Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Horror Screenwriting: Blending Theory with Practice

  • Chapter
Screenwriters and Screenwriting

Abstract

Good ideas for horror screenplays originate from a range of sources. These inspirations could be personal, linked to the writer’s life experiences, or cultural, reflecting wider socio-political concerns. Great horror storytelling, I want to argue, can be achieved through the linking of a well-researched knowledge of horror histories, industries and audiences, the creative application of craft skills and techniques, and the imaginative understanding of conceptual and theoretical approaches to horror. As such, the approach adopted in this chapter suggests that the creative intellect of horror screenwriters can be reanimated through the meaningful and constructive alignment of these intersecting practical and theoretical contexts. The ambition of the chapter, therefore, is to further promote the contemporary reinvigoration of horror screenwriting by blending theory with practice in a way that is meaningful for horror screenwriters.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • A L’interieur/Inside (2007) Wrs./Dirs. Alexandre Bustillo and Julien Maury, France, 82 mins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007) Wr. Shane Salerno, Dirs. Colin Strause and Greg Strause, USA, 102 mins. (unrated version).

    Google Scholar 

  • Antichrist (2009) Wr./Dir. Lars von Trier, Denmark/Germany/France/Sweden/Italy/Poland, 108 mins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Antiviral (2012) Wr./Dir. Brandon Cronenberg, Canada, 108 mins.

    Google Scholar 

  • August Underground (2001) (Video) Wrs. Allen Peters and Fred Vogel, Dir. Fred Vogel, USA, 70 mins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bakhtin, M. (1984) Rabelais and His World, Hoboken, JY: John Wiley & Sons.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barker, J.M. (2009) The Tactile Eye: Touch and The Cinematic Experience, London: University of California Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Batty, C. (2012) Screenplays: How To Write and Sell Them (Creative Essentials), Harpenden: Kamera Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • BBFC (2011) ‘Human Centipede 2 (Full Sequence) Rejection Explanation’. Available from: British Board of Film Classification, http://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/human-centipede-2-full-sequence (accessed 3 October 2013).

    Google Scholar 

  • Berberian Sound Studio (2012) Wr./Dir. Peter Strickland, UK, 92 mins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Big Bad Wolves (2013) Wrs./Dirs. Aharon Keshales and Navot Papushado, Israel, 110 mins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blake, M. and Bailey, S. (2013) Writing the Horror Movie, London: Bloomsbury.

    Google Scholar 

  • Byzantium (2012) Wr. Moira Buffini, Dir. Neil Jordan, UK/USA/Ireland, 118 mins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carrie (1976) Wr. Lawrence D. Cohen, Dir. Brian De Palma, USA, 98 mins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carrie (2013) Wr. Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, Dir. Kimberly Peirce, USA, 100 mins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chained (2012) Wr./Dir Jennifer Chambers Lynch, Canada, 94 mins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cheap Thrills (2013) Wrs. David Chirchirillo and Trent Haaga, Dir. E.L. Katz, USA 85 mins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cherry, B. (2009) Horror (Routledge Film Guidebooks), London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cowboys and Vampires (2010) Wr./Dir. Douglas Myers, USA, 94 mins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Creed, B. (1993) The Monstrous Teminine: Film, Feminism, Psychoanalysis (Popular Fictions Seriese), London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dark Tourist (2012) Wr. Frank John Hughes, Dir. Suri Krishnamma USA, 85 mins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dawn of the Dead (1978) Wr./Dir. George A. Romero, Italy/USA, 156 min. (Ultimate Final Cut).

    Google Scholar 

  • Death By VHS (2013) Wrs. Scarlet Fry, Laurance Holloway, Jacob D. O’Neal, David Sabal, Brian Everet Smith and Richard Stoudt, Dirs. Scarlet Fry, Jscob D. O’Neal and David Sabal., USA, 75 mins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dementamania (2013) Wr. Anis Shlewet, Dir. Kit Ryan, UK, 83 mins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dexter (2006–2013) Wrs. Jeff Lindsay and James Mantos Jr. (96 episodes), Dirs. Various, USA. 60 mins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Douglas, M. (2002) Purity and Danger: An Analysis of Concept of Pollution and Taboo, London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Duncan, S.V. (2008) Genre Screenwriting: How To Write Popular Screenplays That Sell, London: Continuum, pp. 110–134.

    Google Scholar 

  • Evil Dead (2013) Wrs. Fede Alvarez and Rodo Sayagues, Dir. Fede Alvarez, USA, 91 mins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Freddy vs. Jason (2003) Wrs. Damian Shannon and Mark Swift, Dir. Ronny Yu, Canada/USA/Italy, 97 mins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Freeland, C.A. (2000) The Naked and The Dead: Evil and The Appeal of Horror, Oxford: West view Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Freud, S. (2003) The Uncanny (Penguin Modern Classics Translated Texts), London: Penguin Classics.

    Google Scholar 

  • Freud, S. (2005) The Unconscious (Penguin Modern Classics Translated Texts), London: Penguin Classics.

