Catalogue

Films:
Item 1: Focus film, The Babadook (2014, Jenifer Kent)
The Babadook is a modern day horror film with many representations of character archetypes that go against the norm in modern horror. The film has a couple of strong characters that play very overwhelming parts in the film. It portrays a young boy who plays the innocent, helpless victim who is targeted by the antagonist (Babadook & his mother) that eventually protects himself from the monster and fights back to become the 'hero'. The unusual fear from the mother is built up as she becomes more scared of her child and herself as she becomes more unstable. This rapid transformation of character types is enough evidence to analyse and compare to other modern horror films as well as classic to support my investigation on children in horror.





Item 2: Supporting film, Case 39 (2010. Christian Alvart)
Its key themes and values also represent the idealistic scary films through many horror conventions such as strong characters archetypes. The story of a social worker and monster who disguises itself as a ten year old girl convey many ideas as to why they have chosen to use a child as a disguise. This film not only supports the idea of femininity in modern horror but also the themes of violence and destruction in a film that involves children playing the antagonist. This supports my argument as to why children are featured as villains and are particularly female.





Item 3: Second supporting film, The Omen (1976, Richard Donner)
This classic horror cult film is an excellent comparison to The Babadook due to its similarities and differences even though they are nearly twenty years apart. The Omen is an old horror set in a different period, where it was becoming more common to feature children as the antagonists in horror films since The Exorcist (1973, William Friedkin) With different character types, but similar intentions from the film compared to the modern day, it is quite similar through its conventions of horror and values.

Books
Item 4: Del Toro, Guillermo (2013) Children of The Night 'Gothic: The Dark Heart of Film
Edited by James Bell, England: BFI
Pages 106- 112

This book by Del Toro describes the effects that horror films with a child antagonist has a disturbing effect on the audience, more specifically adult spectators. This chapter explores the depths and reasoning for children to appear in horror films overall, with many examples including one of my related films such as The Omen. With the mentioning of the 'end of innocence' and how these roles for females can become empowering, it takes out the context of the norm because we see children as vulnerable and incapable of most things, and when something challenges this such as film it can be effective and engaging because its not the norm. It is reliable because it it written by a filmmaker and prodoucer (Del Toro) who produced The Devils Backbone (2001)







Item 5: J.Renner, Karen (2013) The 'Evil Child' in Literature, Film and Popular Culture, published in USA, Evil children in Film and Literature, pages 7- 9

With most films in modern horror, many show representations of characters through the narrative which is what the chapter 'Possessed child' explains. The possession of a child has more to do with the 'spirits' than the actual child, this is interesting because it supports my idea of the use of children horror. Meaning that children are usually victimized because their incapability to commit crime due to their lack of experience and vulnerability. These pages also include the theory on gender narrative by Carol Clover.

Internet


Item 6: B*tch Flicks 
http://www.btchflcks.com/2014/11/little-girls-in-horror-films-setting-the-stage-for-female-double-standards.html#.WBYyBOCLTIV 
Young girls in horror films
Novemeber 2014, Accessed on 6th October 2016
A website that review films through a 'feminist lens'. This article is based on young girls and how they are represented in horror and how they are more frequently used to scare than young boys. It also gives an insight on how this creates a double standard for women in film. 

Item 7: Empire
http://www.empireonline.com/movies/babadook/review/
The Babadook review
August 2014, Accessed on 29th September 2016
This is a film review by Kim Newman, a film critic. Newman analyses the behavior and actions of the specific characters in the Babadook. Goes into detail about how this has an effect on the viewers and twists the story line unexpectedly. Useful because it goes into detail about certain characters such as the young boy, it is reliable because its on Empire (British film magazine) and written by the film critic Kim Newman.



Item 8: Hopes and Fears
http://www.hopesandfears.com/hopes/culture/film/216733-creepy-children-girls-dolls-clowns-horror-movies
'Why are there so many creepy kids...in horror'
October 2015, Accessed on 6th September 2016
Explores the opinions of writers, directors, actresses and actors, It includes some quotes from directors and has lists of different films containing 'creepy' children. This is useful because it gives me a variety of opinions and the ideas behind children being horror from many writers and producers.
There are also comments on the reasoning behind props that a related/linked to children such as toys, songs etc. and why this is also effective.

