History of film

1894 – The first moving pictures were screened to audiences. They were short and featured events that were actually happening (known as ‘actualities’) for example sneezing. I don’t believe this would have relevance to the horror genre as horror isn’t generally an actual thing that happens.

1900’s – Films became longer and began to tell stories. However they were silent with onscreen text. I think this would link into the horror genre as the film needs to be long also silence can sometimes be more effective with building tension.

1927 – The first talking film the jazz singer was released, changing film production thereafter. This would be significant with horror as talking would be needed to helping the understanding of the film for example streaming words to show how the character is effected to help the audience react in the correct way (narrative is explained better).

1930’s – the first film to use Technicolor were produces. I don’t necessarily believe that the horror needs colour as black and white could be more affective. However these colours were very plain and bland so could be used within a horror film.

1977 – The first film to use surround soundwas released. This would be suitable for horror films as it would help have a wider effect on the audience as they would think they were in the film and would feel more jumpy and scared as this allows them to hear sounds from behind them.

1982 – the first film to use CGI (computer-generated imagery). This would definitely be suitable for a horror film as things that don’t necessarily exist in real life like floating dolls or ghosts of women may need to be created and this would allow it to happen.

1999 – The first film to be filmed mostly using digital cameras , which mean digital editing was also used . I believe this is most significant as it would allow it to have the greatest effect on the audience as it makes it more realistic.

2001 – More development in film, making them increasingly realistic.

-          IMAX 3D screens made film viewing a virtual reality experience.

This would increase the effect on the audience massively as it would make them feel more as if they were in the film itself being in the same surroundings as the characters.

2008 – The first film to use IMAX technology in the shooting of the film.

21^st century – Peter Jackson used break through CGI technology called motion- capture animation to create the realistic character Gollum. For lord of the rings trilogy

He did this by placing sensors on the actor Andy Serkin and recording his movements onto a computer generated character. This would be extremely significant in created a horror film as a character of any more could be created from a scary doll to some sort of monster.