How did horror movies start?
Horror movies began as seeing things or imagining what your nightmares would look like. So when artists and film makers put some ideas together, they would have nightmares or dreams, which they thought concludes to the devil, (which almost everyone believed in at the time). Artists would ask sculptor to make them creatures, which they would have seen or imagined in these nightmares and put them in to real life movies. Early horror started with the dead, and talking to spirits followed by exorcisms. Horror began to thrill, startle and excite the audience.
Were they successful?
People enjoyed the horror and fascination to get scared and startled by horror films. an emotional response is normally given by the audience instead of a logical one as the viewers cant always find a reason in the head to why certain situations may occur. Horror films were and still are successful as people like the excitement of feeling scared and out of their comfort zone, which definitely has an impact if the viewer can relate to the characters (which is the case, most of the time).
how have they changed?
While the fixtures of the sub-genres such as ghosts, monsters, psychopathic killers and demons remain unchanged, they are now presented in new, innovative ways. Vengeful spirits emerge from computers and zombies are created by viruses in biotechnology labs, reflecting our current fears, and yet whatever the origin, the result is always the same (carnage, insanity and death). Some things have changed in horror movies, but some things never will, for example the ancient tradition, which tell stories and legends of werewolves, monsters and demons.
what are the reasons for change?
Horror movies have evolved over the decades, adapting to each new generation and preying on peoples current fears. World events have lead to some ideas for horror films such as 'The launch of the Russian satellite Sputnik' which resulted in a lot of movies about alien invasions. 'The birth of nuclear power' lead to some films about mutated animals, insects and people. With the creation of motion pictures, horror evolved more and more in the world of movies. Some of the early short films are scary movies, and a few of the first full-length silent films, like "The Golem" of 1915, are based on traditional horror tales. With film techniques being developed in supernatural movies, films like "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari" (1929) and "Nosteratu" (1922) became hugely influential to other filmmakers on expanding their ideas for horror films. Technological advancement has allowed us to use special effects and create things on screen that we could not make happen in real life (CGI).
2 trailers from each decade
1980-1990
![Picture](/uploads/1/6/6/4/16647392/6995194.png)
The Shining (1980)
The trailer for this movie goes against the normal conventions of a horror trailer, as there is only one shot and no characters are shown to give away the storyline. The music is used simply and just the chords of piano are playing which creates eeriness and makes the viewer focus on the visuals rather than the music and helps build up suspense. Simple white font credits ascending at the beginning of the trailer make it look like end credits which keeps viewers attention to the visuals and make them keep watching. From this movie trailer you can not tell the sub-horror genre.
The trailer for this movie goes against the normal conventions of a horror trailer, as there is only one shot and no characters are shown to give away the storyline. The music is used simply and just the chords of piano are playing which creates eeriness and makes the viewer focus on the visuals rather than the music and helps build up suspense. Simple white font credits ascending at the beginning of the trailer make it look like end credits which keeps viewers attention to the visuals and make them keep watching. From this movie trailer you can not tell the sub-horror genre.
![Picture](/uploads/1/6/6/4/16647392/7326926.png)
Fright Night (1985)
The trailer for this film conforms with the normal conventions of a horror movie trailer, as the story line is shown and characters are introduced. The narrative is introduced from the start so grabs the viewers attention and makes the audience want to know more.Quick cuts between clips mid way through the trailer implies the film is fast paced and has a lot of action unlike all horror films, so gives away the sub-genre. A metal crucifix cross is held up by one of the characters suggesting that this film is based around something sinister or unholy and links in with religion and the devil leading in to another horror sub genre.
The trailer for this film conforms with the normal conventions of a horror movie trailer, as the story line is shown and characters are introduced. The narrative is introduced from the start so grabs the viewers attention and makes the audience want to know more.Quick cuts between clips mid way through the trailer implies the film is fast paced and has a lot of action unlike all horror films, so gives away the sub-genre. A metal crucifix cross is held up by one of the characters suggesting that this film is based around something sinister or unholy and links in with religion and the devil leading in to another horror sub genre.
2001-2011
![Picture](/uploads/1/6/6/4/16647392/4658115.png?255)
Creep (2004)
The trailer opens on an eerie shot of a deserted corridor leading to a set of escalators. The use of a shaky camera reflects the character’s uncertainty of her situation and her anxiety creates a nervous atmosphere. In the trailer we see that this movie is set in an underground train station, this scares the audience as it is in s location many people are familiar with, therefore we view it as easy to be in that situation ourselves. we cannot tell the horror sub-genre of this film or even main story line.
The trailer opens on an eerie shot of a deserted corridor leading to a set of escalators. The use of a shaky camera reflects the character’s uncertainty of her situation and her anxiety creates a nervous atmosphere. In the trailer we see that this movie is set in an underground train station, this scares the audience as it is in s location many people are familiar with, therefore we view it as easy to be in that situation ourselves. we cannot tell the horror sub-genre of this film or even main story line.
![Picture](/uploads/1/6/6/4/16647392/2342809.png?258)
The Ring (2002)
Right from the start of the trailer the inside of a video recorder is played, which is considered an everyday object so something the audience can relate to. At the beginning of the trailer a woman talks about how after watching a video tape they will die in 7 days which implies what the film is about and tells the storyline. This film trailer follows conforms with the conventions of a horror trailer as it features the main characters and the storyline is introduced. the trailer gives hints of the sub-genre and links in with religion and supernatural occurrences.
Right from the start of the trailer the inside of a video recorder is played, which is considered an everyday object so something the audience can relate to. At the beginning of the trailer a woman talks about how after watching a video tape they will die in 7 days which implies what the film is about and tells the storyline. This film trailer follows conforms with the conventions of a horror trailer as it features the main characters and the storyline is introduced. the trailer gives hints of the sub-genre and links in with religion and supernatural occurrences.