How do I get that "horror look"?

Pettersen

Pettersen

Well-known member
I'm in the pre-production of a horror short I'm going to shoot at my local school. My question is, how do i get that horror look, that empty feeling of something watching you without really knowing what it is?

Color correction, scene-file settings, lighting, framing etc. Gimme everything you know. :)
 
go rent 15 horror films and 3 notebooks.

you'll get more out of studying style, setups, framing and lighting from them than we could offer you over an internet message board.

probably not the answer you wanted, but imo, the best.
 
Pettersen said:
My question is, how do i get that horror look, that empty feeling of something watching you without really knowing what it is?
Click to expand...

And you may want to start with Halloween.
 
The less seen the better.

Big and scary is scarier, so shoot from a low position.

And, since you're scared and averting your eyes, a slight "dutch" angle will add a bit to the feeling.

Red is scarier than blue.
 
Its the music man.... the music!
you can have a nicely lit scene and beautiful people in it and if you throw in a scary sound track it WILL feel scary even though it doesnt look it. Reach deep into your own fears and go with that and try to relate them to what you have in your script. If you dont think the script is really that scary then or like someone is watching you than its time for a rewrite.
 
And bring down your master pedestal, the scene file setting. That will will basically drown the shadows to absolute black, it's very beautiful/creepy.
 
As a DP, I would say the bet way to convey that feeling is with soudn design in post. For lightign, keep your sources few and your shadows deep. If it is bright, then there is nothing to fear lurking in the shadows...

BTW, I am a republican, and the only thing to fear is ignorance.

-j
 
I agree with the idea of reviewing the history of horror in order to properly get that feel across.
 
I think the audio is key. start low volume and then fool your audience by putting some not so scary shot, then all of a sudden "BAM !" the real scary scene is visible. At this point you would set high volume levels and use some sound effect with alot of reverb or something. If you use suround sound, make sure you use little sound effect on the rear speakers. I love the look over your should look when you hear something in the rear then you turn around and "BAM!" once again I just peed my pant. Anyways, this might not sound right as I am writing becuase I just freaked my self out as I was typing.

those are my two cents.
 
I've always been a big horror fan. I would definately go for a low-key lighting effect. Depends on what you mean by Horror Look. There are different types of Horror movies. The Ring is completly different than Halloween which is different from Nightmare on Elm Street. What style do you prefer and want to emulate? Do you like Texas Chainsaw (TCM) or Rosemary's Baby?

Achieving mood is what really sells it as a Horror film. If you're going for that B-movie horror effect I would suggest you stock up on props and costumes. If you have access to a fog machine try that. If not use dry ice: http://www.dryiceinfo.com/fog.htm
but be careful its dangerous if it touches your skin. Make your own fake blood and scars. Blood is just corn syrup and red food coloring.

I think some Cyan gels wrapped over your lights could help sell it. Again it depends on your style. Also, use a lot of low angles when filmming. You don't have to show everything. The viewer will make up in their mind what is happening. For example: the killer reaches out and swings his ax at the victims head, cut away from the victim. By not showing the victim actually have his head chopped off it sells it better because it leaves the viewer to imagine something a lot worse in their heads. Get some royalty free horror sound clips. Music always helps set the mood and pace of a film. Last but not least at the end of the day the look will only take the film so far, it all boils down to the story.
 
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