How to Horror with Mick Garris
Three Nights, One Mission: Mastering the Art of the Scare
October 15, 16, & 17, 2024
8 p.m. - 10 p.m. Eastern (5 p.m. - 7 p.m. Pacific)
The Explosion of Horror in Theatrical Markets
Horror has firmly established itself as one of the most successful and enduring genres in the modern cinematic landscape, captivating audiences with its ability to provoke fear, thrills, and catharsis. Over the past decade, horror has experienced a resurgence, consistently delivering box office hits and critical acclaim. Films like A Quiet Place, Get Out, and Smile have not only dominated the global box office but also garnered prestigious awards and critical praise, proving that horror can be both commercially successful and artistically significant.
As one of the largest genres in the theatrical marketplace today, horror continues to push boundaries and attract diverse audiences, making it an ideal genre for both seasoned filmmakers and aspiring storytellers. As the genre continues to evolve, there’s never been a better time for writers to break into horror, and this LIVE workshop with Mick Garris offers a unique opportunity to learn from one of the genre’s leading voices.
Why Mick Garris?
When it comes to horror, few have shaped the genre as profoundly as Mick Garris. With a career spanning more than four decades, Mick has become a true master of horror, working alongside legends like Stephen King and Steven Spielberg, and directing iconic films and series that have left an indelible mark on audiences. From The Stand and Sleepwalkers to the cult classic Masters of Horror, Mick's unique ability to blend terror with compelling storytelling has made him a revered figure in the world of horror. His deep understanding of the genre’s mechanics, from atmospheric tension to character-driven scares, makes him the perfect mentor for aspiring horror writers who want to elevate their craft.
Why Mick’s Syllabus Will Turn You Into a Pro
The"How to Horror with Mick Garris" workshop is meticulously designed to transform your understanding of horror writing. Over three nights, you'll dive deep into the art of building atmosphere, crafting compelling characters, and mastering the pacing that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats. But more than just techniques, you’ll learn from Mick’s personal experiences—how to adapt stories from page to screen, how to maintain the authenticity of a supernatural world, and how to tap into the psychological depths that make horror so impactful. By the end of this class, you'll not only have a toolkit of practical skills but also the insights needed to approach your horror writing like a seasoned professional.
“Living life is the best way to become a writer.”
—Mick Garris
Pierce Brosnan in Bag of Bones © A&E Entertainment
Night 1 (October 15)
Foundations of Fear
The Art of Atmosphere
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Focus: Creating tension and unease through setting and mood.
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Lessons:
Room 217 from The Shining TV series (1997): Discuss how atmosphere can be used to evoke a sense of dread and impending doom, particularly in apocalyptic settings. The room is not just a location, but a living, breathing character. Its eerie, isolated presence intensifies the fear. Takeaway: Treat key locations in your horror story as characters with their own personalities and moods.
Character as Catalyst
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Focus: Developing characters that evoke empathy and fear.
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Lessons:
Bag of Bones (2011): Discuss the importance of a protagonist’s personal stakes in creating compelling horror narratives. Watch what happens to the trajectory of Pierce Brosnan’s character when he gets the call that his wife is dead. Takeaway: Characters don’t lose their influence after death. Their emotional weight should linger, affecting the other characters and the audience long after they’re gone.
Pacing the Terror
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Focus: The rhythm of suspense and the timing of scares.
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Lessons:
Chocolate from Masters of Horror: In Chocolate, the protagonist, Henry Thomas, experiences a psychic connection with a woman he’s never met, witnessing her life through his senses. The slow unraveling of this connection builds an intense sense of dread, as the audience anticipates the horrific events to come, leading to a shocking and personal climax. Takeaway: Suspense thrives on slow, deliberate pacing. Gradually revealing the horror allows tension to build organically, keeping the audience on edge, while carefully timed scares deliver the emotional payoff at just the right moment.
Q&A Session
Open the floor to participants for questions and discussion.
Kathy Najimy, Bette Midler, and Sarah Jessica Parker in Hocus Pocus © Walt Disney Company
Night 2 (October 16)
Crafting the Supernatural
Building a Believable Mythos
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Focus: Creating and sustaining a supernatural world that feels authentic.
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Lessons:
Go to the Head of the Class from Amazing Stories: Two students use black magic to exact revenge on a strict teacher (Christopher Lloyd), leading to supernatural consequences that spiral out of control. The episode carefully balances humor and horror while immersing viewers in a world where the rules of magic feel tangible and real. Takeaway: A believable supernatural world is built on consistent rules and internal logic. Even in the most fantastical settings, grounding the mythos in relatable human desires and consequences allows the audience to fully invest in the horror.
Visual Storytelling in Horror
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Focus: The power of visual imagery in conveying horror.
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Lessons:
Life on Death Row from Amazing Stories: Patrick Swayze's character undergoes a powerful transformation into a healer, imbuing him with supernatural abilities. Takeaway: The transformation of a character through visual cues can elevate horror by making the supernatural tangible. The use of imagery, like touch, light, and subtle effects in the writing, communicates power and fear without relying on words, allowing the audience to "feel" the horror through the screen.
