Halloween (John Carpenter, 1978)

1. How does the start exemplify a common technical code convention of the horror genre?

At the beginning of the film, low key lighting is featured within the house as it is dark outside. The point of view shot from the killers perspective allows the audience to create more of a sense of being involved in the scene however, this does result in restricted narration. As Michael walks upstairs we get a glimpse of the house and left feeling uneasy about what is to come next and within the next few minutes once Judith is killed, the audience sees the killer only to find out its a young boy. The music playing during this scene and throughout parts of the movie become parallel to the actions that the characters are enacting.

2. How does the setting fit with the horror genre?

The film is set in a suburban area which is familiar and corresponds to the day this was set which was Halloween night. The excitement of children trick or treating in the darkness on streets influences further in the horror genre. As well as this, a psychiatric institute plays a part in the idea of the killer being an unstable and mental patient. It is all quite clever and ironic how children on this particular night are having fun scaring other people only for it to bite back and happen for real to some teenagers not playing the part of dressing up but doing sexual acts.

3. What iconography of "innocence" do we hear or see early on?

As this movie was set on Halloween night, there are many things to suspect which makes it ironic. For example, costumes can be sinister and children wearing them and enjoying their time trick or treating can in fact look like they are playing the game almost. Throughout the movie, Laurie (protagonist) is known as a virgin and is seen dressed like an older women, sharing her innocence throughout the movie when we studies and dresses formally and doesn't like to get into any trouble.

4. What was the main industry impact of Halloween?

Halloween was a big hit when it was released becoming a trendsetter and it gained a lot of attention which resulted in enormous profit margins compared to other horror movies. It gave the industry courage to create more slasher movies and as this movie was cheap to make, it encouraged them more to look further into what more they could do. 

5. Name some "slasher" films which followed on from Halloween

-Friday The 13th

-Prom Night

-Terror Trains

-Bloody Valentine

6. What are the four plot rules of the "slasher" film sub-genre which Halloween began?

There are four rules of the slasher which are made to ensure religious suitability:

1. A traumatic event in the past creates a psychopathic killer

2. The killer returns to the site of the event, usually on a specific date in the present that allows the makers to use a calendar motif in the title

3. The killer stalks and graphically kills a group of obnoxious and stupid teens of both sexes, usually with some kind of blade often garden or farm implement.

4. A 'final girl' survives, usually boyish and often virginal, to thwart the killer, although he is never entirely vanquished

7. Give three ways in which Laurie is androgynous

There are many ways in which Laurie (the protagonist) is androgynous and corresponds to the plot rules of slasher movies. She has many masculine elements which show the character of a boyish virgin, this includes her having a deep voice and prominent jawline along with her other facial features. Additionally, she wears no makeup and her hair is frizzy and short, almost as though she has no intention of wanting to look good or to impress other people like boys which is what her friends do. As well as that, her clothes she wears are unflattering as they show none of her curves and are very formal. In one part of the movie, she is seen to have a slight crush on a boy at her school however when her friend (Annie) excitedly announces she has told the boy of Laurie's likeness of him, she immediately gets embarrassed and shows no thought and charisma in having a relationship. At the end of the film, when she is attacking the killer and her defense mechanisms start to show, her bravery and courage is reflecting in the moves and attacks she makes in order to save herself as well as the two children she is babysitting (Tommy and Lindsay).

8/9. What does the extract mean by "reactionary sexual agenda"? and How does the director, John Carpenter, counter the suggestion that Halloween had a reactionary sexual agenda?

The connection between sex and death is something many people see as to why the teenagers in the film have been killed. The worry in society for teenagers being too distracted by other things such as sex, beer and drugs can be the cause for why things happen. However, John Carpenter said "I did not mean to put an end to the sexual revolution!" as he also mentioned that Laurie has less on her mind compared to the other teenage characters which is why she is able to use that attention to fight back and defend herself. Nevertheless, this movie proves that sexualised victims are not all that the killer is interested in murdering as Laurie is a virgin and from the beginning does not stop the killer from wanting her dead.

10. Why does Mike Myers kill his sister?

In some cases, we can look at Micheal killing his sister as an act of jealousy or perhaps wild violent imagination influenced by factors such as video games or movies. Also as this murder was carried out on Halloween night, it symbolises the horror and fright that this night can really play if you don't join in with the traditions of dressing up and going out trick or treating like any other children or teenagers might do. However, these teenagers including his sister are more interested in sexual activities, drugs and alcohol- this kill could be seen as punishment for carrying out those acts and not being respectful of her body or this special night. On the other hand, Michael is seen to have misunderstood the scene of his sister and her boyfriend having sex and is seen imitating the act with his sharp knife which of course as we see later is the exact same scenario which happens to the other teenagers.