Key Changes in Supernatural Horrors

Key Changes in Supernatural Horror Films
(1970’s – present)
1973 2013
Georgia Pastos

Supernatural Horror
Film of the 1970’s
Plot outline AND key
themes of the film
Characters within the
product
Technology: advances
and developments
Audience appeal to
a target audience
Film title: The Exorcist
Year filmed: 1973
Certification: 18
Director: William Friedkin
Producer: William Peter
Blatty
Budget: $12 million
Box office: $441,071,011
Link to film:
https://www.youtube.co
m/watch?v=M8adfW9W
bEU
The film begins during an
archaeological dig in Iraq,
when Lankester Merrin –
priest – discovers a small
amulet, which he comes
to realise belongs to an
evil demon (Pazuzu). In
Washington D.C, Chris
McNeil begins noticing
the change in behaviour
in her daughter, Regan.
When medicine and tests
fail to determine medical
causes for the difference
in her behaviour, it grows
clear that she has been
possessed by the demon
Pazuzu. Following a
series of mysterious
deaths, it is decided that
Regan must be exorcised.
However, her mother is
tentative due to a lack of
religious beliefs. Further
supernat-ural
phenomena occur,
forcing the exorcism of
Regan to take place. Yet
when the demon kills
again, he is urged to take
the priest instead, who
subsequently kills himself
to prevent further death.
Linda Blair – Regan
Ellen Burstyn – Christine
Jason Miller – (the young
priest) Damien Karras
Max von Sydow – Father
Lankester Merrin
Lee J. Cobb – Lieutenant
William F. Kinderman
Mercedes McCambridge
– the voice of Pazuzu
Kitty Winn – Sharon
Jack MacGowran – Burke
Reverend William O’
Malley – Father Joseph
Robert Symonds – Dr.
Taney
Barton Heyman – Dr.
Samuel Klein
Arthur Storch – the
psychiatrist
Titos Vandis – the uncle
of Father Damien Karras
Eileen Dietz – associated
with the face of Pazuzu
William Peter Blatty (the
producer) himself, has a
minor speaking role in a
scene where he engages
in a dispute with Burke,
whilst Chris is filming in
front of Healy Hall.
Technical specifications:
Run time: 122 minutes
132 minutes (directors
cut)
Sound mix: 70 mm 6 track
(for 1979 re-release) Dolby
Digital EX (directors) Mono
(Original release) SDDS
Colour: Colour
Aspect ratio: 1.37 : 1
(negative ratio) 1.75 : 1
(theatrical ratio) 1.78 : 1
(Home Media Release)
Camera: Panavision lenses
and cameras
Laboratory: Technicolor
Film length: 3,350m
(Sweden) 3,677m (Director
Cut)
Negative format: 35mm
Cinematographic process:
Spherical
Printed film format:
35mm, 75mm (blow up)
(1979 re-release)
Technology remains
similar to previous decade.
Due to the wide variety
and range in the age
groups of characters, a
greater audience has
been targeted - younger
audience members may
have been targeted by
Regan’s character. They
may have been able to
relate to and identify
with her struggles as a
young girl and thus; may
have been interested in
her character. The uses
and gratification theory
would have been clearly
demonstrated through
the choice in characters.
In addition, as a result
of the realistic settings –
e.g. the McNeil home –
which would prove to
create a sense of verisi-
militude, a majority of
the audience members
would identify with this
setting and therefore;
the audience appeal
would be heightened.
Moreover, emphasised
religious themes would
appeal to the religious.