The Unseen and the Unsaid
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Focus: The power of suggestion and the horror of the unknown.
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Lessons:
Hocus Pocus (1993): The Sanderson sisters' (Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy) return to Salem is filled with playful horror, but much of the tension and magic lies in what is unseen—the ancient curses, the unseen forces controlling the world, and the lingering threat of their power. Takeaway: The unseen and the unsaid create space for the audience’s imagination to fill in the gaps, allowing fear to take root in the unknown. By hinting at hidden powers or unspoken threats, you can create an atmosphere where the audience feels haunted by what they can’t fully grasp.
Q&A Session
Open the floor to participants for questions and discussion.
“Horror is all about confronting death.”
—Mick Garris
Molly Ringwald and Gary Sinise in The Stand
Night 3 (October 17)
Psychological and Existential Horror
The Horror Within
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Focus: Exploring internal fears and psychological horror.
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Lessons:
In Psycho IV: The Beginning, Norman Bates (played by Anthony Perkins and, in the younger days, Henry Thomas) recounts the traumatic events of his past, revealing the psychological horrors that have shaped him. The real terror lies in his inner struggle, where the fear of becoming like his abusive mother battles against his desire to break free from his murderous tendencies. Takeaway: Visualizing internal struggles involves using symbolic imagery—mirrors, shadows, and fragmented reflections that represent the duality of the character’s psyche. By externalizing these inner fears through flashbacks, voiceovers, or contrasting visual techniques, you can make psychological horror more palpable to the audience. In Psycho IV, Norman’s battle is not just with the external world, but with his own fractured mind.
Adaptation and Interpretation
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Focus: Translating horror from page to screen.
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Lessons:
Mick Garris’s adaptation of Stephen King’s The Stand is a masterclass in translating a dense, beloved novel into a visual format. The series captures the vast scope of the novel, balancing supernatural horror with deeply human conflicts, while remaining faithful to the essence of King’s work. Takeaway 1: When adapting a book, identify its key themes and make sure these resonate throughout the series. The visuals and performances should enhance these themes rather than overshadow them. Takeaway 2: Adapting a book often means condensing the story without losing its heart. Be selective about which elements to include, and stay true to the narrative's core. Takeaway 3: Use visual storytelling to bring the psychological horror of the novel to life. In The Stand, tension is built not just through the characters' dialogue but through their visual journey in a broken world.
Conclusion: To turn a great book into a great series, the key is to respect the source material’s themes while embracing the visual and narrative opportunities television offers. The Stand succeeded by merging the novel’s moral complexity with striking visual storytelling that expanded the world Stephen King created.
Legacy of Horror
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Focus: The impact of horror on culture and the lasting legacy of the genre.
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Lessons:
Riding the Bullet (2004), directed by Mick Garris, is a deeply personal adaptation of Stephen King’s novella. The story deals with existential themes of death, fear, and personal loss, blending supernatural horror with deeply human emotions. It highlights how horror can be used to explore life's most intimate fears and traumas. Takeaway: Mick reflects on his career, the evolution of the horror genre, and advice for aspiring horror writers and filmmakers. Horror doesn’t just entertain; it allows us to explore universal fears that transcend generations. Its lasting legacy lies in its ability to provoke thought and challenge our understanding of life, death, and morality.
Q&A Session
Open the floor to participants for questions and discussion.
Faculty
Mick Garris is a producer, director, screenwriter and novelist specializing in the horror genre. He has had his hand in dozens of films and television shows, published several works of fiction, and is perhaps best known for his long and fruitful association with author Stephen King.
His big break came when he was hired by Steven Spielberg to serve as a writer and story editor on AMAZING STORIES (1985). Spielberg asked Mick to direct an episode based on one of this stories, and he has been writing, producing, and directing ever since. This led to more work as a director on FREDDY’S NIGHTMARES (1988) and TALES FROM THE CRYPT (1989), and as the co-creator of SHE-WOLF OF LONDON (1990-91). During this period, Garris also co-wrote the screenplays for *BATTERIES NOT INCLUDED (1987), THE FLY II (1989) and HOCUS POCUS (1993).
Garris returned to his roots as the creator and host of POST MORTEM (2010-11), a genre-themed talk show airing on FearNetHD. Recently, he produced and directed another mini-series adaptation of a Stephen King novel, BAG OF BONES (2011), and served as executive producer of the feature film UNBROKEN (2014), directed by Angelina Jolie.
He has directed episodes of PRETTY LITTLE LIARS and its spinoff, RAVENSWOOD, and WITCHES OF EAST END, and currently has several series and features in development.
Registration fee: $247 for six hours of instruction
Please note: Our classes are designed specifically for live participation, so your attendance is important. If you need to miss a class for any reason, per request you’ll receive a passcode-protected link to watch the recordings after the course is over.
A Peek at Our Past Virtual Classes
