A film similar to our own, in terms of genre, would be Paranormal Activity (2007). It is a supernatural/psychological horror and was originally developed as an independent film then later distributed by Paramount Pictures, DreamWorks and Icon Film Distribution. The budget for the film was $15,000 and it earned nearly $108 million at the US box office and almost $194 million worldwide. It is estimated to be one of the most profitable films ever made, based on return on investment.
Paranormal Activity is about a couple, Katie and Micah, who move into their new home. Katie claims that a ghostly presence has haunted her since her childhood and believes that it has followed her to their new home. The couple hire a psychic who assesses that she is being haunted not by a ghost, but by a demon. He says the demon feeds off negative energy, and its intent is to haunt and torment Katie no matter where she goes. Before leaving, he advises them not to taunt or communicate with the demon, and to contact a demonologist for help. Instead, each night, Micah mounts a video camera on a tripod in their bedroom to record any paranormal activity that might occur while they sleep in the hopes of solving the problem himself.
The Tragedy of Macbeth (commonly called Macbeth) is a play by William Shakespeare about a regicide and its aftermath. It is a play about a Thane of Glamis in Scotland (Scottish Nobility). He is returning from battle with another thane Banquo when they are met by three witches. The witches hail him Thane of Glamis, Thane of Cawdor, and King Hereafter. Banquo asks of his fate and is told that his decedents will be kings. Soon after this Macbeth find out that the thane of Cawdor betrayed Scotland and is going to be hanged, for his valour in battle the king Duncan makes Macbeth Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth sees the witches predictions coming true and tells his wife about the predictions. Duncan announces that he is going to Macbeth's castle. Lady Macbeth convinces Macbeth that he has to make the prophecy come true himself and kill Duncan. He does. Duncan's sons flee the country believing they will be killed next and Macbeth becomes king. Macbeth remembers the witches prediction to Banquo. He wishes to retain power so he kills Banquo and attempts to kill Banquo's son Fleance, but fails to kill Fleance. Macbeth starts to feel guilty and sees Banquo's ghost. Soon the witches appear again telling Macbeth to beware Macduff, no man born of a woman shall harm Macbeth, and fear not till Birnam Wood comes to Dunsanain. Macbeth heeds the witches warning and kills Macduff's family, but Macduff is not around, he is in England trying to convince Malcolm, Duncan's son to return and take the throne. Malcolm agrees and they return to Scotland. Lady Macbeth sleepwalks and ends up killing herself. The army cuts down branches of Birnam wood to disguise themselves and thus Birnam wood comes to Dunsanine. Various battle scenes take place. Eventually Macbeth and Macduff fight and Macduff reveals that he was "Untimely ripped from his mother's womb" no born. He kills Macbeth and Malcolm becomes king.
Genre-
The genre of our film, Psychological horror, is a subgenre of horror fiction that relies on character fears, guilt, beliefs, eerie sound effects, relevant music and emotional instability to build tension and further the plot. Psychological horror is different from the type of horror found in "splatter films," which derive their effects from gore and violence, and from the sub-genre of horror-of-personality, in which the object of horror does not look like a monstrous other, but rather a normal human being, whose horrific identity is often not revealed until well into the work, or even at the very end.
Psychological horror tends to be subtle compared to traditional horror and typically contains less physical harm, as it works mainly on the factors of mentally affecting the audience rather than the display of graphic imagery seen in the slasher and splatter sub-genres. It typically plays on archetypal shadow characteristics embodied by the threat. It creates discomfort in the viewer by exposing common or universal psychological vulnerabilities and fears, most notably the shadowy parts of the human psyche which most people repress or deny.
The menace in horror comes from within. It exposes the evil that hides behind normality, while splatter fiction focuses on bizarre, alien evil to which the average viewer cannot easily relate. One could ultimately argue that psychological horror isn't in fact of the horror genre, with it having a greater resemblance to the thriller genre. However, in psychological horror the essential element is to frighten the audience mentally, whereas this is not the case in thrillers. There is also a sub-genre known as the psychological thriller, which can be similar to this, but relies on leaving a different impact on the viewer than that of psychological horror. Another aspect of psychological horror is its use of body horror. The purpose is to develop a feeling of unease by exploiting human fears of the abnormal, human experimentation, disease, suffering, among others.
No one younger than 15 may see a ‘15’ film in a cinema. No one younger than 15 may rent or buy a ‘15’ rated media form i.e. DVD or Blu Ray
Discrimination
The work as a whole must not endorse discriminatory language or behaviour. Our film will contain no discrimination.
Drugs
Drug taking may be shown but the film as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse. The misuse of easily accessible and highly dangerous substances is unlikely to be acceptable. Our film will not contain any drug use.
Horror
Strong threat and menace are permitted unless sadistic or sexualised. Part of the reason our film is a 15 is because it will use mild forms of horror.
Imitable behaviour
Dangerous behaviour, such as self harm, suicide and crime should not dwell on detail which could be copied. Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised. Our film will feature Imitable behaviour in the flashback where a murder takes place.
Language
There may be frequent use of strong language. Strong terms may be acceptable if justified by the context. Aggressive or repeated use of the strongest language is unlikely to be acceptable. Our film will contain strong forms of taboo language.
Nudity
Nudity may be allowed in a sexual context but without strong detail. There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context. Our film will not contain any nudity.
Sex
Sexual activity may be portrayed without strong detail. There may be strong verbal references to sexual behaviour, but the strongest references are unlikely to be acceptable unless justified by context. Works whose primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation are unlikely to be acceptable. There will be no sexual content in our film.
Violence
Violence may be strong but should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. The strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable. Strong sadistic or sexualised violence is also unlikely to be acceptable. There may be detailed verbal references to sexual violence but any portrayal of sexual violence must be discreet and have a strong contextual justification. There will be mild voilence and gore in our film.