Supernatural Horror
themes of the film
product
and developments
Audience appeal to
a target audience
Film title: The Omen
Year filmed: 1976
Certification: 18
Director: Richard Donner
Producer: Harvey
Bernhard
Budget: $2.8 million
Box office: $60,922,980
Link to film:
www.youtube.com/watc
h?v=9ZLaDps7oLk&safe=
active
Following the death of
his son during childbirth,
an American diplomat –
Robert Thorn – adopts an
orphaned newborn due
to a suggestion made by
a hospital priest, Father
Spiletto. He refrains from
telling his wife, who was
unconscious, and Robert
and Katherine name the
boy Damien. Damien
grows into childhood,
and at his fifth birthday,
his nanny hangs herself.
Father Brennan, another
Catholic priest, warns the
unsuspecting Robert of
his son’s inexplicable
origins and proceeds to
imply that Damien may
not be human. Robert
ignores these warnings
and brands the priest as
mentally disturbed.
However, things take a
turn for the worst when,
one by one, the people
around Damien tragically
meet their deaths. It is
then discovered that
Damien is the Antichrist.
Gregory Peck – Robert
Lee Remick – Katherine
David Warner – Jennings
Billie Whitelaw – Mrs.
Baylock (Second nanny)
Harvey Stephens –
Damien
Patrick Troughton –
Father Brennan
Martin Benson – Father
Spiletto
Robert Rietty – Monk
Tommy Duggan – Priest
John Stride – Psychiatrist
Anthony Nicholls - Dr.
Becker
Holly Palance – Nanny
Roy Boyd – Reporter
Freda Dowie – Nun
Sheila Raynor – Mrs.
Horton
The characters within the
supernatural horror each
adopt a role from Propps
character theory. For
example, Damien adopts
the role of the villain,
whilst Mrs. Baylock, the
second nanny, adopts the
role as the false hero
within The Omen (1976).
107 minutes (German cut)
Sound mix: Mono
Colour: Colour
Camera: Panavision Pana-
flex Gold, Panavision C-
Series and Cooke Lenses
Laboratory: DeLuxe,
Hollywood (CA), USA.
Rank Film Laboratories,
Denham, UK (processing)
(Eastman 100T 5247)
Panavision (anamorphic)
35mm
The printed film format of
the product remains the
same as it has in previous
years. In addition, the
choice in cameras and
lenses is the same as in
the previous decade –
Panavision cameras used.
The idea of an Antichrist
has been feared by
many over numerous
years. The fact that the
issue is now being
portrayed in the form of
a supernatural horror
may prove to appeal to
a large target audience,
due to the fact that
such a topic has both
troubled and intrigued
several people. Also,
the exciting yet unusual
prospect of the feared
Antichrist taking the
form of a five-year old
boy is similarly adding
to the audience appeal.
The unique qualities the
film provides further
invite a target audience,
as new ideas add new
selling point to the film.
Meanwhile, the family
unit demonstrated in
the film may allow an
audience to relate to
and identify with the
characters; thus acts as
a demonstration of uses
and gratification theory.

Supernatural Horror
themes of the film
product
and developments
Audience appeal to
a target audience
Film title: The Shining
Year filmed: 1980
Certification: 18 (1986
video release) 15 (2007)
Director: Stanley Kubrick
Producer:Stanley Kubrick
Budget: $19 million
Box office: $44,360,123
Link to film:
m/watch?v=vWJ4NqVgpc
c
Jack Torrance is a writer,
who arrives at a hotel to
interview for the job as a
winter caretaker – the
hotel has been built on a
Native American burial
ground and becomes
snowed in during winter.
As a result, it is closed
between November and
May each year. Despite
warnings from manager,
Stuart, Jack arrives at the
isolated Hotel along with
his family. During their
tour, Danny (Jack’s son) is
warned by chef, Dick,
regarding room 237, who
urges him to stay out of
it. A month later, Jack
becomes prone to violent
outbursts and Danny’s
curiosity gets the better
of him. Both Jack and
Danny experience several
encounters where they
meet a number of ghosts
and Danny continuously
has visions. Following the
encounters with ghosts,
Jack becomes possessed
and makes attempts to
kill his family.
Jack Nicholson – Jack
Shelley Duvall – Wendy
Danny Lloyd – Danny
Scatman Crothers – Dick
Barry Nelson – Stuart
Philip Stone – Delbert
Grady
Joe Turkel – Lloyd the
Bartender
Tony Burton – Larry
Lia Beldam – Young
Woman
Billie Gibson – Old
Woman
Barry Dennen – Bill
Watson
Lisa Burns – Grady twin 1
Louisa Burns – Twin 2
Characters of the horror
film harmonise with the
Propp’s character theory,
including the celebrated
hero, the villain and the
donor Some may suggest
that Jack, as well as the
ghosts within the Hotel,
act as the villains of the
production, whilst his
wife, Wendy, may be
viewed as the hero, and
Danny as the donor who
assists her in the film.
119 minutes (European
cut) 144 minutes (original)
Sound mix: Mono
Colour: Colour
(theatrical ratio, Europe)
1.85 : 1 (theatrical, USA)
Camera: Arriflex 35 BL,
Zeiss Super Speed Lenses
Laboratory: Denham
Laboratories, UK
Film length: 3,275m (in
Sweden – cut version)
3,295m (theatrical version
in Finland) 3,790m
(original version – Finland)
(Eastman 100T 5247)
Spherical
Printed film
format:35mm
Some slight changes in
the technical aspects in
comparison to 1970’s.
Due to the fact that the
majority of the audience
will be familiar with the
choice of setting – hotel
– they will be able to
relate to or identify with
it and therefore, the
uses and gratification
theory would be clearly
demonstrated within
The Shining. The sense
of familiarity created by
the setting will serve to
introduce an element of
verisimilitude, which will
heighten the audience
appeal. Meanwhile, the
protagonist, as well as
the antagonist, of the
film will prove to attract
both male and female
members of an
audience as the male
character may be
viewed as an object of
desire for the female
audience, whilst the
female character may be
viewed as an object of
desire for the male
members of the target
audience. As well as
this, they may be

