If You Were to Direct a Horror Movie...

[TeenageZombie138]

If I were to direct a horror movie, which I plan on doing sometime in the near future, I would film it in black and white. It would be in the style of a 50s b-movie. A few examples of the style of movie that I might want to make are: Attack of the Giant Leeches and Plan 9 From Outerspace. I just like the horror movies from 20s-70s. Movies like Creature From the Black Lagoon, The Wolfman, Frankenstein, Night of the Living Dead, The Astro-Zombies, and others like that are the ones that I like. So, a black and white 50s b-movie style would be the "genre" that I would lean towards.

What about you?

[SomewhatDamaged]

To my mind by far the best 50s monster movie was Them, I think special effects aside this movie still holds up today.
As for what I would direct, I still think the ultimate zombie movie has yet to be made.
I know Romero has come close with Night & Dawn but rather than the microcosm of the breakdown of society as in DOTD using the shopping mall as its analagy. I would like to see a zombie film that shows the complete breakdown of society to total anarchy. From the first outbreak, to social chaos in the big cities. A film that shows humanity teetering on the edge of the abyss.

[vanlutz]

The Tingler.

But, let me give you just a little advice. Which you can take or leave. The list you've mentioned have some pretty bad acting. DO NOT AIM FOR THAT. Yes, the acting is cheesy, but it wasn't meant to be. That was B-acting in the 50s. These were actors doing their best on strict limitations. Don't think your non-actor friends can be just as bad, because they can't. They'll just be unwatchable. AIM HIGH, if you fail you've given it your best shot. If you succeed, you'll produce something people will actually enjoy watching.

Oh, and buy your equipment. This way you have time to really do the job properly.

[desol81]

Just cast Bruce Campbell. Everything else is optional.

[vanlutz]

Originally Posted by desol81

Just cast Bruce Campbell. Everything else is optional.

That's very funny. Sadly it's true.

You can have a movie with exceptional acting, story, gore, and most importantly positive viewer reaction. All the reviews can be outstanding, but if your movie doesn't have some recognizable name you can use to push your movie, you're almost sunk. Unless you don't mind giving it to a lousy distributor for free.

[SomewhatDamaged]

Originally Posted by vanlutz

That's very funny. Sadly it's true.

You can have a movie with exceptional acting, story, gore, and most importantly positive viewer reaction. All the reviews can be outstanding, but if your movie doesn't have some recognizable name you can use to push your movie, you're almost sunk. Unless you don't mind giving it to a lousy distributor for free.

Not totally true although I do see your point. I would cite, [REC], Man Bites Dog, The Blair Witch Project, & the piss poor Hostel as exceptions.

[vanlutz]

I said "ALMOST". There's always exceptions, but very few. Blair Witch had excellent PR, because that movie sucked. How it scammed it's way into Sundance and Cannes is beyond me (actually I know, but still). But, the PR it produced helped the film makers get an excellent distribution deal. Hostel, the writer already had credits, so he'd been put through the distribution mill. The other two I haven't seen so I can't comment on.

But, if you make a micro-budget movie, especially one like TZ138 plans on making, and it doesn't have a "name" (even someone like Gary Coleman) making a cameo, then it's almost impossible for it to get distribution where he'll see a penny.

My own movie is getting rave reviews for the exceptional acting and it's brutal disturbing nature. I've been offered the same distribution deals that really awful z-grade movies have been offered. I've seen it get passed by these festivals that embrace the indie film maker. Yet they show the same movies, and 95% of these have some "name" in or attached to them. That leaves 5% open to the true unknowns. Once these "names" make the festivals rounds, and everyone knows they suck, they're picked up by Lionsgate or Dimension Extreme and stocked on Blockbuster and Netflix shelves. Why? Because of a "name".

[ZARCULA]

When I was young I played around with an 8mm camera and now a days I mess with a digital recorder or camcorder...I was always a huge fan of the Wolfman and werewolves..also haunted houses...so not entirely sure what type of movie...either way I would make a movie that didnt follow the typical "formula"....something I would have a passion for.

