I think every writer I know has been in this situation: You’ve got a killer concept, a monster that’s genuinely creepy, and a protagonist you love. But you still can't figure out a way to get your idea onto paper. Why? Because coming up with a scare is one thing; building a story around them that's satisfying and has legs is much harder. How do you build the tension? How do you move the plot from one terrifying set piece to the next without it feeling cheap?Sometimes, the answer to a great horror movie lies in the plot devices. These aren’t clichés. They're tools you can use to get through your script and to keep the audience on the edge of their seats. Let's dive in. 1. The Cursed ObjectWhat we'd normally call a MacGuffin in any other genre, we actually just call a cursed object in horror. Basically, this is a tangible thing your character can find, touch, and immediately regret because it sends the world spiraling. How it works for the writer: This is your delivery system for the rules of your world. The Cursed Object gives your protagonist (and your audience) a clear, immediate problem that has to be solved.Look at the masters:The Tape in The Ring: The object provides the plot, the rules (“seven days”), and the ticking clock all in one. It’s a masterclass in efficiency.The Hand in Talk to Me: The hand allows the kids to create their own rules around it, which they...
Published By: NoFilmSchool - 2 days ago