Comparing Scream (1996) and Halloween (1978)
In this essay I will be comparing the film Halloween (1978)
directed by John Carpenter and Scream (1996) directed by Wes Craven and how the
horror genre was fading after the release of Halloween. For example, the
generic conventions of horror used in Halloween were copied within various
other Horror films this led to the narrative and plot within horror films
becoming too repetitive and predictable. The unrealistic nature of horror was
also present within Halloween as it did not relate to real life e.g. parents
were always absent from the narrative within Halloween. This differs from
Scream as parents make a reoccurring appearance e.g. Kasey’s parents within the
opening scene and Sydney’s Father. The absence of parents within Halloween allowed
the violence on behalf of the killer to be without consequence also. E.g. the
murders may have been stopped sooner if parents had been around. Both Scream
and Halloween are independent slasher films e.g. the antagonists both wear
masks and use knives. However, the violence within Halloween was done without
good reason and therefore added hardly anything to the narrative of the film. The target audience for
both films seems to come to an average of 16+ and would aim to target audiences
who enjoy the adrenaline and fear which comes with horror films. However,
Halloween being set in the 70’s and Scream being a more modern horror film, suggests the directors/producers would aim to appeal to the teenagers of their times e.g. by including modern fashion and technology.
Wes Craven, the director of Scream was eager to change the dated conventions consistently used in previous existing horror films. He achieved this by avoiding ordinary conventions and features which made up horror films. The non-existent use of a Steadicam throughout the narrative and less voyeurism enables audiences to see through the perspective of the victims and the killers, allowing audiences to receive the point of view of both. This therefore creates a more sympathetic view towards the victims from audiences and has a greater effect of immersing audiences within the narrative. Fast moving camerawork and editing was used instead of the constant voyeuristic stalking in Halloween showing the difference in technology used between the two films and budget also.
There is a constant use of pastiche within Scream as the characters make constant references to Halloween and the generic conventions of Horror. E.g. the character of Randy refers to Jamie Lee Curtis, the protagonist within Halloween and the ‘rules’ within horror films. The budgets within the films vary also as Halloween had a small budget of 300,000 whereas Scream had a budget of 15 million and therefore enabled them to use a greater amount of technology then within Halloween. The use of stars was also influenced by this as Drew Barrymore (Kasey), Courtney Cox (Gayle) and Neve Campbell (Sydney) were present within the film. The poster for the film included these stars also. However, Drew Barrymore was one of the first victims within the narrative to die, this being unusual for a big name star to die so early in the film.
Scream used atmospheric music and also varying tunes for different scenes. This music was also carefully timed and constructed in synchronisation with the action within the narrative leading to the build-up of tension within audiences and expectations for what’s to come. Scream countered the sexist view towards women within Horror films e.g. within Halloween the females were highly sexualised and reinforced the use of the male gaze within films. These females were also powerless towards the antagonist but within Scream the victims are shown to fight back, this defeats existing stereotypes as usually it is only the final girl who challenges the killer. The antagonists again differ from Halloween as there are two of them and they are shown to be ordinary boys and not inhuman as Michael Myers is in Halloween e.g. constantly surviving his death. This presents more of equality between the fighting between victims and killer(s) as victims have more of a chance to inflict injuries on the killers and is therefore a drastic change to the typical conventions within Halloween and following Horror films.
Wes Craven, the director of Scream was eager to change the dated conventions consistently used in previous existing horror films. He achieved this by avoiding ordinary conventions and features which made up horror films. The non-existent use of a Steadicam throughout the narrative and less voyeurism enables audiences to see through the perspective of the victims and the killers, allowing audiences to receive the point of view of both. This therefore creates a more sympathetic view towards the victims from audiences and has a greater effect of immersing audiences within the narrative. Fast moving camerawork and editing was used instead of the constant voyeuristic stalking in Halloween showing the difference in technology used between the two films and budget also.
There is a constant use of pastiche within Scream as the characters make constant references to Halloween and the generic conventions of Horror. E.g. the character of Randy refers to Jamie Lee Curtis, the protagonist within Halloween and the ‘rules’ within horror films. The budgets within the films vary also as Halloween had a small budget of 300,000 whereas Scream had a budget of 15 million and therefore enabled them to use a greater amount of technology then within Halloween. The use of stars was also influenced by this as Drew Barrymore (Kasey), Courtney Cox (Gayle) and Neve Campbell (Sydney) were present within the film. The poster for the film included these stars also. However, Drew Barrymore was one of the first victims within the narrative to die, this being unusual for a big name star to die so early in the film.
Scream used atmospheric music and also varying tunes for different scenes. This music was also carefully timed and constructed in synchronisation with the action within the narrative leading to the build-up of tension within audiences and expectations for what’s to come. Scream countered the sexist view towards women within Horror films e.g. within Halloween the females were highly sexualised and reinforced the use of the male gaze within films. These females were also powerless towards the antagonist but within Scream the victims are shown to fight back, this defeats existing stereotypes as usually it is only the final girl who challenges the killer. The antagonists again differ from Halloween as there are two of them and they are shown to be ordinary boys and not inhuman as Michael Myers is in Halloween e.g. constantly surviving his death. This presents more of equality between the fighting between victims and killer(s) as victims have more of a chance to inflict injuries on the killers and is therefore a drastic change to the typical conventions within Halloween and following Horror films.
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