In what ways do genre conventions determine how particular characters are represented in the films you have studied?

Using the codes and conventions of a horror film, ‘The Descent’ (Neil Marshall 2005) and ‘Creep’ (Christopher Smith 2004) create a typical horror film by also using macro and micro features such as blood, gore, violence and narrative structure to create horrific effects towards the audience in order for them to understand how characters are represented.

In both films ‘the Descent’ and ‘Creep’, gender is a main aspect of how characters are represented within the film; for example, both protagonists are women, this shows the audience how women have been used to be represented stronger than any other stereotypical weak, reliant woman and in this case have manipulated this fact as they become who they need to be to fight or survival. Kate and Sarah at the start of both films are both portrayed to the audience as weak characters as Sarah loses her husband and daughter and therefore becomes more timid and fragile. As Sarah’s husband is the first to be killed in the film, this shows how he is important to the role because there must be a reason he died first and the reason is he has been having a secret affair; Sarah’s husband is mentioned later in the film when the affair is discovered showing that now her man is gone, she has to become more independent. In Kate’s case she is almost raped by a work colleague after cinematography is used to focus on a extreme close up of her engagement finger showing she is single and lonely and Guy has manipulated this fact and made her look inferior towards him. Guy is placed near the beginning of the narrative and is then first attacked by the deformed monster. The reason he is first attacked is because of the crime he has just committed and therefore has to pay for it. In comparison with Sarah’s husband in ‘The Descent’ Guy is once again shown later in the film as a way of Kate getting help, this shows how males are represented as being sexualised, mysterious and liars but also they become more inferior towards the women as they are only used to help them to survive and the women have more power over them.

A typical convention used in both films is a frightening place; ‘The Descent’ a cave in which they are entrapped, ‘Creep’ a London underground tube station in which she is entrapped. Both locations cut the characters away from the outside world therefore cannot seek help, this is effective as knowing they cannot get help the audience know the only person that can save them is their self so the women have therefore got to become stronger in order for them to survive.  Both locations consist of the typical horror lighting which is low key to create a dark ambiance, this combines well with how the characters are presented as they have now become vulnerable towards the monster as the monsters can see them but the characters cannot see the monster. When low key lighting is used this makes both females become more scared and weak like they are not the final girl and will soon be killed.  

In the descent, Sarah progresses through the narrative and becomes stronger than all the other females in the film, including the false hero Juno. At the beginning of the film after Sarah loses her husband, Sarah is on medication and suffers from paranoia due to the event. When entering the cave one of the characters says “oh my god I’m going to die” this is just an expression but is also a way of foreshadowing death and danger within the cave, this shows how the women are represented as if they are unstoppable and do not have to worry about dying. Once in the enclosed cave Sarah becomes trapped in a tunnel and begins to panic and cry this once again represents how Sarah is weak and is a stereotypical woman who needs someone to rely on. Juno encourages Sarah through the tunnel therefore showing how she is stronger than her and takes the lead role for the girls. Once the girls separate within the cave due to the crawlers now attempting to claim their prey, this is when Sarah really becomes the strongest woman as she is chased around the cave on her own. As Sarah starts to fight back against the crawlers instead of running, this shows how she now has more confidence and realises she has to kill in able to survive. Sarah appearance changes after laying in the blood bath as a way of hiding, when exiting the blood bath this shows how Sarah is no longer the friendly girl she was before but has now transformed and is represented as some kind of cannibal herself. We see Sarah at her strongest at the end of the film when the audience have finally identified her as the final girl when she leaves Juno to die. She stabs Juno in the leg to show how death means nothing to her now as she is light hearted and seeks revenge for Juno’s murder and the affair.

Juno is represented as the most masculine and strongest woman throughout the whole of the film; there is no point where Juno looks vulnerable until she is stabbed by her close friend. Starting from the beginning Juno returns from a jog, this shows the audience how she is presented as fit, healthy and sporty. Arriving at the cave Juno takes it upon herself to leave the map in the car and lead the girls to the wrong cave, this shows how Juno has her own way of things and believes her chooses are the best, this also shows how she is self centred as she doesn’t care about what the girls opinions would be of her actions. Once Juno’s plan had been discovered she says to the girls “Like we have always said, if there’s no risk, what’s the point’’ with Juno saying this it shows how she allows a little quote to determine whether they will ever see the outside world again. Juno takes the lead in the cave as she travels in front of the girls holding the flare showing her leadership. Juno is the first to start brutally killing the crawlers once again representing her as a courageous and masculine woman; she also leaves her Beth to die after stabbing her in the neck by fluke., this shows how Juno is once again self centred and heartless.