[TeenageZombie138]

Originally Posted by vanlutz

The Tingler.

But, let me give you just a little advice. Which you can take or leave. The list you've mentioned have some pretty bad acting. DO NOT AIM FOR THAT. Yes, the acting is cheesy, but it wasn't meant to be. That was B-acting in the 50s. These were actors doing their best on strict limitations. Don't think your non-actor friends can be just as bad, because they can't. They'll just be unwatchable. AIM HIGH, if you fail you've given it your best shot. If you succeed, you'll produce something people will actually enjoy watching.

Oh, and buy your equipment. This way you have time to really do the job properly.

I'm not a fucking retard. Attack of the Giant Leeches and Plan 9 had were horrible movies in your opinion, but I like them. That's the style I'm into.

[BlackWidow]

Originally Posted by TeenageZombie138

I'm not a fucking retard. Attack of the Giant Leeches and Plan 9 had were horrible movies in your opinion, but I like them. That's the style I'm into.

I am sure he didn't want to insult you. He was just trying to give you advice on how to reproduce bad acting...

Anyway if I would do a movie, I would probably go for a hammer like movie... I just love that style. The older feel to it, vampires, seduction etc. I think it was a great era.

BW

[ZARCULA]

What we need less of is people with arrogant opinions and attitudes. There were far too many people here before with the "I'm right your wrong" attitudes....Or the.."I took films classes so I know more than you" attitudes. Most of what is discussed here are likes and dislikes...they are opinions..nothing more nothing less...No one is wrong for likeing a cheesey b-rated horror movie..yet your not right because you studied or took film classes....Some people loved SCREAM..I did not.....Some people like the Amityville Horror remake...I did not...some people did not like the Hills Have Eyes remake...I really liked it....This should be a place to discuss our favorite movies and help each other when we need to seek out a difficult to find movie or title..not be criticised because someone has an over-inflated ego and opinion of themselves

[BlackWidow]

come on guys be nice...or I won't be

BW

[JohnShaft]

BW's right guys, let's keep this non-personal. There is a line between giving contrary opinions to others (even if you state them as "fact") and making arguments personal. And there's no need for us to edge into the latter. Oftentimes it's just a case of the way people state things. I've been accused of being self opinionated more than once, and I think that's fine. I do also agree that pretty much everything is just a matter of opinion, no matter how widely held the belief.

So let's all just endevour to "get along", huh?

As for my answer to the question.
I've never thought about directing as such. But there are a number of stories I've conceived and worked on, for myself - Screenwriting is something of an interest of mine. Mostly they're pretty traditional horror fare. Akin to the likes of DOG SOLDIERS, JACOBS LADDER, and various zombie movies. So it would probably be something along those lines. Featuring copious amounts of gore, and with an ultra-serious tone.

I'm just the worst person in the world though at making ideas into action. Who knows in the future though.

[JohnShaft]

Originally Posted by SomewhatDamaged

I know Romero has come close with Night & Dawn but rather than the microcosm of the breakdown of society as in DOTD using the shopping mall as its analagy. I would like to see a zombie film that shows the complete breakdown of society to total anarchy. From the first outbreak, to social chaos in the big cities. A film that shows humanity teetering on the edge of the abyss.

These are ideas that interest me SD. It's my type of thing.

I do think that a lot of films merely glimpse at that, without really exploring that. They'll have an early scene that shows things falling apart (the car ride in the DOTD remake) or how things are turned on their head in the aftermath (the soldiers in 28 DAYS LATER). But there's no long lingering look at the end of humanity. I'd like to see an exploration of that, but it sounds like pretty grim viewing. Fine for me, but I guess many might not be up to it.

[ZARCULA]

To BW and JOHN..if your posts were directed at me...I think you misinturpreted my meaning...I too am trying to keep the peace...no need for us to criticize or bash each other.....no need for the.."im Right Your Wrong" drama...