AS Film - 66.6 Rules of the Slasher Film

Following on from this classic scene from Scream are 66.6 rules for surviving a Slasher Film...or not...

1. Sex (drugs and alcohol) = DEATH

2.  Never say "I'll be right back..."

3. Never go to check on your friends…chances are they are dead already

4. If you are baby-sitting, never invite your boyfriend over

5. If you are female, never show your breasts

6. If you are female, never wear tight clothing

7. A combination of 4, 5 and 6 shows you are easy, lacking in any virtue and expendable

8. Stay a virgin – trust me, you will survive

9. Under no circumstances should you enter any dark place

10. Don’t answer the phone

11. Never go outside to investigate a strange noise

12. Never just stand there crying, mourning the loss of dead friends. RUN! You are next!

13. Never unmask the killer. This is guaranteed to really annoy him/her

14. If you wear glasses, invest in some contact lenses, otherwise you are always the first to go

15. Don’t hide in the wardrobe…that’s the first place the killer will look

16. When it seems you have killed the monster, never check to see if he/she is really dead. The killer will always come back for one last scare…normally shrieking out in a high-pitched scream…this should at least alert you that something is about to happen. Psycho killers rarely do anything quietly

17. Don’t go back into the house where a psychotic killer might be, even though you have just escaped from there. What are you, stupid or something?

18. Never walk backwards, you will either run into the killer or the dead body of a friend or loved

one

19. If you are home alone and hear a noise coming from another room or outside your window,

don’t assume it is the house settling or the wind

20. When something bad is chasing you, bear in mind that when you try and start your car, no matter how reliable the vehicle is normally, you’ll have to ignite the engine many times before it fires…

21. Actually check that you have your car keys with you in the first place

22. Do not search the basement or attic, especially when the power has gone out

23. If you are male, get out of there as fast as possible. There will ever only be one survivor…and it will be female

24. Don’t open any closed door, curtain, or window…or anything closed really

25. Never pick up the phone and call for help, chances are the line will be dead….as will you be at any moment

26. While we are on the subject, never leave home without a fully charged mobile phone that has full credit

27. Talking of which, if you answer the phone and hear heavy breathing at the other end, never assume it is your boyfriend playing a trick on you

28. If you are not the main character, suicide is a quicker and easier way out – and a lot less messy

29. No matter how fast you run from a psychotic killer, he will always get you, even if he is considerably slower than you are

30. If you are planning your next holiday avoid recently re-opened summer camps or log cabins in the middle of the forest. Stick to the Isle of Wight – much safer

31. Suspect everyone

32. When you have the benefit of numbers, never pair off or go off alone

33. If the young girls of the neighbourhood sing songs about the town bogeyman while jumping rope, consider moving…

34. However, make sure that nothing tragic or sinister has ever happened in your new home in the past, which is why it has been empty for so long and was ridiculously cheap

35. Always make sure that your friends are slower, weaker or dumber than you are

36. Never watch a horror film while you are in a horror film. You might give the psycho some new ideas of how to kill you

37. Falling asleep is generally a bad idea. Start panic buying extra strong coffee

38. If you are running from the killer, expect to trip up at least twice, more if you are female

39. In fact, something will trip you up even though there is nothing in front of you that could realistically trip you up

40. Sharp objects and soft skin do not go together

41. Personal hygiene must be put on hold until the killer is definitely finished off. Do not even think of having a bath or a shower. In fact, never step inside a bathroom. Okay, you will start to smell a bit, but no one is going to want to have sex with you – which might just save your life

42. Learn the art of listening and compromise – it is usually the loud-mouthed bitchy ones who can’t stop complaining who will end up dead, sooner or later

43. Consider doing a degree in urban legends. That way you will know every possible plot line and therefore keep you safe. However, do not take the degree at college or university. This is a fertile killing ground for psychos…one of whom is more than likely to be on your course

44. If, at some time in your past, you happened to sell your soul to the devil, dabbled with a ouija board, had your fortune told, or played a cruel and heartless prank on someone, then you are definitely screwed

