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Have a look at this (student-made) presentation on the codes and conventions in the horror genre. Keep them in mind; we will see how many we can find in The Others. Make sure you have familiarised yourself with basic concepts in Genre and Narrative.

Task

There are several moments in the film where a character has to search for something in the house. Make your own version - you hear a noise in your home (or wherever) and you have to investigate.

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TIP - we learn through imitation. Choose an appropriate part of the film ( I suggest 33.50 - 35.30) and steal the shots, movements and edits. Literally do it shot-by-shot if you can.)

Further Viewing

Secrets of Cinema - Horror (be aware - this contains scary bits of scary films.)

Further Thinking

The horror genre has long been accused of sexism. (Wes Craven's Scream, itself an outstanding horror film, famously discusses "Some stupid killer stalking some big-breasted girl who can't act who is always running up the stairs when she should be running out the front door. It's insulting." The Others isn't really a good example of that but it does still rely on the basic model of a pretty female victim who is waiting for a man to come home and solve her problems.

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There is a growing movement of female and feminist horror film directors. One is Jennifer Kent, who made The Babadook. (Don't watch it. Its too scary.) It was based on an earlier short film (also quite scary) which she made called Monster. Have a look, if you dare, and consider the representation of women in it; consider how it is similar or different to The Others. Also - it is super-low-budget. What tricks and techniques can we steal?

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