Scripting and Storytelling

For the project, I have numerous ideas on how it could turn out. Today I am going to weigh which story to create a script for. Before choosing, I will read up and learn from examples of staple horror scripts and compare this to my stories. Successful scripts can grab viewers from the get-go into being immersed in the story and the world.

Halloween (1978) is an example which is rather simple yet executed professionally. The simplicity is where is film excels. The story is a good example of something even a student could create on a low budget. The series shows the murderer, but there are minimal hard to reproduce effects used in editing, making the process more linear and allows the producers to take more ambitious shots. 

(Script from Get Out, 2017)

Another example would be Get Out, which excels in social commentary using horror as a means to deliver its theme. The opening of the script and the opening of the film are different; however, they both carry the same atmosphere. The characters within the story are developed and connect with the viewer even in the first scene. 

Furthermore, in the next scene, the producers used situational tension to produce a feeling of fear. The scene had a deer run into the car without the viewers able to see what hit the car. The scene was intense, not knowing what was in the woods with the characters. This feeling of not knowing is something that I will capitalize upon in my production. These examples will help me in creating the scene.

Using a masterclass article, I learned what makes a good horror story. At its best, horror stories tap into our fears and combine it with twists which keep the viewers guessing at what is going to occur next while maintaining coherency. Many stories use relatable situations (i.e., moving to a new house, camping, or watching a video). The relatability is a key element. Furthermore, good writing requires that characters contain flaws which feeds into the actions of the story. All good literature has characters with their own goals and emotions. Furthermore, sometimes what hits harder are real stories opposed to those which are surreal.

With this knowledge on my toolbelt I can compare the two stories.

The Smile Room will begin with a mother and son driving to the dentist a nighttime. The mother will be waiting for the clock as her son is admitted. Prior to coming to this dentistry, the audience will learn that the son had lots of trouble with allowing the professionals to see his teeth. However, this time, the son will walk right on in without protest. The boy is taken into the smile room. She will hear lots of heart wrenching sounds in the back, but the attendant tells her not to worry. When her boy comes out, he runs into her leg and the mother, and the dentist have a talk. The story ends on the face of the son who no longer has a mouth. The pro of this story is that it deals much with relatability of the fear with going to the dentist which many face around the world. The cons, however, are that the filming schedule would have to be pushed back in order to be allowed to film at a dentistry. Furthermore, the layout of the room may differ from my planning and make some visualized shots not possible. Using this story, making societal commentary would be difficult to implement.

The second idea I am contemplating is something that will be similar to the opening of the first Jaws movie wherein two minor characters are subjected to the threat which will be covered deeper in the movie, however, it is not shown. This story will take place within the room of the main character. He will be awaken during the night to his guinea pig whaling and will get up. Upon getting back to his bed, there will be something in the bed standing up. It will leap at the main character and reveal to just be a blanket. However, it is still in the bed. It will launch another attack which will lead the main character to the bathroom. In the end, the guinea pig will be shown in the room once more when the ordeal is over and the minor character on the way to school. Peeking out of the window, the boy is on the ground, dead. The advantages of this story are that it can be produced at home with minimal effects in premiere and can allow for various and more rapid shot types which is consistent of the genre. Setbacks to the story are that it requires the correct timing of clocks as the time will play a role in the film. 

After the analysis of both ideas, I have decided that both have pros and cons which are convincing arguments. I will create two scripts including the backup script in case I do not get permissions to film.

Until next time!

Sources:

https://writersrelief.com/2012/10/26/how-to-scare-your-readers/

https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-write-a-horror-story

https://app.studiobinder.com/company/580e85847e7982164664e844/collab/5eada543b7d6a818a8fa1f0e/projects/5eada511c3558e7945f2448e/document/5eada51d83f7a90bfc3fd259?filter=%257B%2522l%2522%253A%25225eada52e2816850c12832804%2522%257D&utm_source=blog&utm_medium=sb-app-link&utm_campaign=script&utm_content=get-out-full-script-pdf-download&utm_term=best-horror-movie-scripts