Stereotypical Horror Fan

prop list: horror trailer

Health and Safety: Horror Trailer

Psycho (1960) Image Analysis 3

I chose to analyse this photo due to the fact it has hidden meanings and subtle clues to the film itself. Hitchcock-with the help of credit designer Saul Bass- has thought cleverly about the design of this title, and has arranged it in a way it becomes curious and somewhat unsettling. This captures the disorientation and confusion that it later revealed throughout the film. When watching this particular clip it feels like the word is being broken up, twisted and rearranged, we could depict that this effect is being used to make the audience curious as to why there would be an unsettling title, and if the film reflects the same  confusion in the narrative that follows. The word ‘psycho’ stands out against the pitch black title that dominants the majority of the scene, having two striking opposites could connote the personality of Norman, a lost schizophrenic that changes rapidly in personality. I think this is a key part to introducing the film, it allows the audience to understand that there is more to ‘psycho’ than meets the eye.

Psycho (1960) Image Analysis 2

This scene from ‘Psycho’ is our first introduction to the horror that the film possesses.  This point of view shot allows us to experience the shock and horror that Marion experiences. The image is blurred and shadowed to create a sense of mystery and disorientation.  This scene helps us show how Hitchcock uses different angle/camera techniques to create a particular mood or emotion. Hitchcock is clever with this type of camera angle, as the close-up makes the audience feel trapped and confined. The lighting in this shot is cleverly arranged; from this still image we can see that the lightness is no longer in control, and that the darkness is becoming the most dominant shade in the scene. It uses back lighting to create a silhouette and also to keep Normans identity a secret and make us believe it could be his mother. This silhouette also makes us become fascinated because the dark outline of the body leaves us on edge as we don’t know what the person looks like or who they actually are. This quick paced scene later leaves us in shock when we witness the death of Marion. This first initial shot is a jump factor, and then the fast mixture of angles and shots that are carried on helps us understand the crazy, energetic disruption that happens.  The collision cutting within this scene works really well to build tension, the pace starts of slow and then the editing speeds up during the shower attack.

Psycho (1960) Image Analysis 1

This still image is captured from when Norman is expressing his feelings to Marion. I selected this image as I thought it reflected the disturbing personality and quick build in anger that Norman can’t control. Without this scene we wouldn’t see the schizophrenic behaviour that he possesses. The dead stuffed animals in the background of the mise-en-scene also add to the creepy location. They could also connote the fact that death does not bother Norman and he actually feels comfort by their corpses. This low angle shot is purposely designed to capture the dead birds, and the dark shadows that surround them. This expressionist angle could also be depicted as a state of power as we receive an impression that Norman is in control and more powerful. Hitchcock is using the mise-en-scene to create a dark, unknowing and mysterious vibe, this is a clever way to intrigue the audience and make them curious as to why this shot is being used, and what significance the birds have to the film, we could convey that they are purposely being used to connote the idea of death and how relatively normal Norman finds them. Throughout this scene we see a darkness of Normans personality that wasn’t apparent before, this is the first time we start to become aware that things aren’t quite right. The lighting in this scene is half dark on one side of his face and the other half is light, this gives the audience a clue into the split personality person that Norman later reveals himself to be.

Dawn Of The Dead (2004) Image Analysis 3

Our stereotypical final girl is further emphasized in this medium shot. We are left with an open ending, leaving us curious as to what will happen and if survival will even be in the question. This shot is beautifully set out, with sunshine being reflected onto the characters face, and the colours of the flag being very bright and dominant. This shot allows the audience to experience many of the same emotions as the characters. We feel the pain of her having to leave behind a loved one, like she has had to do previously at the beginning of the film; this enhances the theme of love and death, two oppositions drawn together due to a world disaster.  I believe the purpose of this shot is to help the audience have an understanding of the pain that the characters have to endure on a day to day basis, and the sadness they have for leaving close ones behind and possibly escaping from the dreaded attack. I think this pain is trying to reflect the historical context of the 9/11 and how the death within these scenes are connoting the losses in the real world and the heartbreak that people are left with.

