Hey evryone this is my first post here but I'm thinking that this is a good site to get some advice from. Right now I'm thinking about starting a horror film. To prepare I've started to read about some techniques that Alfred Hitchcock (even though he is known more for suspense) and other directors have used in horror films. I have some pretty good ideas but you can always have more so I am wondering if anyone has any ideas or if they would like to share what they like/dislike/think is scary in scary movies. Thanks.

* Sound and music are a huge part of the genre. Watch some Carpenter movies for a good example of simple, suspensful music and sound.

* Don't go handheld just because 'it's in' and you think it will add tension. Use it sparingly.

* Watch some old '70s Italian horror films...if you want to go stylized lighting with your picture, these are great for inspiration.

* If you're looking to grab a younger (but adult) audience...blood and boobs. I know I know...but it's true.

Those are a few things to think about.

Dont forget a good story...:) its an important part
And i personally think rather then having ghosts with bad makeup, its better to create a story in which things are left on the imagination of audience. GURUS might advise you better regarding this but this is my personal opinion :)

Yeah I was thinking about having it where you don't really know what it is until somewhere near the end of the video and I'm spending a lot of time now just working on the story and making it different from a lot of other horror movies. There are so many good ideas for movies but they've been used so many times before that I'm trying to avoid them. Yeah the Carpenter movie music is really good and fits well. I think Halloween is an example of a pretty good movie for a pretty low budget so that's what I'm sort of aiming for. George Romero is another director who I think is really good and guess what? 70's Italian horror!

* Sound and music are a huge part of the genre. Watch some Carpenter movies for a good example of simple, suspensful music and sound.

* Don't go handheld just because 'it's in' and you think it will add tension. Use it sparingly.

* Watch some old '70s Italian horror films...if you want to go stylized lighting with your picture, these are great for inspiration.

* If you're looking to grab a younger (but adult) audience...blood and boobs. I know I know...but it's true.

Those are a few things to think about.

Great advice, esp. the stuff in red.

if you're going to make a horror film, there's a lot of things that you got to know.

1. Don't place constant scares throughout the film (aka jump scenes)-it makes the viewer desensitized to your attempts, and stops becoming scary after the first thirty minutes. You have to build up the terror, and give time for the audience to relax between each intense scene.

2. DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES make a plot similar to the Evil Dead. Many horror film enthusiasts try this on their first try and fail. Work yourself upwards before attempting a masterpiece like the Evil Dead.

3. Like it was said before, Blood and Boobs are your key.

4. SLASHER FILMS ARE PLAYED OUT - Jason X was a message saying that slasher films are done. There isn't much you can do in that genre and still be original and memorable. Try your best to stay away from a topic that's too cliche.

create a story in which things are left on the imagination of audience

This is great advice. Don't show too much, the audience can always come up with something scarier inside their own heads than what you could ever show them.

That's why the Blair Witch Project was so successful. You never see the witch, but she still scares the living crap out of you.

Also, you might want to check this link out:

http://filmmakeriq.com/general/featured/horror-filmmaking-from-script-to-scream.html

It has all the best horror documentaries by horror gurus like john carpenter, and goes in depth on what makes a really good horror film.

Wow lots of great advice! Thanks everyone so far. Yeah I'm not going to try and do a slasher just because I agree with everything you pretty much said.

WHOA! themattcastro, I just looked at the link and started watching some of the videos. There's a lot of really good stuff in there. Thanks for the big help there.

That link is basically a goldmine for horror insights. I love making horror films, so I've been researching the topic for a while now.

I hope everything goes well with your film! Just keep working at it!

The scariest creatures/monsters are always the ones that don't talk or make noises. And as far as the blood and boobs part well, at least as far as the blood part, boobs are always good ;). Don't get too excessive with the blood. Leave it to the audience to fill in the blanks as far as torture and dismemberment go. If done correctly that can be much scarier and more painful than anything you could make with anything less than a hollywood budget.

if you're going to make a horror film, there's a lot of things that you got to know.

1. Don't place constant scares throughout the film (aka jump scenes)-it makes the viewer desensitized to your attempts, and stops becoming scary after the first thirty minutes. You have to build up the terror, and give time for the audience to relax between each intense scene.

2. DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES make a plot similar to the Evil Dead. Many horror film enthusiasts try this on their first try and fail. Work yourself upwards before attempting a masterpiece like the Evil Dead.

