Summary
Do you want to make a horror movie? Horror movies have never been more in demand in the global marketplace. Horror movies don't need big name actors so their budgets tend to be lower. Scary movies translate into every language where comedies can be hard to travel across borders. A career making horror movies can be lucrative and long-lasting for you if you know the tricks of the trade. And who better for you to learn this craft from than an Academy Award nominated filmmaker who has made multiple horror movies?
This exclusive Stage 32 webinar will show you how to make a scary movie from scratch - from your initial idea through prep, production and post-production. Knowing how to take your film on this journey to completion can put you in the rarified air of being a proven filmmaker and can open doors throughout the industry.
Your host, Jonathan Heap, will show you how to use every aspect of the filmmaking process to tell a gripping and fresh horror tale from scratch that doesn’t rely on imitating past films, unrealized characters, or illogical stories.
Jonathan is an Academy Award-nominated director, writer, and producer with a dozen feature, television, and short credits, including an award-winning horror film now playing on Amazon and Tubi. He’s also worked with major studios like Warner Bros., where he developed a project for Sydney Pollack that became the Coen Brothers’ SUBURBICON, directed by George Clooney.
In this webinar, Jonathan will show you how to:
- Utilize the five kinds of horror films to develop your material
- Reinvent and generate new horror ideas we haven’t seen before
- Find great creative and production partners
- Use lighting and special effects to your advantage
- Up the scares in post-production
By the end of your time with Jonathan, you’ll have the tools to take your scary movie idea to the next level and actually get it made!
Testimonials for John's webinar:
I liked Jonathan and his presentation. He offered very practical and sound advice, which is always appreciated. - John G.
Very meticulous & methodical. Great instructor! - Jefferson
Covered all aspects of production. I found his homemade film very suspenseful. Horror with dread and a supernatural disappearing figure plus the music and lighting. - Arthur B.
What You'll Learn
Starting with the Development
- The 5 kinds of horror
- Researching similar successful horror films
- Understanding what scares you
The Script
- The different Kinds of “scares” and how to use and write them
- Identifying your ensemble and the roles they place
- Creating sympathy and jeopardy
- The basic horror structure
- The role of Violence (psychological vs. actual)
- How often do you need “scares”?
Pre-Production
- Selecting the right creative partners and what to look and ask for
- Producer
- DP
- Production Designer
- Effects
- Understanding the Importance of your Locations
- Creating a schedule around the genre’s unique needs
- Casting
- Do you need names?
- Finding a complementary ensemble
Production
- What the director should have prepared
- The Key to Lighting
- The importance of Camera Tests (makeup, effects, location)
- Effects: Practical or CGI?
- Prepping your Production design
- The Hierarchy of Horror Elements (different than other genres)
Post
- Hiring the right editor
- Determining tone and rhythm
- Coordinating with your team in prep
- Workflow
- Making sure shots and effects work
- Case studies
- Effects
- Boarding them out in prep
- Coordinating
- Music is King
- Coloring and shading can make or break your film
- Screen testing before picture lock
Q&A with Jonathan
Who Should Attend
All levels of directors (advanced, intermediate and beginner) looking to learn learn how to make a scary movie from scratch - from your initial idea through prep, production and post-production.
All levels of writers (advanced, intermediate and beginner) looking to learn how to make a scary movie from scratch - from your initial idea through prep, production and post-production.
Producers looking to learn how to make a scary movie from scratch - from your initial idea through prep, production and post-production.
Actors looking to learn how to make a scary movie from scratch - from your initial idea through prep, production and post-production.
Executive
Jonathan Heap is an Academy Award-nominated director, writer, and producer with a dozen feature films, and short credits. His first film was BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT, starring Donald Sutherland for Miramax. He followed that up with five more features, including the award-winning horror film now playing on Amazon and Tubi. He also developed a project for Warner Bros. and Sydney Pollack, which later became the Coen Brothers film SUBURBICON, which George Clooney directed. His other films starred the likes of Rob Lowe, Stephen Baldwin, Eric Roberts, and Tom Skerritt, among others.
Testimonials
"I am a professional animator working in games, with a strong interest in filmmaking and a desire to learn more about how this industry works. Jonathan gave me a very inspiring and informative introduction to the entire process. I love the fact that he shot a short film in his apartment, which he showed us in the class! He really proved that you can make a lot with limited resources. I learned a lot and I'm feeling inspired to start making things right away!" -Tom P.
"Jonathan Heap was very down to earth and gave great practical advice. " -Irene C.
"Covered all aspects of production. I found his homemade film very suspenseful. Horror with dread and a supernatural disappearing figure plus the music and lighting." -Arthur B.
Credits