Dawn Of The Dead (2004) Image Analysis 2

This over the shoulder shot allows us as an audience to watch the body horror that is taking place. This is the first time we properly see the results of the bite and the reactions that take place afterwards.  It is also the first time we see a gory fight for survival and an inner bravery from a young blonde girl (going against our typical female victim) I thought this shot was interesting to analyse as it helps us sympathise with these characters as we start to get the impression no matter where they are or what they do they can never escape this dreadful situation. Within this scene there is a lot of parallel music that makes us jump and terrified of the actions that occur. It also uses collision cutting and uses a slow build up to create tension that then progresses into a fast pace when the attacking begins. From this zombie the characters start to get an understanding that the bites make the people turn this way, and therefore it leads to many people having to sacrifice themselves so that they don’t turn into one. 

Dawn Of The Dead (2004) Image Analysis 1

I decided to select this image from Dawn of the Dead 2004 due to the fact it’s the first time us as the audience sense hope for the characters and a new –if brief- equilibrium starts to be formed.  The characters have only just met, however they already are being forced into trusting one another due to the fact they know that they do not stand a chance of being alone. This is the first time we see the wanted destination of the shopping mall, the characters are all staring at the mall looking for ways it could possibly work and hoping that it could be their escape from the dreaded zombie attack. The gate that stands in their way could represent the fact that getting into the mall might not be easy and could even be a deadly mistake. I think that this establishing shot works well and gives the audience an idea of the lost feeling they are surrounded by.  It’s the first time we see communication, team work, and a way out making us sympathise for the characters and hoping that they reach the destination of the shopping mall safely.  This is a scene that helps us understand what is happening and that links everything and everyone together. This long shot also makes them look quite small connoting their vulnerability.

Dawn Of The Dead (1979) Image Analysis 3

I decided to select this photo due to the fact is shows the emotions of the characters (Fran and Steven) very clearly. The reality of living in a shopping mall and being trapped from the outside world has become more and more apparent as the days progress. I think this high angle shot is being used to show that in reality things aren’t as good as they seem and that the characters are becoming very passive. I think the fact the actors are naked yet they have no connection with one another shows the lack of care they have anymore, we get the feel that they just don’t want to be there, and that they are slowly giving up with themselves.  The mise-en-scene is being used in a very interesting way, they have everything they need in the scene, yet the room still feels empty. We could infer that George Romero is trying to portray that money cannot buy everything and that he is challenging the capitalist society by showing that life and freedom is more important than simply owning objects.

Dawn Of The Dead (1979) Image Analysis 2

Dawn of the Dead was an extremely gory horror movie, with large amounts of blood and on screen deaths. I chose this image due to the fact it obviously has a mass amount of blood, gore, and guts but it also represents much more of that and reflects the historical context that happened when this film was being made. Dawn of the Dead was not affected by the ‘Hays Code’ meaning for the first time horror did not have a limit on what could be shown on screen and how it was acted out. The film was released as ‘unrated’ and this is why we experience unbearable moments of gore throughout the film. This shot is a close up, letting the audience capture everything in the scene, this shot is being used to have an effect on the audience and make them become part of the action and experience the death in a non-subtle way.  This shoot is looking down onto the body that is being ripped carelessly apart by zombies; I think that George Romero wanted you to feel truly disgusted and disturbed. We can convey that the institutional context made many directors exploit the end of the Hays Code, and made many want to experiment with exaggerated deaths, and uneasy amounts of blood and gore on screen.

Dawn Of The Dead (1979) Image Analysis 1

I chose to analyse this image from Dawn Of The dead (1979) because I believe it reflects a lot of the historical context and helps us understand the ‘capitalist’ society they lived in. In the 1970’s shopping malls started opening up in America. America became money orientated by them, and many loved the luxury of having them. I think this photo was purposely captured to show the two men and their first initial reaction to living in a shopping mall. The men are holding up lots of money and shaking hands to the camera, this is to express the careless attitude they have, and the gratefulness to be inside a shopping mall with everything they have ever desired. George Romero reflects the issue of capitalism very clearly throughout dawn of the dead, and especially in this photo.  I think this expressionist angle is being used to make the characters look quite small it gives the depiction that they are vulnerable to the outside world. This photo also reflects Romero’s anti-racist views of a black man, who develops into the male hero and keeps himself and others safe from the horror of the zombie apocalypse. I think this photo emphasizes the need for reconciliation between people in times of difficulty.