In ‘Creep’ Kate is first portrayed and represented to the audience as a lonely woman and therefore has to have her own independence. After almost being raped Kate appears to be more inferior and weak as it shows she has no protection for her but herself. This is similar to Sarah in ‘The Descent’ as after she also had a relationship issue she becomes weak and fragile. Once Guy is killed Kate becomes stronger as she seeks help. Once Kate finds Jimmy and Mandy who are represented as the most weakest and inferior within the film due to their lack of hospitality and career, Kate is portrayed to the audience as desperate when she offers them money in order for them to lead her to help. Once noticing within this time Mandy has been taken by the deformed human due to lack of security by Jimmy and once again symbolising loneliness, Kate beings to realise she needs to become stronger in order for her to survive.

Travelling with Jimmy, they begin follow the railway lines for ways of escape from the horrific location. Jimmy is then taken killed by the monster and this once again shows how the misfits of society have been killed. After being taken from the monster and placed in a cage, Kate is then represented as inferior against something that is not even human; she is also presented as some kind of animal due to the way she is treated. Once finding the courage to go against and fight the monster Kate becomes stronger than ever before and is then believed to be the final girl as she escapes the cage with George. George is represented as a leader once joining Kate, he begins to break down walls in order for them to escape and when coming across Mandy he lies to escape showing he is heartless and this is in comparison to what Juno had done in ‘The Descent’. Kate becomes emotional when finding our Mandy was alive and this is once again showing how she is weak and a typical woman. Once George is killed Kate realises she has to kill the deformed human in order for her survival. From the use of mise en scene and using a murder weapon (The spike attached to the chain) Kate finally kills the monster and the blood released from his throat shows how much aggression Kate has used to finally murder him once and for all so he doesn’t get back up again which is a typical convention when the villain never dies. Another convention used throughout the film is that when Kate runs through the corridors, the monster slowly walks showing his slickness and brings out a creepy character but somehow always manages to catch up with the victim. Kate becomes the final girl as is therefore represented as the strongest person throughout the film, but as a citizen enters the platform he throws money towards Kate believing she is homeless and therefore representing Kate as nothing.

Van Helsing

We are first introduced to Van Helsing who is located and presented in a old English traditional pub. he is presented to the audience as a up class man through the use of costume as he is wearing a top hat, gloves, a long coat and black leather shoes therefore showing he has a high expense and this shows the audience he has more authority than the other pub customers as he has a higher job considering he is a doctor. The doctors clothes are mainly black, this shows how he relates to death but in this case tries to save lives. Garlic is a prop ion the bar, this could be signifying how the doctors is related to the prop in some way. As the doctor questions the other costumers, this shows how he is not afraid to say what he thinks and does not hesitate therefore showing he is strong and courageous, this also shows he is confidence.

The doctor is presented as a very trustworthy person and the other pub members almost worship him and have a lot of respect. Doctors had a lot of intelligence so the other characters believed in his intelligence therefore knowing they have to have respect for him, if they need to be saved in the future. Van Helsing is presented as a very mysterious character but also a out spoken person. He likes to create enigmas as he does not want to inform Harkers family what really happened until Dracula strikes again.

Van Helsing changes throughout the film as before he is calm and laid back about killing Dracula but becomes more determined as more attacks happen. Once he combines with Lucys father he knows he has now got support therefore more chance of finally defeating Dracula and stopping him from claiming his next gullible victim.

Creep (Christopher Smith, 2004)

Film synopsis:
After getting locked in Charing Cross train  station, Kate finds herself being stalked by a creature which appears to be a deformed human living in the underground. After becoming the killers prey, Kate fights for survival by trying to search for any life down there that can lead her to help or escape. Discovering the enigma of why the deformed human is after her Kate begins to find his weak spot therefore making her more inferior than the creature giving her more of a chance of surviving.


Contextualising the film:
As the film is set to the present day, this is very effective to the audience as it puts them in the perspective of people from the film and will scare them from taking the underground and visiting Charing cross and other London public transport.


Explain how 'Creep' fits into the horror genre (refer to conventions):
Kate is a typical woman which has been used in a horror film, she shows how women can be stronger than men but also have intelligence which leads them to be the final woman. A lot of screaming is used in the film to create a form of tension to the audience as they are unaware of why the person is screaming and therefore keeps them on the edge of their seat. The usual blood and low key lighting is used to create a dark and mysterious effect as the audience are unaware of what is lurking in the shadows and whether it will jump out at them. Women weapons are used within the film which create blood and gore and this is a way of symbolising a horror film. The killer is attacked but never dies and also walks whilst the victims run to show how he is more relaxed than the victim. 