3. Like it was said before, Blood and Boobs are your key.

4. SLASHER FILMS ARE PLAYED OUT - Jason X was a message saying that slasher films are done. There isn't much you can do in that genre and still be original and memorable. Try your best to stay away from a topic that's too cliche.

Some really great tips in the post and in the quote ! i am really enjoying reading this thread...hope to see a lot more...by the way i dont remember it is mentioned or not but lighting can play a great role

* Don't go 'torture porn'...that is played out, and annoying. I don't want to judge people here, but seeing a girl tied up and realistically tortured is not my idea of horror, and actually makes me think the filmmakers and people who enjoy that are imbalanced and sick. I actually hate it. Have some fucking imagination for creep sake.

I'm sure someone else mentioned this, but lighting is truly one of the most important aspects of a horror film. I don't think you can ever pay too much attention to that.

Good advice on the torture porn/Evil Dead/slasher films. Try to stay as far away from that as possible.

Personally I'd love to see someone try for a truly frightening film that features virtually no blood or even none at all. It seems like it's been too long since something like that.

Personally I'd love to see someone try for a truly frightening film that features virtually no blood or even none at all. It seems like it's been too long since something like that.

Paranormal Activity as one example.

* Don't go 'torture porn'...that is played out, and annoying. I don't want to judge people here, but seeing a girl tied up and realistically tortured is not my idea of horror, and actually makes me think the filmmakers and people who enjoy that are imbalanced and sick. I actually hate it. Have some fucking imagination for creep sake.

Actually, I think torture porn is great for the horror genre. It's helping push the envelope for what audiences can see in a film, like what video nasties did back in the days.

Actually, I think torture porn is great for the horror genre. It's helping push the envelope for what audiences can see in a film, like what video nasties did back in the days.

It's not 'horror'...it's 'torture porn.'

;)

Mel Brooks pushed the envelope for comedy...John Carpenter pushed the envelope for horror.

Torture porn movies simply cater to the lowest possible denomenator--usually the same people that enjoy watching Faces of Death. Would you call Faces of Death horror?

Horror is about suspense, anxiety, adrenaline...horror isn't about watching a 5 minute clip of someone being realistically, brutally tortured.

Horror is about suspense, anxiety, adrenaline...horror isn't about watching a 5 minute clip of someone being realistically, brutally tortured.

See "Martyrs" and "S&Man" (pronounced 'sand man').

Two movies that utilize torture porn in smart interesting ways. S&Man in particular is a documentary-style look at the underground horror industry with a great twist to it. Martyrs has about 30 minutes of seemingly-senseless violence in the middle, practically beating down the audience's will to live during it (lol), and then ends with a rather interesting philosophical point on WHY they people were senselessly torturing.

Both films I thought used that "kind of stuff" pretty well. Films like Hostel are just extreme violence = $. But that's not to say "torture porn", if used wisely and with good intent, may actually be valid in horror storytelling. That being said, 99% of it is garbage made by people who like to have sex with shoelaces, umbrellas and other preposterous things...

It's not 'horror'...it's 'torture porn.'

;)

Mel Brooks pushed the envelope for comedy...John Carpenter pushed the envelope for horror.

Torture porn movies simply cater to the lowest possible denomenator--usually the same people that enjoy watching Faces of Death. Would you call Faces of Death horror?

Horror is about suspense, anxiety, adrenaline...horror isn't about watching a 5 minute clip of someone being realistically, brutally tortured.

I don't know. IMO calling a movie "torture porn" really doesn't say much about the film, but more about how close-minded a critic is. Especially if they call Saw "torture porn" because as far as I know, and as far as I know people that like the franchise, don't go to the theater to watch the movie in order to "get off" on the blood and guts. I go to it because I like the giallo style of the movies.

But what about movies like The Devil's Rejects, which is considered "torture porn" when it's nearly not as bad as Cannibal Holocaust, which isn't called torture porn. And, also imo, The Devils Rejects was a pretty entertaining film from Rob Zombie. More entertaining than his Halloween remakes.

Still-I don't want to get into an argument on this board or anything.

I'm just saying that at times, torture in your indie film can be a good feature if used correctly. But I highly don't recommend it because it's usually difficult to do.

I don't want to get into a heated discussion either...we can remain calm I'm sure. As long as we voice our opinions without directly flaming someone...

