Example Textual Analysis

Halloween (John Carpenter, 1978)

Halloween is a horror film which can be categorised in the slasher sub-genre. The film begins with black and white titles along with the image of a pumpkin to reflect the time of year in which the film is set. Halloween is associated with darkness and spookiness and is therefore an appropriate setting for a horror film. As the title continues, non-diegetic high pitched piano music plays which is combined with low and slow bass tones. This creates a sense of eeriness to encourage anticipation in the audience. The title finally reveals the setting as ‘Halloween night – 1963’. This again emphasises when the time is set and is supported by the non-diegetic sound of young children singing about trick or treat. This has significance as the film progresses as the killer is revealed to be a child. This is an interesting technique to create a sense of fear in the audience as children are expected to be innocent. Therefore, the audience will be more chilled by the concept of a child killer as they don’t appear to be menacing or threatening, ultimately suggesting that it could happen to them at any time.
The establishing shot reveals a white house which is isolated in the darkness. The lighting from inside the house suggests a sense of homeliness and safety from the potential dangers of the streets at night time. This is a recurring setting for slasher films as it creates fear in the audience as the home is often the place where we feel most safe. The silence used suggests that there will be no-one around when the anticipated murder happens. The establishing shot is revealed to be from the point of view of the killer as it tracks at a slow pace towards the house. Behind the glass panes of the front door a teenage couple are revealed to be kissing. This is a typical convention of the slasher genre as the characters reflect the intended audience. The film has an 18 certificate due to its inclusion of violence. Therefore it is intended to appeal to young people who are over the age of 18.
The camera doesn’t cut throughout the majority of the sequence as it continues to use a POV shot from the perspective of the killer. POV shots are a typical code of the slasher genre to keep the identity of the killer a mystery for the audience. It also helps to build tension through the use of dramatic irony because the audience know that characters will be killed in advance. However, the lack of cuts is an unusual technique but it is interesting as it slows down the pace of the killer’s approach, again building the viewer’s feeling of anxiety.
As the camera tracks around the side of the house, diegetic sounds of an owl and crickets emphasise the isolation of the house. The young couple are then revealed kissing on the sofa in POV long shot. As they leave the room the camera tracks back to the front of the house. The POV shot pans up to reveal the bedroom light going off and is emphasised by a sudden high pitched non-diegetic sound. This is effective in two ways; the non-diegetic sound would encourage the audience to jump as the sudden burst disrupts the silence. The light being turned off also suggests that the couple have gone to the room to have sex. Traditionally in slasher films, it is the young promiscuous people that die first. Therefore, the anticipation of a murder increases.
The camera tracks slowly into the house and low key lighting is used to build fear in the audience as it is difficult to see. As the killer reaches the kitchen, the light turns on and the POV shot reveals an arm opening a drawer and removing a knife in close up. The arm reveals that the killer has a green sleeve, the only indication of his appearance which will significant when he is later revealed.
Non-diegetic high pitched piano music plays as the camera tracks around the house. The sound is reminiscent of a heartbeat and reflects the feeling of fear and tension that the audience are intended to experience. As the camera pauses behind a doorway at the bottom of the staircase, the boyfriend is revealed walking down the stairs adjusting his t-shirt and leaves the house. This again highlights the promiscuous actions of the couple and emphasises the young girl’s vulnerability a she is now home alone. This use of voyeurism is also a typical convention of the slasher genre to reinforce the perspective of the killer and encourage dramatic irony.
The diegetic sound of a clock chiming begins as the killer slowly climbs the stairs. This is an interesting technique as it suggests a countdown to a murder. The POV shot continues as the killer bends to pick up a clown mask that is lying on the floor and puts it on. The POV shot only then reveals images through the eye holes of the mask. This restricts the audience’s view of the action and emphasises the killer’s perspective.
The camera tracks around to the girl’s bedroom. A sudden non-diegetic high pitched piano sound plays once again as the girl is revealed in medium long shot. She is objectified with her breasts exposed as she sits brushing her hair in front of a mirror. This combined with the camera panning to her unmade bed, finally confirms her lack of virginity and her imminent death for an audience who are familiar with this typical convention. This is an excellent use of genre as it works with the audience’s expectations to build a feeling of anxiety.
The camera tracks behind her to a medium close up. At this point she turns around and looks directly at the camera shouting the killer’s name, Michael. This reveals that she knows the killer and again creates fear in the audience that this could happen to them. Low bass non-diegetic music begins as the killer starts to attack the girl. Her hand covers her breasts and the camera pans to reveal the wielding knife in close up. Diegetic sounds of the knife stabbing her also confirm the attack for the viewer as the girl screams. This is effective as little violence is shown but the use of sound and imagery confirms the action for the audience. Her nudity is finally exposed for the audience in medium long shot as she lies dead on the floor.
The non-diegetic high pitched piano music returns as the POV of the killer tracks down the stairs and out of the house. A man and woman are revealed getting out of a car in long shot but the audience know that this form of safety is too late for the young girl. The man approaches the killer and moves forward to remove his mask a he says his name. Finally, the first cut of the sequence reveals a mid-shot of a young boy. He is wearing a clown costume with green sleeves and is holding a bloodied knife, ultimately confirming his position as the killer. This final shot of the sequence emphasises the child’s sinister actions and the audience’s horror that a child could be capable of such actions, again reinforcing that maybe this could happen to them.
Halloween is an excellent example of a slasher film as it includes a range of typical codes and conventions of the genre which have been used to increase the audience’s anticipation through their expectations. The sequence reveals the typical theme of promiscuous teenagers being punished for their actions with the use of isolation confirming their danger.
Through use of a linear narrative, the identity of the killer is revealed at the beginning of the film to increase the fears of the audience when he approaches innocent victims. Slasher films often use linear narratives to build up to the supposed demise of the killer. However, cliff hangers are often used, as is the case with Halloween, to allow for a sequel. I will endeavour to use a range of the codes and conventions that I have identified in this film to appeal to fans of the genre.

Filming Dates for the Short Film Project

For those of you who are incredibly organised and want to find your actors for filming now, you will be filming from Thurday 13th January until Friday 4th February.

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