Item 9: Horror-Movies
The Evolution of Children in Horror Films
http://www.horror-movies.ca/evolution-children-horror-films/
June 2014, Accessed on 30th October 2016
This website explains why audiences love the 'creepy kid' in horror films and how it has become a trend in recent, modern day horror films. Not only this but it also goes on to explain how children represent innocence and factors of this such as children's laugh, screams etc. This website is useful because it mentioned one of my related films The Omen, and how these are favourite types of characters because of their sinister/creepy representations.



Item 10: Movie Pilot
http://moviepilot.com/posts/3895711
May 2016, Accessed on 1st November 2016
A useful website/blog about the reasons why children are used in horror and an explanation as to why. Not only this but it focuses on a specific gender such as females and why they have a bigger effect on the audience, particularly adults. 'The Destruction of Innocence' is a very useful section to my investigation because it mentions one of my related films (The Omen) and goes on to explain the ideas of how we loose this innocence.


Item 11: Regan MacNeil
http://exorcist.wikia.com/wiki/Regan_MacNeil
Accessed on December 2016
Website that is based on The Exorcist hence the 'Exorcist Wiki', gives information of the character of Regan MacNeil who is possessed in the film and how this effects her and makes the film what it is in modern day times. I have also noticed that there has been no remake of The Exorcist film, there have been spin off shows and sequels but no remake of the first classic film.

Item 12: YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovGF9MUt84Y
Video, Mark Kermode reviews The Babadook
October 2014, Accessed on 6th October 2016
Reliable source as it is reviewed by Mark Kermode, a well known film critic. It is also easy to access as it is on YouTube which is also reliable. Kermode explains the depth of the film and that it is based of initial childhood fears people experience in their childhood.

Film analysis of:  'The Omen'
Sequence time code: 21:18- 23:00
Source: DVD
Micro Techniques and relevance
 

• Over the shoulder and point of view shot to position the spectators
• Digetic sound- ‘blood curdling’ screams to portray the shock of Damien
• High angle to show how little Damien and ‘child like’ he is- and little we think he is capable
• ECU, LS, establishing shot
• Rapid cuts, shaky camera both create distortion and an unclear view as to what is going on
• Composition- all characters are fitted in the middle of frame and Damien is in the middle (suggests importance, vulnerability as his parents sit either side)
• Soundtrack is high pitched to create a tense atmosphere and a build up to what will happen next
• Zoom and CU to Damien (portrays his trouble facial expression)
• Dress code is smart and presentable- suggests maturity
• Location shot/establishing shot
• Some handheld camera shots to capture the parents in the shot and show the family in the frame

Characterisation and relevance

• Damien’s parents- (Cathy) dressed formally, very protective as they sit either side of
• Damien, affectionateDamien- petite, ununsual due to his reckless behavior towards his mother, violent and aggressive. Represented as quite petite through the high camera angles suggesting he’s not capable of much

Messages and values

• Horror (music, style, conventions)
• Religion
• Family values- going to church together

Narrative devices/features and relevance

• Transformation in the narrative- as Damien rapidly changes from an innocent child to aggressive and reckless
• Enigma codes- raises many questions as to why he is behaving in this particular way

FILM TITLE: The Babadook (2014) 

SEQUENCE TIME CODE: 1:14:06- 1:18:27 

SOURCE: DVD (Netflix)  

Micro techniques and relevance

• OTS shot, low angle to capture the mid close up of the mother in distress 
• Dim, minimal lighting to represent the mood and atmosphere. Bland grey and black colours also represent the situation (creepy, frightening, anticipation) 
• Some rapid jump cuts to show the stabbing of the mother 
• Digetic sound- dialogue interrupted by non digetic music that syncs in with the stabbing scene 
• Darkened shadows create silhouettes  
• Soundtrack matches the mood of the scene (when the mother is being beaten by her son) 
• Use of blood and bruises- connotes to violence 
• Costumes/dress code is ragged and grubby- suggests lack of care and self awareness /hygiene  
• Handheld and shaky camera raises the tension 
• POV shot puts the spectators in Amelia's position

Characterisation and relevance 

• Sam- very sheepish towards his mother, defensive and speechless, apprehensive. Keeps himself to himself. Quite brave and has a moment where he is fearless
• Amelia- Opposite of motherly, careless due to how strange she Is acting, possessed. She is very frightened of herself and also Sam (and Babadook

Messages and values

• Themes of violence, murder 
• Gives the message of a mother who is scared of herself and her child, scared of what she might do to home
• Sam feels the need to step in and stick up for himself

Narrative and relevance

• Rapid transformation of Sam, sheepish and vulnerable then quickly sticks up for himself towards his mother and changes his attitude very quickly
• Creates enigma codes- why is the mother acting this way? Who is possessing Amelia? 

