Halloween (John Carpenter, 1978)

Halloween (John Carpenter 1978)

1. How does the start exemplify a common technical code convention of the horror genre?
The film implies the normal convention of a horror genre through the music displayed a the start, the
creepy, dark, parallel music. This is common in horrors because it gives the film the basis of the spine tingling experience, people will expect a scene to happen with the darkening music that is presented. Also the long establishing shot gives us the sense of the area and where the horror scene is taking place in. The POV shot gives the audience an insight of the killer and his prey, these are typical of horror genres as it gives the audience a restrictive view  of the surroundings meaning the audience may not be able to hear what is behind them, reinforcing them to an on-edge feeling throughout the scene. This introduces the killer in a perspective way and gives an insight on the killers thoughts and actions.

2. How does the setting fit with the horror genre?
The setting is based upon a small town with a graveyard. This is a typical convention of a horror as it suggests a tight community in which people will be able to help the victims. The graveyard stereo- typically foreshadows death and unfortunate events. The large house implies that the area is wide for suspicions and that their is a large place to hide. The main character (Mike) has been placed into a psychiatric hospital seen as a threatening, the court case implies that Mike should stay their for the rest of his life, however from escaping he was able to create his evil streak. The film is set mostly at night, this gives the audience a daring setting which they are unaware of what is happening before them. Film is also placed upon the date of the Halloween period, this stereo typically is a time or horror and gore, usually people will expect an unfortunate event to occur. This could imply that it could happen to anybody at any point.

3. What iconography of 'innocence do we hear or see early on?
At the beginning of the film, the scene implies innocence through the sound of children sining 'trick or treat'. This is based as a catalyst for the Halloween theme and connotes innocence as children are oblivious of the danger that surrounds them. This may be because they are naive and unaware of the accounts of occurrences on the date of Halloween. Another act of innocence is Laurie, the protagonist is seen as a 'golden girl' her virginity enforces that she is not interested in anything interested in that aspect and her school work is her main priority. This is shown through her actions compared to her peers, many times through the film she is called a 'girl scout' this implies her innocence and portrays her ideas of escape when in danger.

4. What was the main industry impact of Halloween?
Halloween success sparked upon the profit after release. It was extremely cheap to make, this lead to the creation of many sequels of the film. People believed because after the success of the film, remakes would be cheap and easy to make large amounts of money. One of the reasons for the films success was that it didn't include big stars who would want excessive pay. The lack in gore content also meant special effects were limited, which cut the cost of the movie to a large amount.

5. Name some 'slasher' films which followed on from Halloween?
Some slasher films that followed from Halloween because of its huge success were; Friday the 13th (1979), Prom Night and Terror Train (1980), Bloody Valentine, Night School and The Burning (1981) and many more.

6. What are the four plot rules of the 'Slasher' film sub-genre which Halloween began?
Rule number 1; A traumatic event in the past creates the killer/antagonist
Rule number 2; The killer returns to the place of that event, this occurs usually on a specific date
Rule number 3; The killer stalks and eventually kills a group of teenager with a blade or weapon
Rule number 4; The 'final girl' survived who is (slightly boyish) and the killer turns out to never die

7. Give three ways in which Laurie is androgynous?
Laurie shows traits of the opposite gender throughout the film. This is instantly implied through her lack of makeup and dress sense. She tends to wear dull colours and her clothes are rather prudish and boy like. Laurie also talks deeply in comparison to her friends and the other girls within the film, her facial factors are also manly such as her defined jaw line and nose. Finally, she isn't interested in sex or boys, unlike her friends Lynda or Annie, who are the first to be targeted implying to the 'reactionary sexual agenda'.


8. What does the extract mean by 'a reactionary sexual agenda'?
A reactionary sexual agenda is when the virginal character (Laurie) survives, whilst those who are not, such as sexually active are killed. This links to the era in which the film was created, at this time people believed in monogamy and the occurrence of aids, this indicated that people who are not virginal should be punished for their actions.

9. How does the director, John Carpenter, counter the suggestion that Halloween had a reactionary sexual agenda?
John Carpenter said that his intention for all the sexually active characters to die, this is because they are distracted. Their lack of attention causes them to be unaware of their surroundings and the danger that occurs. Laurie however, the virginal character survived purely because she is aware of her surroundings, this is shown even at the start of the film when she is distracted by Michael Myers outside the school, she still gave the answer straight away. Throughout the film Michaels target is also been on Laurie however because of her awareness she is the character to survive.

10. Why does Mike Myers kill his sister?
Michael Myers intentions are never clear to us, many people however believe that Michaels actions are replications of the movements that would happen when people are having sex. However, this doesn't truly tell us why he decides to kill his own sister. The true indication of Michaels actions are given by Dr. Loom, he portrays Michael as 'pure evil' this links us to satanic films which was later made in the 80's. This implies that Michaels lack of morals causes him to feel no remorse for his actions, the reasoning for him still killing people 15 years after the death of his sister.