45. If you are a member of the local police force, a private detective, a priest or a helpful passer-by, your life will be abruptly ended

46. Celebrate being a geek – you may be the eventual hero/heroine

47. However, if you are the geek who was tormented, bullied or ignored in the past, then you WILL have your bloody revenge

48. Be part of a happy, functional, regular family hiding no tragic or sinister past. If not, consider being adopted

49. Learn how to use a weapon properly. Learn how to keep hold of it, rather than dropping it in fright and allowing your would-be killer to use it against you

50. Make sure that all passengers in your car are the ones that you are meant to have. Always check the back seat

51. Running upstairs to the bedrooms or bathroom leaves you at a dead end and a messy death

52. Running downstairs to the cellar leaves you at a dead end and a messy death

53. You know where the front door is…USE IT!

54. Whimpering, whining or screaming tends to give away your hiding place

55. Be as ruthless and resourceful as the killer, but without the murderous tendencies. It would also help if you are a semi-attractive, virginal, teenage girl

56. Be vigilant of anyone wearing a mask of any description – and that includes going to fancy dress parties…

57. In fact, become a recluse and never socialise with any one

58. If you are cornered by the killer, engage him in conversation. Psychos simply love to talk, at length, as to why they are carrying out this murderous rampage. This may give you time to think of a cunning plan to get away. However, make sure that you are not naked at this point. In case you hadn’t already guessed, not being fully clothed is like signing your own death warrant

59. Don't ask stupid questions. If you find yourself having to say "Who's there?" or "Bob, is that you?" in a darkened environment, the chances are you really don't want to hang around for the answer

60. If you are about to finish school, college or university, then don’t bother going to the graduation party. No doubt you upset at least one person during your time there – the same person who has been plotting a grisly revenge. Stay at home and get them to post your results to you

61. Respect old people. If they tell you to stay away from somewhere, THEN DO IT! The reason they have lived to a good age is because THEY didn’t do what YOU are about to

62, Cats have a habit of jumping up and scaring you. When you realise it is just your beloved pet, you relax and breathe a sigh of relief, unaware that right behind you is a masked psychopath with a very large blade. Also, according to folklore, cats are in league with the Devil. Whichever way it is, Tiddles has to go!

63. Do not take an evening job delivering pizzas. For some reason psychopathic killers have an irrational dislike for anyone wearing an embarrassing corporate baseball cap while holding a twelve inch square cardboard box. Armed only with a ‘Meat Feast’ is simply no match for a chainsaw

64. If you hear the snapping of twigs when you are out for walk in the woods, do not assume it is cute, cuddly woodland creatures. It normally is the imminent sound of certain death

65. Trust no one

66. If you have followed all these rules, and you have survived, well done…sorry to be the one to break the news to you but…you WILL die in the sequel

Oh, and the .6? Well known fact that if you appear in the first ten minutes of the film you will have a one in six chance of either being the killer or being killed

Sweet dreams…

AS Film - past exam papers

FM2: British and American Film

 

Section A: Producers and Audiences

Section B: British Film Topics

British Film: Social-Political Study – ‘Living with Crime’

Section C: American Film – Comparative Study

Questions from Summer 2012


Questions from Winter 2012


Questions from Summer 2011


Questions from Winter 2011

AS Film - Postmodernism: slasher films referenced by 'Scream'

When asked about her favourite scary movies, Casey say's “The first Nightmare on Elm Street was good, but the rest sucked”…the director Wes Craven directed this film, but had nothing to do with the sequels.

Casey pull's off the killer's mask when being attacked, just as the character of Tina does to Freddy Kruger's face in A Nightmare On Elm Street.

When Casey's parents discover that something's wrong her father say's to her mother "Drive down to the Mackenzie's” just as Laurie Strode does in Halloween to Tommy and Lindsey.

Casey dies early in the film as Marion Crane did in Psycho, even though both Janet Leigh and Drew Barrymore were big stars.

The opening sequence where Casey is threatened on the phone by a psychotic killer is very similar to the 1979 slasher When a Stranger Calls.

