Objectives:
• Explore the psychological and emotional curiosity for and impact of horror art on individuals and society
• Analyze the unique aesthetic qualities of horror art.
• Understand and utilize some basic principles of film and television analysis.
Original Post:
The first article that I read in relation to the horror film genre is called “Horror Movies: Why People Love them” by Leslie Fink. To people who do not enjoy horror movies, it does not make sense to go to a theater and pay money just to be scared. Fink address why the horror film genre is so popular and why viewers continue to go next. The articles was written in November and states that after Halloween, so around this time, people want to continue the thrill and go see scary movies to get that feeling again. One of the most crucial reasons why viewers love horror films is for the pure suspense. This incorporates the objective of this unit, which is to learn about the ways in which sound is used. The different sounds used in horror films most definitely add to the suspense that keeps audiences coming back. She also brings attention to the fact that most scary movie viewers are male and from the ages of 15 to 45. This is most likely because they enjoy the elements that come along with going to these movies. They often get an adrenaline rush and enjoy the other emotions that they feel from the thrill. There is a sense of excitement from viewing scary situations yet being at a distance that you know it will not actually harm you. The article that we read for this assignment discusses very similar ideas. Carroll writes, “Many people do seek out horror fictions for the purpose of deriving pleasure from sights and descriptions that customarily repulse them” (Carroll 275).” If anyone were to see someone being murdered in real life, it would be a life-changing experience for the viewer. However, going to the movies allows us to see these acts and not feel the extremely terrifying repercussions. We enjoy going to these movies that heighten our senses and keep us on our toes. There is also a sort of comfort in the idea that these horrific scenes are not actually happening in the viewer’s life, but are still observable. I personally do not enjoy scary movies. I do not like to be scared and afterwards, I often have trouble sleeping because of the graphic images. I do see the appeal and I understand why people go see horror films, I just cannot relate.
The second article I read is called “Why Do People Enjoy Horror Movies? They Enjoy Being Scared” by Eduardo Andrade. This article also investigated why people spend money to be scared for two hours. One theory is that people want to feel the excitement that they get from horror films. The second theory is that viewers like the sense of relief that they get once the movie is over and there is a better outcome. Andrade also brought attention to the fact that audiences are able to feel unhappy and happy at the same time throughout the course of a scary movie. Carroll writes that when a horrifying event is produced in an aesthetically appealing way, “…the predominant feeling response, in terms of pleasure and interest, attaches to the presentation as a function of the overall, narrative structure” (Carroll 277). Viewers appreciate the events that are portrayed in horror films because they keep our interest and are displayed in a creative way. We are able to be scared without the events actually applying to our lives. There are many people who are simply disturbed by these events and do not see the appeal or enjoy the effects that come from watching a scary movie. I am one of these people. I enjoy getting adrenaline from activities other than being scared. However, the horror film industry is immensely successful and movies continue to make millions of dollars to scare their audiences.
Reflection:
Horror films are certainly not for everyone. Some people love the rush they experience, while others do not enjoy that sensation. I personally try to avoid watching scary movies and will only go with friends and if I like the storyline. Throughout this unit, I enjoyed learning about how important the sounds in scary movies are. Of course I know music and other sounds are crucial but I never fully understood their role. The build-up of the sound is probably the scariest and most intense aspect of horror films. This unit definitely allowed for me to analyze the characteristics of horror films and also why people like and dislike these movies.
In Carrols article, he states,” Furthermore, the horror genre gives every evidence of being pleasurable to its audience, but it does so by means of trafficking in the very sorts of things that cause disquiet, distress, and displeasure” (275). This quote does better explain why people do not always like the experience of watching a horror film. There are plenty of people who do not like the anxiety and discomfort of being in the audience of a scary movie.
Future:
In the future, I think I will be able to better appreciate scary movies because of their deep aesthetic content and not just the scared feeling. It also helps to know that when scared in a movie, I am probably better off covering my ears than my eyes. I can also better appreciate the adrenaline rush that comes with seeing a horror film.
Carroll, N. (2002). Why Horror?. In Neill, A. & Riley, A. (Eds.) Arguing About Art: Contemporary Philosophical Debates (2nd ed., pp. 275-294). New York, NY: Routledge.