Task 3 - Researching into Genres

Christian Metz explored the development of genre in his book 'Language and Cinema' (1974) and suggested that genres pass through four phrases of exisatnce.

• The experimental
• The classic
• The parody
• The deconstruction

By experimental we mean the phrase of early fims which explored and experimented with horror films in it's narratives.

Some examples of these type of genre phase include; 'Cabinet of Dr Caligari' and 'Nosferatu'.

 

By classic we mean the phase of films which established the narrative conventions of the horror genre in it's most successful and defining period.

Some examples of these types of genre phase include; 'Frankenstein' and 'Dracula'

By parody we mean films that have mimicked the horror genre in some comical way.

Some examples of these type of genre phase include; 'Abott and Costello meet Frankenstein', 'Carry On Screaming' and 'Scary Movie'

 

By deconstruction we mean films which have taken the generic elements of the horror genre and blended them into sub genres.

Some examples of this type of genre phase include; 'The sixth sense', 'Se7en', 'Blair with Project' and 'Scream'

Some British horror icons from the British Hammor Horror films are Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing. They are well known for being in the horror film 'Dracula'.