Horror Film Production

Are you a horror movie fan? Then this is the film class for you! This course will teach you the fundamentals of horror filmmaking and working within the horror genre portion of the industry. You will learn not only how to create films, but also how to craft and focus your skills to create compelling and effective horror content. The course will also give you the opportunity to work with and learn from some of the top minds in the horror industry through panels, lectures, and field trips. Each student will create two horror short films during the 6-week course. Additionally, the course is a historical exploration of horror films and their relation to society, with both a national and an international perspective. The course will look at horror markets within the US, examining historical and social contexts, as well as looking at the affects and effects of international markets such as Japan, Germany, France, and others. The class will trace how present day horror movies have been a product of a vast and plentiful history of cinema, as well as how social and global forces have changed the path of the genre, such as wars, social movements, trends, and other factors. To study a genre, especially one like horror, one must take into account the marketing and business side in addition to audience receptions. The course will be a forum for ample discussion on the meanings of horror film, as well as the business and social aspects. This class is designed for both beginning filmmakers as well as seasoned production veterans looking to hone their skill set. It is a combination of lecture, film screenings, production, and class discussions. You are expected to attend each class and be an active participant. You are also expected to complete all assignments prior to class. The format of the course will be a combination of lectures and screenings. You will learn a number of filmmaking tools – including: Discussions of genre and what is a “horror film” How to craft a compelling story Creating strong characters How to communicate with the cast and crew Create a mise-en-scene and texture Manage and use your post-production effectively Utilize sound design Class sessions will also include tutorials on such topics as: Directing The history of genre films Creating a visual palette Creating a scare sequence Determining horror trends Discussions of genres and sub-genres Editing Production Sound Production Lighting Cinematography Global horror markets and how to sell overseas Examining the concept of “formula” and how to utilize or avoid it Discussions on FX and creating monster and creatures Pre-Production (storyboarding, casting, permits, and more) Students will work in groups and will perform various roles, and the films will be carefully developed using a comprehensive process. This process will ensure that you bring a certain discipline to guide your creativity – in this class and throughout your filmmaking career. Students will be asked to bring their own digital recording devices/cameras. This can be anything from a basic cell phone up to a high-end digital camera. USC will provide the rest of the major filmmaking resources, including: Digital cameras Tripods Lighting kits Sound kits AVID editing suites Access to free on-campus locations USC SCA Sound Stages Access to our Cinema Film Library (with over 13,000 films)