Supernatural Horror
themes of the film
product
and developments
Audience appeal to a
target audience
Film title: Poltergeist
Year filmed: 1982
Certification: 15
Director: Tobe Hooper
Producer: Michael Grais,
Steven Spielberg, Mark
Victor
Box office: $121,706,019
Link to film:
h?v=Zvll0gQSPG0&safe=a
ctive
Steve and Diane Freeling
live in California, along
with their children - Dana
Robbie and Carol Anne.
The youngest, Carol Anne
awakens one night and
begins conversing with
the television set. As a
result, an apparition exits
the screen and vanishes
into the wall. Following
this ordeal, Carol Anne
announces “they’re here”
and the violent shaking
of the house subsides.
The following day, a
series of unexplainable
events unfold, growing
more intense with each
one. During the night, a
tree comes to life and
makes attempts to
swallow Robbie.
However, he is rescued
and, instead, Carol Anne
is sucked into a portal in
her closet. Her voice
begins emanating from
the television set and the
Freeling family seek help
from a group of
parapsychologists.
Craig T. Nelson – Steve
JoBeth Williams – Diane
Beatrice Straight – Dr.
Lesh
Dominique Dunne –
Dana Freeling
Oliver Robins – Robbie
Heather O’Rourke –
Carol Anne Freeling
Michael McManus – Ben
Virginia Kiser – Mrs.
Tuthill
Martin Casella – Marty
Richard Lawson – Ryan
Zelda Rudinstein –
Tangina
James Karen – Mr.
Teague
Lou Perryman – Pugsley
Clair E. Leucart –
Bulldozer Driver
Dirk Blocker – Jeff Shaw
Certification:
As the decades progress,
the film industry grows
increasingly lenient on
what is able to be shown
– what were once 18’s,
now have a 15 rating.
Sound mix: Dolby (35mm
prints) (as Dolby Stereo) l
70mm 6-track (70mm pri)
Colour: Colour
Aspect ratio: 2.20 : 1 (70
mm prints) 2.35 : 1
Camera: Ultracam 35,
Cooke Xtal Express Lenses
Laboratory: Metrocolor,
Culver City (CA), USA
Film length: 3,160 m (35
mm prints)
(Eastman 100T 5247)
J-D-C Scope (anamorphic)
Printed film format: 35
mm, 70 mm (blow up)
In comparison to previous
years, an additional
printed film format has
been introduced – the
70mm blow up format.
As a result of the
realistic setting of a
home, a sense of
verisimilitude is
introduced within the
film, that serves to allow
an audience to relate to
and identify with many
situations that occur in
the setting. The clear
demonstration of the
theory heightens the
audience appeal, as they
may be both entertained
by the product, and
intrigued as they may
find that various aspects
are similar to their own
lives. For example, the
choice in characters may
also be reflective of their
own lives – they may
have a family of their
own, or belong to a
family – and therefore;
may understand the
routines that they carry
out. As their lives may be
similar, they may feel a
sense of fear that makes
a successful horror film.

