Evaluation & initial ideas

CONVENTIONS OF KILLERS IN HORROR 

After researching 10 ironic killers in the horror genre, I deconstructed the theory behind each killer, their conventional characteristics and made observations on how protagonists are portrayed in horror to reach target audience and portray the film successfully. The conventions are listed below:

• Disguised by mask or deformed facial features, this suggests their isolation from society and the community within. This highlights otherness and makes the threat menacing. All horror films depersonalise the killer. For example, Freddy Kruegar, Leatherface, Chucky and Jigsaw.
• Troubled background that defines the character as a killer. The protagonist in the following films all have a troubled background which relates to the reason of killing: Friday the 13th, Halloween and Nightmare on Elm Street.
• Resurrection is a key theme, they always come back, and there is no defeating a protagonist in horror films. 
• The killing is usually based on moral judgements, sinners get killed. The killers tend to represent an extreme version of justice in a society that is losing its moral compass.
• Weapons of choice, relating to Burton's theory of icons are normal everyday objects and use of them suggests the maniacal aspects of the killers. They are sadistic, evil and unpredictable.
• Tend to be male which is suggestive of traditional hegemonic stereotypes. Example of these are, Michael Myers and Jason Voorhees.
 

INITIAL IDEA BASED ON OBSERVATIONS FOUND...

After researching into protagonists, I noted my initial thoughts throughout which I may use in my trailer.

Firstly, I plan to present my killer disguised by mask or deformed facial features as the connotation of this leaving isolation between killer and society does traumatise the audience in believing they are not socialised into societal norms and values leaving panic and tragedy towards their actions.

I may use an everyday object which adheres to killers being unpredictable which is a conventional feature which is mysterious and observant of society.

However, I want to challenge the idea of traditional stereotypes being presented and portray a modern society by using a female killer, rejecting hegemonic stereotypes.