Hey guys.  I'm pretty much finished (or at least taking a good break from) a feature of mine that I have been working on for some years now.  I have many ideas for spin-offs and prequels and related side stories for this world that I have created, but for right now I want to take a breather from the twisted, fucked up, depraved shit that I've been writing. (when you read the script, if it's ever posted, you'll see why. haha)

So I decided to take a dive into the realm of horror.  After throwing around many ideas, I've settled on one and so far have written about 5 pages -- and a very likeable protagonist -- that I am pretty happy with.  It's going to be low budget, very limited location, easy to film, and I'm excited to continue on with it.

As for the purpose of this thread, I just want to strike up a really good conversation between all the horror movie buffs around these parts.  Let's discuss what makes a good horror film, the elements that you need to keep your viewer/reader on the edge of their seats.  I suppose we can even bring forth examples from our favorite classics.  We can even talk about the duds and point out the things that don't work (so, in a way, this thread might be loaded with spoilers, so be aware).  Maybe you can talk about your experiences writing a horror feature/short and how that went for you.  Whatever the case may be...

Switching to the inspiration for my horror feature, I'm going to say a few things about John Carpenter's The Thing.  I love how everyone is stuck where they're at, there's no chance of rescue, the dread, and especially:  the element of mystery.  No one knows who The Thing could be, which keeps us paranoid, on edge, guessing every second.  That's what I'm trying to achieve with my feature, that same feeling of dread and mystery.


Carry on...


--Steve

Read some of Lovecraft's stories if the Thing is your model.

It's hard to talk about this so generally, I think. I think this topic needs to be more specific. Horror can be classified in either monster movies (Frankenstein, The Thing, Wolfman, etc.), psychopathic killers (Psycho), or some sort of psychological horror (Polanski's movies). This is at least what I've noticed, I'm sure there are others but I can't quite think of them right now. And they do blend, also, as I'm sure you are aware. So maybe you can refine your topic/question a bit more?

-J.S.

There's a few others actually that come to mind: The Cat and the Canary, Phantom of the Opera, and the Val Lewton films of the 40s. So there's usually a supernatural element, maybe that's a bit more general and inclusive.

I love horror films! Have written many too. What works best in scaring people is isolation. Everyone gets more scared when we are alone or isolated from the rest of the world.

Quoted from Grandma Bear I love horror films! Have written many too. What works best in scaring people is isolation. Everyone gets more scared when we are alone or isolated from the rest of the world.

That's probably true. Can't quite think of many horror films set in the city

I think you misunderstood what I meant with isolation. A person can be very alone/isolated in a city.

I recently wrote a horror, although I can't show it here as it is for a potential producer, and we're seeking funds on it now. Anyway, I had to come up with something original.

Also what they told me was on my first draft... too much blood. Blood is expensive, apparently. If you want to write cheap horror, then go for the more paranormal type. Lifts and people being thrown around is easy and cheap to do.

I also had a limited location, like very limited... and it can be difficult, you have to get inventive. In many ways writing for a low budget is more difficult than a blockbuster (so long as we ignore the magnitude of plot in a blockbuster, of course).

I managed it, and everyone is very happy. I can't give away the original method I've used though... as it hasn't been done before as far as I know. So try and find your own... something that can hook in a producer, or anyone else really, if other people are interested then there will be a producer out there *somewhere* that will be too.

Female protag's work well in horror, and are just a seller in general at the moment.

http://www.deepdyve.com/lp/uni.....he-horror-bXzMYnC3jt

This is one of my favourite essays. I've been trying to find a way to share it for a while, but like a lot of academia, it's un-shareable because academics are assholes. This site lets you read it if you sign in with Facebook or set up an account.

If anyone is really interested after reading the first page but doesn't want to sign up in those ways, I would probably re-type the whole thing for you!

I think The Thing is as good a place to start as any. It has most, if not all the things that make horror great. You named some of them already but I think the key is atmosphere. All the best horror, at least in the traditional sense, has it. It's one of the most powerful tools you have at your disposal and is easily the most neglected and underestimated in (most) horror movies nowadays.

Another thing I think goes a long way in horror is memorable imagery. The Thing is packed with it. It need not be extreme either. In The Changling, it's as simple as a ball or a wheelchair. Or in The Shining, a hallway. Even simpler, in Hellraiser, the slatted patterns on the wall before the cenobites appear. Film is ever a visual medium and I think horror has the potential for some of the most interesting and resonant images.

Personally, I like horror that plays on the human condition in one form or another. Again, The Thing is a perfect example. In the beginning, all the characters know, trust, and depend on each other. They're out in the middle of nowhere with only so many supplies and facilities; it's imperative that they do. Along comes the Thing and these relationships start to falter. One could argue the characters become as dangerous to each other as the Thing is to them.

I could go on all day frankly. Let's see where this thread goes.

Quoted from James McClung In The Changling, it's as simple as a ball or a wheelchair.

Here here.  Some of the best (and under-acknowledged) horror scenes around.  Though both the Shining/Hallway scene and JC's' The Thing are both top notch and worthy, too.  And that's in a genre that - while it's got great potential - is rarely done well....

Quoted from Grandma Bear I think you misunderstood what I meant with isolation. A person can be very alone/isolated in a city.

Yeah, you're right. I guess I was thinking about something else. But, yes, isolation does have a part in it, can have a part in it.

Quoted from James McClung You named some of them already but I think the key is atmosphere. All the best horror, at least in the traditional sense, has it. It's one of the most powerful tools you have at your disposal and is easily the most neglected and underestimated in (most) horror movies nowadays.

You know, I'll be honest, I don't know what you mean by this. I mean, doesn't every good movie have a good atmosphere?

Not to answer for James - but for me...

Yes, every good movie has atmosphere.  But how many horror films actually have it?  Beyond the cliche jump scares and obvious "something bad is about to happen" tension.  The ones that truly work the atmosphere are the few that stand out, IMO...

...and those that have something intelligent and fresh to say....

Anything can have atmosphere. But the atmosphere in horror movies has a much more distinct effect and purpose and really is a lot more significant and essential to the genre than it is to others, not to mention the word itself springs to mind a lot more in horror discussion than it would otherwise.

Quoted from wonkavite Not to answer for James - but for me... Yes, every good movie has atmosphere.  But how many horror films actually have it?  Beyond the cliche jump scares and obvious "something bad is about to happen" tension.  The ones that truly work the atmosphere are the few that stand out, IMO...

I think that's all rather ambiguous. That's why I'm having trouble understanding what is meant here by "atmosphere." Personally, I think it's not possible for the screenwriter to write such a thing into a screenplay. Or if they do, as it happens with some horror scripts on here, it's overwritten and I don't want to read that, frankly. I think it's the director's job to create the atmosphere of a film, whatever that atmosphere may be. There are no two films with the same atmosphere.

Quoted from James McClung But the atmosphere in horror movies has a much more distinct effect and purpose and really is a lot more significant and essential to the genre than it is to others, not to mention the word itself springs to mind a lot more in horror discussion than it would otherwise.

That doesn't really clarify for me what you mean by atmosphere though. There are specific things we can point to in horror films like the music or the silence or what have you. But I almost feel like the way you're using the word atmosphere, what you really mean is the feeling of horror. Or is it something else?