Supernatural Horror
themes of the film
product
and developments
Audience appeal to
a target audience
Film title: Candyman
Year filmed: 1992
Certification: 18
Director: Bernard Rose
Producer: Clive Barket
and Steve Golin
Budget: $8 million
Box office: $25,792,310
Link to trailer:
m/watch?v=RnzzBssg3ac
The film commences
with the introduction of
Helen Lyle – a curious
student, conducting
research for her thesis on
urban legends. During a
number of interviews,
she learns of the local
legend of the Candyman.
The legend claims that: in
order for him to be
summoned, his name
must be said five times
whilst facing a mirror,
whereupon he murders
the summoner with his
hook-hand. To prove the
Candyman does not exist,
Helen, and her friend
Bernie, jokingly call his
name in the mirror but
nothing happens. Since
Helen proceeds to assert
the idea that he is just a
legend, he appears to her
and, consequently, a
series of brutal deaths
occur with Helen as the
prime suspect. As a result
she must go on a journey
to reclaim her sanity and
prove her innocence.
Virginia Madsen – Helen
Tony Todd – Candyman
Xander Berkeley – Trevor
Vanessa Williams – Anne
Marie McCoy
Kasi Lemmons – Bernie
DeJuan Guy – Jake
Bernard Rose – Archie W
Marianna Elliott – Clara
Gilbert Lewis – Detective
Frank Valento
Stanley DeSantis – Dr.
Burke
Ted Raimi – Billy
Eric Edwards – Harold
Rusty Schwimmer –
Policewoman
Lisa Ann Poggi – Diane
Adam Philipson – Danny
Carolyn Lowery – Stacey
Ria Pavia – Monica
Mark Daniels – Student
It can be suggested that
the characters within this
media product conform
to Propp’s character
theory, yet some of the
characters adopt the role
of more than one – e.g.
Helen is a hero as well as
the damsel in distress.
Sound mix: Dolby
Colour: Colour
Camera: Panavision lenses
and cameras
Laboratory: DeLuxe,
Hollywood (CA), USA
Spherical
Printed film format: 35m
Despite the progression of
technology, some techno-
logical aspects remain the
same/similar to those in
previous decades – this is
clear through the choice
in cameras. As in the 70’s
(for the production of The
Exorcist), the Panavision
cameras and lenses are
still used in the 90’s. In
addition, the negative
format remains the same
as it has in decades prior.
The popularity of urban
legends amongst both
teenagers and young
adults may subsequently
increase the popularity
of Candyman. Audience
appeal may heighten as
a result of the common
factor between real life
and the narrative of the
film;similar to characters
within the supernatural
horror, some members
of the audience may
equally struggle with
whether to believe in
urban legends or not.
Thus, the verisimilitude
of the theme may serve
to add to the audience
appeal. Meanwhile, the
use of numerous female
characters may prove to
be popular amongst
male audience member,
since they may view
them as an object of
desire. A male audience
may also find the use of
extreme gore, blood and
violence within the film
greatly appealing.

Supernatural Horror
themes of the film
Characters within
the product
and developments
Audience appeal to
a target audience
Film title: Ringu
Year filmed: 1998
Certification: 15
Director: Hideo Nakata
Producer: Taka Ichise
Budget: $12,000
Box office: $13,005,000
Link to trailer:
h?v=F22YJZtVGm4&safe
=active
Two teenagers, Tomoko
and Masami, discuss a
videotape; legend says
that this videotape bears
a curse that kills the
viewer seven days after
watching it. Tomoko
reveals that she watched
a tape a week ago and,
as legend says, received
a call shortly after.
Shortly after revealing
this, Tomoko is killed by
an unseen, malevolent
force, leaving her face
twisted with fear, as
Masami watches in fear.
Following the death of
her niece, a reporter,
Reiko, investigates the
video and the curse it
bears. She discovers the
tape and, during the
brief period she spends
watching it, sees a series
of seemingly unrelated
disturbing images. As
she grows closer to the
truth she endangers, not
only herself, but her
family too – including
her son.
Nanako Matsushima –
Reiko Asakawa
Hiroyuki Sanada – Ryüji
Takayama
Rikiya Ötaka – Yöichi
Asakawa
Miki Nakatani – Mai
Yüko Takeuchi – Tomoko
Hitomi Satö - Masami
Yöichi Numata – Takashi
Yutaka Matsushige –
Yoshino
Katsumi Muramatsu –
Köichi Asakawa
Masako – Shizuko
Yamamura
Rie Inö - Sadako
Yamamura
Yûrei Yanagi – AD
Okazaki
Yôko Ohshima – Reiko
no Oba
Kiriko Shimizu – Yoshimi
Ôishi
Makoto Kakeda –
Kanrinin
The wide age range of
the characters may serve
to attract and appeal to
a greater target
audience.
Sound mix: Dolby SR
Colour: Black and white /
Colour
Camera: Arriflex 35 BL4,
Cooke and Cineovision
Lenses
Laboratory: Imagica
Corporation, Shinagawa-
ku, Tokyo, Japan
(Fuji Super F-125T 8532,
Super F-500T 8572)
Spherical
35mm
Similar to the technology
used in previous decades,
this media product utilises
the Spherical cinema-
tographic process, and
the same printed format.
The popularity of this
film was made evident
in a number of remakes
of the Japanese horror.
In years to come, both
the original film and the
sequel were made into
American versions. It
can be suggested that
this Japanese version of
The Ring shaped the
success of the following
American versions. The
success impacted an
international target
audience; due to the
publicity received by
Ringu, the audience
appeal would have
been heightened, as
they would have been
keen to watch the film
and find out why the
film was so popular, for
themselves. Meanwhile
as the majority of the
characters within the
product consist of both
teenagers and young
adults, this product will
appeal to this age group

