Coulrophobia

coul·ro·pho·bi·a [kool-ruh-foh-bee-uh]   

noun. an abnormal fear of clowns. 

The term was first used in the 1990s.

Coulrophobia is said to be one of the top 10 most common phobias, and even has celebrity sufferers such as Daniel Radcliffe, Johnny Depp and P. Diddy. Johnny Depp explained his fear of clowns coming from nightmares he had as a child where he would see clowns faces and it was the painted faces and fake smiles that upset him.
 "There always seemed to be a darkness lurking just under the surface, a potential for real evil. I guess I am afraid of them because it's impossible — thanks to their painted-on smiles — to distinguish if they are happy or if they're about to bite your face off.''

Most people agree that the main reasons for coulrophobia are the make-up and exaggerated features of the clown. Painted eyes and smiles, as well as the big, red nose, which can initially be frightening to children.

A clown act usually features clowns being hurt or hurting each other. The fact that the clowns inflict pain on each other with a painted smile on their face suggests that they enjoy causing others pain and that you cannot trust the painted expressions of the clown.


Coulrophobia can develop because of the following reasons:

•  A bad experience with clowns as a child.
• Meeting TV characters in person. Children can find this frightening as the character seems huge or tall compared to what they see on the TV
• Having a parent with coulrophobia means that the child is more likely to develop it (learned behaviour)
• Associating clowns with bad things e.g. in some cultures, clown masks are used by parents to discipline their children by saying that the clowns carry off children who misbehave
• Media portrayals 

Media Portrayals

Clowns have been portrayed in various different ways in the media. The most famous clown in the media was Ronald McDonald, who was the mascot for McDonald's. Many people find Ronald McDonald to be creepy, especially small children, from the painted on face and permanently happy expressions. 


We have also found that nowadays clowns seem to be portrayed in a negative way, as many people experience some sort of coulrophobia. The videos below are an example of how clowns can be stereotyped. 

John Wayne Gacy was a rapist and a serial killer, who used to dress up as a clown. This is a real life example.

John Wayne Gacy

John Wayne Gacy, Jr. (March 17, 1942 – May 10, 1994)

• Born in Chicago, Illinois 
• American serial killer and rapist 
• On December 21, 1978, a police search of Gacy's house found he had sexually assaulted and killed 33 boys and young men which the majority of whom had been buried in his crawl space
• Would sometimes dress as his alter ego, Pogo the Clown and claimed that the killings were committed by an alternate personality, Jack Hanson
• Convicted of 33 murders 
• Sentenced to death
• Died by a lethal injection in 10 May 1994
• Worst serial killer in U.S. history

This case study is relevant to our trailer because of his alter-ego named Pogo the Clown. As he was the worst serial killer ever in America, this creates fear for our audience because they can relate it to this real life case study, making it a more realistic event creating a scare for the audience.

            Gacy's alter ego - Pogo the Clown >

Influences from films and other media

Influences from other films

Prom Night - This film is an influence on our trailer, as the film is set at a prom and involves murders. This was an influence to us as the prom would be similar to a Halloween party and we could take some inspiration from how the party scenes were shot. It is also played a part in influencing us as the murders take part at the prom which we thought would be a good idea for our trailer. [Deconstruction]

Halloween - Halloween was an influence on us as it uses a masked killer. We thought this would be a good idea for our trailer as many people are scared of the unknown as so having a masked killer plays on the fact that they do not know who they are or whether they know them.[Deconstruction 1 2]

Sorority Row - This film is an influence to us as it is set an American college, which would contain similar aged characters, and involves a murderer killing all the young characters. The killer is also cloaked so their face cannot be seen, therefore making them anonymous. [Deconstruction]

Project X - Project X was an influence to us as it focuses on a party that has become out of control. Although the film is not a horror, it still gives us some knowledge on how to film party scenes, and helps us think of ways in which the party can go wrong.

Scream - Scream is an inspiration to us as it contains a masked killer. This is an influence as we liked the idea that people do not know how the murderer is and so we think that a new element of fear of the unknown is introduced. We also liked that the killer in Scream knew the characters and so although the killer is masked there is the fear that they could be someone you know. 

The Strangers - This was an influence as it involves three masked killers. We liked the idea that they could get into the house uninvited and it could happen to anyone ('Why are you doing this to us?' 'Because you were home'). We liked the fact that the characters were uninvited and used this in our trailer as the clown is not invited to the party but still manages to get in. [Deconstruction]





Influences from other media
Skins - This show is an influence to us as contains lots of party scenes, which gave us lots of inspiration for our trailer. It also gave us lots of inspiration on what some teenagers get up to during parties and their lives that we could use. 

