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#Scriptchat Transcript: Gary King @grking Talks Horror July 30, 2017
Gary King, writer/director of AMONG US, discusses the complexities of writing horror. Check out more details on his latest film here: http://scriptchat.blogspot.com/2017/07/gary-king-grking-talks-horror-on.html Enjoy! @jeannevb
- hey everyone! glad to be here! #scriptchat
- IT’S #SCRIPTCHAT O’CLOCK talking horror w/ @grking - chat via this site - it autoadds hashtag http://www.tchat.io/rooms/scriptchat …
- @filmwritr4 Sorry dude, not feeling it tonight. Had more than my fair share of real-life horror this week #scriptchat
- @filmwritr4 @collinlieberg @jeannevb @grking Heya Chris! Glad I got to join tonight. I was expecting to be driving right now... #scriptchat
- @DevSeventyFive You can have my share then. #scriptchat
- Time for #scriptchat with @grking talking about writing horror!
- This week horror, next week producing your short script, which is horror in a different form. #scriptchat
- @grking Welcome! Great to have you with us! #scriptchat
- @chasinglamely It's okay. Hope you feel better soon. #scriptchat
- @authorJamie Try apartment hunting. Glad that's finally behind me. #scriptchat
As we chat, I always think of this quote lol from Robert Altman. :) #scriptchat pic.twitter.com/CSnxvt9jHR- We be here #ScriptChat
- @SarahAlexis4 thanks for having me! #scriptchat
- @grking So great to have your as our guest tonight. #scriptchat
- @GorillaProducer Welcome Calvin! *waves* #scriptchat
- @grking For the first time horror writer, what would you say is of utmost importance, other than being scary? #scriptchat
- Scary to look at? #scriptchat
- @authorJamie @grking other than scary, for me it was all about having REAL ppl. Authentic characters you can believe/care about #scriptchat
- @grking Q: Where did the inspiration to switch gears to horror and for the story for Among Us come from? #scriptchat
- @SarahAlexis4 @grking I always wanted to try something scary. Inspired by the kind of horror films that I enjoyed! #scriptchat
- Feeling a small sense of accomplishment for finishing a script is exactly the right amount of accomplishment to feel. #scriptchat
- @SarahAlexis4 @grking so the story came from my actor friend who had access to a lakehouse. I wrote for that location. #scriptchat
- @AnotherEitan Congrats Eitan! #scriptchat
- @grking Q: That's great that you had that specific location for visual/logistical reference as you wrote to make most of it. #scriptchat
- @DevSeventyFive @grking @authorJamie I tried to shy away from "the girlfriend", "the jock" tropes. Gave them backstories/depth #scriptchat
- #ScriptChat @grking Did you ever write anything and deleted it bc it was too horrific/ crossed the line?
- You might not know this but @grking was a guest of ours back in our 1st year of #scriptchat
- @SarahAlexis4 @grking yup - then the location fell through! but luckily we found another lol. Then I wrote for THAT one instead #scriptchat
- @jgsarantinos @grking haha yeah. But bc it was horrific writing. Not bc of the content lol #scriptchat
- @grking Oh boy... Glad it worked out in the end! Gotta roll with those production punches... #scriptchat
- @grking @SarahAlexis4 "isn't it great to be here by the lake, er, MOUNTAINS?" "Yes, I can't wait to swim--CLIMB!" #scriptchat
- @grking you've successfully made dramas & musicals. What's the biggest challenge in changing genres to horror? #scriptchat
- @grking Q: A while back I wrote a short about a love triangle between a man, woman and an A.I. I do plan to rewrite, but... #scriptchat
- @grking Q: ...it is a suspense thriller, and it does have some technological elements. Any experience with writing scripts w/SFX #scriptchat
- @grking How do you feel about found footage films? #ScriptChat
- #scriptchat @grking What is current direction of horror 2day? graphic gore or suspense?