Supernatural Horror
themes of the film
product
and developments
Audience appeal to
a target audience
Film title: The Amityville
Horror
Year filmed: 2005
Certification: 15
Director:Andrew Douglas
Producer: Michael Bay,
Andrew Form Brad Fuller
Budget: $19 million
Box office: $108,047,131
Link to trailer:
m/watch?v=c5Maq9H1lZ
8
In 1974, Ronald DeFeo Jr.
murdered his family at
their home, in
Amityville, and claimed
that “voices” told him to
do so. One year later, the
Lutz family move in.
Before long, the
youngest child, Chelsea,
befriends a young girl
named Jodie – one of the
DeFeo children who was
murdered the previous
year. One night, George
and Kathy Lutz hire a
babysitter, in order for
them to enjoy some time
away from the children.
They soon learn from the
babysitter, Lisa, that she
used to babysit for the
DeFeo’s. Whilst they are
out, one of the DeFeo
children appear to Lisa
who goes into shock.
Once Kathy comes to an
understanding of what
happened, she calls for a
priest – Father Callaway
– and requests that be
blesses the house. But he
flees and leaves the Lutz’
to deal with the spiritual
Ryan Reynolds – George
Melissa George – Kathy
Jesse James – Billy Lutz
Jimmy Bennett –
Michael
Chloë Grace Moretz –
Chelsea Lutz
Rachel Nichols – Lisa
Philip Baker Hall – Father
Callaway
Isabel Conner – Jodie
Brendan Donaldson –
Ronald DeFeo
Annabel Armor – Realtor
Rich Komenich – Chief of
Police
David Gee – ER doctor
Danny McCarthy –
Officer Greguski
Nancy Lollar – Librarian
José Taitano – Stitch
The characters within the
2005 supernatural film
consist of characters that
conform to Propp’s Stock
Character Theory. Also, it
may be suggested that
the idea that celebrities
are manufactured for
financial gain has been
applied to this film, as
many of the actors are
Sound mix: DTS l Dolby
Digital l SDDS
Colour: Colour
Camera: Arriflex 435,
Panavision Primo Lenses,
Panavision Panaflex Gold,
Panavision Prime and
Frazier Lenses, Panavision
Panaflex Platinum, Pana-
vision Promo and Frazier
Laboratory: Deluxe,
Hollywood (CA), USA
(Kodak Vision2 500T 5218
Vision 200T 5274)
Digital Intermediate (2K)
(master format) Super 35
(source format)
Printed film format: 35mm
(anamorphic)
Evidence of the develop-
ments in technology is
clear through the change
in cinematographic process
The realistic setting of
The Amityville Horror
will add an element of
familiarity, as well as
create a sense of verisi-
militude that would
heighten the audience
appeal, as they would
be able to relate to and
identify with it, thus;
demonstrating the uses
and gratification theory
that establishes a clear
connection between
the audience members
and the characters. In
addition, as the main
characters of the media
product form a family,
the situation adds to
the verisimilitude, that
serves to ensure the
audience feel as if they
are a part of the film –
this will heighten the
audience appeal, due
to the fact that horror
films often rely on the
emotions of its target
audience to become a
successful product.
Also, the characters
may be relatable.

