A2 Media Studies Horror genre Essay
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Introduction
How do you account for the growing popularity of the vampire film sub-genre? The genre of horror is an extremely imprecise category because there are too many sub-genres/hybrids, which make 'horror' difficult to define. Psychological horror films are a sub-genre, which rely on character fears, guilt, beliefs and emotional instability to build tension. They also rely on messing with your mind rather than using gore and violence. 'Slasher' films are too a sub-genre of horror, which typically involve a psychopathic killer who stalks and graphically murders a series of adolescent victims in a random and unprovoked fashion. The only certainty is, that horror films aim to frighten their audience whether it's using gore or playing tricks on your mind. There are now so many of the vampire movie kind, that it has been made a sub-genre in itself. All of the Vampire films contain the reoccurring codes, conventions and iconographies which 'frame the audience's expectations,' (Chandler). ...read more.
Middle
However, in many critics' eyes, horror offers more than simple pleasures. There are many techniques used to create fear in an audience. Some are relatively simple to identify such as the use of atmospheric music or sounds to create a feeling of unease or uncertainty. Jump cuts in editing, camera techniques like extreme close-ups and low key lighting can create a similar impression. All sub-genres of horror use a range of deliberate media language choices to promote the appropriate audience responses for the text. While it is important for a genre to be recognisable from its use of iconographies, if overused, the audiences may find the genre too predictable and clich�d. Again, when considering why there is a growing popularity of the Vampire film sub-genre, we can look at in addition to the audience needing changes to genre codes to maintain interests, society changes. Different eras have different ideas and values and experience different problems, fears and concerns. Successful horror films tap into specific cultural fears and exploit them to meet the needs of the genre. ...read more.
Conclusion
On the surface he appears normal but the film goes on to reveal he is murderously insane. The external monster is one of the key reasons which may account for the growing popularity of the Vampire film sub-genre. It may reflect fears of invasion and foreigners because of the different communities. The traditional icons within Vampire movies, for instance the Gothic Castle, fangs and so on satisfy the audiences' expectations, another pleasure accounting as a reason for the growing popularity. One of the major factors which is important in the pleasures which are created by Vampire films are whether the presence of sexual sub-plots. Within Vampire films there seems to be a beautiful woman whom creates sexual tension with the Vampire. This has been argued in many different ways, however there is a certain sexual pleasure that can be derived from the sub plot of Vampire films which may create pleasure for the audience and a desire for more. ?? ?? ?? ?? Karen Kaur U6LS Media Studies ...read more.
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