    Google Scholar 

  • Funny Games (2007) Wr./Dir. Michael Haneke, USA/France/UK/Austria/Germany/Italy, 111 mins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gledhill, C. (2007) ‘The Horror Film’ in Pam Cook (ed.) The Cinema Book (3rd ed.), London: British Film Institute, pp. 347–366.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grabbers (2012) Wr. Kevin Lehane, Dir. Jon Wright, UK/Ireland, 94 mins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grey, J. (2010) Show Sold Separately: Promos, Spoilers, and other Media Paratexts, New York: New York University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Halloween 2 (2009) Wr/Dir. Rob Zombie, USA, 105 mins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hannibal (2013-) Wrs. Bryan Fuller and Tomas Harris (14 episodes), Dir. Various, USA, 43 mins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haunter (2013) Wr. Brian King and Matthew Brian King, Dir. Vincenzo Natali, Canada/France, 97 mins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Highway to Hell (2012) (Video) Wr./Dr. Richard Driscal, UK, 94 mins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hill, A. (1997) Shocking Entertainment: Viewer Responses to Violent Movies, Luton: John Libbey.

    Google Scholar 

  • Human Centipede II (Full Sequence) (2011) Wr./Dir. Tom Six, USA, 91 mins. (uncut).

    Google Scholar 

  • I Spit on Your Grave 2 (2013) Wrs. Neil Elman & Thomas Fenton, Dir. Steven R. Monroe, USA, 106 mins. (uncut).

    Google Scholar 

  • Insidious: Chapter 2 (2013) Wr. Leigh Whannell, Dir James Wan, USA, 106 mins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jenkins, H. (2008) Convergence Culture: Where Old and New Media Collide, London: New York University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kimber, S. (2011) Controversies: Henry Portrait of a Serial Killer, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kimber, S. (2014) ‘Transgressive Edge Play and A Srpski Film/A Serbian Film’ in Horror Studies, 5(1), 107–125.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kinder, M. (2001) ‘Violence American Style: The Narrative Orchestration of Violent Attractions’ in David, J. Slocum (ed.) Violence and American Cinema, London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kristeva, J. (1982) Powers of Horror: An Essay on Abjection, New York: Columbia University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kurosuiaia/Crossfire (2000) Wrs. Kota Yamada, Masahiro Yokotani & Shusuke Kaneko, Dir. Shusuke Kaneko, Japan, 115 mins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Les Revenants/The Returned (2012-) Wrs. Fabrice Gobert and Emmanuel Carrere, Dirs. Fabrice Gobert and Frédéric Mermoud, France, 52 mins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Long Weekend (1978) Wr. Everett De Roche, Dir. Colin Eggleston, Australia, 92 mins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Long Weekend (2008) Wr. Everett De Roche, Dir. Jamie Blanks, Australia, 88 mins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Los cronocrímenes/Timecrimes (2007) Wr./Dir. Nacho Vigalondo, Spain, 92 mins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mama (2013) Wrs. Neil Cross, Andrés Muschietti & Barbara Muschietti, Dir. Andrés Muschietti, Spain/Canada, 100 mins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mancini, D. (2013) ‘Directors Q&A Curse of Chucky (2013)’ in Frightfest, London, 22 August 2013.

    Google Scholar 

  • Manhattan Baby (1982) Wrs. Elisa Briganti and Dardano Sacchetti, Dir. Lucio Fulci, Italy, 89 mins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maniac (2012) Wrs. Alexandre Aja and Grégory Levasseur, Dir. Franck Khalfoun, France/USA, 89 mins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marano, M. (2007) ‘Going There: Strategies lor Writing the things that Scare You’ in Mort Castle (ed.) On Writing Horror: A Handbook by The Horror Writers Association, Cincinnati: Writers Digest Books, pp. 53–57.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marriott, J. (2004) Horror Films, London: Virgin Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marriott, J. and Newman, K. (2008) Horror: The Definitive Guide to the Cinema of Fear, London: Andre Deutch.

    Google Scholar 

  • Martyrs (2008) Wr./Dir. Pascal Laugier, France/Canada, 99 mins.

    Google Scholar 

  • McGlasson (2010) ‘Creating Memorable Horror Characters’ Available from: ConstructingHorror.com, http://constructinghorror.com/index.php?id=124 (Accessed 4 October 2013).

    Google Scholar 

  • McKee, R. (1999) Story: Substance, Structure, Style and The Principles of Screenwriting, London: Methuen.

