Horror film poster & sketch

Horror Magazine cover & sketch

History of a horror character- Dracula

History of a horror character

Count Dracula

Count Dracula is the title character and main enemy of Bram Stoker's 1897 Gothic Horror novel 'Dracula'. He is shown as an typical vampire. Some aspects of the character are inspired by the Wallachian Prince Vlad the Impaler who was also known as "Dracula." The character appears frequently in popular culture, from films to animated media to breakfast cereals.

Although early in the novel Dracula is shown as friendly, he becomes angry when his plans are interfered with. When the three vampire women who live in his castle attempt to seduce Jonathan Harker, Dracula physically assaults on. He then relents and talks to them more kindly, telling them that he does indeed love each of them. Dracula is very passionate about his warrior heritage. He has a somewhat primitive and predatory worldview.

He has usually had a strong Eastern European accent, although the original novel only states that his spoken English is excellent, though strangely toned, and doesn’t necessarily suggest that he is Eastern European.

His appearance varies. He is described early in the novel as thin, with a long white moustache, pointed ears and sharp teeth. It is also noted later in the novel that sees him that he has a hooked nose and a pointed beard with a streak of white in it. He is dressed all in black.

There have been many different takes on Count Dracula over the last century, ranging from Nosferatu to Twilight, which features modern day vampires, however, keeps the same themes from original vampires, such as feeding from blood and being killed with garlic and a crucifix.

Analysing Horror Trailers- The Poltergeist

Analysing Horror Trailers

The Poltergeist

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ytjaMfoF2M

 This trailer will be different in many ways from the other two that I have analysed, due to the fact that it was made 30 years ago. For example, it doesn’t have the green screen at the beginning stating legal terms etc., but instead states the director, Steven Spielberg, then goes straight into the trailer. The trailer starts with a normal establishing shot of a family moving into a new home.  However, many of the conventions for a horror trailer are still present. For example, all is calm to begin with, as is typical of a horror trailer, even one of 30 years ago. This shows that the conventions haven’t dramatically changed over the past 30 years of horror.

There is a narrative voice over for the first 40 seconds or so, which describes the family moving into a new home. This establishes the idea of normality, or calm before the storm. In a typical horror trailer, the first 30 seconds or so is often calm, with long, establishing shots. This shows the audience that there is equilibrium to begin with. Once the shots become closer up and there become more edits, it shows the audience that the equilibrium has been disrupted.

The locations which are established are typical of a horror trailer of this type, a psychological. The first location is the new house. Another location is the neighbour’s house across the street. The final location used is what looks like an expert’s office, where the main characters seek help, which is typical of a horror trailer.

The main character is established fairly on in the trailer as the husband/wife of the new family. However, at this point in the trailer (around 15 seconds) the audience are yet to know whether the parents will be the heroes or the victims. The victim is established after 35 seconds, as the little girl. The trailer shows the uncertainty, as the music turns darker, the room is dark and it is nigh time. This connotes mysteriousness and tension, which is a typical convention of a horror trailer. The part of the trailer where the little girl is against the Tv is the clear indication of the event, a typical convention of a horror trailer. The audience know this because it is the first uncertain and mysterious scene, whereas the first 30 seconds of the trailer was completely fine and normal, with long, establishing shot, straight on angles etc.

The next minute of the trailer is complete mayhem, with high winds, cars crashing, screaming etc. This is typical of the final part of a horror trailer and fits in with the narrative structure, the ‘big finish’ before the end, and the pace of the clips increasing. This creates tension and uncertainty for the audience, in an attempt to make them feel clueless and terrified. The trailer ends with a final scream of ‘what’s happening?!’ which again confuses the audience and makes them want to know what is happening. The final 15 seconds of the trailer shows the title of the film, and calmness restored, with the voice over playing again. The voice over informs the audience that the poltergeist ‘knows what scares you’. This is a final scare for the audience before the end of the trailer.

 Showing the title before the end of a trailer is a typical convention, as it reminds the audience of the title of the film, so that they are less likely to forget it, and more likely to go and see the film, therefore making the company more profit. It ends with a small set of credits, informing the audience of the most influential and important members of the film. This brings the trailer to an overall close and settles the audience. Unlike a more recent horror trailer, this trailer doesn’t have quotes from magazines, explaining how ‘terrifying’ the film is. There are no quotes, probably due to the fact that the ‘new media’ is nowhere near as influential as it is today, and there wouldn’t have been as many magazines being made to give the quotes and reviews about the trailer.

There are roughly 57 edits, and 24 close-ups. This is typical of a horror trailer. The reason why they put in so many edits is to increase the pace of the trailer, which give a tense, mysterious atmosphere for the audience to have to deal with. For example, something may flash up only for a split second, and then go away again, which leaves viewers clueless and this feeling of unknown could scare them or make them nervous.

