This document discusses how the film "REWIND" challenges thriller conventions by also fulfilling conventions of horror movies. It analyzes how "REWIND" uses elements common to both genres, such as fast editing during shock scenes, slow cuts when building tension, ominous settings, ominous costumes for antagonists, silence to build tension, and music to increase anxiety in audiences. Close-up shots are also used to make audiences feel sympathetic towards vulnerable characters. Overall, the document examines how "REWIND" establishes conventions of both the horror and thriller genres to create a hybrid film experience for viewers.
2. General information
As you may have already identified "REWIND" is now a
hybrid movie. It fulfils the conventions of horror movies
just as much as it fulfils the conventions of thriller
movies, in order for me to establish this, I had to do
research on horror movies.
As a result my research enabled me to identify how
"REWIND" fulfils the conventions of horror movie.
Within the next few slide from the dominant elements
e.g. mise en scene, there is a list of horror conventions
that "REWIND" establish.
3. Horror - Camera shots/editing:
• Fast editing during shock: - At this point the audience feel very confused,
the tension is built as the enigma's set in place and the audience at this
point are very focused.
Slow and long cut when tension is built: - for example when the female
character picks up the image, the shot is very slow, however, before that the
shots are very fast, this builds tension as the audience are able to see the
importance of the image.
Long shots: to emphasis vulnerability of protagonist
Close up of threaten face - This makes the audience feel sympathy towards
the female character
Panning shot to build tension: In "Rewind" there is a victim who sitting on
a chair, she then turns round, at this point the antagonist, (killer) has
approaching however, a panning shot takes place so that the audience are
in the perspective of the victim. At this point the audience are very engaged
as they want to know whether the victim will see the antagonist, and if the
victim doesn't see her, the audience know that the antagonist will still kill
her. Therefore, at this point tension is built to be very high.
4. Horror - Mise-en- scene:
• Dark, mysterious costumes for the antagonist or
threat: In "Rewind" the character is wearing black,
this emphasizes on the fact that she is a killer, and
that there is death associated with her where ever
she goes. For example, in funerals people wear
"black" when somebody dies. Therefore, the same
way, the character is wearing black to represent
death.
Ominous setting: in this case a house
5. Horror - Sound
• Silence is used to build tension: The opening of „REWIND‟ builds
tension through silence, which as a result build an enigma for the
audiences; also at this point the audiences attention is grabbed as
they want to know what happens next.
Music is used to slowly increase anxiety in audience: When the
female character puts the image back down the music suddenly
change into a violin to represents which sounds painful.
Loud sudden beats to shock the audience: when there is constant
flashing shots, loud noises suddenly play, this shocks the
audiences and makes them feel even more scared.
Diagetic sound: This takes place when the female victim looks at
the body. At this point the audience feel scared and are shocked to
what they see, moreover they are positioned in the victims point of
view therefore feel sympathetic towards her.
6. Thriller - Camera shots/editing
• Panning: This takes place when the female character is looking
around the room and see‟s newspapers on the floor. It grabs the
audience attention as they are determined to know what is going
on.
• Close up: A close up shot is a typical shot that is constantly used in
thriller movies for example „Se7en‟ and „Dark Night‟. „REWIND‟
also constantly contains close up for example when the female
character identifies a body on the floor. The reason for this is to
make the audience feel sympathetic towards the character as they
can see she is scared through her facial expressions.
• High angles: are used to show those in powerful position. In
„REWIND‟ a high angle is used when the female character is killing
the victim sitting on the chair. This illustrates to the audience who
has the dominant power.
7. Thriller – Mise en scene
The main character in a lot of thriller movies wear
costumes that are black. This emphasises the
action and death within the movie. The main
character in „REWIND‟ is dressed in black to
symbolize death. Most thriller movies take place in
a house for example „When a stranger calls‟ this is
to make the actual movie look more realistic. The
majority of „REWIND‟ opening sequence also takes
place in a house.
8. To conclude, by establishing the conventions of a
Horror movie, I felt that "REWIND" does contain
conventions of horror. However, just to make sure I
decided to watch a few horror movies, these consist of
"Saw", "The ring", "the grudge“ butterfly effect" and
"The howling". One thing each movie had equivalent
was the use of flashing shots. Each movie represented
sudden flash back and flashing shots.
Moreover, "REWIND” also contains constantly flash
backs and flashing shots which builds tension, as the
audience attention at this point is very focused.