How was the film received by audiences? 
'Creep' was given a rating of 75.5/10.on the IMDB website, this shows how the film was not as successful as other films and was disappointing to the audience. A review like this shows the audience was not thrilled by the horror as much as they were with other horrors so this could mean if the film was scarier it would have been more effective. 


http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0381966/


Key scenes:

• The attempt rape.
• The secutiy guard asking to see body.
• Kate giving tramp (Mandy) money for ticket.
• Kate returning to the tramps for help.
• Killers surgery room (find out why he is like it).
• Kate gets money given to her.

What makes the film distinctively British?

The tramps living in the underground makes the film British as it is very common to find homeless people around London begging for money. Also the fact the film is mostly located in Charing Cross station shows how the director has wanted to keep the location in London and to never make the audience feel Kate has changed area. Also the use of rats and mice create a London effect as London is covered by them.

The Descent (Neil Marshall 2005)

Film synopsis:
The Descent is a British Horror film in which is focused on 6 everyday women that are keen to experience a caving expedition trip after Juno loses her 'faithful' husband in a car crash. Becoming trapped in the cave the women seek a exit but are discovered by deadly flesh eating monsters (the crawlers) in which will claim anything as their prey.

Contextualising the film:

A the film is set to the present day, this makes the British horror seem more realistic to the audience as they could experience this sort of event therefore making the film more thrilling. Also because a lot of people do attend cave exhibitions, this could be away to target cave explorers as this will be more effective towards them as they have a chance of experiencing the disasters. 

Explain how 'The Descent' fits into the horror genre (refer to conventions):

The film includes a final woman which is very common and repetitive in horror films. The descent also uses the typical blood and low key lighting to create a dark and more tense towards the audience as they are not aware of what could be lurking in the shadows. the film also includes a monster which is the crawler and this is also a horror convention. 

How was the film received by audiences? 

'The Descent' was given a rating of 7.3/10.on the IMDB website, this shows how the film was very successful. With a review like this I once again believe that the film was successful but maybe the slightest improvemnt could o been made such as more jumpy parts.


http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0435625/

28 Days Later (Danny Boyle, 2002)

Film Synopsis:
28 days later is set 28 days after a serious virus hits London and the whole of the UK. (hence the name). The virus leaves the country isolated, deserted and a minimum amount of survivors. As the few survivors struggle to keep their lives and not face death, they fight against the infected people and kill what it takes to live. As you learn from the beginning of the film, the virus is originally cause by a pack of chimpanzees who have been released by an animal cruelty agency for freedom, this causes dramatic irony as we know how the virus is called but the characters do not. in desperate need for information, safety and hospitality the group continuity to seek what they need to survive.


Contextualising the film:
28 days later is set in the present day which is the 21st century therefore this creates a more realistic effect towards the audience. As it is set to the present day this makes the audience more aware of the technology, jobs and everyday lifestyle. 


Explain how '28 Days Later' fits into the horror genre (refer to conventions):
The film fits into the horror genre due to the use of iconography and typical codes and conventions of a horror film. Using blood, violence, low key lighting and binary oppositions (Dead -  Alive, Infected - Normal, Good - Bad)   , the film is able to combine all of the techniques to create a final terrifying and tense effect. A phallic weapon is also used which in this case is a long knife. 


How was the film received by audiences? 
'28 Days Later' was given a rating of 7.6/10 on the IMDB website, this once again shows that the film was a good film but could be a improved.


http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0289043/


Key scenes:

• Opening scene (shows what created the virus)
• The manipulation scene in the army house
• When the dad becomes effected
• The relaxing scene on grass next to horses.

What makes the film distinctively British?
Straight away the film is set in a British location as the chimpanzee's are being released in the 'Cambridge research centre'. It then goes on to using iconography to represent London as flats, Big Ben and a red bus are shown, the use of locations represent the speed of how far across the UK the virus has travelled. Wind turners are also shown towards the end of the film to once again show how the virus has travelled to the countryside and this therefore creates travel to be one of the films themes. 

The Horror of Dracula (Terrence Fisher, 1958)

Film synopsis:
Based in 1885 London, a very determined man called Jonathan Harker visits the isolated, intimidating castle of Dracula. Attempting to murder the gory vampire but fails, Dracula decides to seek revenge on Harkers beloved wife to be. Following the family cycle and biting all the women Dracula is threatened by the friend of Harker Dr. Van Helsing. 


Contextualising the film:
As the film is set in the 1885 but was released in 1958, this makes the audience remember the past as women were more inferior against men and never had equal rights. They were the typical stay at home and clean women whilst the men go out to work and earn the money.


Explain how 'The Horror of Dracula' fits into the horror genre (refer to conventions):

• Blood.
• Low key lighting- creating a dark and tense ambiance
• Murder scenes
• Isolated castle
• Murderer and villains (use of stock characters) 
• Use of a murder weapon (Garlic, Sharp piece of wood and hammer, Crusafix cross).

