Hello, night owls! Last week, we did The Horror Movie Survival Guide: Viewer's Edition, where I laid out a plan of how to prepare yourself for watching horror movies if you're the squeamish or easily frightened type. Today, we look at it from a different angle - we look at it from a character's point of view. Whether you're writing a horror story and want to avoid tropes and deaths or just in case you ever find yourself in a horror movie scenario, these tips should help you out.
1. Don't Go There!
Notice how there are more horrific happenings in abandoned houses, basements, run down asylums/hospitals, and cabins in the woods? Yeah, best to avoid those. It doesn't matter if there's some cool rumor about a ghost flying around and you want to investigate - more than likely, it's not a safe place.
2. Stick Together!
If you're out with friends at an old summer camp and you get the feeling something isn't as it should be, then no! You never ever split up! Obviously, in the movies, the protagonists are split up to create tension within the audience. But after watching so many groups be torn about by slasher killers, we know better. And in real life, you definitely don't want to isolate yourself in such a scenario.
3. Get the Authorities!
Seriously, some people in horror films don't think about this until it's too late. If you're in legitimate danger, you call the police. Often in horror films, they aren't called upon until almost everyone is killed. Or (and this is even worse) they're portrayed as being horribly inexperienced to deal with the crimes at hand. But in real life, they're there for a reason and if you're being chased by Michael Myers through your house, you don't just hope a neighbor sees this and calls 911: you call 911.
4. Don't Go In There!
This is an extension of the Don't Go There! rule. Some places are perfectly safe...except for the 13th floor or that locked broom closet at the end of the hall. In either case, if there's a place with a suspicious air about it or a rumored curse or ghost, you don't go in there!
5. Get Outside!
You know that moment when you're watching a horror film and instead of running out the door, the protagonist decides to go upstairs or downstairs in their house? Yeah, we've all yelled "Are you kidding me!?" every time that happens. If you go upstairs, you're trapped! If you go downstairs, you're trapped! The only safe place for you to go is outside, where you still have hiding places yet room to run and there are people outside who can help you in case you couldn't call 911 before you left the house.
6. No PDAs!
One theme in many horror films is that romance and sex are dangerous things when a killer is on the loose. So if your slasher is the kind that kills at the sight of the kiss, save cuddling for later.
7. Be Prepared!
If you're being chased by a killer, pick up a baseball bat and walk/run on your toes for extra stealth. Basically, give yourself a fighting chance of survival by being quiet (as quiet as possible under the given circumstances) and having some sort of defense.
8. Determination!
Obviously, if you're in a scenario where some crazed maniac is running around your house looking for you, you're not going to be calm. To put it frankly, you're going to be scared shitless. But no matter how scared you are or what kind of mind games the killer tries playing with you, you have to be strong. You have to believe you're going to make it out alive and that belief will give you focus. It's the one trait of the surviving protagonists of horror films that you should definitely remember.
9. Remember the Curse!
If you're dealing with supernatural stuff, like in The Grudge, The Ring, or anything else that's supernatural, the best advice I have is to remember the rumors surrounding said curse or spirit. If there's a rumor about a cursed VHS tape that kills you upon a viewing and a mysterious VHS tape falls into your possession, just leave it alone. Or destroy it. If you're looking to move into a new house, try getting a vibe from the outside before setting foot inside and do some research on the place. With most haunted houses, you could walk around once, and nothing might happen. But if it's anything like The Grudge, one foot inside could be your doom. Basically, know if you're getting into spooky stuff before it's too late.
That's all I can think of off the top of my head right now! Anything I missed? Leave your survival tips in the comments if I did. Have a happy Friday everyone, and I will see you all on Monday to talk about Suicide Squad!!
~Maud,
Official Night Owl
No comments:
Post a Comment