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Post by Niccy on Jun 2, 2011 12:07:29 GMT -5
"We are fascinated by the darkness in ourselves, we are fascinated by the shadow, we are fascinated by the boogeyman." [/size] - Anthony Hopkins[/right] "No man knows what he will do when driven by hunger." - Alexander Pearce[/left][/size] "Sanity calms, but madness is more interesting." - John Russell Horror and thriller have grown together as genres over the years, with each influencing the other more and more as audiences become addicted to the rush of an adrenaline high. This June, we will be working on five elements common to horror and thriller movies (and, in turn, novels), using clips from the 2009 film "Carriers". Find more information on the film here at iMDb. This month, video prompts will be posted on Thursdays (June 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30). |
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Post by Niccy on Jun 2, 2011 12:36:42 GMT -5
In a horror or thriller film, typically one character (or, in some cases, multiple), become the "weak link" of the group. This character may be physically hindered by age or disability, they may have a very strong or very weak moral compass that leads them to do things they shouldn't, or the character may have a family mem-ber or some other thing that they are trying very hard to protect or reach. All of these may hinder a character's ability to react to some things in the way that would be best to save themselves or the group.
When writing a novel of this sort, it is important to keep in mind who your weakest link is. Most commonly, this character will be the first to die as they will be hindered. Alternately, maybe they aren't. Also keep in mind how the other characters react to their weakness. Do they extend extra support to this person, thus putting themselves in danger? Do they use the character's weakness as an excuse to leave them behind or to give them less supplies? Some characters may have a strong moral compass, leading them to wish to help, but an even stronger survival instinct, which can result in them being torn between desire to help and the need to survive.
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Post by marsbareater12 on Jun 7, 2011 3:06:16 GMT -5
I'm liking these! Tempted to write a quick horror short now...
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Post by Niccy on Jun 7, 2011 7:56:43 GMT -5
Thanks! They've served their purpose, then.
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Post by Niccy on Jun 9, 2011 22:06:49 GMT -5
Horror and thriller literature and film often will center around one group of survivors. Of this group, one person is often identified as the central leader. This character is often the strongest physically and they are the most stable mentally. When an issue arises, the other characters turn to this character for leadership and direction. They also may provide emotional support and counseling to others.
Naturally, this character may also have some issues of their own, and due to the sense of being the "leader", he / she may not go to the others for help, thus the problem will only compound upon itself. This character's distress will affect the whole group. Thus, a small insecurity on the part of the leader can become the downfall of the entire group, rather than their strengths keeping them together.
The leader may be one of the more difficult characters to plan in a novel of this style, but a fully-developed leader will do your plot more good than many other puzzles. Be sure to know their back-story well, even if it is not explicitly stated in the text.
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Post by Niccy on Jun 16, 2011 15:10:18 GMT -5
WARNING! This video contains some material that may not be suitable for younger children. Watch at your own discretion.
As more stress is inflicted upon the characters, even the strongest of relationships may begin to crumble. The best of friends may turn on each other over something quite small. What would previously be dismissed as a minor squabble, or even a joke, may be taken quite seriously, and personally. Disagreements over what is morally right or wrong will also put pressure on relationships of romantic and friendly sorts. For example, one person may believe that one person should be sacrificed for the good of the group, but the other may believe that each person should be saved. As these "minor" arguments begin to increase in number, also will their intensity and frequency increase. They may argue about the same thing over and over again, or they may find a way to argue over everything, whether out of spite or otherwise. Thus, best friends, brothers, sisters, lovers, and even the most loving of spouses may turn into enemies.
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Post by Niccy on Jun 23, 2011 21:26:46 GMT -5
Not all horror and thriller works have to be set in the city of Nowheresville, Nowhere. Move your characters around, introduce them to more settings and the new challenges they bring. There are more people in the cities, but that's where the resources are; the countryside is safer but resources are fewer and there are raiding parties that will kill you without a second thought. Show what's going on behind-the-scenes in the government in a nice, clean office -- or maybe not. Has the government been relocated? If so, where? Don't limit yourself by stereotypes. Throw your characters on a ship in the middle of the Pacific when the zombie plague hits. What then?
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Post by Niccy on Jun 30, 2011 17:21:10 GMT -5
Ambiance -- theme -- mood, whatever you wish to call it, it is important to know what sort of atmosphere you want your novel / piece to convey. Is it suspenseful or humorous? Should the audience be laid-back or hanging on the edge of their seats? Do you want them to scream or smile? Keep this in mind throughout working on the piece to have a consistent piece that is easy to read. (Although, "easy reading makes for d*mn hard writing".)
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