Friday, 5 December 2014

Gothic Horror: Chiaroscuro

Chiaroscuro is used by artists and cinematographers all around the world and they are used to create a shadowy effect and show strong contrasts between light and dark.  It is often used to make a dramatic and noticeable effects in movies.


This picture is taken by the 1922 film, Nosferatu.  Chiaroscuro is used here to create an effect in the movie but it also helps create an effect on the audience.  The effect this picture has is it helps create a scarier atmosphere.  It makes the audience question what is going to happen next and it also confuses the audience as they cannot see Nosferatu's facial expression so they cannot figure out how he is feeling.  Shadows are usually a fear that people have when they can see them in the dark so this picture could highlight people's fears.


Another famous example of Chiaroscuro being used in movies is in the film Frankenstein.


The use of chiaroscuro here highlights the monster's features.  It makes the monster look a lot scarier than he is and it creates the dark, evil atmosphere.  This makes the picture scarier and the fact that you cannot see into his eyes as they just look white.  The monster being in the dark also highlights the audience's fears as they would be scared of being in the dark and having monsters under the bed.  

Chiaroscuro seems to be used mainly in horror films that were made in the 1920s.  I believe that they made a scarier effect and a more tense atmosphere and I believe that they scared the audience more.

Audience Research

Audience Research

Who is the target audience of horror films?
The target audience of horror films are usually either teenagers or adults but most horror films try to appeal to both.  There are many reasons why teenagers and adults enjoy horror movies but the main reason is the pleasure and thrill that they get whilst watching these movies.

However, different sub-genres appeal to different audiences.  Supernatural horror is specifically targeted for teenagers now as it reflects teenagers’ fears however slasher horror may appeal to the older generation as that was their fears when they were younger.  Comedy horror may appeal to all as they are just parodies of horror films.


What do they like?
According to my research, people like horror films as they find them scary and exciting.  They like to be scared.  They also like the tense atmosphere and they like not knowing what is going to happen next.  They also seem to enjoy the adrenaline rush that they feel whilst watching these movies as their heart rate quickens. 

Brophy (1986) stated “The pleasure of the text is, in fact, getting the shit scared out of you- and loving it; an exchange mediated by adrenaline.”


According to my research and the people I asked, my findings seem to agree with Brophy’s quote as people do enjoy watching horror films for the excitement and the scariness.

The Final Destination - Timeline of Film Opening


I learnt from 'The Final Destination' title sequence that the actors names go at the beginning of the title sequence as they are the main actors.  The most important people that made the film such as the producers, writers, editors and the director goes towards the end as they are the ones that made the movie and they are important.  The musician usually goes in the middle.  The main title is shown in the beginning for the first three seconds which is quite typical of a movie as normally the main title is either shown at the beginning or at the end.

Film Openings Likes and Dislikes

Film Certification

Film Certification


Who decides the certificates given to a film?

The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) decides the certificates that are given to a film.  They do this to protect children from sights that they shouldn’t be exposed to.


How do they decide?

BBFC watch the films all the way through and award a suitable age rating for the film.  To reach an age rating, they apply the standards and criteria of their Classification Guidelines.  Usually, two examiners view a film to make sure it is suitable for theatrical release.  In most cases, they will have a senior examiner confirming their choices.  The same process is done before DVD and Blu-Ray releases.  When watching the movies, they take into account the language used, nudity, sex, drugs and violence before making their decision.


What does each film certificate mean?

U stands for Universal.  This means the movie is suitable for audiences aged four or above.  Films that are rated U are aimed at very young viewers.  Most U’s are animated but they are always directed towards younger children.

PG stands for Parental Guidance.  Some PG films are not made for younger audiences but younger people may watch if they have their parents’ permission.  The certificate means that any issues in the film are appropriate for majority of the age groups and nothing should be too upsetting for a child aged 8 or over.

12A and 12 rated movies are suitable for people ages 12 or over.  To see a 12A in the cinema, younger people can watch it if they are accompanied by an adult. 

15 means that nobody under the age of 15 can see a 15 film at the cinema or buy/rent a film rated 15.  Films rated 15 may contain strong violence, strong language and portrayals of sexual activity.      

The rating of 18 means that the films are rated specifically for adults.  In an 18 there is usually strong violence and language and may contain strong horror (in horror movies).  Other movies may include scenes of sexual violence.