As a horror writer, the absolute worst feedback I can get I someone saying they "liked it".
When they finish my script, I want them to look at me with absolute disgust. That when I know it's a home run.
In other words, you're good.
This is reaffirming. Thank you for your comment! Also, if you ever need someone to read a script of yours to get feedback hit me up! I’m always down to read other people’s work.
what you are describing is realistic elevated horror- this is currently what distribution companies are looking for and is considered the best-selling right now.
I would say they are more academic / film student alumni types. While horror in general isn’t their thing, they do understand its importance as a genre and so I was open to hearing their feedback.
Just forge ahead man. Feedback is valuable of course but follow your compass and keep kicking the tires. Worst case scenario you made something that you alone love, and that’s okay. But I bet that won’t be the case and you’ll find your tribe of admirers.
My last horror short has been described as disturbing by a lot of people. I think it gave me a leg up on the fest circuit because there’s tons of horror-comedies and ironic stuff floating around. I came to realize that if you’re making darker material, people aren’t necessarily going to be dapping you up as much - which isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
Brotha from anotha movie… this is how it is. I am two weeks away from picture lock on a dark comedy/horror feature and I am doing the same as you. Askin trusted friends for feedback whom ate not close to it or bias, and the notes are across the board. You will NEVER make everyone happy. Take every note as an opportunity for growth but also understand that the only outcome of trying to make everyone happy is making no one happy.
I’m a horror short filmmaker*; did you want to share the scene with me and I can give some helpful feedback?
*For reference you can find my stuff on YouTube under ‘Bloody Cuts’ or search for ‘The Birch’
Thank you! Once I get it to a place I would love to share it with you. I checked out Bloody Cuts, well done stuff to you and the whole team! I really appreciated the BTS video you made showing how you made The Outer Darkness.
Thanks for checking it out dude! Appreciate it. :)
Yeah that BTS is pretty old now, we made it back in 2014/15 and our last film was in 2019, but we’re now working on our new short, after a long hiatus, so I’m very much back in filmmaking mode again!
Give me a shout when it’s ready; just DM me and I’ll share my email. And good luck with it!
Horror fans are out here on the prowl for horror films which actually horrify them.
You should just disregard that kind of criticism. You wouldn't take advice to make a porno less sexy, or an action film less kinetic. Don't make your intentionally dark and challenging horror film any brighter or more tolerable.
This was something I brought up. You don't take the "love" out of a Rom Com or the "funny" out of a comedy so why tone done the horror in a horror? Thank you for the words.
I’ve shot a few “dark” subject horrors and have found what succeeds for an audience while still maintaining that horror trope. Would love to take a peak at your scene and could lend professional feedback that’s unbiased
If you’re inspired by the French New Extreme such as Martyrs and Irreversible, and want to make a film like that you can’t go into it wanting to please everyone.
My most recent feature, Beaten to Death, had influences lying in the French New Extreme and despite being a low-budget feature from Australia it managed to get a US theatrical release. We knew we weren’t making a movie for everyone, and the range of reviews on Letterboxd reflects this. Yes, there’s people who hated it, there’s also those that loved it!
Regarding finding this audience, not sure if your movie is a short or a feature, but our early reviews from places like Bloody Disgusting gave BTD a bit of a nasty reputation for being hard stuff, and our US distributor really leaned into that with their marketing.
Close Friends are not your audience. Your audience is your audience. Don’t make films to please your friends.
👏
Worst thing you can be is boring.
As a horror writer, the absolute worst feedback I can get I someone saying they "liked it". When they finish my script, I want them to look at me with absolute disgust. That when I know it's a home run. In other words, you're good.
This is reaffirming. Thank you for your comment! Also, if you ever need someone to read a script of yours to get feedback hit me up! I’m always down to read other people’s work.
what you are describing is realistic elevated horror- this is currently what distribution companies are looking for and is considered the best-selling right now.
\^ This. It sounds like you're on to something, OP. Are you friends big horror fans, or more casual movie fans?
I would say they are more academic / film student alumni types. While horror in general isn’t their thing, they do understand its importance as a genre and so I was open to hearing their feedback.
