The Maverick
10-30-2008, 04:54 PM
Here are a few pointers that I have to give concerning those horror/thrillers that often involve some group of people who encounter some threat in which they much survive. Here are five pointers to go by when making such films- these are the common elements of this kinda horror- but they are laden with tips on how to not screw them up:
(note: sorry for the bad numbering guys, I just discovered how this 'number' thing works out, but, who can't count?)
Foreshadow- something that is usually displayed in one form or another. In this sub-genre, it's often a common thing to start the film (or later on in the form of a flashback) with some introductory footage of how the disaster originates, or how it affects the people involved in the movie. What you always want to do is, like in the fashion of Lost, give some camera time to all of the main and affected characters- what they do, where they may work, and how they somehow get involved with the 'team'. Then simply elaborate on those things- then when all of the characters have been expressed, then simply bring on the disaster- that will bring them all together.
Resolution- Now, not all plots have to have a happy-ending- just think of those early westerns who chose not to do that and you'll get the idea. But in most movies, there's always a resolution resulting in peace- or at the very least bringing a end to one disaster before another one that invokes the hint of a sequel to come along after that. So, in essence of this, the characters who are affected must- and I mean must- come up with some kind of game plan (or plans, depending on if the other ones happen to fail, and contingency plans is requisite). Then, after they think of one, they usually go about restoring order to their devasted land. My advice is to make it a compelling plan- something that is coefficent to the disaster itself. For example, if for some reason the disaster is a carefully planned terrorist attack that rocks a building or city, then maybe the characters can form their own militia and combat the enemies with the same fire they used on them.
Struggle- Mostly in about EVERY disaster film, the team must make compromises, and in light of this, there will be immense disagreements that will arise. The members may argue, or split, or even in some cases, kill each other. Make this part of the plot interesting- for it's a big step-up to my next point.
The Solution- so, by looking at this considering what the past two steps have explained, now the characters must have some kind of game plan, but unlike what was explained in part 2, the resolution might not always be successful, and may require newer plans. Either way, when you get to the end of the only working plan that was thought of, or maybe the 5th one that's consider to be the team's last ditch effort for hope, then consider this to be the climax. Make the climax interesting- for that's the point of every climax, and that's to excite and shock the audience that watches before the results of the resolution come into fruition. Even at this stage, the characters must push themselves to their very limits in WAYS they never thought they could.
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[/LIST]
So, follow these steps, and you'll be on your way to making a fairly decent, if not an exceptional, disaster movie.
(note: sorry for the bad numbering guys, I just discovered how this 'number' thing works out, but, who can't count?)
Foreshadow- something that is usually displayed in one form or another. In this sub-genre, it's often a common thing to start the film (or later on in the form of a flashback) with some introductory footage of how the disaster originates, or how it affects the people involved in the movie. What you always want to do is, like in the fashion of Lost, give some camera time to all of the main and affected characters- what they do, where they may work, and how they somehow get involved with the 'team'. Then simply elaborate on those things- then when all of the characters have been expressed, then simply bring on the disaster- that will bring them all together.
Resolution- Now, not all plots have to have a happy-ending- just think of those early westerns who chose not to do that and you'll get the idea. But in most movies, there's always a resolution resulting in peace- or at the very least bringing a end to one disaster before another one that invokes the hint of a sequel to come along after that. So, in essence of this, the characters who are affected must- and I mean must- come up with some kind of game plan (or plans, depending on if the other ones happen to fail, and contingency plans is requisite). Then, after they think of one, they usually go about restoring order to their devasted land. My advice is to make it a compelling plan- something that is coefficent to the disaster itself. For example, if for some reason the disaster is a carefully planned terrorist attack that rocks a building or city, then maybe the characters can form their own militia and combat the enemies with the same fire they used on them.
Struggle- Mostly in about EVERY disaster film, the team must make compromises, and in light of this, there will be immense disagreements that will arise. The members may argue, or split, or even in some cases, kill each other. Make this part of the plot interesting- for it's a big step-up to my next point.
The Solution- so, by looking at this considering what the past two steps have explained, now the characters must have some kind of game plan, but unlike what was explained in part 2, the resolution might not always be successful, and may require newer plans. Either way, when you get to the end of the only working plan that was thought of, or maybe the 5th one that's consider to be the team's last ditch effort for hope, then consider this to be the climax. Make the climax interesting- for that's the point of every climax, and that's to excite and shock the audience that watches before the results of the resolution come into fruition. Even at this stage, the characters must push themselves to their very limits in WAYS they never thought they could.
]
[/LIST]
So, follow these steps, and you'll be on your way to making a fairly decent, if not an exceptional, disaster movie.