Choose ONE convention across at least TWO movies. Describe how this convention is used in this film. Use specific examples (textual evidence: techniques, details) and refer to your notes as necessary.
Masked stalker/killer
Scream - directed by Wes Craven 1996
Ghostface - the killer, wears a costume of a black robe and the famous white mask. The mask was based on the painting "The Scream" by Edvard Munch in 1893 which was then created and designed by "Fun World" as a Halloween costume before being discovered by Wes Craven for the film.
Ghostface is an unknown character throughout the film who stealthily kills multiple people and uses a voice changer to make his voice sound creepy and spine-chilling. He stalks the main character, Sidney Prescott by calling her on the phone to intimidate and terrorize her. No one knows who the killer is as it could be anyone behind the mask, and this creates a growing tension throughout as to who it could be. As the film progresses we eventually find out there are two people behind the mask of "Ghostface" who are a lot closer to Sidney than one would think.
Halloween - directed by John Carpenter.
Michael Myers ("The Shape") - The masked killer in Halloween is different to the one in scream in that he sneakily hangs around the neighbourhood following his victims and scaring them with his alarmingly intimidating presence. The film takes place in his home town where he grew up and he lives in his childhood house which is supposedly 'haunted' because it is where he killed his sister when he was a child. He wears a mask which looks like a white face, and intimidates the main character, Laurie who has no idea who he is but she knows he is a threat. She sees him often, following her and stalking her wherever she goes but her friends don't believe her. He doesn't talk at all throughout the movie which increases the tension of who he is and what threat he has on everyone. The main events of the film take place on the night of October 31st - Halloween night. Myers blends in well with the rest of the neighbourhood who have dressed up to go trick-or-treating because his mask looks similar to what other people are wearing.
2. Explain
Discuss why this convention was used in this way in these two films.
The convention was used in both films to create an uncertainty of who the killer really is and whether they are a major threat. It increases tension by not revealing who they are, especially in scream when the killer could have been any of the characters.
How does it link to the film as a whole?
Having a mask on the killer links to the theme of fear of the unknown in the film and what will be the eventual fate of the main characters.
If there was no masked killer/stalker there wouldn't be much of a story within the film.
Scream - The mask of "ghostface" links to his unknown voice on the phone which conforms with his disguise.
Halloween - Michael Myers links to the name of the film itself - "Halloween" in that he is a monster and comes out on Halloween night. His mask fits in with everyone around the streets and no one questions who he is because he fits in and this affirms the theme of the unknown in the film.
How does it develop an idea within the film?
Having a masked killer in both films develops the idea of fear of the unknown. The unknown possibility of whether it is your friends turning against you (as in Scream) or whether the the person is a real threat or not (Halloween).
Using a masked stalker allows the audience to be able to view the killer during the attacks and not know who it is. Whereas in a film such as Psycho by Wes Craven, we never see the killer during attacks because he doesn't wear a mask, so it would reveal his identity.
How does it reveal an attitude or point of view of the director?
The directors' intention in both films is to scare the viewers which is executed successfully using the masked stalker/killer.
What was the audience response to the way this convention was used?
Halloween - it makes the audience question whether the next time they go trick-or-treating there will be a killer disguised as a normal person amongst the normal people disguised as killers. Or, when they are just at home it could make them paranoid there could be a creepy person outside watching in on them. It increases the tension and suspense within the audience.
Scream - It makes the audience question their trust of their own friends as to whether they are secretly a crazy killer or not. Also, by following the rules of horror, Scream can influence youth society to not drink, take drugs or partake in sexual activities because they could believe they will be victims of a killer.
What was the audience's expectations? Why?
Halloween - Although Michael Myers is revealed as the killer at the beginning of the film the audience don't know what to expect from him because he doesn't talk and has no motive to kill anyone, he is just crazy. At the end of the film the audience expect to see Michael Myers dead on the ground outside the house, but to their dismay he has once again vanished and is out on the loose to kill. This also adds to the unnerving effect the film has on the audience.
Scream - The film initially sets up the audience to believe the killer is Sidney's father as he is supposedly away for the weekend on "a business trip" when he has actually been taken hostage by the killers. The audience also only believe there could be one killer because they use one identity/costume/mask to kill. After Billy (Sidneys boyfriend) is let out of jail after being a suspect we believe it can't be him anymore as he has been proven to be innocent. In the end the audiences' expectations are proven to be wrong when Billy is revealed as one of two killers.
How did the way this convention was used conform or depart from tradition?
Halloween - It conformed with the tradition of having an unknown killer but departs from it in that he looks normal and fits in due to the time of year in which it all takes place - Halloween. If it had taken place during any other time throughout the year he would stand out as being a bit unusual.
Scream - It conformed with the tradition of having an unknown killer but again, departs from it in that there are two people behind the mask and one is the main character's boyfriend.
3. Analyse
Discuss the impact, change and implications of the way this convention was used in these films.
Scream - it could have been anyone, no one knew which created implications amongst the town because everyone is a suspect.
Halloween - Michael Myers had a huge impact on the main character who he was stalking, Laurie, because she kept seeing him but didn't have a clue as to who he was.
How effective was this convention?
Scream - Very effective as no one can figure out who it is - they suspect billy but release him and then it actually is him in the end.
Hallowen - Again, very effective, because he did not stand out amongst the neighborhood during the time it was set which resulted in him being perceived as no threat.
How did it add to the commercial success of the film (or not)?
The Ghostface mask in Scream resulted in a large amount of commercial succes for the film. It has become an icon today, of which everyone recognises as the Scream costume. The makers of the film have made a lot of money out of selling the masked killer face and costume - still do now.
What happened after and before this film was made that is relevant to the way this convention was used?
Scream - Before - "The Scream" painting by Edvard Munch in 1893 was the influence for the mask of "Ghostface"
After - The mask and cape of "Ghostface" are now recognized as a scary costume and often worn by children during Halloween.
Halloween - Before - Masks were worn for Halloween by children who went trick-or-treating and this influenced the mask for Michael Myers.
After - As in Scream, the costume of Michael Myers are now recognized as a scary costume and often worn by children during Halloween.
Why has the convention changed (or not) in the two (or more) films you are discussing?
The masked stalker has changed and developed from Halloween to Scream to become increasingly scarier. It adds another dimension from just being another person as the killer in Halloween to almost a creature - "Ghostface" in Scream.
What are the possible effects on society of watching these films-- why?
The possible effects on society are mistrust of their friends or family or even themselves as to whether they are killers or just imagining things. It could result in people being more aware of who is looking at them and following them.