When Casey is being tormented by the caller into answering the question of who was the killer in Halloween, the music heard is very similar to the familiar Halloween theme

Sidney’s boyfriend, Billy Loomis, who look's very similar like Johnny Depp, climbs into Sidney's bedroom window just like Johnny does with his girlfriend, Heather, in A Nightmare On Elm Street.

The song playing in the background when Billy is in Sidney’s bedroom is a cover of “Don't Fear the Reaper”. The original version of this song by Blue Oyster Cult was featured in Halloween as Laurie and Annie are driving through Haddonfield..

The surname Loomis was also used in both Halloween and Psycho – Sam Loomis is Marion’s boyfriend in Psycho and Dr Loomis is trying to capture Michael in Halloween.

Billy say's he was at home watching The Exorcist (the TV version with “all the good stuff cut out”) at the time of Casey’s murder. Linda Blair, who plays the possessed little girl in The Exorcist makes a cameo appearance as a news reporter.

Tatum wears a shirt with a #10 on it, very much like the one which Johnny Depp wears in A Nightmare on Elm Street

There is a false scare for Tatum in the garage where she is frightened by a cat. This is a familiar ‘scare device’ in many slasher/horror films

When Tatum confronts Ghost Face, she says “What is this? I Spit on Your Garage?” - a direct reference to the 1978 slasher I Spit on Your Grave

Tatum getting stuck in the cat flap is very similar to Annie getting stuck in the window of the wash room in Halloween

When Billy shows up at Stu’s party, Randy asks “What’s Leather Face doing here?” – a reference to the killer in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre

The attack on Sidney in the car is very similar to the attack on Annie in Halloween

Halloween is playing at the party as Randy is being stalked

Billy says “We all go a little mad sometimes” when it is revealed he is the co-killer - a direct line of dialogue from Psycho. He also refers to the fake blood as used in Carrie.

Stu is finally finished off by Sidney by pushing a TV on his head – a similar death occurs in A Nightmare on Elm Street where Freddie pushes a girl’s head through a TV set. It could also be a visual joke, as in being ‘killed by popular culture’.

A2 Film - Nine questions regarding the Emotional Response to 'Schindler's List'

These nine questions are designed to get you thinking about how you may have responded during the recent screening of Schindler's List.

Not everyone will respond in exactly the same way, and perhaps your own response may contrast markedly with others in the audience. Equally, you might respond exactly the same as others, depending on your 'take' of the film.

The film can cause wildly differing opinions and this is to be acknowledged within the framework of this particular unit. Many have found the film to be harrowing, sad, tragic and giving way to feelings of anger and helplessness, even guilt; others have found the film to be over-emotional, sentimental, and historically inaccurate. Some see it as Steven Spileberg's masterpiece, others have seen it as a 'Hollywood-ised' version of events.

So, in short, there are no right or wrong answers to these nine questions, but be prepared to back up your points, ideas and thoughts, regardless of your views on the film.

1. Did you feel ‘manipulated’ by the film at any time - such as use of emotional music, acting or visuals? Was this a positive or negative manipulation?

Give examples…

2. How much were you aware of the Holocaust and Oskar Schindler before watching the film? How might this have enhanced or changed your opinion?

3. Were there any particular sequences or moments in the film to which you had an emotional reaction?

Give examples…

4. Did you find anything negative about the presentation of the film? If so, what might this have been?

5. How might this film compare with any others you may have seen about the Holocaust?

6. How did you feel the German characters were represented in the narrative? Were there any specific examples of where this representation could be examined?

7. How far do you feel that Spielberg’s Jewish background helped or perhaps hindered the telling of Schindler’s story?

8. Consider the environment in which you saw the film – how might this have had an

impact on your response to the film?

9. How might the use of black and white film affect the way an audience may respond?

In the blog entry of 21st April there are a selection of sequences from the film…

Analyse at least five of them for cinematic technique – mise en scene,

cinematography, sound and editing – to see how they might impact emotionally