Spooky Scribbles
I’m working on a script for a new project in the horror genre and was thinking about how descriptions are critical for setting the tone, atmosphere, and pace. Through genre-appropriate prose style and word choice, screen scribblers can immerse readers in tales of terror, suspense, and dread.
To execute this, I found it helpful to consider how some of my favorite masters of horrific literature captivated their readers.
H.P. Lovecraft, the master of cosmic horror, had a unique style that instilled a sense of the mystery of the unknown in his readers. His scene descriptions were atmospheric, filled with intricate details and arcane specifics to emphasize the insignificance of humanity in the face of ancient entities.
Cosmic Descriptions: Lovecraft often used elaborate and grandiose settings to convey the vastness and otherworldly nature of his Cthulhu mythos. He painted pictures of ancient cities, towering monoliths, and alien landscapes, gripping readers with the vibe of their own existential insignificance.
Sensory Details: Engage the senses of your readers by incorporating vivid and sensory language. Describe the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and physical sensations that contribute to the atmosphere of fear.
Unseen Horrors: Lovecraft mastered the art of building tension through the unseen. He would describe ominous sounds, unexplained phenomena, and hints of monstrous beings lurking just out of sight, allowing readers' imaginations to run wild with terrifying possibilities.
Psychological Dread: Lovecraft's horror often stemmed from the fragility of the human mind and the incomprehensibility of the horrors it could encounter. He tapped into psychological fears, weaving a sense of unease and madness.
Psychological Insights: Tap into the psychological aspect of fear by having characters express their thoughts, emotions, and reactions. Highlight their mounting anxiety, paranoia, and desperation as they confront the story's horrors.
Foreshadowing: Drop subtle hints or clues within the scene descriptions that allude to impending horrors. Establishing an undercurrent of unease and anticipation, preparing your audience for the frights to come.
Clark Ashton Smith was a master of crafting vivid and haunting imagery. His prose often painted evocative pictures in the minds of readers.
Lyrical Language: Smith's writing was poetic, using rich and lyrical language to describe horror and beauty. He blended vivid metaphors, colorful imagery, and descriptive phrases to create an immersive experience.
Dark Descriptions: Smith's works were filled with decadence and decay, infusing his settings with a sense of morbidity and the unhinged. He had a knack for describing grotesque and macabre elements in lavish and exquisite detail.
Robert Bloch built tension and suspense into his writing. His ability to craft vibes of unease and anticipation made his tales gripping and unnerving.
Pacing and Rhythm: Bloch alternated between slower, atmospheric moments and rapid, heart-pounding sequences, creating a rhythmic flow that kept readers on edge. Vary sentence structure and length to mimic rising tension. Short, snappy sentences for a sense of urgency and longer, descriptive sentences to slow the pace, building suspense.
Psychological Depth: Bloch delved into the depths of human motivations, exploring the darkest corners of the mind. He used these elements to heighten suspense, crafting complex characters with hidden motivations and internal struggles.
Clive Barker is a master of blending horror with dark fantasy, creating explicit and unsettling imagery.
Visceral Descriptions: Barker's prose is rich with striking and evocative descriptions that engage the senses and immerse the reader in macabre worlds. His vivid and grotesque imagery elicits strong responses and builds a sense of dread.
Other techniques to consider include:
Clear and Evocative Language: Use concise and descriptive language to paint a vivid picture of the scene. Choose words that evoke the desired emotions and engage the reader's imagination. Capture the visual, auditory, and sensory details to transport the audience into the terrifying setting.
Balance Detail and Brevity: Provide enough detail to create a vivid image while maintaining the pace of your screenplay. Avoid excessive exposition and purple prose, focusing only on the essential elements that enhance the horrific vibe without driving your readers to grab a dictionary.
By crafting scene descriptions with intention and a clear understanding of the needs of the genre, horrific scribblers can transport their readers to a world of nightmares, rivaled only by threats of regime change at the executive level or your project being placed in turnaround… FOREVERRRRRR!!!
