1. ‘Scream’ Wes Craven, 1996
Instead of trying to be creative like SAW and trying to extend the way in which
horror convention are used Craven presents them to the audience in an
innovative way. Rather than exploit the convention, and insult the audiences’
intelligence, Craven plays the audience expectations and knowledge of the
horror genre in an unexpected way. He simultaneously utilises intertextuality,
parody and pastiche which culminates in an ingenious dismantling of all the
known horror conventions. He is able to do this while still keeping true to the
foundations of the horror genre.
In Scream the conventions are employed literally, self-consciously, and self-
referentially (in regard to the horror genre). The dialogue of the film includes
detailed descriptions of the mechanics (explanations of how a horror works
and what makes a horror film) and effects of the horror film. It sees to spell out
the codes and conventions of horror movies.
Scream is seen as a post modern horror because it acknowledges that its
audience have seen previous horror films. In a show of non-conformity it
invites us to comment on the predictability of the horror genre and at the same
time offers us a new, self-conscious, at times humorous, but nonetheless
frightening example of the horror film. Wes Craven alleviated horror fans from
the well worn horror formulas with his post modern twist on the genre.
Ms Taylor-Williams – Teacher resource 1