Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Anthology Horror Films

                The Anthology Film

    This is a great way to make your first feature. If you are having trouble writing the script for a full length feature then why not three to five shorter scripts that can combine to form an entire feature length horror movie?

    This type of film making gives you more time and a greater freedom where casting is concerned. Because you are dealing with multiple stories you do not need to hold together the same cast for as long. Secondly you do not need to occupy the same locations for as long. Because you are really shooting different stories you can spread out production over a longer period of time if you wish.

    There is also the fact that you can share the production of an anthology film. You can shoot one film while a friend, partner or fellow director can go out and shoot a different segment. You can collaborate with another film maker or two that you admire. This is how Grindhouse got made.

    Okay things to consider if you are going to shoot an Anthology.

    Decide on the genre and stick to it. The stories should connect and not be all over the place. They have to feel as if they exist in the same world.Think about movies like Sin City. And since we are on the subject of Sin City I would like you to consider a common look. The camera and equipment should be the same if possible. I know that half of Grindhouse is shot on film and the other half is digital, but the over all look is kept consistent.


    Here is what I believe that you will need to consider when creating one of this type of low budget films.

    You may want to have a common theme, (we discussed this earlier). Something like an object, a place or a thing that connects the stories. Look at the trailer for the new movie V/H/S to see what I mean.


    You can use a person to connect the stories. It does not have to be the same character. In the movie Trilogy of Terror, the actress, Karen Black, is used to connect all three stories. She plays different people, but it is always her.

    Or you could just do one that has stories that do not connect at all except for the fact that they were all written or directed by you. The choice is up to you. Have fun with your movie, after all that is why you are doing this. If you are not enjoying the filmmaking process why do it.  Film making is a time consuming process. You are going to be spending 16-20 hours a day working on your film at time so again try to have some fun. It is fun to be a horror filmmaker.

    Okay that is it for now. Remember to tell a friend about this Blog. Add us to your google plus and stumble us on stumbleupon.