MY FILM...
The FH label still seems to come across as obscure and under-recognised, possibly down to there being “frequently an indefinable ‘certain something’ that makes a work appear more or less folk horror” (Paciorek, 2018). All of the three Sci-Fi films I mentioned above are set in the modern day (respective of the eras in which they were made). I struggle to find examples of period pieces in FH, ie. those set before the industrial revolution, which feature extraterrestrial elements to their plot. With this in mind I hope to help define what FH is to those not aware, while expanding upon the genre for those who are.
Through my project I wish to concentrate on developing my script-writing skills and demonstrate an improvement in how I handle producing and directing my own ideas into more satisfying visual narratives. I aim to refine my knowledge in lighting and camerawork to compose scenes that are both story-driven and accomplished in creating different atmospheres that accentuate the contrasting styles of genres I am drawing upon. Ultimately I would like to showcase my commitment and desire to (with the help of others!) tell a traditional narrative through film, recognisable by its characteristics as being my work yet with surprising elements.
Quatermass and the Pit (dir. by Roy Ward Baker, 1967)
The Thing (dir. by John Carpenter, 1982)
The Tommyknockers (dir. by John Power, 1993)
The Sermon (dir. by Dean Puckett, 2018)
The Blood on Satan's Claw (dir. by Piers Haggard, 1971)
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References;
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The Blood on Satan’s Claw., (1971). [film] Directed by Haggard, P., UK: Tigon British Film Productions.
Paciorek, A., (2018) Folk Horror Revival: Field Studies, 2nd ed. Durham UK: Wyrd Harvest Press. p.18
Quatermass and the Pit., (1967). [film] Directed by Baker, R. W., UK: Hammer Film Productions.
The Sermon., (2018). [short film] Directed by Puckett, D., UK: Grasp the Nettle Films.
The Thing., (1982). [film] Directed by Carpenter, J., US: Universal Pictures.
The Tommyknockers., (1993). [TV miniseries] Directed by Power, J., US: American Broadcasting Company.
The VVitch., (2015). [film] Directed by Eggers, R., US: A24
The Wicker Man., (1973). [film] Directed by Hardy, R., UK: British Lion Films.
I have been heavily affected over the years by Folk Horror films such as The Wicker Man (1973), The Blood On Satan’s Claw (1971) and The VVitch (2015), the recent work of independent Devonshire director Dean Puckett and the uncanny draw of the English countryside. There are a handful of Sci-Fi Horror films I love that facilitate the idea of an artefact (usually a ship of some kind) buried unnoticed beneath the earth for an indefinite period of time. These include Hammer Studio's Quatermass and the Pit (1967), John Carpenter’s The Thing (1982), and the serialised TV adaption of The Tommyknockers (1993).
The Deadly Earth is intended to combine elements of Science Fiction with Folk Horror (FH) to explore themes of hopelessness and transcendence against a 17th Century rural England background. Playing on the classic Folk Horror trope of an ancient power unearthed, I aim to make a film which is fun and unexpected but ultimately serious in its look into oppression, hardship and the human condition. I also hope to utilise music where the film’s score will emphasise the jarring aspect of the past and future inhabiting the same space to bring attention to those things that could be considered either archaic or technologically advanced.
'Two teenagers discover a strange object which, upon returning home, alters the behaviour of those around them. Persecution and trauma prevail following the artefact’s displacement, the restoral of which is linked to the children’s desire to escape from their life of drudgery-turned chaos'...
MY FILM...
Quatermass and the Pit (dir. by Roy Ward Baker, 1967)
The Thing (dir. by John Carpenter, 1982)
'Two teenagers discover a strange object which, upon returning home, alters the behaviour of those around them. Persecution and trauma prevail following the artefact’s displacement, the restoral of which is linked to the children’s desire to escape from their life of drudgery-turned chaos'...
The Deadly Earth is intended to combine elements of Science Fiction with Folk Horror (FH) to explore themes of hopelessness and transcendence against a 17th Century rural England background. Playing on the classic Folk Horror trope of an ancient power unearthed, I aim to make a film which is fun and unexpected but ultimately serious in its look into oppression, hardship and the human condition. I also hope to utilise music where the film’s score will emphasise the jarring aspect of the past and future inhabiting the same space to bring attention to those things that could be considered either archaic or technologically advanced.
The Blood on Satan's Claw (dir. by Piers Haggard, 1971)
The Sermon (dir. by Dean Puckett, 2018)
I have been heavily affected over the years by Folk Horror films such as The Wicker Man (1973), The Blood On Satan’s Claw (1971) and The VVitch (2015), the recent work of independent Devonshire director Dean Puckett and the uncanny draw of the English countryside. There are a handful of Sci-Fi Horror films I love that facilitate the idea of an artefact (usually a ship of some kind) buried unnoticed beneath the earth for an indefinite period of time. These include Hammer Studio's Quatermass and the Pit (1967), John Carpenter’s The Thing (1982), and the serialised TV adaption of The Tommyknockers (1993).
The Thing (dir. by John Carpenter, 1982)
Quatermass and the Pit (dir. by Roy Ward Baker, 1967)
The Tommyknockers (dir. by John Power, 1993)
The FH label still seems to come across as obscure and under-recognised, possibly down to there being “frequently an indefinable ‘certain something’ that makes a work appear more or less folk horror” (Paciorek, 2018). All of the three Sci-Fi films I mentioned above are set in the modern day (respective of the eras in which they were made). I struggle to find examples of period pieces in FH, ie. those set before the industrial revolution, which feature extraterrestrial elements to their plot. With this in mind I hope to help define what FH is to those not aware, while expanding upon the genre for those who are.
Through my project I wish to concentrate on developing my script-writing skills and demonstrate an improvement in how I handle producing and directing my own ideas into more satisfying visual narratives. I aim to refine my knowledge in lighting and camerawork to compose scenes that are both story-driven and accomplished in creating different atmospheres that accentuate the contrasting styles of genres I am drawing upon. Ultimately I would like to showcase my commitment and desire to (with the help of others!) tell a traditional narrative through film, recognisable by its characteristics as being my work yet with surprising elements.
​
​
_
References;
​
The Blood on Satan’s Claw., (1971). [film] Directed by Haggard, P., UK: Tigon British Film Productions.
Paciorek, A., (2018) Folk Horror Revival: Field Studies, 2nd ed. Durham UK: Wyrd Harvest Press. p.18
Quatermass and the Pit., (1967). [film] Directed by Baker, R. W., UK: Hammer Film Productions.
The Sermon., (2018). [short film] Directed by Puckett, D., UK: Grasp the Nettle Films.
The Thing., (1982). [film] Directed by Carpenter, J., US: Universal Pictures.
The Tommyknockers., (1993). [TV miniseries] Directed by Power, J., US: American Broadcasting Company.
The VVitch., (2015). [film] Directed by Eggers, R., US: A24
The Wicker Man., (1973). [film] Directed by Hardy, R., UK: British Lion Films.