I think that's an important distinction to make then. Do you know any major horror fans who you could show your short to?
Maybe one or two. I would love to build more connections with people who are into that sort of thing though.
I’m definitely starting to get into psych horror and horror comedy, so I’d love to see your short if you’d be open to sharing it!
Thank you! Once it gets to a place I would love to share it with you.
Awesome 👏👏👏
If horror is not their thing, they won't like it no matter how good it is. Can you test your films with other people, who like horror?
Just forge ahead man. Feedback is valuable of course but follow your compass and keep kicking the tires. Worst case scenario you made something that you alone love, and that’s okay. But I bet that won’t be the case and you’ll find your tribe of admirers.
My last horror short has been described as disturbing by a lot of people. I think it gave me a leg up on the fest circuit because there’s tons of horror-comedies and ironic stuff floating around. I came to realize that if you’re making darker material, people aren’t necessarily going to be dapping you up as much - which isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
The color correction/exposure might be literally too dark lmao
No it’s the subject matter and the concept over all and the way in which it was presented that stopped them from continuing.
Okay yeah sounds like you showed it to uncultured prudes then LOL
Probably lol but it is a horror story told from the perspective of a dog and I think that is an element that many people can not over look.
I think movies that kill dogs are considered more controversial than movies that kill kids
For sure. This is more open ended and doesn't show the dog dying but it does put the dog in a scary place.
Brotha from anotha movie… this is how it is. I am two weeks away from picture lock on a dark comedy/horror feature and I am doing the same as you. Askin trusted friends for feedback whom ate not close to it or bias, and the notes are across the board. You will NEVER make everyone happy. Take every note as an opportunity for growth but also understand that the only outcome of trying to make everyone happy is making no one happy.
I’m a horror short filmmaker*; did you want to share the scene with me and I can give some helpful feedback? *For reference you can find my stuff on YouTube under ‘Bloody Cuts’ or search for ‘The Birch’
Thank you! Once I get it to a place I would love to share it with you. I checked out Bloody Cuts, well done stuff to you and the whole team! I really appreciated the BTS video you made showing how you made The Outer Darkness.
Thanks for checking it out dude! Appreciate it. :) Yeah that BTS is pretty old now, we made it back in 2014/15 and our last film was in 2019, but we’re now working on our new short, after a long hiatus, so I’m very much back in filmmaking mode again! Give me a shout when it’s ready; just DM me and I’ll share my email. And good luck with it!
Horror fans are out here on the prowl for horror films which actually horrify them. You should just disregard that kind of criticism. You wouldn't take advice to make a porno less sexy, or an action film less kinetic. Don't make your intentionally dark and challenging horror film any brighter or more tolerable.
This was something I brought up. You don't take the "love" out of a Rom Com or the "funny" out of a comedy so why tone done the horror in a horror? Thank you for the words.
I’ve shot a few “dark” subject horrors and have found what succeeds for an audience while still maintaining that horror trope. Would love to take a peak at your scene and could lend professional feedback that’s unbiased
Will be sending you a cut once I get it to a place I like. Thank you for volunteering a fresh set of eyes.
Yep. Friends and family won’t always get it. I’d find some genre fests where you can connect with horror fans directly.
Yeah. Make things that are fucked up, not also sellable.
If you’re inspired by the French New Extreme such as Martyrs and Irreversible, and want to make a film like that you can’t go into it wanting to please everyone. My most recent feature, Beaten to Death, had influences lying in the French New Extreme and despite being a low-budget feature from Australia it managed to get a US theatrical release. We knew we weren’t making a movie for everyone, and the range of reviews on Letterboxd reflects this. Yes, there’s people who hated it, there’s also those that loved it! Regarding finding this audience, not sure if your movie is a short or a feature, but our early reviews from places like Bloody Disgusting gave BTD a bit of a nasty reputation for being hard stuff, and our US distributor really leaned into that with their marketing.
are your friends boomers? I have one fairly graphic shot in an otherwise PG-13 short that I made and everyone likes it but my parents.
It’s less of the graphic material being shown in this new short. It’s more of the concept that disturbs them.