OK so...let's be honest, we know what movies I'm talking about here...to each is own, yes...but I think certain films stand out as torture porn...they do it on purpose. Catering to the same crowd that likes Faces of Death and UFC (no offense to anyone).

If [you] don't understand the term 'torture porn' and what it means in modern cinema, then [you] are being close minded or stubborn, it's not the critic being close-minded. It's the critics job to breakdown a movie...if they break it down as being torture porn...that's their call.

I love horror films, and I have a widely open mind...but I honestly feel like certain movies basterdize and insult the genre 'horror.' I guess there are sub-categories of horror, and torture porn is one of them...I guess it's subjective. I didn't coin the term torture porn...it's been tossed around for years now...and most of us know what it means.

You're right, to every man his own.

I guess I'm just a little ticked off because calling a movie Torture Porn is really condescending. It makes people who like to watch the Saw franchise feel like there's something wrong with them because they like watching the movies.

Idk.

But either way, films are subjective, so it's really about to the specific viewer on what their take on the films are.

You're right, to every man his own.

I guess I'm just a little ticked off because calling a movie Torture Porn is really condescending. It makes people who like to watch the Saw franchise feel like there's something wrong with them because they like watching the movies.

Idk.

But either way, films are subjective, so it's really about to the specific viewer on what their take on the films are.

Like I said, I didn't coin the phrase, but I can understand where someone who loves those films might not like the idea.

It is what it is...maybe someone can/has coined a different phrase? I've just never heard another one...

You're right, to every man his own.

I guess I'm just a little ticked off because calling a movie Torture Porn is really condescending. It makes people who like to watch the Saw franchise feel like there's something wrong with them because they like watching the movies.

Idk.

But either way, films are subjective, so it's really about to the specific viewer on what their take on the films are.

For the record - I really enjoy the Saw franchise along with many other similar films, but I also do call them "torture porn" films - not saying it's a bad thing, but those films definitely need to be seperated from "horror films" like the original Halloween. I am entertained and enjoy torture porn films, and not in a "getting off to it" sort of way, but they are based on exploiting sex and bringing intense graphic physical harm to the characters - not on the brilliance or suspense or twists of the plot - they prey on our basic animalistic instincts, which is perfectly fine, but they should be recognized for what they are, not that they're any worse or better than other horror films, but I don't think the term "torture porn" is too outlandish when you really examine the devices behind the films.

Well said Cera.

I just watch torture porn for the articles.

Ha! Nice one UC.

For the record - I really enjoy the Saw franchise along with many other similar films, but I also do call them "torture porn" films - not saying it's a bad thing, but those films definitely need to be seperated from "horror films" like the original Halloween. I am entertained and enjoy torture porn films, and not in a "getting off to it" sort of way, but they are based on exploiting sex and bringing intense graphic physical harm to the characters - not on the brilliance or suspense or twists of the plot - they prey on our basic animalistic instincts, which is perfectly fine, but they should be recognized for what they are, not that they're any worse or better than other horror films, but I don't think the term "torture porn" is too outlandish when you really examine the devices behind the films.

Yeah you're right. Maybe they're just exploitationX100 films? IndieTalk should coin a new word for torture porn films.

Any ideas?

Yeah you're right. Maybe they're just exploitationX100 films? IndieTalk should coin a new word for torture porn films.

Any ideas?

I actually like the term, and think it fits perfectly...sorry. :) And I think it has become widely used because a lot of other people seem to agree.

But if you have a catchy phrase that works...bombs away.

It makes people who like to watch the Saw franchise feel like there's something wrong with them because they like watching the movies.

There isn't?


I'm teasing. Sort of.

I've only seen the first Saw and I thought it was a pretty good and enjoyable movie. It's got some mega cheesy aspects like the dialogue of the two men in the toilet and the lame metal music with the speeded up torture/death scenes.

I don't get off to gore and violence but I definitely think it can be a great addition to movies.

I do admit, I do really like violence in movies, BUT only if it's done in a funny way! E.g The ending scenes in Kill Bill, most of Battle Royale and most of the violent scenes in Hana-Bi/Fireworks.

I don't like it when it's really serious and disturbing(Audition, Most Takashi Miike films), although if serious violence fits and adds something to the movie and the storyline then great! It's a welcome addition.