Synopsis research, testing Burton's theory

All the synopsis of the films above has various repeated elements. The use of a movie synopsis is to outline the basic plot leaving the audience anticipated to see the whole movie. I looked at 3 synopsis which I have published above, 'Halloween', 'Let Me In' and 'Don't Be Afraid Of The Dark'. I deconstructed the 3 synopsis using Burton's theory of key elements of recognizable genre characteristics. I noticed that all 3 synopsis include a child. This involves youth and challenges the innocence of young people and plays on the idea of an unsuspected mystery which is a USP. The use of challenging the innocence of young people adheres to Burton's idea of themes, and explores the good vs. bad, the obvious vs. unsuspected. I also recognised the element of background and decor which Burton identified, the setting is often in a domestic or private sphere which illustrates themes of danger within the home, Halloween was set at a home address, 43 Lampkin Ln, this suggests the idea that we are not safe anywhere and a lack of hope of being saved, this increases vulnerability. This is a repeated convention throughout; Don't Be Afraid Of The Dark was set in the fathers 19th century mansion which makes the setting more personal, reinforcing this idea. Using a domestic or private sphere helps recognize the genre as it builds on mystery. Stock situations involve murder, torture, mind-games, psychological torture involving victims that have often survived, Halloween plays on this idea of stabbing, which relates also to icons (another element Burton identified) these situations convey mystery and gore defined through genre as horror.

Burton's theory has allowed me to understand how to portray a genre which successfully attracts my target audience being easily recognizable; I will now refer back to Burtons formula when planning my film as I can ensure each element enhances the given genre effectively.