To study anything in-depth, you sometimes have to take a step back and shift perspective.
People that are not directly involved in the creative process of horror storytelling, see things that the artists don’t. They explore different layers with a different mindset that is very useful for anyone who wants to get a deeper understanding.
They are experts of horror and fear. They study the history, the mythology, the psychology and meaning of horror. You will find scholars that spent decades studying the genre. You will learn from neuroscientists who study fear from within the brain and discuss in which way their research might reveal how to create a stronger emotional response. And you will learn what science can say about why we like to be scared at all!
Wouldn’t that be useful when constructing horror?
- PhD. DAVID D. GILMORE
Nietzsche said, “Beware that when you fight monsters, you do not become a monster yourself.” Professor David D. Gilmore keeps this in mind (it is one of his favorite aphorisms, after all) in his own personal quest each night to slay the monsters, evil spirits and hidden devils that may be lurking u…
Read more >> - Jeffrey H. Goldstein, Ph.D.
Is there a connection between the violence in video games or film and violent behavior? Is there any truth to the theory that people who play violent video games and watch violent movies become desensitized to violence, become disinhibitive of violence, believe in a ‘scary world’ or develop cogniti…
Read more >> - Dr. Adam Lowenstein
Life does imitate art, but art also has a tendency to reflect the social issues of the time. Horror plays on this with chilling, dead on accuracy. Sometimes, ambiguity conceals the social crisis of the time, but the allegory can still be identified by a discerning eye. Adam Lowenstein, associate…
Read more >> - Dr. Joseph LeDoux
Fear is a natural reaction to a perceived threat. It is a means of protection, as it stimulates adrenaline production and initiates the “fight or flight” response. This physiological reaction is basically the same in humans and other mammals. These responses originate in the amygdala, an evolutio…
Read more >> - Cary Morrison
If you’re interested in horror, you already know that there’s more to the genre than just monsters, blood, and screams. The whole reason the genre has such a loyal following is that true fans of the genre and those interested in creating the movies know the best examples tap into our deepest fears a…
Read more >> - Dr. Eduardo Andrade, PhD
Ever wondered why people love to scare themselves? So has Eduardo Andrade and he has made a study of exactly this. It is not just fear but all emotions, the ability to love and hate, or to be unhappy and happy at the same time. This is what has consumed the academic life of Dr. Andrade. The ability…
Read more >>