The Simpsons - Lisa's First Word - in this episode Bart is scared by a homemade Krusty the Clown bed that Homer makes for him, which has a sinister looking clown painted onto the headboard. Bart imagines the clown coming to life and cannot sleep. He spends the night curled in the fetal position saying "can't sleep, clown will eat me". This has provided inspiration to us as it focuses on the fear of clowns which we wanted to incorporate into our trailer.

Slipknot - all the members of Slipknot wear masks and jumpsuits which makes them all look uniform. However, this look can make them look scary and threatening. The bands songs have also been linked to several violent and criminal incidents, for example in 2003 a man was stabbed to death but two people. The killers claimed to listen to Slipknot before and after the murder and according to detectives sang the lyrics to 'Disasterpiece' as they committed the murder.

Sorority Row - Deconstruction

As the trailer starts it shows you the symbol which is well known as representing an american college house. The high key lighting gives a happy and cheerful atmosphere for the start of the trailer.

The lighting which is again high key upholds the same happy emotions which are represented through the lighting. The camera has also focused upon teenagers partying, showing the audience that the film is based upon a party.

The lighting remains high key, and the camera establishes that they are in an office, still showing teenagers, allowing the audience to focus upon key characters as they are eventually shown to us one by one.

The key characters are shown individually to the audience to bring them to the audiences attention.

 The lighting remains high key as  the audience are shown a party, clearing showing obvious signs of equilibrium. The scene highlights stereotypical representations of teenagers.

 This is an establishing shot which allows the audience to understand the setting of the scenes which have been shown and will follow on from his. The lighting again shows a positive atmosphere.

 In this close up, the lighting is low key, focusing on the faces to show the audience clearly the emotions of the characters, changing the atmosphere and representing the interruption of equilibrium, although the characters have not yet recognised this.

 In the close up of what they are watching, we see another clear representation of teenagers through acts of a sexual nature.

In this point-of-view shot the audience is more involved into the action and is put into the place of one of the characters point of view. This allows the scene to become more personal towards the audience.

In this shot it is clear that here has been a disturbance in the equilibrium, due to the low key lighting. Also the close up of the characters face clearly shows emotions to the audience.

This establishing shot clearly contrasts with the first one you are shown at the beginning of the trailer. The low key lighting, with key lighting showing the railing of the well is an obvious hint to the audience that there is a disturbance of the story line which appeared to be happy at the beginning of the trailer.

This medium shot of the character shows her looking vulnerable, which is a stereotypical feature of victims in horror and slasher films.

The close up of the weapon, in low key lighting allows the audience to understand what the situation is, showing that the disturbance is about to take over the plot.

However, in this shot, where the characters faces have become a key factor in the shot, you can clearly see the emotions of the characters, which contrasts with the lighting of the shot which is high key which normally is accompanied by positive emotions.

Again, the shot shows the weapon used, which enables the audience to understand and remember what it was used for, as it was previously shown in a close up shot. The point-of-view shot allows the audience to be in the characters shoes, creating an emotional connection between the characters and the audience.

The low key lighting, accompanied by the typography of 'You're next' which is a stereotypical feature of horror and slasher films. Since the shot is filmed behind the character the audience is not in the characters point of view, however they are still on the same height level as the character, allowing them  to see exactly what the character is seeing

In the final shot of the characters in the trailer, the main protagonists are shown. One of the characters, whom is shown as vulnerable due to her costume, has survived which goes against the stereotypes of characters in slasher/horror films, however the other two characters are dressed appropriately.

In the final shot, the audience is shown the killer, however all you are shown is the robe which is being worn, hiding his face. This allows the audience to understand what they are intended to be afraid of, although whom it is and why is still hidden, remaining a mystery to the audience.

Deconstruction: Prom Night

We have chosen to deconstruct 'Prom Night' as it features a party and killings, both of which we want to include in our film 

This shot shows what the film is based around and sets the scene for the rest of the film so the audience know what to expect

This high angle establishing shot sets the location of the prom 









This is another shot of the party at prom, this creates an alternative view of the party and makes you feel more involved as it is shot in the party

This is a high angle shot of the dance floor at the prom.
We were inspired by the variety of shots of the prom in this film and therefore decided to use a selection of high angle, low angle and in party shots in our teaser trailer. 

