Hi everyone, I would like to read your thoughts about the subject mentioned. Should be an escalation but there is a number to follow? Thank you
Screenwriting : Horror jump scares, any suggestion? by Oscar Spinelli
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Hi Giancarlo,
I'm not sure I understand the questions?
Do you mean, should jump scares escalate, in frequency, and/or intensity?
I don't think jump scares should be your go-to in a horror - manipulating the audience's expectation through emotion, should be the goal. Suspense trumps surprise. Make your audience anxious by caring about a character's well-being, then put them through the grinder. Increase the suspense and tension by deciding what to reveal to the audience, but keep the character unaware.
There's a well-documented example of this - two people are chatting at a table and a bomb goes off. That's a surprise, like a jump scare. However, if a bomb is shown under a table, we're now left wondering how it got there and when it will go off, throughout the entire conversation - different emotion.
Eoin I totally agree with you. But my question is: is there a number of jump scares to follow in the escalation of the screenplay? Just for example, I’ve counted out around 12/15 in 90 minutes movie.
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You can pace them out so each scare is bigger than the last or is modified to make the scare bigger (see Alien's use of the "false jump to disarm the audience and then REALLY scare them when they think they're safe). This way you're always topping what you've done and raising the tension.
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I think the number of scares you use depend directly on your script. If you put one in just to do it, then people will get a bit frustrated, but if it is the right time, place etc., and it fits with the writing, it will work. I would think that would be the number of jump scares you should use. So, there can't be a set number. It is completely dependent on your script.
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Whatever screenplay how-to books you are reading, do the opposite. Read horror scripts from your favorite filmmakers and listen to their advice. Jordan Peele, Leigh Whannell, David Sandberg have done many free podcasts and videos on their horror craft.
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Generally I suggest not using them although I do like the use of 'false jump scares' as set-ups. A number? No.