Bestselling author Gillian Flynn joins the hosts to discuss recognizing a great idea and the elements of great horror: suspense and twists. The hosts pitch their horror movie concepts and pick a winning idea.
Starting with a dark incident that immediately grabs the audience's attention sets the tone for building suspense in a horror movie.
Including unexpected twists in the story keeps the audience engaged and delivers a satisfying surprise.
Deep dives
The Importance of Starting with a Dark Incident
When building suspense in a horror movie, it is crucial to start with a dark incident that sets the tone. This could be a murder, a disappearance, or something else that immediately grabs the audience's attention and leaves them wanting more. By starting with a thrilling incident, you can then gradually build suspense and intrigue as the characters try to unravel the mystery. It's also effective to introduce odd and creepy supporting characters who may not necessarily become the main villains, but add to the overall sense of unease and unpredictability.
Creating Unexpected Twists
One of the key elements of a successful horror movie is the presence of unexpected twists. To keep the audience engaged and on the edge of their seats, it is important to wrong-foot them and lead them in one direction before revealing a surprising twist. This can be achieved by writing without knowing the ending and allowing the story to unfold naturally. By going back and rewriting, you can strategically place clues and hints that, upon revisiting, make the twist feel inevitable and satisfying. The goal is to keep the audience guessing and deliver a twist that they didn't see coming.
Choosing the Most Frightening Idea
When selecting an idea for a horror movie, it's important to choose something that truly frightens you as the writer. Dig deep into your own fears and explore what scares you the most. This authenticity and genuine personal connection to the idea will make it more compelling and allow you to better convey the themes and emotions to the audience. Additionally, consider the concept's potential for deeper allegories or underlying themes. By linking your horror elements to something more profound, you create a richer and more resonant storytelling experience for the viewers.
Navigating the Challenges of Filmmaking
Making a horror movie can be a complex and challenging process, especially when working with limited resources. It's important to be prepared for unexpected hurdles and obstacles along the way. Collaborate with a dedicated team and be prepared to problem-solve and adapt as needed. Be open to calling in favors and working with a variety of professionals to bring your vision to life. Remember that bumps and setbacks are a natural part of the filmmaking journey, but with determination and creativity, you can overcome them and create a final product that captivates and terrifies the audience.
Mark, Maddy, and Ryan hold an Ouija seance in the graveyard before calling up Gone Girl writer Gillian Flynn, who advises the hosts on how to recognize a great idea and coaches them on two tenants of great horror: suspense and twists. Back in the writers’ room, Mark, Maddy, and Ryan pitch each other their horror movie concepts and pick their winning idea.
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