Day 13 : Halloween (1978) - Opening Scene + credits/ Critical Theory on the Representation of women

Halloween is a Horror movie of the slasher genre directed by John Carpenter. The story consists of a young boy named Mychael, who kills his sister resulting in him becoming institutionalized as a psychotic murderer. In the 2007 version which I talked about briefly before Mychael kills his whole family, which makes the original slightly different.

Here's an analysis I did on the opening scene and credits.

 Analyzing the opening credits made me realize that directors, put deep thought in what message they want to get across to their viewers. For example in Halloween the use of the pumpkin, reinforces the element of mischief and evil as the carved pumpkin looks as if it knows something we don't know.  Similarly in Psycho Hitchcock presented split lines, which makes the viewer curious to what it symbolizes. In my trailer I will have to plan every aspect including font to make sure it gets across a message and evokes a reaction from the audience.

Here's a diagram which presents critical analysis on Halloween but also slashers in general.

I agree that women have become more heroic compared to movies pre Halloween, however Horror movie heroines are still limited in terms of breaking the restrictions women have in the film industry. In terms of the looks and personalities they're presented with, they possess attributes which are somewhat masculine which almost implies for a women to be strong she must behave like a man as if a woman can't be strong.

Here's research I done for "The Final Girl" in terms of a definition, but also Laurie Strode from Halloween being the first final girl.

Overall Halloween is a perfect movie to gain inspiration from, as they've followed and subverted the norm in terms of using point of view angles and presenting "The Final Girl". In my trailer I hope to gain inspiration from Halloween depending on how it can relate to the story line and characters.