To make an effective horror film, research and planning are essential. This involves developing a frightening story idea, writing a plot, securing filming locations with permission, casting actors, adding an atmospheric musical score and special effects, and having a twist or surprise. After filming, the movie must be carefully edited and promoted locally to a known audience for a targeted release date. Proper planning of all these elements is needed to create a scary horror film without relying solely on graphic violence.

1. Research & Planning
Investigation
Research – The systematic investigation into and study of
materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach new
conclusions.
Planning – The process of making plans for something.

2. What research and planning stages
are needed to make a horror film?
1. Get a scary idea for the movie. But make it good so they wont suspect it coming. And when
it comes, make it as scary as it can be. It could be more frightening if you HEAR noises, rather
than SEE the ghost or monster etc.
2. Turn your idea into a plot, or story. A great way to get an idea is to brainstorm ideas, then
choose one and write the story. Always have a story before filming, or else it might turn out
cheesy.
3. Find a place to film the movie. Good ideas are in the woods (especially at night), cabins,
wooden buildings, abandoned houses, etc. Make sure that you have permission to film at the
location before you start.
4. Find a cast who's willing to star in your thriller. They don't necessarily need acting
experience, but that depends on the complexity of your movie. Make sure they are willing and
able to take orders from the director.
5. Add scary and scratchy, eerily atmospheric music for suspense. Add scary, screechy music
for when something surprising happens.
6. Have a scary killer/monster/whatever. For some reason killers that don't talk are scarier than
ones who do. Make sure their motive is simple (revenge/insanity is good)

3. 7. Make something completely ordinary the center of the drama (paper bag, telephone,
toilet, doorbell, TV, videotape). If you do it well, it will be scary!
8. Have a plot twist (at the end or middle end).
9. Add good effects (if the blood looks like ketchup you're not going to scare anyone so use
hot sauce or tomato soup instead. It looks more realistic) If you choose to go with
effects...that is. Its proven that a sudden moment of suspense without graphic bloody
violence is more scary because the watcher's imagination finds the scariest possible outcome
that they personally can imagine... much scarier than even a realistic gore fest... think De
Niro's Hide and Seek... Scary because of the suspense, not because of the blood, or the
realism of said blood.
10. Make sure you use good effects. if you want to make magic balls, fire, explosion etc. use
effects lab pro! An alternative, which is more expensive, but can give much more professional
results is called Adobe After Effects (it has motion tracking, color correction etc., see a site
called VIDEO COPILOT).
11. After all of the filming is complete, start moving it to the computer. Editing it is often
fun, but frustrating, seeing as it could be erased with one click.
12. About half way into editing, set a release date. Put up posters around school or the
neighborhood. Try not to invite general public though, just people you know.