In todays cinema, producers are pumping out big budget horror films that are filled with all the conventions of a horror film twisted and turned into their own rendition of a horror film. But if you look back at the Horror film industry from 30 years ago, all the typical conventions of a horror film were included somehow in the films plot and style. These often included a young, naive female character, a possessed child and a suspicious mature character. But what happened when an older film challenged the forms and conventions of the genre?
The Shining was released in 1980 and was a 'breath of fresh air' to the Horror industry. It brought a new outlook on how far you can branch out of the predictable style of horror movies to aspiring film directors and birthed the new 'Ultimate Horror' also known as 'Psychological horror films'.
In The Shining, male gaze was used to make Jack (Jack Nicholson) seem as vulnerable as the coinciding female character when. When Jack walks into the bathroom he sees a beautiful woman in the bath, he is left in awe of the female. Whilst Jack stands there phased out in mind, body and soul, the bathing female is in control of him because he is giving in to her advances. Female characters are usually the ones used in a male gaze sequence. But the Director Stanley Kubrick was able to challenge the conventions of horror cinema and reverse the roles.
In our horror film trailer we have used the same method. My group & I challenged the conventions of real horror movies and purposely turned the male gaze into a rough view of the female characters rage. The female character was more powerful and dominant whilst the supporting male character appears weak and helpless in comparison. This works for our movie because it helps express the female characters harsh emotions and unprovoked anger against the male. Also, we were able to convey a metaphorical view of the male characters vulnerability and how defensless he appears.
POST STILL OF PAUL RUNNING.
POST STILL OF THE MAN
By using the male gaze as a tool against the male character, We were able to develop its original use so that the male is inferior to the female character.
Another aspect that we challenged was how the viewer reacts when watching the media product. Traditionally, horror films are designed to make the viewer uncomfortable and make you feel distant from your comfort zone. For example, The Shining features many disturbing images that does would not make the viewer feel comfortable whilst watching. But my group & I wanted to draw the viewers in and make them want to know what is about to happen next; without using the 'fear factor' of wanting to crawl out of your seat.
By using the art of storytelling in a less shocking way, we were able to challenge the typical gorey identity of horror cinema.
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