In what ways do genre code and conventions determine how particular characters are represented in the films we have studied?
For this task I will be scrutinising and analysing how genre conventions define particular characters within “The Decent and The Horror of Dracula.”
Firstly, the most obvious film that distinctively influences characters representation is “Horror Of Dracula” as it clearly portrays an in-difference of gender between males and females. This has been shown as females such as Lucy and Mina Holmwood are deemed inferior and to an extent sexualised through their actions and representation. Evidence of this has been displayed as they seem to be “tamed” as they only speak and abbreviate their opinions out loud once spoken to and therefore this indicates a level of control that males have of counter partners. In addition towards the beginning of the film the dominant male gendered characters such as Dracula subject the female characters to a position of object-ism as they are tossed across the fore room as an item showing the in-significance that women possessed in the late 1950s. Lastly, this particular film amplifies women as being inferior greater than modernised horror films as it has elements of traditional views such as “women should be house wife’s and should cater to her families and husband’s needs” as it was created in 1958; this particularly relates to Laura Maulvey’s Male Gaze theory as the film is perceived from a male prospective enhancing attributes of sexualism and inferiority; relating this to the film this has been represented as women are deemed incapable and weak to fend of Dracula and therefore to some extent need protection therefore increasing the credibility of males.
Firstly, the most obvious film that distinctively influences characters representation is “Horror Of Dracula” as it clearly portrays an in-difference of gender between males and females. This has been shown as females such as Lucy and Mina Holmwood are deemed inferior and to an extent sexualised through their actions and representation. Evidence of this has been displayed as they seem to be “tamed” as they only speak and abbreviate their opinions out loud once spoken to and therefore this indicates a level of control that males have of counter partners. In addition towards the beginning of the film the dominant male gendered characters such as Dracula subject the female characters to a position of object-ism as they are tossed across the fore room as an item showing the in-significance that women possessed in the late 1950s. Lastly, this particular film amplifies women as being inferior greater than modernised horror films as it has elements of traditional views such as “women should be house wife’s and should cater to her families and husband’s needs” as it was created in 1958; this particularly relates to Laura Maulvey’s Male Gaze theory as the film is perceived from a male prospective enhancing attributes of sexualism and inferiority; relating this to the film this has been represented as women are deemed incapable and weak to fend of Dracula and therefore to some extent need protection therefore increasing the credibility of males.
In relation to Horror of Dracula, The Decent also shares similar characteristics with a modernised twist. An example of this is the setting in which the film establishes the characters which is a murky and obscure cave. In regards to horror films this is a typical and iconic theme as it amplifies the distinction of darkness and fear to play with the audiences emotions. As like The Horror of Dracula this creates a sense of vulnerability and adds to the story of survival of the fittest. However, both of these films are horror films but The Decent manages to actually frighten the audience through the use of deranged villains and fast cuts of Rembrandt lighting showing snippets of the deformed “Crawlers”; this portrays a larger sense of danger as this particular film provides the audiences with more blood and disfigurement therefore creating a more severe narrative than The horror of Dracula.
In additions the way in which characters are represented can help establish the genre and create individuals as weak or strong. In many horror films there is a continuous element of good v evil and therefore this code has been portrayed in both of these particular films as The Decent connotes this by having the Crawlers as the evil villains and the good could be described as “Sarah”.
Most horror films all follow genre codes and conventions and the most obvious are;
Blonde girls are represented as weak and therefore are the first to die
The rule of 3 where situations happen in three
Usually based in a sub-urban location
Elements of good v evil
However both films use these conventions extremely differently as The horror of Dracula implements a more suttel approach and therefore evokes the characters deeper into the story and this is represented as there is minimal scenes of blood and violence in contrast to The Decent as this purely focuses on survival and therefore the characters are portrayed as strong and united as a team with elements of deceit. This was evident in The decent as we foreshadow that the leader of the pack “Juno” unlawfully had an affair with her best friends husband and this created a sense of revenge and anger with is also evident in The horror of Dracula once Arthur Holmwood seeks revenge on Dracula for attacking his wife and sister and therefore this shows typical conventions of a horror film.
In conclusion, I think that genre conventions play a key role in the way in which characters are represented as particular traits can establish the genre and give films the “horror” factor. By also establishing the correct location it enables the film to effectively display traditional horror themes, this has been clearly represented in The Decent as an underground cave system has been used and therefore is dark and gloomy which leaves the ideal setting to show horrific deformed villains.
