Analysis of conventional characteristics of the protagonists which suggests their role and personality...
Freddy Krueger, protagonist of Nightmare on Elm St is exposed to us in an distorted way which questions the identity of the killer. The make up used has built on the idea of his skin being tormented which conveys him as almost alive from the dead, this adds mystery and defines the horror genre. This is fulfilled through the abstract/distorted facial features. The use of eye contact of Freddy Krueger defines the strong hold of no fear, which is emphasised through the body posture and desire to kill. Freddy Krueger is masked through makeup and costuming, this avoids revealing his identity as a killer to the audience, however it does not portray a physical mask which questions the security of the killer.
Leatherface, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, here the character has been presented through a physical mask which does not show the identity of the killer. This film has challenged this idea through using the mask which reveals the eyes and mouth of the killer, ironic facial features which express emotion, this allows the threat and hunger of the killer to remain. The mouth of this killer is predominantly open which fulfills this desire and almost spooks the audience. The language used of 'leatherface' enhances a strength which is unquestionable as viewers are familiar with the toughness of leather. This characterises his identity as tough, untouchable and a strong killer.
Jason Voorhees, Friday the 13th differs from Freddy Krueger and Leather Face, his characterises mask is question the identity of him as a killer. His mask is sculptural defining him as strong, green which conveys envy and jealousy with splatters of red evoking blood which defines his reason for killing. He is pictured in the film with a leather jacket echoing this toughness and desire. His posture tends to always be upright which allows insight into his meaning and interpretation towards the victims. The lighting used in the film always shines upon his face which challenges stereotypes towards the concept of light as a strong light is primarily seen as echoing something pure and almost good, this use of light could be warning and used as an almost threat.
Michael Myers, Halloween is similar to leather face as the mask is pure with simple cut outs for facial features. He is portrayed with an upright posture, wearing a long dark jacket, which fulfills this idea of hiding the killers identity. The use of costume in itself is mysterious as the killer is disguised by black which is evokes conventional stereotypes in its own matter. The props used is ironic for a horror genre, Michael Myers is captured with a knife, this relates back to Burtons theory of how icons are cruical in identifying a genre. A knife opens up images of murder and slaughter which symbolises Halloween.
Jigsaw, from Saw is an ironic image left in people's minds when horror is said. His characteristic plays on the idea of fears and the fear of clowns. His mask consists of white, red and black, all conveying mysterious meanings which leave enigma, for example the red suggests blood questioning whether he enjoys the killings. The deformed mask suggests his isolation from society, discovering the threat and mystery. The lightening is often used to bring out the whiteness, symbolising a ghost-like figure, adhering to a mysterious convention of horror.
Chucky, Child's play holds similar characteristics to those of Jigsaw. For this protagonist, they have played on the same idea of fears as an emotional hook. The language used for the protagonist alone suggests characteristics of a childlike murderer, suggesting innocence over vunerability. It plays on the saying of putting a gun in a babys hand but when we see the killer, questions open up. The mask is like a child's doll with red scraches of blood, which almost suggest the identity of the killer is breaking through yet still hidden.
Jason Voorhees, Friday the 13th differs from Freddy Krueger and Leather Face, his characterises mask is question the identity of him as a killer. His mask is sculptural defining him as strong, green which conveys envy and jealousy with splatters of red evoking blood which defines his reason for killing. He is pictured in the film with a leather jacket echoing this toughness and desire. His posture tends to always be upright which allows insight into his meaning and interpretation towards the victims. The lighting used in the film always shines upon his face which challenges stereotypes towards the concept of light as a strong light is primarily seen as echoing something pure and almost good, this use of light could be warning and used as an almost threat.
Michael Myers, Halloween is similar to leather face as the mask is pure with simple cut outs for facial features. He is portrayed with an upright posture, wearing a long dark jacket, which fulfills this idea of hiding the killers identity. The use of costume in itself is mysterious as the killer is disguised by black which is evokes conventional stereotypes in its own matter. The props used is ironic for a horror genre, Michael Myers is captured with a knife, this relates back to Burtons theory of how icons are cruical in identifying a genre. A knife opens up images of murder and slaughter which symbolises Halloween.
Jigsaw, from Saw is an ironic image left in people's minds when horror is said. His characteristic plays on the idea of fears and the fear of clowns. His mask consists of white, red and black, all conveying mysterious meanings which leave enigma, for example the red suggests blood questioning whether he enjoys the killings. The deformed mask suggests his isolation from society, discovering the threat and mystery. The lightening is often used to bring out the whiteness, symbolising a ghost-like figure, adhering to a mysterious convention of horror.
Chucky, Child's play holds similar characteristics to those of Jigsaw. For this protagonist, they have played on the same idea of fears as an emotional hook. The language used for the protagonist alone suggests characteristics of a childlike murderer, suggesting innocence over vunerability. It plays on the saying of putting a gun in a babys hand but when we see the killer, questions open up. The mask is like a child's doll with red scraches of blood, which almost suggest the identity of the killer is breaking through yet still hidden.
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