Night of the Living Dead, released in 1968, directed by Gorge A. Romero and Carnival of Souls, released in 1962, directed by Herk Harvey, are two popular movies in the horror genre. Both low budget and filmed in black and white, captivated audiences with their filming techniques and psychological impact. Night of the Living Dead better represents the horror genre than Carnival of Souls because of its use of characteristics, stereotypes and technical components throughout the film. A typical movie that is categorized in the horror genre follows a set of general characteristics. These characteristics play strong roles in both films. The first characteristic being a horror movie has a psychological impact on the viewers. In the Night of
…show more content…
Here these elements can either hurt or enhances one’s experience as well as give clues to what genre the movie will be. In Night of the Living Dead, the beginning of the film is level and a straight shot of both the girl and her brother. It is when the first zombie attacks at about six minutes and 40 seconds through 10 minutes and 15 seconds the audience sees the first variation of camera angles. In this attack the whole scene is tilted to the side and jump cuts between the characters fight and the girls face which shows panic. As the plot progresses and she is running the image is also tilted, until an establishing shot of the farm house appears. This establishing shot shows the open spaces and seclusion of the house, leading to the fact that no one will be around to help. Another powerful shot in film happens at about one hour and eight minutes, here the black man and the young man are trying to fill the truck up with gas while being surrounded by the zombies. The director uses jump cut shots between both men, the zombies, and other characters in the house. During the jump cuts multiple angles were used including a low angle to show the power of the zombie when they are attacking. This collage of shots build the suspense of the viewer keeping them on the edge of their seat. In Carnival of Souls the director uses a subtle approach with his camera angles. Through out the movie most of the shots are centered and balanced. At 11 minutes and 22 seconds the picture is tilted as the viewer watches her leave town. Again, at one hour and 19 minutes the director chooses a low camera angle peering up at the girls face while she is dancing with death. Showing her face from the low point of view the audience feels as though they are spinning around with her. As the girl is dancing with death the camera jump cuts to other dead faces, and the dead dancing
Here these elements can either hurt or enhances one’s experience as well as give clues to what genre the movie will be. In Night of the Living Dead, the beginning of the film is level and a straight shot of both the girl and her brother. It is when the first zombie attacks at about six minutes and 40 seconds through 10 minutes and 15 seconds the audience sees the first variation of camera angles. In this attack the whole scene is tilted to the side and jump cuts between the characters fight and the girls face which shows panic. As the plot progresses and she is running the image is also tilted, until an establishing shot of the farm house appears. This establishing shot shows the open spaces and seclusion of the house, leading to the fact that no one will be around to help. Another powerful shot in film happens at about one hour and eight minutes, here the black man and the young man are trying to fill the truck up with gas while being surrounded by the zombies. The director uses jump cut shots between both men, the zombies, and other characters in the house. During the jump cuts multiple angles were used including a low angle to show the power of the zombie when they are attacking. This collage of shots build the suspense of the viewer keeping them on the edge of their seat. In Carnival of Souls the director uses a subtle approach with his camera angles. Through out the movie most of the shots are centered and balanced. At 11 minutes and 22 seconds the picture is tilted as the viewer watches her leave town. Again, at one hour and 19 minutes the director chooses a low camera angle peering up at the girls face while she is dancing with death. Showing her face from the low point of view the audience feels as though they are spinning around with her. As the girl is dancing with death the camera jump cuts to other dead faces, and the dead dancing