Horror Movie Screenplays - 10 Steps To Writing A Horror Script
Below is a MRR and PLR article in category Writing Speaking -> subcategory Writing.
Horror Movie Screenplays: 10 Steps to Crafting a Chilling Script
Summary:
Crafting a horror movie means following certain rules to satisfy your audience. Here’s a concise guide to writing an effective horror script.
Keywords:
horror, script, screenplay, indie, film, writing, screenwriting, screenwriter
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Writing a horror movie involves adhering to specific conventions. Break too many, and your audience might leave disappointed. Here’s a streamlined guide to creating a successful horror script.
1. The Hook:
Start with immediate suspense. Dive into an intense scene right away. Think of "Scream" when Drew Barrymore gets a chilling call from a killer.
2. The Flaw:
Introduce your protagonist with a notable flaw. To truly invest in the hero's journey, viewers need to relate and root for them. In "Signs," Mel Gibson’s character is a priest who struggles with his faith after his wife's death.
3. The Fear:
Highlight a specific fear your hero must confront. It could be a fear of heights or claustrophobia. In "Jaws," Roy Scheider's fear of water is crucial, especially when he must face the ocean and the shark.
4. No Escape:
Place your protagonist in an isolated setting with no easy way out. Consider the eerie hotel in "The Shining."
5. Foreplay:
Build tension with misleading scares. Create scenes that seem terrifying, but reveal as innocent, like a cat jumping from a closet. This primes the audience for the real horror.
6. Evil Attacks:
Showcase the monster's brutality in the middle of your script. Let the audience see its terrifying potential as it attacks victims.
7. Investigation:
Have the hero uncover the truth behind the terror, delving into the mystery that surrounds them.
8. Showdown:
The hero must confront both their fears and the monster in a climactic battle. Intelligence often triumphs over brawn; consider "The Village," where the blind protagonist outsmarts the monster.
9. Aftermath:
Restore the world to its original state, but ensure the hero has grown, for better or worse. In "Signs," Mel Gibson’s character regains his faith, symbolized by donning his clerical collar again.
10. Evil Lurks:
End with a hint that the monster might return. Many "Friday the 13th" films tease with Jason’s possible comeback.
Embrace the challenge and good luck!
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