    Google Scholar 

  • No One Lives (2012) Wr. David Cohen, Dir. Ryûhei Kitamura, USA, 86 mins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Patrick (1978) Wr. Everett de Rouche, Dir. Richard Franklin, Australia, 96 mins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Patrick (2013) Wr. Justin King, Dir. Mike Hartley, Australia, 90 mins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Paranormal Activity 4 (2012) Wr. Chrsitopher Landon, Dirs. Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman, USA, 88 mins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Porn of the Dead (2006) (Video) Wr./Dir. Rob Rotten, USA, 100 mins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scanners (1981) Wr./Dir. David Cronenberg, Canada, 103 mins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scary Movie 5 (2013) Wrs. David Zucker and Pat Proft, Dir. Malcolm D. Lee, USA, 86 mins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sinister (2012) Wrs. Scott Derrickson & C. Robert Cargill, Dir. Scott Derrickson, USA/UK, 110 mins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Slaughtered Vomit Dolls (2006) (Video) Wr./Dir. Lucifer Valentine, Canada/USA, 71 mins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sleep Tight (2011) Wr. Alberto Marini, Dir. Jaunie Balagueró, Spain, 102 mins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Srpski Film/A Serbian Film (2010) Wrs. Aleksandar Radivojevic and Srdjan Spasojevic, Dir. Srdjan Spasojevic, Serbia, 104 mins. (Uncut).

    Google Scholar 

  • Stalled (2013) Wr. Dan Palmer, Dir. Christian James, UK, 84 mins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stoker (2013) Wr. Wentworth Miller, Dir. Chan-wook Park, UK/USA, 99 mins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Suck (2009) Wr./Dir. Rob Stefaniuk, Canada, 91 mins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, K.E. (2007) ‘No More Silver Mirrors: The Monsters in Our Times’ in Mort Castle (ed.) On Writing Horror: A Handbook by The Horror Writers Association, Cincinnati: Writers Digest Books, pp. 137–140.

    Google Scholar 

  • The ABCs of Death (2012) Wrs. Various, Dirs. Various, USA/New Zealand, 123 mins.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Banshee Chapter (2013) Wrs. Blair Erickson and Daniel J. Healy, Dir. Blair Erickson, Germany/USA, 87 mins.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Blair Witch Project (1999) Wrs./Dirs. Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez, USA, 81 mins.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Bunny Game (2010) Wrs. Rodleen Getsic and Adam Rehmeier, Dir. Adam Rehmeier USA, 76 mins.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Conjuring (2013) Wrs. Chad Hayes and Carey Hayes, Dir. James Wan, USA, 112 mins.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Dead 2: India (2013) Wrs./Dir. Howard J. Ford and Jonathan Ford, UK, 90 mins.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Demon’s Rook (2013) Wrs. James Sizemore and Akom Tidwell, Dir. James Sizemore, USA, 103 mins.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Dyatlov Pass Incident/The Devils Pass (2013) Wr. Vikram Weet, Dir. Renny Harlin, USA/UK/Russia, 100 mins.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Girl Next Door (2007) Wrs. Daniel Farrands and Philip Nutman, Dir. Gregory Wilson, USA, 91 mins.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Purge (2013) Wr./Dir. James DeManco, USA/france, 85 mins.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Signal (2007) Wrs./Dirs. David Bruckner, Jacob Gentry and Dan Bush, USA, 103 mins.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Village of the Damned (1960) Wrs. Stirling Silliphant, Woll Rilla and Ronald Kinnoch, Dir. Woll Rilla, UK, 77 mins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Trick ’r Treat (2007) Wr./Dir. Michael Dougherty, USA, 82 mins.

    Google Scholar 

  • True Blood (2008-) Wrs. Alan Ball & Charlaine Harris (71 episodes), Dirs. Various. USA, 60 mins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tucker & Dale Vs Evil (2010) Wrs. Eli Craig & Morgan Jurgenson, Dir. Eli Craig, Canada/USA, 89 mins.

    Google Scholar 

  • V/H/S/2 (2013) Anthology Concept Brad Miska, Wrs. Various, Dirs. Various, USA/Canada/Indonesia, 95 mins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Warm Bodies (2013) Wr./Dir. Jonathan Levine, USA, 98 mins.

    Google Scholar 

  • We Are What We Are (2013) Wrs.Nick Damici & Jim Mickle, Dir. Jim Mickle, USA, 105 mins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wells, P. (2000) The Horror Genre: From Beelzebub to Blair Witch (Short Cuts), London: Wallflower.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wheatley, B. (2013) ‘Variety Spotlight: Ben Wheatley’ in Frightfest, London, 23 August 2013.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wither (2012) Wrs. Sonny Laguna, David Liljeblad and Tommy Wiklund, Dirs. Sonny Laguna and Tommy Wiklund, Sweden, 95 mins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wood, R. (1986) Hollywood from Vietnam to Reagan … and Beyond, New York: Columbia University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • World War Z (2013) Wrs. Matthew Michael Carnahan, Drew Goddard & Damon Lindelol, Dir. Marc Forester, USA/Malta, 116 mins.

    Google Scholar 

  • You’re Next (2013) Simon Barrett, Dir. Adam Wingard, USA, 94 mins.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors
  1. Shaun Kimber
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Media and Communication, RMIT University, Australia

    Craig Batty

Copyright information

© 2014 Shaun Kimber

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Kimber, S. (2014). Horror Screenwriting: Blending Theory with Practice. In: Batty, C. (eds) Screenwriters and Screenwriting. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137338938_4

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation