This particular sequence in The Faculty shows the first time that any of the characters see an alien transformation. It is a key point in the narrative because it puts the events into context. I chose this sequence not only for it’s purpose in the narrative, but because it shows the clear hybridisation of the Teen Pic genre.

From the previous scenes of the film, we have established that Casey is the typical “geek” character; he is not popular at school and is generally disliked. We can also see this from his body language as he hunches his shoulders in a protective manner, looks around a lot as he walks as if he is nervous, and walks slightly behind Delilah, showing his lower social status in the school hierarchy. We now expect Casey to be the main narrative agent as the focus of the film transfers to him in this scene. Delilah has been established as being very popular and beautiful, which is shown in her reference to hair styles for cheerleading and Estée Lauder lipstick in the opening sequence, and normally in teen pic genre, we associate cheerleading with popularity. We can also see this from her body language, as she walks confidently with her hea

It’s clear that the aliens aim is to create a society of perfection, shown in the tidy clothes and hair, and the calm behaviour (before the coach was angry and aggressive, the teacher was jittery and nervous). A particularly clear example is the absence of the teacher’s glasses; now that she has been “perfected” by the aliens there is no need for her glasses.

At the start of the sequence there is a very clear convention of romance genre. There are several medium close-up shots of Casey and Delilah’s faces, indicating them exchanging looks at each other. The length of the shots and lack of dialogue creates a romantic atmosphere and is enhanced by the slow, classical music which is typically associated with the romance genre. In previous sequences, Casey and Delilah are arguing, and we see Delilah being horrible to Casey. Romance films often show a male and female character arguing, or hating each other, then later making romantic connections, e.g. When Harry Met Sally. This sequence between Delilah and Casey leads us as the audience to expect a romantic connection and a possible resolve of the equilibrium through these two characters.

We then see a shot of the coach’s face and neck, with veins protruding from his neck. This is common of horror genre because of its use of graphic disturbing images to shock the audience. The coach spits the alien body into her ear (this is shown as a close-up to enhance the imagery) and blood splatters over her face, her veins protruding. The imagery continues with an extreme close-up of the nurse’s eye. A similar close-up can be seen in Psycho just after the murder in the shower. The image of the eye is very powerful, as it appears the nurse is looking at the audience. We presume she is dead. Shocking imagery is also used as the body falls down in the cupboard, and there is a graphic close-up of the body.

Some topics in this essay:
Lee Curtis, Casey Delilah, Teen Pic, Delilah Casey, Casey Delilah’s, Estée Lauder, Final Destination, , Casey Romance, Drew Barrymore, coach teacher, creates suspense, teen pic, horror genre, casey delilah, teacher coach, delilah cupboard, common horror, typical horror, casey delilah cupboard, audience expect, horror genre seen, typical teen pic, leads audience expect, coach teacher audience,