Blog Post #2 Common Character Types

  Common character types in the horror genre include the survivor, the comedian, an authority figure, the villain or scary character, and the bystanders or the victim's friends. All these characters add to the movie's narrative. The survivor or victim is typically the character who faces the villain and makes it out alive. This character adds suspense and wonder throughout the film. This character also highlights the extreme power the monster has over the situation. The villain or scary character creates the conflict in the film. The scary character presents fear and anxiety to viewers. The comedian is often a friend of the victim. Their comedic take on the situation creates a sense of relief for the audience. The authority figure is often a police officer or priest who try to control the situation. This often backfires for them due to the monster's higher power. The bystanders or friends of the victim are typically portrayed as safe places for the victims. They typically stand by their friend to make it out of the situation alive.  

    In my opening sequence, “Lost,” the villain appears to be a girl covered in blood. This character follows the victim/ survivor, Alyssa. The scary character creates suspense and provides conflict for Alyssa. Alyssa tries her best to get the character out of her head but is unsuccessful. This proves the idea that the victim highlights the monster's high power. The comedian is Alyssa's friend, Jenni. Jenni meets Alyssa at the park. Alyssa informs Jenni of what she has been seeing, and Jenni takes a comical approach to try and lighten Alyssa's mood. The common character types used within certain genres help to tell the narrative more clearly.