WGS 3010 Horror Film, TV and Video
We examine one of the most vibrant, unusual and enduring of media genres--horror. Questions always arise with screen horror: How are horror media made? How can we be afraid of something fictional? What is our "horror" like? What do we fear in horror and how does it relate to our dreams, our regular lives and society at large? And, if horror frightens and repulses us, why do we subject ourselves to it and like it so much? We broadly consider "genre" in terms of what characterizes one, from visual and aural elements, to typical stories, themes and cultural messages. We also see how genres change over time and what we can learn from generic and close interpretive readings of story and style. We also consider key horror filmmakers, stars and other artists, as well as what audiences--of any gender, race, class or sexuality, from fans to haters or censors--might take from horror. The range of media spans from classic supernatural Hollywood monsters to ghost stories, serial killers, "art horror," famous TV shows, international horror, teen slashers, recent horror, and various video formats (online, games).
LA