Institution Research - Hammer Horror

Hammer films were founded in November 1934, Hammer is also one of the oldest film companies in the world and celebrates 80th anniversary this year.
 

What do Hammer films specialise in?

Hammer is synonymous with Horror, after defining the genre in Britain with classics such as 'Dracula', 'The Curse of Frankenstein' and 'The Mummy' which then spawned numerous sequels. However, only 1/3 of Hammer films were horror. Other than horror, Hammer also did films in the genre of Psychological Thrillers, Sci-Fi, Noir and Historical Epic. Hammer also had a worldwide box office smash with 'The Woman in Black' along with 'Let Me In' and 'The Quiet Ones' in 2014.

Their ideology/mission statement:

Hammer Studios were seen as the 'major force' within British cinema industry during the 1950's. Hammer Horror also represented alternative strategies which were different to the tendencies of the British Cinema. When Hammer was revitalized, the tradition of British Gothic Horror was marked with national cultural identity, which effectively enabled ideological opposition.

Does this fit with your ideas?

Hammer Horrors partly fits in with our idea because we are trying to do a traditional Gothic Horror with most of the things involved in that i.e. camera shots - and the other general stuff which comes in with Horror, for example, the really 'bloody' costumes that would be needed for characters that would die and then the other types of costume that would be needed - especially for a character who is about to become the killer.

Is your film institution mainstream or indie?

Hammer films is mainstream institution and is based in London, however, they are not as well known because they specialise in Horror and that is not always a popular genre with an audience.













20th Century Fox is an American Film Studio, distributor and one of the six major American film studios which was founded in May 1935 by Joseph M. Schenck and Darryl F. Zanuck.