BLOOD:
What is the significance of blood in a horror story? Why does the very thought of it churn our stomachs and make our hearts beat a little faster? What is it that makes us all think about our own mortality? Is it mortality itself? Could it be that every splash of blood brings us that much closer to realizing we are destructible, that we too are like the victims on the page and on the screen? Why am I answering questions with more questions?
For me blood is one key to unlocking a horror story. Of course you really don't need blood to make a good horror story, but where's that sense of mortality? Where's the real fear? I need at least a dribble of blood in a story to keep me reading. I need that feeling that the character isn't a rock but real living flesh, destructible. I need to know the character is like myself, able to bleed, and to hurt. Blood is what makes us....
MADNESS:
There he is. Yes, over there in the far corner of your house. He's gibbering to himself as he stares at you. His eyes are fixed, haunting, mad. In his right hand he's gripping the handle of a steak knife so tightly he begins to tremble. He titters, and...well, I think you should be moving your ass right about now, wouldn't you say?
Madness creates suspense, which in turn creates a terrific mood for a great horror story. Not a slasher flick. There must be more to this person's madness than just wild killing sprees. They have feelings of their own you know. We must delve deeper into them, find what really makes them tick, huh? Yeah. I love both read and write what a ma person thinks and feels. It's really a grand time and if you haven't, I'd say give it a try. But I'm warning you...madness is infectious...
ANARCHY:
And so the world is in chaos...need I go further into the realm of anarchy? We all know what it means and how terrifying it can be. Perhaps I will leave this for someone else to show us. Howe about you? What do you think?
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5 comments:
Good post. what books or movies do you think best illustrate your concepts? I'm thinking, "Hellraiser" for blood, "In the mouths of madness" for madness, and "The stand" for Chaos.
Charles, thanks, "Hellraiser" was indeed a very bloody movie. And it was good too. Yeah, I'd put it toward the top of my list. For bloodiest movies. As for a book, I honestly can't think of anything as bloody as Hellraiser. "Cell", by Stephen King comes close.
I have yet to see "In the Mouth of Madness". THough it's on my list. "The Shining", both the book and the Kubrick film were good examples of madnees.
As for anarchy, chaos..."The Stand" is up there, but I'd place Cell at the top. If you haven't read this book I recommend it. As for a movie, "Dawn of the Dead" rates high on my list.
Well I myself love blood more than I am suppose to we all know that.....nothing says pain like a speck of red.
Then madness well you need to feel it to know it and that why it is infectious.
Chaos...well you need to remember where you going with it other wise you will be swooped away by it....nice post Lucas...why you so quite my friend everything ok?
keep save:)
Etain,
Thanks. I'm working on too many projects at one time, that's why I'm so quiet I guess. I haven't been visiting my friends as much as I should. Between work, family, writing and blogging, I'm tired. But thanks for thinking of me. I'll try to visit more often.
no no...as long as your ok, thats just fine;)
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