Supernatural Horror
themes of the film
product
and developments
Audience appeal to
a target audience
Film title: Dead Silence
Year filmed: 2007
Certification: 15
Director: James Wan
Producer: Oren Koules,
Mark Burg Greg Hoffman
Budget: $20 million
Box office: $22,217,407
Link to trailer:
h?v=8b_HVtHmK30&safe
=active
When Jamie, and wife
Lisa, receive a mysterious
gift – a ventriloquist
dummy – one night, Lisa
recalls the infamous
poem of Mary Shaw (a
renowned ventriloquist
who had her tongue cut
out). That night, upon his
arrival home, Jamie finds
Lisa dead, having been
brutally murdered with
her tongue ripped out.
In a desperate attempt to
uncover the truth about
her death, prime suspect
Jamie, returns to his
hometown – Ravens Fair.
As he grows increasingly
closer to uncovering the
truth, a series of deaths
ensue, and Jamie finds
himself going to extreme
lengths to both prove his
innocence in his wife’s
murder, and to prevent
Mary Shaw from killing
again. With Detective
Lipton keeping a close
eye on him, it proves to
be an even greater task
than what it seems.
Ryan Kwanten – Jamie
Amber Valletta – Ella
Donnie Wahlberg –
Detective Lipton
Michael Fairman – Henry
Joan Heney – Marion
Bob Gunton – Edward
Laura Regan – Lisa
Dmitry Chepovetsky –
Richard Walker
Judith Roberts – Mary
Shaw
Keir Gilchrist – Young
Henry
Steven Taylor – Michael
David Talbot – Priest
Steve Adams – Detective
Shelley Peterson – Lisa’s
Mum
Enn Reitel – Billy (voice)
Fred Tatasciore – Clown
Austin Majors – Michael
Despite the fact that the
character, Jamie, adopts
more than one role – e.g.
he acts as the hero at
various points of the plot
but also finds himself
needing help (damsel in
distress) some characters
relate to Propp’s theory.
92 minutes (unrated edit)
Sound mix: SDDS l Dolby
Digital l DTS
Colour: Colour
Super 35
35mm
In decades prior, the most
common cinematographic
process was Spherical,
however; the 2000’s has
witnessed an introduction
of a new cinematographic
process – the Super 35.
Over the decades, new
technology is created and
introduced in order to
capture great footage that
would serve to make a
successful horror film. But
some technical specs have
remained the same.
Similar to 1976 horror
film, The Omen, a major
fear that haunts a great
number of people has
been brought to life in
this production. In this
case, ventriloquist
dummies. Following the
success of The Omen, it
may have been believed
that playing on a fear
that numerous people
share would similarly
receive a box office
success, however; for
this production it was
not as successful.
Despite the fact that
characters from several
age groups were
evident within the film,
in order to heighten the
audience appeal and
attract a wider range of
a target audience, the
film did not prove to be
a great success as
intended. The audience
was targeted with a
mixture of male and
female characters to
appeal to both genders.