- @grking Q: ...and if so, how could you write one on a low-to-no budget? #scriptchat
- @filmwritr4 @grking re: SFX I'd just write it and let your team (or budget) figure out how to execute. don't limit yourself yet #scriptchat
- @grking Awesome. Thanks so much! #scriptchat
- @grking Q: Any tips on writing horror comedy? #scriptchat
- @DevSeventyFive @grking aren't many good FF films. I never believe someone would still keep filming when the shit goes down #scriptchat
- @grking but you took such a great risk doing that musical! #scriptchat
- @grking Q: Any pointers on how you used escalating tension/suspense in both your role as writer and director? #scriptchat
- @jgsarantinos @grking not sure about current pulse, but for my film AMONG US, I loved going the suspense route. #scriptchat
- @grking @DevSeventyFive With those gopro mounts and auto-follow drones, it's slightly more plausible #scriptchat
- If you want to watch a trailer of AMONG US, it's here: http://scriptchat.blogspot.com/2017/07/gary-king-grking-talks-horror-on.html … #scriptchat
- @filmwritr4 @grking find some horror comedies you love (ex: Shaun of the Dead, Evil Dead 2, Dale and Tucker) & read the scripts #scriptchat
- @grking :) Thanks. I saw a great horror comedy a couple of years ago, What We Do In The Shadows. Very funny take on vampires #scriptchat
- @SarahAlexis4 @grking we just tried to make things as worse as possible for the characters. Not let them off easy #scriptchat
- @SarahAlexis4 @grking Study most of Alfred Hitchcock's films. Escalating tension/suspense was one of his specialties. #ScriptChat
- @grking what was something you learned about writing horror that you hadn't anticipated? #scriptchat
- @grking #scriptchat How do feel about horror remakes? Is there much point?
- @SarahAlexis4 @grking I learned a lot directing suspense. It took a lot more coverage than I was used to #scriptchat
- @DevSeventyFive Yes, that's who I was thinking about. #scriptchat
- @jgsarantinos I actually would love to do a modern day remake of Frankenstein, a la Sherlock. #scriptchat
- @jgsarantinos @grking there are def some films in need of a remake for modern audiences. While others shouldn't be touched. #scriptchat
- @DevSeventyFive I love some of his quotes on the topic, like the bomb under the table and the terror being in the anticipation. #scriptchat
- @blueneumann @jgsarantinos It could definitely be updated with some new modern themes incorporated. #scriptchat
- @collinlieberg @grking @filmwritr4 yes sir! it's invaluable stuff. You can even read horrible ones to see what NOT to do #scriptchat
- @collinlieberg @jgsarantinos I was actually thinking it would just make the original themes clearer. #scriptchat
- @blueneumann @jgsarantinos There's always room for new twists on classics. Remakes of what worked the first time? No way. #scriptchat
- @SarahAlexis4 @DevSeventyFive definitely -- and editing is a huge part in it. The length of the shots. All aid to the suspense. #scriptchat
- @collinlieberg @jgsarantinos Victor to me is Mark Zuckerberg of biology, he's a science bro. Thinking Rami Malek #scriptchat
- @filmwritr4 @collinlieberg @jgsarantinos The question is if he would play the monster too, since it's kind of a clone #scriptchat
- @jgsarantinos @grking re: remakes - I'd love to remake LOOKER. The technology has changed so much, it's a perfect time for it #scriptchat
- @grking How did you course correct w/ those subverted conventions that didn't test well? Why do you think that was? #scriptchat
- Q: Has there been a horror movie set in a 80s video store? I can't recall. #scriptchat
- @grking I know there was a horror movie called Terrorvision, but that had to do with TV. Haven't seen it in years. #scriptchat
- @grking You can shut up and take my money now (former video store employee here) #scriptchat
- @grking what about a horror movie set in a live Twitter chat :) #scriptchat
- @grking It aired one day on one of the local UHF stations when I was a kid... #scriptchat
- @SarahAlexis4 @grking we did a lot of re-editing/removing scenes. Ppl wanted the meat. I had tons more char moments in act 1 #scriptchat
- @grking @collinlieberg @filmwritr4 I've chatted with a few Horror writers - every one of them said besides tense, jack in box situations, keep it creepy #scriptchat
- @blueneumann @jeannevb @grking It's a modern remake of Agatha Christie's "And then There Were None" #scriptchat
- @grking I'm curious, what did you do that they did NOT want? #scriptchat
