Picture this – it’s Halloween night, the rain is beating down on the windows, the wind is whistling through the creaky back door, the lights are off and the murderous villain on your TV screen is creeping up behind their next victim. Horror movies have the ability to shock and stun us into a spiral of terror, while also leaving us in heart-racing suspense.
If you have a passion for film and the horror genre, why not try your hand at your own spooky screenplay? There is no better time than Halloween to delve into the dark and disturbing world of horror and create a story that is fit for the screen. You can learn how to write a horror movie script that will leave viewers scared to look under their beds.
Continue reading to discover the tricks and treats of creating a horror screenplay and how you can make the most of the spooky season!
The Horror Movie Genre Explained
In the world of film and television, there are plenty of genres. Some make us laugh, some make us cry, and some leave us cowering in terror with our hands covering our faces! If you prefer the latter, then you can evoke this sense of dread and fear with your own horror screenplay. Before beginning any form of horror film scriptwriting, you need to understand your genre.
The term ‘horror’ originates from the Old French word of ‘orror’, which translates as ‘to shudder or to bristle’. When creating a horror screenplay, you want to achieve a sense of terror in your audience, putting them on edge. Horror is a universal genre that exploits the audience and gets viewers to face up to death and their biggest fears.
Horror movies can incorporate a range of themes, with the villain being from the supernatural world or the real world. You may want to focus your horror film around:
- Ghosts
- Vampires
- Witches
- Supernatural monsters
- Serial killers
Famous Horror Films
If you are keen to put together your own horror screenplay, then you can take inspiration from existing movies in the horror genre. Why not study the horror movie script of these films to get ideas for your own. By doing this, you can see what works well and adopt it into your own scriptwriting process.
The horror movie genre spans far and wide, with new and thrilling pieces of film being released in cinemas. There are many classic horror films that may spark your creative juices. Some of the most well-known include:
- The Exorcist
- Psycho
- The Shining
- Halloween
- The Texas Chainsaw Massacre
- The Ring
How to Create a Horror Movie Idea
Before you embark on the horror film scriptwriting process, you need to come up with an idea that will engage and terrify an audience in equal measure. Many of us get lost in an endless spiral of the best horror movies Netflix has to offer, and our interest gets peaked because of a great plot. If you want to create something that will grab the attention of your audience, then consider the following tips:
Use what scares you – To create a great horror movie script, it is always advisable to draw on your own fears. If you have a phobia, are scared of death, or feel anxious about things that go bump in the night, then it’s likely that others will feel the same. By writing a horror screenplay that features some of your own fears, it will be relatable for the viewers.
Location, location, location – Opting for a spooky location, such as a cemetery or a haunted house, will certainly set the scene. Alternatively, if you choose to stage a terrifying murder in a place that everyday people visit all the time, it will certainly provide the shock factor.
Explore urban legends – We are all told urban legends, so why not draw upon these in your horror screenplay? By making them come to life, you will get your audience wondering whether the scary stories they hear are actually real.
What Techniques are Used in Horror Films?
While horror films differ greatly in content and intent, there are various techniques that are commonly used in this genre of film. When trying to think about horror script ideas, make sure you consider directorial elements too. For example, many horror movies adopt the following techniques:
- Jump scares
- Mirrors and reflections
- Tight frames
- Subliminal imagery
- Dream sequences
You don't need to plan every shot as a writer, but keeping these moments in mind will make it much easier for a director to bring your script to life. If you're curious about what happens once the cameras start rolling, our guide on how to make a horror film takes a closer look at the filming side.
How Do You Write a Good Horror Script?
The thought of writing a horror movie script can seem daunting. Your mind is probably full of ideas, but it can be overwhelming trying to put them all down on paper and then convert that to the screen. Writing for TV and film is not easy, but if you are keen to learn, then consider enrolling on our Scriptwriting – TV, Film, Stage, Radio course with learndirect.
While your predominant focus is horror film scriptwriting, it is beneficial to understand various mediums because then you can transfer your creativity to other platforms. Whether you are keen to pursue scriptwriting as a career, or you want to indulge a hobby, this online course will give you essential knowledge, skills, and techniques. The modules you will cover include:
- TV, Film, Stage, Radio
- How to Start
- Ideas
- Actual Writing
- Writing for Radio
- Writing for Television
- Telemovies
- The Feature Film
To test your knowledge, you will be issued with a question paper at the end of each lesson. Passing these papers will result in a Certificate of Completion. By opting for online study, you won’t have to deal with the restrictions that come with in-person learning.
You have the freedom to study at your own pace and in your own time. In fact, all you need is a laptop/computer and a stable internet connection! As soon as you enrol, you will be given 24/7 access to all of the materials you need to complete the course.
If writing a horror screenplay has always been a passion project for you, then learning the ropes with our course will help you achieve it. Alternatively, for those of you wishing to make a career out of horror film scriptwriting, then the contents of this course will give you essential knowledge that you can use for future learning.
Take Your Screenplay Further with Film Studies
If you'd like to work on your scriptwriting as part of a recognised qualification, our GCSE and A-Level Film Studies courses could be a great fit. Both follow the WJEC Eduqas specification and include a production task, where you can write a screenplay extract rather than shooting a short film. That means your coursework could be a chilling horror script of your own, backed up by an evaluative analysis explaining the creative choices behind it.
Along the way, you'll study films that horror fans are sure to enjoy. The GCSE includes Dracula and The Lost Boys, while the A-Level covers Jordan Peele's Get Out and Edgar Wright's zombie comedy Shaun of the Dead. Seeing how these stories play out on screen is a brilliant way to sharpen your own writing.
You can study GCSE Film Studies with exams included or GCSE Film Studies without exams. If you're ready for the next level, there's also A-Level Film Studies with exams included and A-Level Film Studies without exams. To find out more about these courses and the filming techniques that turn a script into something truly scary, read our guide on how to make a horror film.
Take Advantage of the Spooky Season!
So, what are you waiting for? This Halloween is the perfect opportunity for you to work on your creativity and learn how to write a horror screenplay that will shock and scare! If you’re interested in learning the techniques of horror film scriptwriting, then we have online courses that suit.
Speak to one of our Course Executives on 01202 006 464 to find out more information or contact us online. Otherwise, click below to start perfecting your horror screenplay skills!
