Studying the features of a highly successful horror film

Paranormal activity

For part of my research, in class we watched the opening of paranormal activity.

The learning objectives were, to recognise the key features f successful horror films, looking particularly at sound and to study the successful promotion of horror films.

Questions given to answer from watching the film:

How have the characters been established?

Consider how the setting has been established?

How has the narrative been established?

How is the sound used effectively?

Characters

The characters have been established mainly through the dialogue. The camera is a hand-held camera, is used as a family camera as they go about their everyday life. This is a great way to film a horror in the point of view of the characters, this way to audience feel part of te film. The third character that comes into the house allows us to establish the characters, as he begins to ask questions which realistically the audience want to know.

Setting

The setting is a simple modern house which contradicts the horror conventions, normal horror film stereotypically have old haunted houses etc. The house is an excellent setting for this film as the audience can relate to the situations which occur in the movie.

Sound

All the sound is diagetic such as the talking, alarm etc. Normal household sounds which the audiences can associate with. There is a continuous dialogue throughout which acts as the narrative for the film, we as the audience are being explained step-by-step what is happening through the hand-held camera. Wooden floors accentuate and enhance the sound, such as the banging of foot steps and so on, the wooden floor work effectively in contrast to something a material like carpet.