Thursday, 22 September 2016
Thursday, 15 September 2016
Presentation
Investigation topic
My investigation topic is How children are represented in films in modern day horror and what character archetypes are portrayed in these films. I have chosen to study this for my research project because I think that in modern horror, children are only represented through two different character types that set out the whole film. These are; innocent victim and/or the antagonist. This interests me because I want to explore other archetypes that are portrayed in horror films and if any film challenges these characters. Not only this but I also want to look back on older films and how much they have changed compared to our modern day horror films.
Focus film
My focus film is going to be 'The Babadook' directed by Jennifer Kent (2014). I have picked this as my focus film because not only does this relate to my investigation, it also portrays the boy as a rare character when he becomes the hero at the end of the film. 'The Babadook' links to my topic because it is a modern horror film that is different compared to other modern day horrors, this is because gives the spectators a different view on horror through their chosen characters (e.g. the mother starts to become the antagonist, the child goes from victim to protagonist) As not that many children end up becoming the protagonist in horror films, they are usually victimised or play the antagonist. Whereas 'The Babadook' goes against 'the norm' by switching these archetypes.
Scenes
The scene I have chosen to analyse is towards the end of the film, the mother is being gradually possessed throughout the film and her son manages to save her/help her get away. The reason I have chosen to study this extract from the film is because in this scene the son goes through a rapid change from the innocent victim to the hero, this is effect because it creates a twist in the story as children usually rely on adults for protection.
Secondary material
Investigation topic
My investigation topic is How children are represented in films in modern day horror and what character archetypes are portrayed in these films. I have chosen to study this for my research project because I think that in modern horror, children are only represented through two different character types that set out the whole film. These are; innocent victim and/or the antagonist. This interests me because I want to explore other archetypes that are portrayed in horror films and if any film challenges these characters. Not only this but I also want to look back on older films and how much they have changed compared to our modern day horror films.
Focus film
My focus film is going to be 'The Babadook' directed by Jennifer Kent (2014). I have picked this as my focus film because not only does this relate to my investigation, it also portrays the boy as a rare character when he becomes the hero at the end of the film. 'The Babadook' links to my topic because it is a modern horror film that is different compared to other modern day horrors, this is because gives the spectators a different view on horror through their chosen characters (e.g. the mother starts to become the antagonist, the child goes from victim to protagonist) As not that many children end up becoming the protagonist in horror films, they are usually victimised or play the antagonist. Whereas 'The Babadook' goes against 'the norm' by switching these archetypes.
Scenes
The scene I have chosen to analyse is towards the end of the film, the mother is being gradually possessed throughout the film and her son manages to save her/help her get away. The reason I have chosen to study this extract from the film is because in this scene the son goes through a rapid change from the innocent victim to the hero, this is effect because it creates a twist in the story as children usually rely on adults for protection.
Secondary material
- Websites; top ten movies with creepy children and why children are so creepy in horror films. This is because children are represented as innocent and cant do anything 'bad' because of their age.
Tuesday, 6 September 2016
500 Word Rationale
My Small scale research project will be focusing on the two character archetypes of typical horror conventions such as an innocent, helpless victim or the possessed, evil child, and how this is effective for a successful horror film.
First draft title
For my small scale research project I am researching the topic of how children are presented in horror films and how this leads to different character archetypes in the film industry, and also why this is an effective and (essential?) character type to have in horror films. The possible title for my research project could be 'Children in horror: The innocent and the evil...' because I will exploring the two different types of characters that children represent in horror films, and discussing if this is an effective technique to have in horror, does it fulfill the purpose of a horror film? (e.g. to be scary and effective on the spectator)
My Primary Research
Focus Film
My focus film will be 'The Babadook' (2014, Jennifer Kent) A widow dealing with the death of her husband is faced with her son's fear of a monster, discovering there is a presence around her and her son. This film not only uses one of the character archetypes, but also challenges this to an extent where the innocent child becomes the hero. This will help me with my research because this films portrays an individual, naturalistic style of horror using this different approach to children in horror.
Related Films
My Small scale research project will be focusing on the two character archetypes of typical horror conventions such as an innocent, helpless victim or the possessed, evil child, and how this is effective for a successful horror film.
First draft title
For my small scale research project I am researching the topic of how children are presented in horror films and how this leads to different character archetypes in the film industry, and also why this is an effective and (essential?) character type to have in horror films. The possible title for my research project could be 'Children in horror: The innocent and the evil...' because I will exploring the two different types of characters that children represent in horror films, and discussing if this is an effective technique to have in horror, does it fulfill the purpose of a horror film? (e.g. to be scary and effective on the spectator)
My Primary Research
Focus Film
My focus film will be 'The Babadook' (2014, Jennifer Kent) A widow dealing with the death of her husband is faced with her son's fear of a monster, discovering there is a presence around her and her son. This film not only uses one of the character archetypes, but also challenges this to an extent where the innocent child becomes the hero. This will help me with my research because this films portrays an individual, naturalistic style of horror using this different approach to children in horror.
Related Films
- 'Case 39'. I have chosen to closely study this film because it relates to my investigation as its key themes and values of children represent these character archetypes that appear to be recurring in many modern horror films. The film is about 10 year old Lilith (Jodelle Ferland) who is trapped in the hands of her cruel parents, Emily (Renne Zellweger) who is a social worker, takes Lilith into to custody and gradually finds out that Lilith isn't the innocent child she makes out to be.
- I will also be studying 'The Omen' (1976, Richard Donner) as one of my related films. I have chosen to study this film because it an old classsic horror film that portrays the character of an evil child with sinister characteristics and values. I think this will be useful in my research because I am going to compare this to modern day horror and how different and complex it is, also if there are any changes in character archetypes or differences bewteen popularity of these specific character roles.
Internet Research
- Purpose of children in horror films, children aren't supposed to be scary.
-Guide to the most creepy kid films
Other related films involving 'creepy' children
- The Exorcist
- Insidious (2011)
- The Woman In Black (2012)
- The Boy (2015)
- Mama (2013)
- Halloween (2007)
Possible key scenes to study
- 'Case 39' The seen when Lilith gets rescued by Emily from her cruel parents and takes her home.
Notes: This overall theme of 'creepy' children in horror films can also be linked to the other important issue that rises from having children play the antagonist in horror is that most are female characters? But why is a creepy child associated as a young girl most of the time? Why does horror also associate with scary toys and creepy, twisted nursery rhymes?
Children in modern horror, compare to old films such an the omen and/or innocence
Other related films involving 'creepy' children
- The Exorcist
- Insidious (2011)
- The Woman In Black (2012)
- The Boy (2015)
- Mama (2013)
- Halloween (2007)
Possible key scenes to study
- 'Case 39' The seen when Lilith gets rescued by Emily from her cruel parents and takes her home.
Notes: This overall theme of 'creepy' children in horror films can also be linked to the other important issue that rises from having children play the antagonist in horror is that most are female characters? But why is a creepy child associated as a young girl most of the time? Why does horror also associate with scary toys and creepy, twisted nursery rhymes?
Children in modern horror, compare to old films such an the omen and/or innocence
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