Supernatural Horror
themes of the film
product
and developments
Audience appeal to
a target audience
Film title: Insidious
Year filmed: 2010
Certification: 15
Director: James Wan
Producer: Jason Blum,
Steven Schneider, Oren
Box office: $97,009,150
Link to trailer:
h?v=E!Yb0MDI59k&safe=
active
Along with their three
children, Josh and Renai
Lambert move into their
new home. When Dalton,
one of their sons, falls
into a mysterious coma,
supernatural occurrences
commence. Three month
into the coma, Foster,
another of their sons,
complains about Dalton
“walking around at night”
however; realising this is
not possible, Renai
becomes convinced that
their house is haunted.
She pleads with Josh to
move house, who agrees,
yet the unexplained
phenomena continue.
During a visit, Josh’s
mum – Lorraine –
describes a dream she
had, in which a shadowy
figure claimed he wanted
“Dalton”. Elise, an elderly
lady who specialises in
paranormal activity, is
contacted, in an attempt
to save the Lambert
family from the hateful
force that haunts them.
Patrick Wilson – Josh
Rose Byrne – Renai
Ty Simpkins – Dalton
Lin Shaye – Elise
Barbara Hershey –
Lorraine
Leigh Whannell – Specs
Angus Sampson – Tucker
Andrew Astor – Foster
Josh Feldman – Young
Josh
Corbette Tuck – Nurse
Adele
Heather Tocquigny –
Nurse Kelly
Ruben Pla – Dr. Sercarz
John Henry Binder –
Father Martin
Joseph Bishara – Lipstick-
Face Demon
J. LaRose – Long Haired
Fiend
Philip Friedman – Old
Woman
Kelly Devoto and Tuck –
Doll girls
Lary Crews – Whistling
Ghost Dad
Jose Prendes – Top hat
Caslin Rose – Ghost and
Contortionist
Sound mix: SDDS Dolby
Digital
Colour: Colour
Camera: Red One MX
Laboratory: FotoKem
Digital Film Services,
Burbank (CA), USA (digital
intermediate)
Universal Studios
Film length: 2,797m
(Portugal, 35mm) 2,810m
(Spain)
Negative format:
RedCode Raw (4.5K)
Digital Intermediate (2K)
(master format) RedCode
Raw 4.5K (source format)
35mm (anamorphic) D-
Cinema
Sound mix and colour has
remained the same as
decades prior. Negative
format has changed.
In order to appeal to a
target audience, a great
variety of characters
from a number of age
groups were chosen to
play the roles of each of
them. As a result, many
would have found it easy
to identify with and
relate to the characters,
thus; acting as a clear
theory. Additionally, the
realistic settings utilised
within the production
would serve to create a
sense of verisimilitude
that would further allow
a target audience to
identify with the film.
This aspect would add a
personal touch for
several members of the
audience, and therefore
prove to heighten the
appeal they feel towards
it. Meanwhile, the idea
that Dalton is able to
travel in his dreams may
reflect the theme of
escapism (uses and grat)

Supernatural Horror
themes of the film
product
and developments
Audience appeal to
a target audience
Film title: The Conjuring
Year filmed: 2013
Certification: 15
Director: James Wan
Producer: Peter Safran,
Tony DeRosa-Grund, Rob
Cowan
Budget: $20 million
Budget: $318,000,141
Link to trailer:
m/watch?v=k10ETZ41q5
o
1971: Roger and Carolyn
Perron move into a
dilapidated farmhouse
in, Rhode Island with
their five daughters –
Andrea, Nancy, Christine,
Cindy, and April. Ignoring
the fact that their dog,
Sadie, refuses to enter,
the Perron family settle
into their new home. The
family awake the next
day to find the dog dead.
Over the next few days,
the family experience a
series of supernatural
occurrences. They seek
help from paranormal
investigators, Ed and
Lorraine Warren. After
some investigating, it is
revealed that the Perron
family is being hunted by
a malevolent force that
has cursed the land in
which the family
inhabits. Whilst waiting
for the authorisation to
perform an exorcism,
Carolyn is possessed by
the witch and the
investigators do
everything in their power
Vera Farmiga – Lorraine
Patrick Wilson – Ed W
Lili Taylor – Carolyn
Ron Livingston – Roger
Shanley Caswell - Andrea
Hayley McFarland –
Nancy
Joey King – Christine
Mackenzie Foy – Cindy
Kyla Deaver – April
Shannon Kook – Drew
John Brotherton – Brad
Sterling Jerins – Judy
Marion Gayot –
Georgiana
Steve Coulter – Father
Gordon
Joseph Bishara –
Bathsheba
Morgana Bridgers – Deb
Amy Tipton – Camilla
Christof Veillon –
Maurice
Despite the fact that the
events are based on real
life, it can be suggested
that the characters of the
production may have
adopted the role of stock
characters from Propp’s
theory – e.g. Lorraine
and Ed play the heroes.
Sound mix: Dolby Digital l
Datasat l SDDS
Colour: Colour
Camera: Arri Alexa, Leica
Summilux Lenses
Laboratory: FotoKem
Laboratory, Burbank (CA),
USA (digital intermediate)
Technicolor, Hollywood
(CA), USA (prints)
Film length: 3,067m (6)
Negative format: Codex
ARRIRAW (2.8K) (source
format) Digital
Intermediate (2K master f)
Printed film format: 35
mm (anamorphic) (Kodak
Vision 2383) D-Cinema
In comparison to several
decades prior, the sound
mix and colour of media
products have changed –
e.g. they have gone from
silent movies to sound.
The realistic setting of
an old farmhouse in
Rhode Island may serve
to create a sense of
verisimilitude that will
allow a target audience
to feel captivated by the
realism. Furthermore,
since the film itself is
based on real life events
a wider range of an
audience may feel as if
they could have been in
a similar situation and
thus, be more likely to
watch the production. In
addition, due to the fact
that the characters form
together to create a
family, the majority of
the target audience may
be able to relate to and
identify with both the
characters individually,
and the situations they
must face as a whole.
Therefore, the clear
theory would allow a
target audience to be
entertained and able to
relate to the production.

