Source 3 Flashcards
(26 cards)
How do props contribute to the effectiveness of a horror film?
Props in horror films, like the Ouija board or chainsaw, serve as instruments of terror that are essential to the plot. Without these props, many iconic horror stories wouldn’t be as frightening or impactful.
Why are special effects makeup artists crucial in horror films?
Special effects makeup artists use prosthetics and fake blood to transform actors into terrifying monsters, adding realism to horrific scenes without relying on visual effects or editing.
What role does setting play in horror films?
Horror films often use isolated or confined locations, such as abandoned houses or forests, to create a tense atmosphere where the characters feel trapped and vulnerable, increasing the suspense.
How does acting in horror films differ from other genres?
Horror film acting often involves exaggerated facial expressions and body language to evoke fear, which helps the audience connect emotionally with the characters in extreme situations.
How does music influence a horror film’s emotional impact?
Dissonant sounds, sudden changes in pitch, and eerie whispers create tension and unease, while loud noises can startle the audience, heightening the emotional experience during scary moments.
How do filmmakers use sound design to manipulate fear?
Filmmakers utilize sound elements such as eerie music, loud noises, and sudden silences to evoke fear, triggering physiological responses like increased heart rate and muscle tension.
What are the benefits of fMRI studies in film production?
fMRI studies allow filmmakers to track brain activity and determine which scenes engage or disengage the viewer’s emotions, helping them fine-tune movies based on subconscious reactions.
How does horror trigger a physiological response in viewers?
Horror movies cause an increase in heart rate, blood pressure, and adrenaline due to fear, creating an adrenaline rush that makes viewers feel heightened arousal and tension.
Why do people enjoy watching horror films despite the fear they cause?
Horror films stimulate an adrenaline rush and provide a controlled environment where viewers can face fear and experience a cathartic release of tension once the film ends.
How can horror films lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?
Horror films can trigger PTSD-like symptoms, especially in vulnerable individuals, by evoking deep-seated fears that may manifest as anxiety, sleep disturbances, or recurring traumatic images.
What does Michael Grabowski explain about our initial reactions to horror films?
This quote emphasizes the primal, instinctive responses triggered by horror films, showing that our reactions often occur before our brains consciously process the fear.
“We jump and yell because a film bypasses our tranquilized state and taps into a primal instinct, which is to react immediately to protect ourselves and warn others — before taking time to process what scared us.” (page.40)
What is Abigail Marsh’s explanation of the initial brain reactions to fear in horror films?
Marsh’s quote highlights how automatic and primal our responses are, as the amygdala triggers immediate physical reactions before we have time to think.
“The signal travels to the amygdala—a region near the base of the brain. The amygdala fires a brain chemical called glutamate out into two regions of the brain… These reactions are so automatic because the signal is sent deep into the base of the brain to an area that we have little control over.” (page.41)
How does fMRI technology enhance filmmaking, according to Peter Katz?
This quote illustrates the role of neurocinematics in refining the storytelling process by measuring emotional engagement through real-time brain data.
“The filmmakers will be able to track precisely which sequences/scenes excite, emotionally engage or lose the viewer’s interest based on what regions of the brain are activated.” (page.45)
How does Alfred Hitchcock describe his control over audience emotions in filmmaking?
Hitchcock’s metaphor conveys the artificial manipulation of emotion in cinema, likening it to a composer orchestrating responses from an audience through carefully crafted visuals and sound.
“The audience is like a giant organ that you and I are playing, at one moment we play this note, and get this reaction, and then we play that chord and they react.” (page.42)
What does James Cameron say about the effects of 3D movies on the brain?
This quote connects to neurocinematics, showing how 3D films stimulate more brain activity and engagement compared to traditional 2D films, providing a more immersive experience.
“A functional-MRI study of brain activity would show that more neurons are actively engaged in processing a 3-D movie than the same film seen in 2-D.”(page.41)
How does Professor Michael J. Epstein describe the role of music in horror films?
This quote connects to sound design in horror films, showing how specific auditory techniques, such as dissonant chords and varying dynamics, are used to trigger emotional and physiological responses in the audience.
“Dissonant chord sounds (like a child’s cry) are widely played in horror films such as The Shining. These sounds immediately make the audience uncomfortable while the dynamics of loudness, speed, and pitch in horror movies also create tension” (page.31)
How do horror films use suspense to increase fear?
By strategically placing silence, darkness, and unpredictability, horror films build a sense of tension. The fear of the unknown, such as not knowing when a monster will appear, keeps the viewer constantly anxious and unsure of what’s next.
How does the use of props enhance the fear factor in horror films?
Props like chainsaws or cursed objects are more than tools for the plot; they represent symbolic threats that viewers recognize as dangerous, amplifying the fear through familiarity with their cultural associations.
Why are exaggerated acting techniques essential in horror films?
The heightened emotions in horror films demand exaggerated expressions to reflect the intensity of the character’s fear. This intensity makes the viewer’s experience more immersive, connecting their emotions with the character’s distress.
How does neurocinematics deepen our understanding of how films affect the brain?
Neurocinematics uses brain scans to identify which scenes activate specific brain regions, allowing filmmakers to optimize their content for maximum emotional engagement, enhancing the audience’s physiological and psychological response.
What makes horror films a powerful tool for exploring psychological responses?
Horror films connect directly with the primal fight-or-flight responses in our brains. By triggering automatic, fear-based reactions, these films provide an effective means of exploring survival instincts and human vulnerability.
How does sound design manipulate audience emotions in horror?
By using dissonant chords and sudden loud noises, sound design keeps viewers on edge, priming them for terrifying moments. This builds emotional tension, making the eventual scare more impactful.
What are the psychological effects of watching a scary movie on children?
Since children struggle to distinguish fantasy from reality, horror films can provoke long-term anxiety. The fear from the film may resurface in their daily lives, causing heightened stress and affecting their emotional well-being.
Why do some horror film actors develop PTSD?
The emotional and physical exhaustion of portraying distressing characters in intense scenes can cause actors to internalize the emotions, resulting in psychological symptoms similar to PTSD.