FILM TITLE: Case 39 (2009) 

SEQUENCE TIME CODE: 1:30:27- 1:34:10 

SOURCE: DVD (Netflix)  

Micro techniques and relevance

• Use of direct address engages the spectators. As if she is staring directly into the camera at them 
• High angle, pov shot looking down at Lilith showing that a person so small can be very intimidating 
• Pov shots put the spectators in Emily's, we feel the same fear as her because we're watching it from her perspective 
• Very high angle shows how small Emily is compared the room and how she is trapped with no way out 
• Rapid jump cuts portray the suspense and build up tension in the scene as Lilith is getting closer and closer, high anticipation 
• Close ups and ecu portray the emotional response from characters, particularly Emily as she is frightened, look of torment and horror 
• Diegetic sounds- banging gets louder and louder and reacts with Emily which builds up the tension as Lilith is approaching in a forceful manner, change in volume and pitch in Lilith's voice is very sinister

Characterisation and relevance 

• Lilith is very stubborn, manipulative and likes to get her own way whether it effects others or not. 
• Emily acts very courageous by standing up to Lilith when she is being manipulated and intimidated by her, however she quickly cowers to strong actions performed by Lilith in the event to scare Emily. Attempts to stick up for herself- brave 
• Its relevance tells the audience who is more powerful and holds dominance

Messages and Values

• It gives off a message that children can be quite manipulative and stubborn towards their parents/guardians. Its relevance shows how it links to everyday life/the norm because some children can be like this. 
• The look innocence, children can get away with more because of their innocence and vulnerability  
• Parents fears come to life, their child turning on them 

Narrative and Relevance

• Rapid change in characters for Lilith, her sinister and demonic side appears the angry she gets making the story more interesting as it is unexpected 
• Enigma codes 
• Restricted narration, we only see her feet but not her face

Secondary Research
Del Toro, Guillermo (2013) Children of The Night 'Gothic the Dark Heart of Film'
Edited by James Bell, England: BFI


http://www.btchflcks.com/2014/11/little-girls-in-horror-films-setting-the-stage-for-female-double-standards.html#.V_ZhnU2V_Gg
November 2014, Accessed on 6th October 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovGF9MUt84Y
October 2014, Accessed on 6th October 2016




Rejected Material
Sight and Sound, (2003) The Return of Real Horror
This article was based on the remake of Texas Chainsaw, out of this article I wanted to explore the views of films that are remakes from the classic horror because I have chosen a classic horror film and two modern day horrors. However this doesn't link to my overall topic of children in horror.

Investigation Title
The title that i have selected for my investigation is going to be 'Children in horror; The innocent and the evil'. I have chosen this title as I am exploring two different character archetypes of children within horror films, and comparing these modern day characters to old horror films and how the children are portrayed.

Focus film and related films
Focus film is 'The Babadook, Jenifer Kent, 2014'
Related films: 'The Omen, Richard Donner, 1976' and 'Case 39, Christian Alvart, 2009'
Item 1
http://www.empireonline.com/movies/babadook/review/
August 2014
Accessed on 29th September 2016
I found this material useful and plan to use this in my research because it briefly explains a detailed review on the film overall, but also the character of the child and analyses their opinion on his effect in the film.



Item 2

BFI Compendium (2013) 'Gothic The Dark Heart Of Film'
England; BFI
This book will be useful in my research because of its section on children in gothic horror, and the details on why and how it is effective in films both classic and modern.


Item 3
http://www.hopesandfears.com/hopes/culture/film/216733-creepy-children-girls-dolls-clowns-horror-movies
October 2015
Accessed 6th September 2016
This material is useful because it gives an insight on the representations of children in horror and why it is so popular, from this source I hope to explore the idea of children and props used(toys, music)