SIMILARITIES DIFFERENCES
- Over the decades (from the 1970’s right up to the present) several
horror films feature a combination of characters that are mentioned
in Propp’s character theory – e.g. the hero, the villain, false hero etc.
Thus, although the plot of the film may vary, the characters and the
purpose they adopt remains similar, if not the same.
- The target audience of supernatural horrors is often the same and
therefore, the producers of such horrors utilise similar approaches in
order to appeal to their intended audience, including the idea of
using an object of desire in order to attract one or both genders. In
addition, due to the fact that horrors rely on overwrought emotions
of fear and anxiety, they use realistic settings that introduce a sense
of verisimilitude and allow an audience to feel as if they are part of
the product.
- Supernatural horrors films over the decades that have proved to be
successful, including The Exorcist and The Conjuring, have appealed
to the correct age group, who have provided them with great profit
in the box office as well as through home media – DVD and Blu-ray
sales. This is evident through the certification – the majority of
successful horror films have not been provided with a certification
lower than a 15. Despite an increasing lenience to the themes of a
horror film, the certification of them has mostly remained at 15/18.
- In an attempt to appeal to a target audience through marketing
and advertising, posters are created in order to introduce the idea
of the horror film to its audience. When studying and researching a
number of renowned works within the genre, it became clear that
dark, murky colours that created an eerie atmosphere and added to
an ongoing enigma were used. It created an element of suspense
and acted as a catalyst for feelings of intrigue in the target audience,
despite the idea that darkness is a strong signifies of fear.
- As a result of the target audience being strongly desensitized to the
predominant themes of supernatural horror over the decades, the
certification has changed slightly. As opposed to a horror being rated
an 18, it may now be rated as a 15, due to the fact that the audience
has become familiar with the themes, which increases a lack of fear.
- Due to the proliferation and progression of technology, numerous
horror films have been filmed with various cameras, improving the
quality of the product. The most popular camera and lenses belong
to Panavision and have proved to capture the footage of several of
the most popular horror films between the 1970’s until the present.
Moreover, in years prior to the 1970’s, a combination of horror films
were filmed in black and white, however; as a result of the great
progression of technology, they are now filmed in colour.
- In addition to the improvement of the quality of media products,
not just films within horror, trailers have been improved in order to
prove to be far more appealing to its audience. The first trailer was
shown in 1913, and since then many changes have been added and
adjustments made. Until the late 50’s, trailers consisted of extended
scenes from the film, along with some form of descriptive text.
However, from around the 60’s/70’s and onwards, trailers consist of
far shorter cuts of the film so they do not reveal too much.
- The budget of supernatural horror films vary over the decades but
this does not place a limit on the box office profit; despite the fact
that the budget may be low, the box office may be extremely high in
comparison – e.g. The Exorcist had a budget of $12 million yet
received over $440 million profit in the box office. The budget does
not dictate the success of the profit and this has become evident
with numerous supernatural horror films. Therefore, regardless of
the budget, the media product may be a success.

Key Changes in Supernatural Horrors

Recommandé

Recommandé

Contenu connexe

Tendances

Tendances (19)

En vedette

En vedette (20)

Similaire à Key Changes in Supernatural Horrors

Similaire à Key Changes in Supernatural Horrors (20)

Plus de Georgiapastos

Plus de Georgiapastos (8)

Dernier

Dernier (20)

Key Changes in Supernatural Horrors