- @grking Blockbuster! Still got the shirt! Wanna be made up as a zombie and wear it some day. #scriptchat
- @grking Q: So structure and pacing was an evolving thing through the writing and post-production process? #scriptchat
- @SarahAlexis4 @grking yes, the script was pretty set when we shot. Def changed as we shot... #scriptchat
- @grking less love, more scare. Maybe they haven't been married before haha #scriptchat
- @SarahAlexis4 @grking re: editing - first cut I believe was around 120 mins. Not the final running time is 91 mins. #scriptchat
- @grking Q: Was AMONG US a short film (or proof of concept) before it became a feature? #scriptchat
- @grking I do have that fake video store name and logo I've been itching to use (Analog Video) #scriptchat
Here's a shot of some of the films that inspired me as I created AMONG US. #scriptchat pic.twitter.com/pDVHiJtcaw- @grking any rules on jump scares? Pacing of them? Limitations? #scriptchat
- @blueneumann @grking I still have my Blockbuster pin with my name on it. We have the full costume. Just add khaki pants. haha #scriptchat
- @SarahAlexis4 @grking Same here! And the ones with our fake names we made when we were bored! #scriptchat
- @filmwritr4 @grking @blueneumann 80s video store too! I've got the concept. Just wasn't sure how many others are out there #scriptchat
- (I saw a horror flick at a video store at a fest, wasn't very good, can't find an IMDB link... so maybe that fest was it) #scriptchat
- @blueneumann @SarahAlexis4 @grking my name tag said "Crash" on it for "Crash Davis" lol. BULL DURHAM, baby! #scriptchat
- @filmwritr4 @grking Period piece, dumb teenagers, dark and stormy night, maybe it's Halloween. #scriptchat
- @blueneumann @grking Yeah. Maybe some guy's stuck doing the late shift on Halloween, and he can't get out of it #scriptchat
- @grking amen. I like a smart horror. #scriptchat
- @wcmartell hmmmm keep me posted. I'm sure there are a few. It's all about the execution anyway, right? #scriptchat
- @filmwritr4 @grking Slightly too portly slightly too chipper manager is the first to go and no one notices. #scriptchat
- @filmwritr4 @grking Probably got one couple that can't help but try and sneak a quick one in in the back office. #scriptchat
- @grking @wcmartell This was years ago - it's dead by now. But it was not good, and not scary, and not clever. #scriptchat
- @filmwritr4 @blueneumann @grking The villain can be some 80's icon that's been out of work for years & bitter. #ScriptChat
- @filmwritr4 @grking @blueneumann it's sad that the 80s would be considered a period piece now. Damn, I'm old. #scriptchat
- @grking @filmwritr4 Fuck, I wanted to write a flashback for a character and realized the past for her was 2007! #scriptchat
- @grking @blueneumann Well, if it worked for Stranger Things, then I guess there's hope for our little venture... #scriptchat
- My video store idea would be loooosely based on something that happened to me. But I'd make the lead female. More interesting :) #scriptchat
- @grking what do you wish you knew about horror writing before you tackled AMONG US? #scriptchat
- Or a psycho who uses methods used in horror movies... and may be a video store regular. #scriptchat
- @wcmartell That's a good story idea... #scriptchat
- @grking Great idea. #scriptchat
- @jgsarantinos dont forget the #scriptchat hashtag :)
- @grking Q: How did you approach making paranormal horror scares have big impact w/o necessarily "seeing" an entity? #scriptchat
@grking Gotta be a girl! Even had this idea for a necklace that's a little VHS pendant. #scriptchat pic.twitter.com/jTltaKjgu7- @wcmartell That might be getting too close to Scream. #ScriptChat
- @grking Q: Since you mentioned not going for the cheap scares, how did you achieve the shocks without being overly gratuitous? #scriptchat
- @grking Q: In your movie, of course...and how can writers do that in general? #scriptchat
- @SarahAlexis4 @grking I watched one of my all-time faves THE ENTITY. And also know sometimes your imagination is scarier... #scriptchat
- Can't find the transcript, but here's the post when @grking was on our INDIE PANEL in 2010: http://scriptchat.blogspot.com/2010/02/sunday-february-28-2010-indie-panel_21.html … #scriptchat
- @SarahAlexis4 @grking so we set up sequences to play into that approach. Less is more sometimes. (Especially for low budgets!) #scriptchat
- @grking Yes, like in Jaws! Worked out well that mechanical shark kept breaking and used it less so we saw less of it until end. #scriptchat