Analysing Magazines- 2

Content Code

Unlike the other magazine, this magazine is in English, and is the well renowned ‘Empire’ magazine. It looks as if it is a horror special, due to not only the typography on the magazine, but also the fact that is in grey scale and has a mysterious picture as the cover picture. The forest connotes mysteriousness and to some viewers may connote terror. The black figure in the middle of the page leaves the audience wondering what it is, which could again bring fear to them. In my opinion, the figure looks like the grim reaper, which is often associated with death and horror. We can tell that the picture has been taken in autumn, probably late October, as most of the leaves have fallen from the trees and have fallen onto the floor. This suggests that it is near Halloween, which is regarded as the scariest day of the year.

Technical Code

Shot Distance- The shot is a medium shot of a hooded creature in the woods. This creates mystery and suspense for the audience, which could cause the reader to buy the magazine.

Camera Angle- The camera angle is straight on but is at a slight low angle, looking up at the creature. This could connote hierarchy and show that the hooded creature is powerful and that the audience should be afraid and intimidated by it.

Focal Depth- The black and white photo is clear, but dark, which connotes mystery and possibly death? The picture is in shallow focus, with the trees in the background slighty blurred, which draws the reader’s attention to the hooded creature.

Typography- The title of the magazine ‘Empire’ is globally known, and is in red to signify horror. It is on a black background, which stands out, drawing the eye of the reader straight to it. The title of the film ‘Subliminal’ is in a spooky, confused font, which again connotes more uncertainty for the audience, which could also link to horror. The rest of the writing is in red and white, causing them to stand out from the picture more. The magazine only has three colours for fonts, black, red and white, which is typical of a magazine cover as and more coloured fonts may make the page look messy and unorganised. However, one less colour could make it look boring and uninteresting. I think that the makers of this magazine have found a good balance of the number of colours and fonts that they have used on the front cover.

Analysing Magazines- 1

Content Code

It is clear to see that this magazine is not made or published in the UK. However, the black/grey background colour connotes horror and gives the magazine a scary feel, instantly informing the audience that this magazine is a horror magazine. The main photo is on a young girl looking straight at the camera. The way in which she has been shadowed gives the magazine a scary edge, as most of her face is covered by shadow. This could connote mystery, making the audience wonder who the girl is and what she is doing. Her posture connotes evil and mysteriousness. The clothes the girl is wearing are those that would have been fashionable in black and white photos, in the 1920s, and so makes her look more frightening for the audience, who may associate her with terrors and fears of their own such as ghosts. The photo is in black and white to make the girl look more intimidating and possibly ghost-like.

Technical Code

Shot Distance- The shot is a close up of the young girl, allowing the audience to see her face and expression clearly. It is obvious to see that by the girl’s expression, she is not in a good mood.

Camera Angle- The camera angle is pretty much straight on however is at a slight low angle. This could connote superiority and show that the young girl is powerful and that the audience should be afraid and intimidated by her.

Focal Depth- The black and white photo has a grainy quality which gives it an old, Victorian age feel, making the audience feel scared as they may naturally associate it with ghosts, which is a common fear among the public.

Typography- The main title of the magazine ‘Calssicos do Horror’ is in black writing set on a yellow background, which stands out clearly compared to the rest of the page. The yellow background is given an effect where it looks as if it has a rip, which could be associated with horror. Adding to this, the font of the title is quirky and canted, which is also associated with uncertainty, which could also link to horror. The rest of the writing is in yellow and white, with the more important words or titles being in yellow so that they can stand out more. The magazine only has three colours for fonts, black, yellow and white, which is typical of a magazine cover. Too many colours make the page look tacky and messy, but at the same time, not enough colours make it look boring and uninteresting. I think that the makers of this magazine have found a good balance of the number of colours and fonts that they have used on the front cover.

Analysing Posters- Halloween

Content Code

The background of the poster is black which could connote death or mystery, leaving the audience feeling anxious or scared. The image shows a pumpkin the style of what looks like a claw/hand. The pumpkin represents Halloween and so connotes frightfulness, and the clawed hands also could leave the audience feeling anxious. The hand is clearly a man’s hand, due to the size and shape of it. This tells the audience that the killer is probably male. The hand is holding a knife, which instantly informs the audience of the genre of the film; Horror. The knife has a shiny twinkle at the bottom to connote sharpness, showing that it is a deadly weapon. The tagline ‘The Night He Came Home’ leaves the audience intrigued. Who is it that came home? This in turn could frighten them into going to see the movie, therefore making the company more profit.

Technical Code

Unlike the other two posters which I analysed, the image has been drawn/created rather than using a photograph. Because of this, it is difficult to discuss the shot distance and angle, although the drawing has been drawn from a low angle, which could be to make the knife look bigger and therefore scarier.

Typography- The title ‘Halloween’ is in bold white across the top of the page, making it stand out from the black background. It has an orange border, which keeps the theme of Halloween and Pumpkins. The tagline has the same house style, making the poster look more realistic and professional.