; the titles are separate and so are the survivors. The font and colour also indicates towards the horror genre as it is abstract and erratic.

‘Panic room’ (2002)

Plot: A woman and her teenage daughter become imprisoned in the panic room of their own house by 3 criminals.

Titles/ credits: done throughout the opening sequence by the titles and name of the film written on the side of buildings. This integrated approach may convey aspects of the film, for example the fact that the homeowners are not alone and that the intruders become integrated within their home. The font of the titles are very serious and formed, this shows that the film will follow in the same light.

'What lies beneath' (2000)

Plot: The wife of a university research scientist believes that her lakeside Vermont home is haunted by a ghost - or that she's losing her mind.

Titles/ credits: does not come until the end of the sequence and when it does it’s on a blank screen with simple writing to create suspense.

'Dracula' (1931)

Plot: The ancient vampire Count Dracula arrives in England and begins to prey upon the virtuous young Mina.

Titles/ credits: The titles are presented over the opening sequence. The titles swoop over the screen and swiftly move onto the next title. The font is made to look like blood dripping and ghostly, this links with the genre of horror.

From this research I will take on board the idea of putting the titles on animate objects, for example under cups or on the side of the sofa. I like this idea as it does not break up the sequence like intercutting, and will help it flow more smoothly. 

Horror sound research

Traditionally in horror films the sound is very eerie, dark and erratic. Sometimes the sound starts very slowly and will build and rise up at the pinnacle moment of the scene; this creates tension and scares the audience to a greater extent. Diegetic sound can be used to create an atmosphere around a scene, for example trees rustling, wind or rain. By having diegetic sound- or non-diegetic sound which is natural creates a sense of realism, and can also been seen as creepy in the horror genre.


In the YouTube video, it shows example of horror sounds. These are mostly non-diegetic, for example the piercing, rising sounds, however some could be diegetic like the screams. I will be using non-diegetic sounds from garage band when I create my sound for my opening sequence. Due to the theme and nature of my opening sequence, I will be using mostly non-diegetic sound, for example the scream and wind. Some of the sound though was recorded at the time of filming, for example the axe chopping and the fire burning and crackling.





In the YouTube video above, it shows the example of Nightmare on Elm Street. The sound in this opening is very effective as it slowly builds up. It begins with slow mid tones which are intercut with dark, menacing drums. It continues with eerie, yet harmonious non-diegetic sound which is heightened mid-way through the extract as it becoming repetitive and gradually louder. The extract hits a peak with scary, dark and dangerous sounds as the sound gradually gets louder and louder. From a visual aspect, this would be where the pinnacle moment would have been. This extract creates tension and builds upon sounds to create the tense atmosphere.

I aim to create the same amount of intensity in my opening sequence as it begins light and friendly, but gradually gets darker and more suspicious.

Horror opening sequence research

‘Saw’ (2004) 
Theme: torture, climaxes, dark, escape, madness
Plot: With a dead body lying between them, two men wake up in the secure lair of a serial killer who's been nicknamed "Jigsaw". The men must follow various rules and objectives if they wish to survive and win the deadly game set for them.
Setting: unclean, abandoned bathroom
Camera movement: POV shots are off balanced to represent how the character feels.
Characters: Vulnerable, weak.
Sound: dark, eerie and ominous- non-diegetic.
Lighting: completely pitch black until strip lighting is suddenly turned on, giving a clinical feel to the setting.
What I’ll take away from this opening: I like the idea of point of view shots to really get into the emotion and feel of the character. This is something I could try out when filming the opening sequence.
 

'The Amityville Horror' (2005)
Theme: Madness, dark, escape, spirits, suspense.
Plot: A family is terrorized by demonic forces after moving into a home that was the site of a grisly mass-murder. 
Setting: family home 
Characters: child- weak, vulnerable. Father- stable, but then turns mad
Sound: Light to begin with when the family have found their perfect home, but has fleeting tones of darkness when it is revealed crimes took place at the house. Diegetic sound of wind whipping around the trees.
Lighting: dark, shadows.
What i'll take away from this opening: The use of diegetic sound adds to the sense of eeriness. As we are using a cabin which is surrounded by trees we could include the sounds from outside like the wind, or rustling trees to add realism but also create a creepy atmosphere.   


'Buried' (2010)
Theme: confinement, attack
Plot: Paul is a U.S. truck driver working in Iraq. After an attack by a group of Iraqis he wakes to find he is buried alive inside a coffin. With only a lighter and a cell phone it's a race against time to escape this claustrophobic death trap.
Setting: coffin buried 6feet under ground 
characters: Paul- the protagonist who is buried. 
Sound: Diegetic sound of Paul breathing heavily. Diegetic sound of the lighter Paul has flicking the ignition. Non-diegetic sound of beating which is fast paced and piercing. 
Lighting: No artificial set lighting, only the yellow dim light from the lighter which flickers as the character Paul movies. 
What i'll take away from this opening: Less is more- it creates more atmosphere are the audience is centred and concentrated on a a select amount of things. 

Initial opening sequence ideas

The Resistance- 

Theme: Horror/ thriller

Plot: A group of friends go to stay at a log cabin in the middle of nowhere to have a birthday party. They are chatting and eating around a fire and one of the friends goes outside to get more firewood. Soon after the group inside hear screams and chopping noises. The remaining three friends all look at each other in horror and go to peer outside the door to investigate. One girl’s leg gets grabbed and a hood is put over her head which muffles her screams. One of the friends tries to pull her back inside but fails.

Narrative: Classical narrative structure (Todorov) incorporating binary opposites- good v. evil (Strauss)

Characters: Primary characters- two boys, two girl (the survivors/ one girl who is taken)

First victim (boy)

Takers (1 person)

Setting: Cabin at Box hill (Betchworth)

Mise-En-Scene: Dark, shadows- fire lit. Costume- for takers= all black+ masks.

Trigger point-

Theme: Obsession

Plot: A mentally unstable male cannot overcome the challenge of losing his pervious life after a car crash he was in. Inanimate objects trigger memories of his past, particularly his girlfriend. He becomes obsessional about gaining her and his past life back.

Narrative: Breaks the classical narrative pattern by the use of flashbacks/ dreams. There is no dialogue only music and a narrator.

Characters: Male- OCD, unstable, obsessional.

Past girlfriend- brunette, pretty, girly.

Group of girls- 4 mixed girls.

Setting: Males home/flat- ordered, tidy, clinical.

Cafe where he sees the group/ supposed past girlfriend (trigger point) –Cheam park cafe.

Epsom downs view point- trigger point

Mise-En-Scene: Colours- in home= muted/ clinical.

Dress code- Male= tidy, maintained.