Film inspiration:

Film Inspiration:

 

 

Film links based upon circus theme:

 

Both films looked at, are produced by musician, screen writer and film producer 'Rob Zombie'.

 

House of 1000 corpses:

 

Previously watching this film, I viewed one of the characters played by Sid Haig to be appropriate to play the villains role. The movies is a slasher/horror and based upon a circus/carnival theme.

 

The film was released in 2003, and is an 'American exploitation horror film'. Being written, co-scored and even directed by Rob Zombie. The films includes numerous carnival themes such as a clown/ringmaster.

 

Within the film novelty typical circus items are used, the humorous value to this also adds to the sinister feel of this film. How funny animals masks, hats, toys are used. Normally innocent items, but added in with such horrific scenes, creates a very dark feel. As a group we decided to use this as inspiration, purchasing childhood items such as a jack in the box.

 

The film also uses a lot of naturalistic noises along with the non diegetic soundtrack, such as eerie creepy laughter, adding to the realism and also giving the scene a very twisted ominous feel.

 

Plot (IMDb):
 

'Jerry, Bill, Mary, and Denise are two couples out on the road in hopes of writing a book on offbeat roadside attractions. When the four meet Captain Spaulding, they learn of the legend of Dr. Satan. When the four take off in search of finding the tree that Dr. Satan was hung from, they pick up hitchhiker Baby. When their car breaks down, Baby invites them into her house. This is where the two couples meet the Firefly family, a murderous clan of bizarre people. As the family attacks the unsuspecting couples, Jerry and his friends try to survive the house of 1000 corpses and it's dark secrets.'

 

The trailer:

 

 

 

 

 

31: (2016)

'31' is an American horror film which is again written and directed by Rob Zombie. It features similar dark carnival themes to 'House of 1000 corpses' and even includes many of the same actors.  The film was released in 2016.



Alike 'House of 1000 corpses', '31' includes a lot of interesting uses of the carnival/clown film within it, acting as good inspiration for our piece. For example, the use of distressed and worn realistic clown makeup and masks is very effective. It looks more realistic and adds to a very peculiar, dark feel. Alike 'House of 1000 corpses' natural noises, of laughs are included with the music, adding to a sense of realism. There is also a very effective use of blood and gore, mixed with the dark setting it stands out well and looks very effective on camera.

Plot (IMDb):

 

'On Halloween 1976 8 carnies are traveling in their van through the desert on their way to their next gig. After having a bit of fun hanging out in the van, they stop for gas. They have a few creepy encounters at the gas station and head back on the road. During the night they find the road blocked by scarecrows, as they investigate they're attacked, while some are murdered the rest are kidnapped. They awake chained up in a fancy room where 3 aristocratically dressed people tell them they have been chosen to participate in their annual game of 31. They must attempt to survive 12 hours in an underground labyrinth like factory compound known as Murderworld. The 5 carnies each armed with a weapon try to kill to stay alive while they are being hunted by clown like killers known as the Heads. Sick-Head, Psycho-Head, Schizo-Head, Sex-Head, Death-Head and Doom-Head. The 3 people running the game bet on who will survive the longest because no one has ever survived. The prize for surviving is their freedom.'

 

Trailer:

 

 

Conclusion:

Regarding relevance to our theme both films portray the horror side of a circus theme. Making them good methods of gaining inspiration for concept, genre application, mise en scene, sound and makeup etc.