Being a early day horror film, The horror of Dracula only include the simple and well recognised conventions. Using blood and darkness creates a form of a tense atmosphere towards the audience therefore making them feel uncomfortable, this works well with them watching the murder scenes as they both combine to create a dramatic effect. Low key lighting is used to create mysteries as the audience can not see what is lurking in the dark shadows. 


How was the film received by audiences? 
The horror or Dracula was given a rating of 7.5 on the IMDB website, this shows how the film was labelled as a good film but not a great one therefore meaning there could be a more improvement which in my decision would be more semiotics and iconography.


http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0051554/

Key scenes:

• The welcoming of Jonathan Harker by Dracula as he speaks softly and is polite.
• When Lucy is Bitten
• When the Holmwoods are told what is wrong with Lucy. 
• When Mina is Bitten

What makes the film distinctively British?
The setting and location of the film creates a sense of a British film. Based in a old village town with lamp posts and little pubs this creates a British effect, especially with the big doors in Lucy's bedroom.

How are Women represented as inferior and sexualised beings in the horror of Dracula?

The first female vampire has been presented as a slave to Dracula but also as a prisoner. She pleads Jonathan Harker to help her as he arrives at the castle, this shows a sense of how desperate she is as she is eager enough to approach him and let everything out straight away without letting him even settle properly.  When the prisoner approaches Harker for the second time she once again pleads for help but then bites him, this shows how Dracula has created the prisoner as a more sexual item as she is also wearing clothes that show more parts of her body, this is in contrast to other women of this era. She is presented as inferior as she is related to and spoken to like she is Draculas slave, he tells her what to do and she reacts and follows his commands without hesitating therefore showing he has a higher authority than her. 

The Holmwoods family maid is presented the opposite of Draculas type of slave. Fully dressed wearing black and white shows how pure she is therefore presenting her in a non sexual way. The maid is never bitten by Dracula and because of this you can always see the contrast between the Maid and the victims of Dracula. The maid may be a symbolism for natural beauty but also a woman’s dignity.

The next victim under the spell of the Dracula is Lucy. Lucy is represented as an unhappy young woman that’s ready to be taken away by the ‘perfect’ man. As Dracula pays Lucy regular visits, this is as if he is teasing her as she is desperate to see him again; this is Draculas way of luring in his prey. Lucy awaits for Dracula in her sleepwear every time, even though Lucy is in bed ill because of the vampire bite, the less clothes could once again be signify how Dracula has made her more sexual as she is not all covered up like a young woman should be presented but in this case Lucy is manipulating how women present theirselve. As Lucy defeats the anti vampire medicine by becoming demanding towards the maid, this shows the attitude change in the girl as she is no longer sweet and innocent but a desperate woman in need for the touch of Dracula as if she is addicted.

Mina a middle aged woman was not bothered about Dracula but was represented as a normal everyday mother and wife. After receiving a message that her husband awaits her she is puzzled but eager to see him. Dracula bites Mina in a different way than he did to Lucy, with Lucy he made the bite out to be more sexual experience hence the reason he paid several trips to tease her. He made himself looks more like a hero than the villain to as if seduce her. After seeing Mina once he attacked her straight away, this shows how desperate he is for more prey after becoming angry from losing his other prey.

The child is presented as a less powerful person compared to the other females. She is very gullible as she follows Lucy into the woods but this would be because of her age and not having any knowledge of the situation. She appears to have been brought up in a stable home with a wealthy family therefore stating she will be raised with dignity to keep the families reputation therefore will not be a sexualised being.

Laura Mulvey and Hammer Horror research.

Laura Mulvey and Hammer Horror Trait research.

Laura Mulvey

Laura Mulvey was a British feminist film theorist. Laura believed in a film technique called ‘The male gaze’ this is defined as ‘Visual pleasure and narrative cinema’. The concepts of the gaze is how one deals with how the audience see how the characters are presented on screen. In Laura’s case this is thought of in three different ways

•  How men look at women
•   How women look at theirselves
•   How women look at other women.

Another way to put this theory is that the audience is put in a male perspective therefore using camera shots such as low angles and slowly travelling up the womans body, this puts you in a males point of view as you are seeing the women as a more sexualised item.

Laura Mulvey says that all audiences should and must view all characters from a heterosexual male perspective.

Hammer Horror

Hammer Horror is a British film production company that was mainly famous for producing a series of gothic horror films such as Dracula. After being so successful from releasing Sci-fi, thrillers, film noir and comedies, hammer horror made a huge success in the horror film market – big enough to allow them partnership with Warner brothers. Hammer Horror productions was founded in 1934 but made these huge successes from the mid 1950s up to the1970s.