- @filmwritr4 @grking tried to be visual. Inspired by De Palma we used a split diopter a lot. But there is blood in the film :) #scriptchat
- Horror is based on fear of the unknown - so the less you show the better it works. #scriptchat
- @filmwritr4 @grking for writing, I approached it w/each line was a shot. And build the shots, leading to suspense. Make sense? #scriptchat
- @grking Very interesting. I haven't seen a lot of De Palma's work but I did notice that technique in Jaws and other movies... #scriptchat
- @grking Though in many cases I had no idea what it was until now, and I didn't even realize how it worked... #scriptchat
- @wcmartell you're speaking my language, Bill! #scriptchat
- My blog entry on creating dread in horror and LEOPARD MAN: http://sex-in-a-sub.blogspot.com/2016/09/creating-suspense-dread-leopard-man.html … #scriptchat
- @grking Q: Love idea that your protags' emotions are being fed off of. How did you go about writing rules for your horror world? #scriptchat
Here's a spilt diopter shot in AMONG US. It was so fun to do. #scriptchat pic.twitter.com/2Os8mNGL1r- @SarahAlexis4 @grking we believed that in a true haunting, no one would ever know what the "rules" are.... #scriptchat
- Some horror tips to read after the chat from "Saw" & "Insidious" director http://www.indiewire.com/2016/07/5-rules-from-james-wan-making-a-successful-horror-movie-in-2016-1201709025/ … #scriptchat
- @SarahAlexis4 @grking So my brother (co-writer) & I set our own and never told anyone else. #scriptchat
- @SarahAlexis4 @grking and thx re: protag emotions feedback. That was my brother's @mking2008 idea. #scriptchat
- @grking Q: With AMONG US under your belt now, what lessons will you keep in mind for future horror films? Or any next film? #scriptchat
- F5: SALE ENDS MONDAY! $1 off! New Blue Book - DESCRIPTION & VOICE. Only $3.99 https://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Description-Voice-Screenwriting-Books-ebook/dp/B073CNMF6G/secretsofactions … #amwriting #film #writing #scriptchat
- More info on @grking, including links to screening in MAINE, #AmongUs on iTunes, BluRay & his site: http://scriptchat.blogspot.com/2017/07/gary-king-grking-talks-horror-on.html … #scriptchat
- (oddly - in the book I just autoplugged I look at each line as a shot) #scriptchat
- @grking Q: Any tips on character development in horror scripts? #scriptchat
- @SarahAlexis4 @grking Also to table read and work the script. Would've loved more time. We had a tight timeline w/the location. #scriptchat
- @filmwritr4 @grking make us care about them. Try to avoid stereotypes/1-dimensional people. I see too many scripts like that #scriptchat
- @grking Absolutely. Will definitely keep that in mind. #scriptchat
- @filmwritr4 same as any other genre - make them real. When bad things happen to people we don't care about, we don't care. #scriptchat
- @filmwritr4 @grking nice! I read scripts that say "As your boyfriend, I think..." -- and I'm like, "ugghhhhh" #scriptchat
- Next Sunday’s #scriptchat topic: Short Films - Writing & Production, guest @KimBergie & the crew of Our Own (a short film)
- @grking LOL, I know... #scriptchat
- @grking Thanks so much for your insights! Really fun chat. All the best with AMONG US and your next projects! #scriptchat
- @filmwritr4 I call those we don't care about or think are real in bad horror as "lunch meat characters" - they exist to die. #scriptchat
- @wcmartell @filmwritr4 preach on! (PS - Bill's Blue Books are tremendous resources. No, I didn't say "blue balls") #scriptchat
- Thanks so much for joining us, @grking! #scriptchat
- @SarahAlexis4 thanks so much for having me! It was a pleasure. Always appreciate the opportunity and support! #scriptchat
- @SarahAlexis4 @grking Thanks so much for joining us Gary, and for taking the time to answer our Q's! Really appreciate it! #scriptchat
- @grking seriously Gary, this was a lot of fun! #scriptchat
- @jeannevb Thank you Jeanne! You rock! Always appreciate your support! #scriptchat
- @grking Thank you, Gary! #scriptchat
- Going to grab the transcript while watching GoT... Thanks so much, @grking! Great tips, as always! #scriptchat
- @grking Details on where/when we can catch AMONG US?? #scriptchat
- .@SarahAlexis4 @grking all the links to find #AMONGUS are here... http://scriptchat.blogspot.com/2017/07/gary-king-grking-talks-horror-on.html … #scriptchat
- @blueneumann yeah man, I had a blast. Keep me posted on your stuff! Keep on writing! #scriptchat
- @jeannevb Films about shorts? Like Jockey and BVD and Haines? Fascinating! #scriptchat
