Incisive article. Indeed, horror is resilient and adaptable to changing economies and viewing trends in audiences. It's always evolving with culture, yet it's fluid and open to the many interpretations horror lends itself to. Just find that tribe and make something!
Thank you for sharing, Ted! I'm currently working on my own horror history manuscript and I think this book will serve as an extremely valuable source of information. I also love that one of the goriest slashers of our time is screening at my local cinema. So cool!
“HORROR BUSINESS” by The Misfits from their Horror Business 45 Single released Independently in 1979 on their own Plan 9 Records Label from Lodi, New Jersey.
Like many filmmakers, my first film was horror, and it made me think about why I, or we, picked that genre, and why more and more aspiring filmmakers do the same. "Fear" that is what rules the world and the more fear, the closer we get to extinction. Hitler's Germany was based on "fear," and it led to the deaths of millions. Fear leads to hatred, and hatred to conflict, and conflict to death and destruction. We wonder why there are more killings at schools, malls, theaters, places that should not be violent. One word "fear." Yet, many of us try to scare up the same audience with films that promote fear.
So how do we combat this culture of "fear," that is not only prominent here in the U.S., but around the world. The best way is to develop a new genre that also does not need stars, or a lot of money to produce. A genre that not only entertains, but uplifts, inspires, and makes the audience feel that anything is possible.
And with aspiring filmmakers concentrating on making films in this new genre, the kinds of discussions that horror is presently generating will be a part of this new exciting movement of filmmaking and will make the world around us a much happier and productive place.
Incisive article. Indeed, horror is resilient and adaptable to changing economies and viewing trends in audiences. It's always evolving with culture, yet it's fluid and open to the many interpretations horror lends itself to. Just find that tribe and make something!
Thank you for sharing, Ted! I'm currently working on my own horror history manuscript and I think this book will serve as an extremely valuable source of information. I also love that one of the goriest slashers of our time is screening at my local cinema. So cool!
“HORROR BUSINESS” by The Misfits from their Horror Business 45 Single released Independently in 1979 on their own Plan 9 Records Label from Lodi, New Jersey.
https://youtu.be/79W284jULvI?si=7Qg4WJY-KyWeBfBT
BONUS:
Dave Pajo’s acoustic cover of “Horror Business” from his EP of Misfits Cover Songs SCREAM WITH ME released Independently on Black Tent Press in 2009
https://youtu.be/y5f1dHE97nI?si=dKPfoHKzzrLRdpNo
Well said Ted! and of course, kudos to Stephen who has been a champion of raindance for ages!
Wow. We horror nerds wish more people paid attention to this info years ago. We knew it was true all along.
Like many filmmakers, my first film was horror, and it made me think about why I, or we, picked that genre, and why more and more aspiring filmmakers do the same. "Fear" that is what rules the world and the more fear, the closer we get to extinction. Hitler's Germany was based on "fear," and it led to the deaths of millions. Fear leads to hatred, and hatred to conflict, and conflict to death and destruction. We wonder why there are more killings at schools, malls, theaters, places that should not be violent. One word "fear." Yet, many of us try to scare up the same audience with films that promote fear.
So how do we combat this culture of "fear," that is not only prominent here in the U.S., but around the world. The best way is to develop a new genre that also does not need stars, or a lot of money to produce. A genre that not only entertains, but uplifts, inspires, and makes the audience feel that anything is possible.
And with aspiring filmmakers concentrating on making films in this new genre, the kinds of discussions that horror is presently generating will be a part of this new exciting movement of filmmaking and will make the world around us a much happier and productive place.