Dark Shadows

Controlled assessmentQ: Investigate how far the trailer for Dark Shadows conforms

to genre conventions.

Sophiar Jack – 10TB

Why is Horror so popular?

It appeals to a younger audience and gives a type of escape from reality. It gives you can’t necessarily get from any other genre, the feeling of adrenalin. You become completely engaged In the film and can even leave you ‘On the edge of your seat’. Also, there is a wide variety this is created by the use of hybrid genres e.g. Slashersand Comedy like Scary movie. Also, some believe the pleasure comes from the relief after.

Conventions

• Cobwebs

• Shadows

• Blood/Red

• Blue hues

• Gothic architecture

• Fire

• Secrets

• Death

• Religion

• Pale faces

• Love

• Tall Pines

• Dark Magic

• Vampires/Monsters/Ghosts

• Suicide

• Madness

• October/Halloween

• Abandoned buildings

• Witches

• Murders

• Screams

• Mist

• Eerie music

• Flickering lights

• Wolf howls

• Cliffs

• Crystal Chandeliers

• Forests (Empty)

• Full moons

• Pumpkins

• Spells

• Coffins

• Mice

• Long corridors

• Candles

• Creaky Gates

• Mobs with fire

• Hell

• Family

Why are Sub-genres necessary?

A sub-genre is a version of the main genre that may contain new elements. Well eventually the main genre will get boring if they conform to the same pattern as every other one of its type so to stay interesting and not repetitive they use sub-genres. This creates so many new ideas and story lines that are waiting to be created.

An example is Paranormal

activity that is a Docu-horror…

Vampires

Past Representations (1922) New Representations (2012)

Old vampires were feared more they could make a girl scream for her life just at the sight of them as they were hideous now they are seen as beautiful caring creatures who actually care and save humans rather than instantly drink their blood! In sunlight the audience may have expected them to incinerate but now in 2012 they glisten… However blood has been a factor that has not really changed they still do however now they prefer animal blood the fear factor is actually non-existent nowadays. Rather than be a villain they play the role of a hero (Just Cullen’s not Victoria’s clan). Now the younger generation rather than the older enjoy these movies as they have been made to be more realistic and they are set so casually (e.g. In a school) so it makes it more appealable to ‘Tweens’.

Movie Trailers

Trailers usually only show the best parts of the movie to get the viewer engaged, they are usually not in a chronological order and they usually don’t give out the most important parts in the film. They also use star vehicles so the viewer will know what to expect based on the previous movies they have been in or just because they really like that celebrity.

Movie Trailers

The typical layout is a voice over of the main character or narrative from the movie which begins to tell the story but not to reveal the plot then it shows all the action using e.g. jump cuts, high tension music and also leave the viewer with questions they may want answers to, to entice them to watch the film then they finally leave you with the films name, the information (e.g. the release) and the main stars name. This is all used to create instant interest for the film before it is released.

The example I used was Skyfall.

Dark Shadows Movie TrailerThe trailer begins with the main character introducing himself, he also happens to be Johnny Depp the recognition of him gives the viewer a sense of safety and gratification as they may know him from other movies and have an idea of the types of movies he is in, what to expect and whether they will like it or not.

As the trailer continues it keeps to the very gothic theme including love and magic ( the witch ), supernatural beings. Then as he is exploring his new surroundings it begins to include humour which subverts from the original theme.

Dark Shadows Movie Trailer (2)

So we begin to see this isn't just a gothic horror it’s a hybrid, it is mixed with humour it gives the movie a whole new perspective and may not be the expectation of most people. This almost refreshes the whole genre and gives the viewer something new and original to watch. Also, it may attract people from other genres to watch something that they may not have before because of this mix and creates a whole new community.

Twilight: New Moon

This is a fantasy romance it creates a form of escapism to it’s viewer as it is not something that may happen in real life. As the main characters are quite young this obviously appeals to a younger audience we see as this is a PG. Whereas Dark shadows is a 15 and it has older characters that shows there is a link between the characters and the age of the viewers.

Twilight: New Moon

Also the Cullen’s are almost treated as outcasts, weird as we know some teenagers so get treated like that in a school so that’s stereotypical of the location and the circumstances that may arise.

It also has quite a bit of action and the struggle of love and the disapproval of the community of them being together.

Twilight: New MoonBrown represent nature so this may show their love was almost meant to be.

The movie is called new moon may show this is the beginning of something…

The fact he is holding her may show he is the protector.His hand is spread

out quite beastly this may show the monster in him. Their lips are

both red and red represents blood and danger so this could foreshadow the movie.

The background is very misty and unclear this may represent secrets.

Gothic architecture with follows the movies genre.

The low angles shot makes the character seem more dominant.

The Shadows create a slight eeriness and may represent there are secrets in the movie.

His costume is typical of the gothic genre epically with vampires e.g. Count Dracula.

The uninviting building and the low angle shot makes the building look bigger and fearful.

Their costumes are typical of a fairy-tale.

This will appeal to people who like romantic movies as they are kissing.

The shadows create a darkness that may show something bad may happen.

How ever that may contrast with the setting as it’s relatively clear blue sky.

The fact there is only light above her may show she is powerful

The low angle shot shows her dominance over us.

The blue hues give the viewer a clod feeling.

The use of pathetic fallacy may change the readers emotions to a very grim one.

The fact you cant see much of the rest of the scene may represent secrets.

Again the light coming from the cauldron also shows where the power/magic is arising from.

Again the blue hues create a very cold feeling.

Gothic architecturein both stills typical of the genre.

“Fire cleanses and purifies.” So this is almost cleansing the town of the evil vampire that’s why the mob have fire.(I really liked this)

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080306184125AABMoVc

The Ghost may represent control as the girl is following it.

The fact he is alone in this scene may show he is alone facing this mob.

• I didn’t understand ‘Slide 13’s’ task.