This shot shows the main characters celebrating, the lighting is high key which emphasis' the happiness among the characters. 
This is ironic as something bad is about to happen, hence the horror genre. 

The change of lighting from high key to low key suggests that horrific events are about to occur as darkness is associated with danger, this is then followed by a change in pace with lots of quick shots. 

This shot shows the vulnerability of the character as her assets are on show and she is cornered therefore she has no escape and she will most likely die.

This low angle shot of the killer holding a knife, shows the killers a man without revealing his full identity. And shows the victim unfocused, wimpering on the floor presenting her as weak and vulnerable. 

This shot of the police evidence creates an equilibrium and fear within the audience as it makes it seem more realistic and they realise it is an event that could happen to them in real life.

This further backs up the police evidence, and automatically makes the audience more frightened as it enforces the realism of the film for the audience.  
They use low lighting and focus on particular aspects of the evidence to draw attention to the lady. 

The foreground of this shot has high key lighting, high lighting the girl and her scared, frightened expression. The background is dark, with extreme low lighting, this creates mystery. There is also a silhouette in the background which enhances the mystery and the genre of horror.   

In this shot danger is represented by the dark on the other side of the door as well as her wide eyed look showing she is fearful of the unknown. We as the audience are positioned on the darker side of the door therefore in the shoes of the killer.

This shot shows the blinding fear in the woman's eyes as they are teary. This is also emphasised by her hand clasped against her mouth to try and stop her outcry of fear. It is also low lighting which creates shadows to show she is hiding.

In this shot we assume the leg in the foreground is that of the murderer which along with low lighting and fear within the girl, foreshadows the girls death. 

The title 'Prom Night' appears towards the end of the trailer and appears lights and colour, relate to the topic of prom within the film. However this is misleading as the genre of the film is Horror and this shot doesn't show any aspects of horror. 

The low lighting in this shot portrays the genre of the film, the key lighting in this shot is focusing on the girl and the hand which is about to grab her, further showing the genre genre of the film to be horror. 

Shooting Script

Party Scene - filmed from different angles (high-angle, medium shot, POV) inside and outside

People dancing, drinking, snacks 

No clown

Lighting: strobe lights, low lighting

Sound: music
Filmed on 20/11/12

Party Scene clown at the window - filmed from the doorway (zoom into the window)

People dancing, drinking

Lighting: strobe lights, low lighting

Sound: music 
Filmed on 20/11/12

Party Scene clown appears at the door - filmed from the opposite corner (high-angle shot)

People dancing, drinking, clown appears at the door, walks slowly into the party

Lighting: strobe lights, low lighting, high-lighting focused on the clown

Sound: music
Filmed on 20/11/12

Party Scene clown in the party - filmed from in the party (POV)

People dancing looking at the clown

Lighting: strobe lights, low-lighting

Sound: music
Filmed on 20/11/12

Nurse takes the clown off to another room - filming from the doorway (medium shot)
The nurse grabs his hand and pulls him out the room
Lighting: low-lighting
Sound: music
Filmed on 20/11/12

Clown wiping blood off the knife - close up of the knife and his hands
The clown comes out of the room and cleans the blood of the knife
Lighting: low-lighting
Sound: music

Party Scene - filmed from the corner (medium shots)

People dancing

No clown

Lighting: lights go off

Sound: people scream
Filmed on 20/11/12

Coughing up blood - extreme close up
Someone coughing up blood after being stabbed
Lighting: low-lighting
Sound: song

Slit throat - medium shot, high-angle shot
Shot a body on the floor with a slit throat
Lighting: low-lighting
Sound: song
Filmed 20/11/12

Dead bodies - close ups
Showing where they had been stabbed and that they are dead
Lighting: low-lighting
Sound: song

Clown walks towards the camera - long shot
The clown walks towards the camera 
Lighting: low-lighting, strobe lighting
Sound: song
Filmed on 20/11/12


N.B. The shots that are highlighted in orange are shots that we decided not to film on the day as we thought that they would not be relevant anymore.

Location Set-Up

These are the photos of the location that we have chosen after it has been decorated.

We used Halloween decorations to decorate the room to make it look like a Halloween party was taking place. We then brought in empty beer, wine and vodka bottles to make it look realistic and that the party had already been going for a while. We think that the decorations don't take away from the eeriness of the location and that it will still look good for our trailer.