Tales of horror have always been with us, from Biblical times to the Gothic novel to successful modern day authors and screenwriters. Though the genre is often maligned, it is huge in popularity and its resilience is undeniable. Marc Blake and Sara Bailey offer a detailed analysis of the horror genre, including its subgenres, tropes and the specific requirements of the horror screenplay.
Tracing the development of the horror film from its beginnings in German Expressionism, the authors engage in a readable style that will appeal to anyone with a genuine interest in the form and the mechanics of the genre. This book examines the success of Universal Studio's franchises of the '30s to the Serial Killer, the Slasher film, Asian Horror, the Supernatural, Horror Vérité and current developments in the field, including 3D and remakes. It also includes step-by-step writing exercises and interviews with seasoned writers/directors/ producers discussing budget restrictions, screenplay form and formulas and how screenplays work during shooting.
There are hundreds of books about screenwriting, but precious few aimed at the would-be horror film author; this volume is a noteworthy addition to the literature. Both Blake and Bailey have written horror films and teach the process at Southampton Solent University, UK. This volume covers horror films from the world over and is packed with examples. The breadth of the films noted makes this book almost a course in horror history. Through each chapter on structuring the screenplay, the reader is led through the succession of tropes: unease, dread, terror, horror, and finally disgust. The style is engaging, but the authors make no bones about the effort involved in all aspects of filmmaking - a fact reiterated in the appendix of interviews with writers, directors, and a producer. There are chapters on the international market; the ins and outs of the prequel, sequel, and franchise; and the trick of blending or crossing genre lines. The writing exercises are comprehensive, but beginners might profit from sharing their attmepts with a trusted reader. The volume includes a 425-item filmography and a tightly focused bibliography. A solid resource for film buffs and budding screenwriters. Summing Up: recommended. Lower- and upper-division undergraduates; two-year program students; general readers.
