Dissertation/Thesis/Final Paper Question
 

Do the Psychological Techniques Employed by Horror Filmmakers Have a Direct Relation to Societies Fears and Paranoia?

I'd be extremely interested in hearing everyones views on the subject and would of course give full credits and recognition to any opinions used in the final document - as horror fans you are all primary sources of information.

I'm very aware how vague that question might seem so below, please find my contents page which will hopefully make my train of thought clearer to you all.


Introduction
Identification of Subject
Research Methodology
Introduction of Subject

Chapter 1
The Conventions of Horror - A Nightmare on Elm St. vs. Alien
Commonplace Imagery
Enclosed Spaces
The Floating Camera
Concealment
The Story
The Screaming Victim
Subliminal Sexual Imagery
Social Themes

Chapter 2
Early Horror
Global Threat
The Cold War
Post War Paranoia

Chapter 3
Body Horror
Consumer Obsession
The Thing - Cancer/Disease
The Blob - Organic Disease
The Fly - Aids

Chapter 4
Zombies
Origins
Hallmarks
Of The Dead
Social and Political Undertones


I'm particularly interested in hearing peoples opinions about early horror and underlying themes regarding the cold war (The Day the Earth Stood Still) and Post-War (Invasion of the Body Snatchers).

However all views, thoughts and opinions on the question will be more than welcome.

I look forward to hearing from you,

Rick

no offense but this has been beaten to death already.
there is a ton of information readily available all over the internet that will reflect the same thing you'll hear here, but it'll probably be a little more elequent.

but for a short answer ..

of course.
it's a stupid fucking question when you think of it.
what technique would a horror film director use other than to play on our fears.
otherwise it would be a comedy.
and our fears are 'Societies Fears and Paranoia'.
We are society.

As far as the cold war red scare paranoia theme in the 50's sci-fi horrors ... it's all been said before. What could we possibly add to whats been said countless thousands of times before.

Not to mention that the vast majority of the people on Horror are too young to relate - and probably havent had exposure to these films anyway.

you posted this in at least 3 different places ...


that will bring the wrath of hell upon you via the other members.

I'll just sit here and watch.

Re: Dissertation/Thesis/Final Paper Question
 

You know you only have to post something one time.
Elf Fucking Newb

ditto.

Well first of all I apologise for posting the same message on different boards - I simply didn't know how specific each board is/was frequented by anyone - a simple mistake which can be deleted.

But to be fair it seems that I've stumbled on a group of elitists who are more than happy to sit content and search for definition within eachother to appease themselves.

I have no doubt about that but I'm choosing it as a case study and thats my choice.

Thanks - why are you bothering to reply with things like that? I was just asking for peoples thoughts and opinions.

I am gonna defend ya, although I will catch hell for it. This person is using a resource available on the Internet for research, specifically H.com.

IMHO, every generation has its classic Horror films. What most probably consider, “the classics”, are Nosferatu, The Cabinet of Dr. Calgari, Phantom of the Opera, “Lugosi’s” Dracula, James Whale’s Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein. Etc…etc. These films starred actors who are the Grandfathers/Mothers of Horror. They did, (both the film and actor) what a Horror film is intended to do shock, scare, and frighten it’s viewers. They also allowed people to compare the real/tangible horrors of real life with those imagined in their own psyche. Put a face on these monsters and terrors, in the early stages of film, allowing us all to realize that despite our differences were are very much the same.

These Horrors have evolved as have Society and it’s own Horror’s, invasion’s from space, nuclear holocaust, demonic/apocalyptic reign, serial killings and loss of innocence. Fear is just as strong an emotion as is love, or hate, and a lot more entertaining for me.

So there is my 2 cents.

I don't care if I "catch hell" for replying seriously to this guy's post...
so here goes.

Personally, I think that not only is there a direct relationship, but that the relationship "swings both ways" so to speak.
The fear of "foreign invaders" (i.e. aliens, Germans) had a direct impact on the genre filmmaking of the late 1940's and early 1950's. The fear of "commies" (i.e. pod people, etc) heavily influenced the genre filmmaking of the late 1950's and early 1960's. WWII, followed by the "cold war", followed by the Korean War, followed by the Cuban Missile Crisis, followed by the early stages of the Vietnam War, followed by the official end of the "flower child" era (as indicated by the Manson Family murders of Tate, Folger, et al), followed by the later years and end of the Vietnam War, etcetera, etcetera, ad nauseum...
Any of these events can be written on paper and picked at random out of a hat, and then directly associated with a film or films that perfectly encapsulates the nature of the widespread fear directly associated with that given event. Obviously, like others here have said, the issue has been beaten pretty severely...but IMHO not quite to death. This is an issue that will never actually die. If it were to die, then genre filmmaking at large would die with it. The goal, I think, is to try to stay one step ahead of those fears...or perhaps one step behind. Nowadays, to purposefully inject "social commentary" or reaction to "current events" into a horror film is not only "frowned upon", but it's looked upon as being (gasp) pretentious and manipulative.
There have been books written, posts posted, theses explored, and discussions aplenty had about this very issue...but only because the issue is always timely...always valid. So, to stand behind the position of "it's been said before" in this case just ain't valid...it's a cop out. People will always look for meaning in their favorite films, books, etc because it's part of human nature to do so. We search for reflections of our fears in the activities we take part in during our "off hours". That helps us deal with our fears.
Anyway, like others have said, "It's been said before"...
But that doesn't mean it's any less true now than it was during the cold war...

I would recommend reading the first half of Stephen King's book "Danse Macabre"...wherein King offers his perspective on this very issue (at length, I might add).
Good luck on your paper, and don't worry about the people who criticize your choice of subject matter. You might not bring anything new to the table in your paper, but you'll at the very least continue the fine tradition of talking about horror films from a relevant-to-society perspective. And that's the point of "horror movie forums", is it not?
Cheers...

I Plead The 5th

i cant wait to see the next question ..


'How does breathing improve the quality of your life ?'


My opinions are my thoughts.
No less valid than the ones of the people who wanted to respond.

thats the thing about forums ,, you just might get honesty back for an answer.

There are less obvious more interesting, origional avenues you could tackle.

I dont know why the other folks thought they would catch hell for answering - more power to them ..

If they feel the subject is fresh enough to interest them, have at 'er.


those were simply my views, thoughts and observations.