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Media Research - Zombie Sub-Genre



Why are audiences afraid of Zombies?
Research - by an open university - found that people are scared of faces that are very similar to human faces that have only been slightly changed, a concept more commonly known as 'uncanny valley'. The research started in the 1970s and investigated whether robots should be made to look like humans or not; the result was people found too close a resemblance to be off putting and rather sinister. This links as to why we found zombies so scary - as something as subtle as milky eyes on a human face can be seriously uncomfortable for audiences.

Why do audiences love the Zombie Apocalypse theme?
People like the Zombie theme on the whole as it can be uplifting - showing the strengths and weaknesses of the human race, and the character compassion really shines through. It is scary for audiences because towns and cities they are familiar with have been completely destroyed in most cases, however humans have a natural instinct of survival and this is a theme that enables the audience to put themselves in the admirable protagonist's shoes - a survivor or not.

Why do audiences love Zombies?
Our mysterious love affair for Zombie movies started off with 'The Night of the Living Dead' (1960, Romero). Zombies are easy to interpret due to costume and other pro-filmic effects, like limbs missing and bloodied bodies. Zombie movies focus on the survivor, as opposed to an antagonist like other horror genres; and what makes them so unique is the battle - between humans and humanity, it puts people in impossible situations. The slow story line is a hall mark of building tension in Zombie films. In some cases films show people living alongside zombies; however they ultimately prepare audiences for the jump scare of a zombie ready to pounce.






Sound Research


Soundtrack – we are using a juxtaposed soundtrack by showing the character listen to a radio, listening to classical music. This will imply an old fashioned yet well educated nature to the character.  We are using a classic era timbre of strings used playing in a high pitch, this could be seen as simply classical music however these aural signifiers imply horror surrounding the character, however at this time in the action it is still ambiguous whether they are the protagonist or antagonist despite the subtle hints.  A particularly prominent idea at the current moment is “Brahms-Violin Concerto in D op. 77-(3/3)-Allegro giocoso ma non troppo vivace” as performed by the Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Luis Valencia recorded on May 4th 1962.

HOWEVER, it is still to be confirmed as to whether copyright will be an issue with this.

Note: as of 15/1 allowance of this soundtrack has bee established

Dialogue – seeing as there is only one character on screen for most of our opening, we believe no dialogue will produce the most engaging action because it means the audience will be fully concentrating on the action they are seeing.

 
Sound Effects – we will keep these minimal, however some are necessary like that of the fly, as it will be hard to utilise an actual fly effectively. Also, we believe at the end when there are several near dead victims some subtle groans would enhance the action.


 

Analysis of an opening sequence - Friday the 13th (Cunnigham,1980)
 

 

 

 

Camera:

• On the whole, the shots for the opening aren't exactly significant in the sense of creating a tense atmosphere - in fact almost the opposite; if you take out the moon with howl which signifies horror, and then the actual killings, this film could easily be a film for all the family.
• Although, there is a certain distance to all the shots that gives you a of watching without being part of the action, more as if you are observing. Furthermore, there is a particularly interesting and unnerving shot in the opening - this is when you see from the killers POV.
• To me, this was unexpected as POV shots create prevalence of character in my mind, yet in this context doesn't - it gives another platform for which the audience can empathise with the victims on; and almost feel as they do in their last moments.  

Mise-en-scene:

•  Costume creates a sense of "innocent youth" through their high-worn shorts, and camp worker shirts.
• The fire and huddling in character blocking conveys a sense of togetherness, and the song being sung itself is a Christian song - conveying innocence. 
• Profilmic effects were used during the filming, in the form of fake blood - creating a more believable and shocking murder.  

 

Sound:

• Soundtrack initially creates tension, as does the sound effects of the wildlife which creates a sense of isolation.
• Several aural signifiers are used, for example the werewolf howl in one of the first shots.
• However, it then switches to warm, uniting, "camp-fire" type song, this is a juxtaposed idea and heavily conflicts the theme of horror and creates a sense of unease within the audience - it is almost as if you know something is out of place and are awaiting the true 'scary' aspects.
•  This then switches to highly intensifying violin music when the killings take place.

 

Editing:

• The editing is similarly used to create an ambiguous and not clearly a horror atmosphere, there is neither a significantly fast or slow cutting rate, and a lack of jump cuts or such.
•  A coherent understanding is enabled through easy to follow cuts - looking in on the action and then looking from the antagonist's POV.

 

Our Production:

I feel that several points and ideas from this opening could be utilised in our final production, but two ideas in particular stick out to me:

• The idea of a juxtaposed soundtrack
• POV shots from the antagonist's eyes.

I feel this because, in my opinion, these are the factors that most efficiently and successfully gave the audience a sense of unease and fear.





American Psycho (Harron, 2000) Technical Analysis

Dialogue implies lack of emotion through somewhat robotic delivery, and also some comments seem as if he is trying to outdo someone in a sense, further implying he has superficial values. As well as this his in depth comments regarding his morning cleansing routine imply a great sense of pride in his appearance, but as if he cares almost too much.