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Halloween festivities require us to ask… “What’s your favorite scary movie?” During the spooky season, fans of the spooky season flock to the horror genre—whether it’s a rewatch of classic predecessors to slashers like Psycho or exploring the latest chilling releases like the third installment to the indie film series Terrifier. While these films are great for a good fright, they’ve also been at the forefront of technical innovation in the film industry- from revolutionizing sound design and cinematography to pushing the limits of practical and special effects.
There is no doubt that horror movies have shaped and influenced modern filmmaking in ways that transcend the genre itself. For example, the most successful of horror films leave a mark on society by playing on cultural fears of the era, making them more than just *movies*- they can be a whole experience for the viewer if enough emotion is invoked!
At MediaTech Institute, students can learn the same groundbreaking techniques that filmmaking pioneers developed to create spine-tingling tension, suspense, and atmosphere. Whether you’re looking to become a filmmaker, sound designer, or visual effects artist, the Digital Film Program, Recording Arts Program, and Animation and VFX Program at MTI provide you with the tools to craft your own terrifying tales.
The Evolution of Horror: Pioneers of Fear
The horror genre and sub genres have a long and storied history, starting as far back as “cinema” itself. The first horror movie is believed to be George Mellies “House of the Devil” in 1896- proving that filmmakers have been fascinated with the macabre since the beginning of the moving picture.
Thinking of more contemporary horror- slashers evolved largely from psychological thrillers like Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho during a time when serial killers were starting to become more prevalent. Movies like Psycho and the shared societal fear of serial killers led to a whole “slasher genre” with big titles like Halloween and Friday the 13th becoming Halloween classics. The slasher genre has been taken to many extremes, including the recent releases of the gruesome Terrifier movies. Many people love to feel the adrenaline rush that comes with these scary movies.
Radioactive monster movies like Godzilla and other kaiju films became popular after radioactive warfare (the nuclear bombs) were dropped in Japan- and became popular around the world due to the societal fear of nuclear war. Zombie movies can be attributed to a fear of plague, and so on. Good horror incites fear that is based in reality, and horror movies move with the culture of the era. They play a role in history beyond the film medium. Beyond this, horror movies have been known for utilizing groundbreaking creative techniques to immerse the audience in the horrific scenes.
Special Effects: The Horrific Magic Behind the Monsters
Special effects have always played a central role in horror, especially when it comes to bringing monsters, supernatural entities, and gruesome gore to life. Early horror relied heavily on practical effects—like the mind bending head spin in The Exorcist—while modern horror combines those practical elements with cutting-edge VFX to more efficiently create scares. In many cases, effects are completely computer generated.
That said, horror is one of the few film genres that still utilizes practical effects quite often, especially in the indie scene- even so, we’d wager it’s hard to find a modern horror movie without fake blood on set somewhere.
In MediaTech’s Animation and VFX Program, students learn about practical effects and industry leading digital magic, developing skills in CGI, green screen technology, and even 3D animation. Films like the recent It and The Conjuring blur the line between reality and fantasy, using VFX to create ghosts and creatures that haunt our nightmares. You can watch the IT tv series, which only utilized practical effects, and the modern IT movies and the scares are effective in both- which is why it’s important to work with both VFX and practical effects when entering that part of the entertainment industry. With MediaTech’s hands-on training, students can turn their own terrifying visions into screen-worthy monsters and visual spectacles.
Sound: A Spooky Backdrop
Horror has always pushed the boundaries of sound design, using everything from shrieking violins to eerie silences to manipulate emotions. Bernard Herrmann’s iconic score in Psycho, for instance, made audiences jump without needing a visual cue, while soundtracks in films like The Exorcist and Halloween became synonymous with fear. Modernly, films like “A Quiet Place” emphasize a lack of sound- and a fear of sound. Sound design and film go hand in hand, and have since the very beginning of film. Even before the “talkies” of early film became the normal- films were accompanied by music. The deep relationship between sound and film has only continued into modern filmmaking, especially with horror and genres that focus heavily on atmosphere in the world of the film.
At MediaTech, the Recording Arts Program equips students with the skills to create their own soundscapes and so much more. By learning from industry pros about diegetic (sounds characters can hear), non-diegetic (sounds only the audience hears, like a rising musical score), and foley techniques, students learn how to manipulate sound to build tension and amplify fear in every frame.
Cinematography: The Images that Give Us Chills
Limitation inspires creativity! Many limitations have been placed in the horror genre since horror films have been created. From the rating systems, to low budget constraints because large studios didn’t start producing horror films consistently until more recently- horror filmmakers had to get CREATIVE. And that creativity? Well, some of those techniques became industry standard beyond horror.
For example, the term shaky cam was coined starting with Sam Raimi’s The Evil Dead. These (once) indie films also played a role in the concept of the camera “being a character” in itself in a way- the POV shots of “something” watching and hectically chasing used in Evil Dead are often recreated today. Along these lines, the slasher genre introduced first-person perspectives, giving viewers a killer’s point of view (often just the camera’s POV).
On the other end of the cinematography spectrum there’s films like The Conjuring, or Midsommar that use wide, still shots to create a sense of impending doom.
Horror movies still aren’t always picked up by production studios and often have lower budgets- but some of the biggest modern releases and cult classics had very low budgets by Hollywood standards. The most recent Terrifier movie had a budget of 2 million, which is still considered a low-budget by SAG-AFTRA standards. Terrifier 1 and 2 had budgets under $250,000. Each of the X trilogy only cost 1 million to make- and they have become some of the more popular breakout horror films of the day. Horror is a special place in the film industry where budgets can really be stretched- but filmmakers must know the medium well to turn limitation into creative genius.
The Film and Video Production Program at MediaTech Institute gives students the filmmaking techniques and tools they need to create visually impactful scenes across genres. Whether it’s framing a shot to evoke claustrophobia or using lighting to create ominous shadows, a strong basis in film techniques are key to making horror effective—and graduates from MTI will master the craft of film production so they can tell their stories in an engaging, visual manner.
MTI: Your Gateway to Horror Filmmaking Mastery
Horror is more than just a genre—it’s a creative playground for innovation in film, sound, and visual effects. With MTI’s industry-focused programs, students gain the skills needed to produce films that not only scare but leave a lasting impact on their audience- or any other kind of film genre they may want to pursue.
As Halloween draws near, take inspiration from the groundbreaking horror films that paved the way. Whether you’re dreaming of creating eerie soundscapes, experimenting with cinematography to build tension, or using VFX to bring monsters to life, MediaTech Institute is the place to turn your horror-inspired ideas into a reality.
Are you ready to take the first step toward mastering the tricks (and treats) of the horror filmmaking trade? Apply today and let MediaTech Institute guide you through the thrilling world of filmmaking, sound design, and VFX.
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