1. Unit 03: Research Techniques
Understanding Horror Movies

2. Unit 03: Research Techniques
Horror is an ancient art form. We have tried to terrify each
other with tales which trigger the less logical parts of our
imaginations for as long as we've told stories.

3. Unit 03: Research Techniques
We like to be scared, experience emotions that are rare. We
tend to take a dark pleasure in being afraid, knowing that by
the end of the story or movie will be safe.

4. Unit 03: Research Techniques
We take pleasure in our voyeuristic nature by watching
someone else being hunted, tortured, scared or being
mutilated

5. Unit 03: Research Techniques
Horror Films themselves are disturbing, they are designed to
frighten and panic, cause terror and distress, and to
summon our hidden worst fears, often in a chilling, appalling
climax, while captivating and engaging us at the same time
in a emotional experience.
And yet we take pleasure from them?

6. Unit 03: Research Techniques
Horror films successfully center on the dark side of life, the
forbidden, and strange and alarming events. They deal with
our most primal nature and its fears: our nightmares and
our vulnerability.

7. Unit 03: Research Techniques
Horror films go back as far as the beginning of films
themselves, over a 100 years ago. From our earliest days, we
use our vivid imaginations to see ghosts in shadowy
shapes, to be emotionally connected to the unknown and to
fear things that are improbable.

8. Unit 03: Research Techniques
Watching a horror film gives an opening into that scary
world, without actually being in danger.
Weird as it sounds, there's a very real thrill and fun factor in
being scared or watching disturbing and horrific images.

9. Unit 03: Research Techniques
Reoccurring Characters in Horror
Vampires (Blade, From Dusk till Dawn)
Monsters (Frankenstein, Cloverfield)
Werewolves (Twilight, Company of Wolves)
Ghost (Sixth Sense, Paranormal Activity)
Serial Killers (Silence of the Lambs, Seven)
Psychotic killers (Saw, Psycho)
Demons (Exorcist, The Amityville Horror)
Dolls (Childs Play, Puppet Mater)
Zombies (Shaun of the Dead, 28 Days Later)

10. Unit 03: Research Techniques
What are the generic conventions?

11. Unit 03: Research Techniques
Fear: What makes us scared?

12. Unit 03: Research Techniques
How have horror films changed?

13. Unit 03: Research Techniques
What role does sound play?

14. Unit 03: Research Techniques
What are audience expectations?

15. Unit 03: Research Techniques
What roles does sex play in Horror?

16. Unit 03: Research Techniques
How are males and females
represented in horror?

17. Unit 03: Research Techniques
Is it true that sometimes not seeing
what is there is more horrifying

18. Unit 03: Research Techniques
Learning Outcome Two
Task One: Identify the Horror Genre and discuss
Try to give examples and use imagery
01: Look at early horror films (1930s) and discuss how they have
developed to the present day
02: What are the key ingredients of horror films?
03: Discuss the use of sound in the horror genre
04: What are audience expectations of horror films?

19. Unit 03: Research Techniques
Learning Outcome Two
Task Two: Identify the Horror Genre Research
Produce a variety of Primary Research techniques on horror films

20. Unit 03: Research Techniques
Leaning Outcome Three: Present Results of
(Learning Outcome 2, Task 2)
Task One: Results
Produce a detailed log of findings
(Use charts or graphs to express results)
(A written account of the results)

21. Unit 03: Research Techniques
Leaning Outcome 03: Present Results of
(Learning Outcome 2, Task 2)
Task Two: Presentation
01: Collate information. You may add imagery, sound, video
content to support your research
02: Present work in an appropriate way (written format, presented
orally, video format or PowerPoint)