The document discusses several influential horror films including The Blair Witch Project, Paranormal Activity, Saw, Scream, and A Nightmare on Elm Street. It notes that The Blair Witch Project and Paranormal Activity used low budgets and implied or off-screen scares to create fear and suspense. Saw uses graphic violence and gore but also provides a lesson about valuing life. Scream sticks to slasher conventions while being self-aware, and A Nightmare on Elm Street features the terrifying concept of being killed in dreams by Freddy Krueger.

1. Initial Ideas Inspiring Horror Films

2. The Blair Witch Project Release Date: 22 October 1999 (UK) Budget: $60,000 (estimated)Opening Weekend: $29,207,381 (USA) (1 August 1999) (1101 Screens)Gross: $140,530,114 (USA) (7 November 1999) A lot of the horror and suspense happens off-screen with things we cannot see. This creates a fear of the unknown and is what made the film successful. It is also low budget and uses a handheld camera.

3. Paranormal Activity Release Date: 25 November 2009 (UK) Budget: $15,000 (estimated) Opening Weekend: $77,873 (USA) (27 September 2009) (12 Screens) Gross: $107,917,283 (USA) (17 January 2010) Another low budget film that was very effective in scaring audiences. Unlike The Blair Witch Project, we do see a lot of ‘paranormal activity’ towards the end but at the beginning of the film it is mainly implied.

4. Saw Release Date: 1 October 2004 (UK) Budget: $1,200,000 (estimated) Opening Weekend: $18,276,468 (USA) (31 October 2004) Gross: $55,153,403 (USA) (26 December 2004) Horror element is gained primarily from excessive blood and gore but also teaches a lesson; value your life. Viewers may also fear being kidnapped by someone wearing a pig mask and tortured.

5. Scream Release Date: 2 May 1997 (UK) Budget: $15,000,000 (estimated) Opening Weekend: $6,354,586 (USA) (22 December 1996) Gross: $103,001,286 (USA) (20 July 1997) It sticks to classic slasher conventions while also using dialogue to show characters are aware of these conventions. This is very inventive dynamic to the film.

6. A Nightmare on Elm Street Release Date: 16 November 1984 (USA) Budget: $1,800,000 (estimated) Opening Weekend: $1,271,000 (USA) (11 November 1984) Gross: $10,777,659 (USA) (27 January 1985) A classic horror film with a terrifying concept. Freddy kills people in their dreams if they know his name, this can easily relate to the viewer and scare them.