How to Act in A Horror Scene or Movie
What are horror films? Horror films are usually scary, unsettling films, used to frighten and cause panic and dread and alarm to bring up the worst hidden fears as it ends in a terrifying finale. Horror films usually tackle topics that center around the dark side of life, the forbidden, strange and alarming events. Most of the time they deal with the most primal nature of the human psyche and human fears, like nightmares, vulnerabilities, alienation, revulsions, fear of the unknown, fear of dismemberment and death, loss of identity or fear of sexuality. (Tim Dirks, 1996-2007)
There are many famous horror films that come out every year in Hollywood. Some of the most famous horror films that came out on the big screen were household names like Nightmare on Elm Street, Night of the Living Dead, Jason Goes to Hell and its predecessors, and several other teenage oriented horror films. Did you know that one of Johnny Depp's first roles was in Nightmare on Elm Street? He was the guy who was eaten by the bed. Yes, our Pirates of the Caribbean Jack Sparrow started as an extra in Horror films.
Based on the definition of what horror films are, it is then necessary for the actor to be able to exude these elements of the film to the audience. A horror film actor should be able to cause a feeling of dread and alarm to the audience by bringing up their worst fears and at the same time entertain them. Since it appeals to the fears of the audience, it should bring about a scary feeling as they watch the film.
If you want to be a successful horror film actor, it would be good to learn from the historical records on horror films. Film libraries have records on the earliest horror films , those about vampires, monsters, like the Death of Dracula, Nosferatu, A Symphony of Terror, Phantom of the opera, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Dracula films, Original Frankenstein and the newer ones like The Wolfman cycle.
Sometimes horror films are combined with adventure, comedy and romance like, Van Helsing, Underworld, Constantine, Resident Evil, the Omen and others. If you are serious about acting in a horror flick, watch these and learn.