Horror Case

Horror Essay

The composers of the texts that I have studied use the conventions of the horror genre to create an emotional experience for their viewers. I agree with this statement since both media studied, portray a clear representation of many conventions for the viewers. The movie 'Jaws' (1975) and the story 'Aunt Maud's Bequest' from the book 'Dark House' include the conventions of an isolated location, the use of horror related colour schemes and dangerous props handled by the characters. The uses of these themes create a fearful environment within the viewer's perspective.

The creators of the texts reviewed use horror themes to make an unforgettable experience for whoever watches them. In both, 'Aunt Maud's Bequest' and 'Jaws', the audience are made to feel intimidated when the characters are featured in an isolated location. In the movie clip, 'Brody Kills the Beast' the composers have displayed the protagonist in the middle of the sea. The character, Marty Brody is faced with the problem of his boat sinking in the ocean with no one to help him since both of the people accompanying him have faced the death from the villain, Jaws the shark. This is a factor for scaring the viewers since no one likes being alone or in a place they are unfamiliar with. Extreme long shots with the camera help establish Brody's seclusion. To make it even more frightening the composers have added in a sinking boat and a hungry shark. This makes the audience more anxious for the character since there is so much danger in the scene. It would have been more effective if the scene happened at night when it was much darker to create more drama and uncertainty. In the short story, the main character's isolation is a major factor in the story line. The following quote states that the character will be alone for the rest of the story. 'You should let me move in with you. But the truth was, he and his sister never go on particularly well; and Aunt Maud left the house to him, no-one else'. As the reader advances through the story and they find out more about the house and they would find that it would be more reassuring if the main character had a companion as he experiences the peculiar happenings that occur. Not having anyone around just makes it that much more scary. Isolation is a key factor in horror for sparking emotion in spectators.

To create an emotional experience, the author/director of the media I studied have used different styles of the horror genre. Colour schemes in the horror genre are used for representing an idea or notion, which may then be translated into a sign of disaster. 'Aunt Maud's Bequest' features a colour that provokes apprehension. "It's point smudged with what of might been red paint, but might just as easily been blood". Symbolism has been used here, as red could be suggesting there is a murderer lurking within the house. Red is also in the 'Jaws' clip titled 'Get Out of the Water'. The colour appears in the form of blood when a young boy is attacked and when his torn beach floater washes up onto shore. It is a contrast to all the other colours so when it