ConstructingHorror

A Scary Day in Lund...

2010-09-29T06:13:00.000-07:00

We will be making an appearance and giving a seminar in Horror Storytelling this weekend at Lund Film Accademy's day of Constructing Stories for Genre Film. If you are at the FantasticFilmFestival this weekend, then make sure to come see us.

Steve Ericsson and Jason Meredith will be talking about horror storytelling from 9.00 -10.00.

Sara Coover Caldwell will be talking on how to write great horror action sequences between 14.45 - 16.00.

For more information go here.

Bram Stoker Awards 2009

2010-03-30T03:28:00.000-07:00

On Saturday Night the Bram Stoker Awards for 2009 where finally revealed at the annual Stoker Banquet during the World Horror Convention 2010.

Here are the winners:

Superior Acheivement in a Novel:

Audrey's Door by Sarah Langan

Superior Acheivement in a First Novel:

Damnable by Hank Schwaeble

Superior Acheivement in Long Fiction:

The Lucid Dreaming by Lisa Morton

Superior Acheivement in Short Fiction:

In the Porches of My Ears by Norman Prentiss

Superior Acheivement in an Anthology:

He Is Legend by Christopher Colon

Superior Acheivement in a Collection:

A Taste of Tenderloin by Gene O'Neil

Superior Acheivement in Nonfiction:

Writers Workshop of Horror by Michael Knost

Superior Acheivement in Poetry:

Chimeric Machine by Lucy A. Snyder

Our warmest congratulations go out to all the winners, especially Lisa Morton with whom we conducted an interview for our documentary during Friday afternoon.

The great Brian Lumley who was at the WHC the entire week was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award .

Brighton, day five...

2010-03-29T02:21:00.000-07:00

Our final day in Brighton is one of melancholy, tension and awe as we sum up the impressions, go through the footage, pack our bags and wonder how the heck we will get all those books from the goodie bags back home with us.

We have conducted eleven interviews, shot over thirteen hours of footage and had one hell of an interresting, educating and fascinating time.

We have met some of our idols, met up with old aquantiances, discovered up and comming tallents and made a whole lot of new friends. Our deepest repect and thanks go out to you all!

We are forever thankfull to all our interview subjects for taking time out of their packed schedules to talk with us, to our friends who invited us to those parties, to all those who took an interrest in our project, and all of you who we finally have made contact with for future audio interviews. And also a huge thanks to Stephen Jones, Amanda Foubister and all the WHC2010 staffers for a fantastic Convention and helping us with our documentary project. We are allready looking forward to further joint ventures with the WHC in 2011.

A great shout out goes to Chris and Ben at Guest and the City for great British Breakfast, awesome comfort and wonderfull hospitality. Thanks guys!

We will forever be gratefull to the staff and managers at The Royal Albion and Radison Blu Hotel, because without your hospitality our interviews would not have looked as fantastic as they did. Thank you all!

Brighton, day four

2010-03-28T01:16:00.001-07:00

Only a short post today as day four has been our most hectic day so far. [Images to follow]

First interview of the day was spent in the company of the legendary Grand Master of Horror Ramsey Campbell who shed light on exposition, structure and the what's in a title.

Second shoot for the day, and we sit down with Tim Lebbon to talk about how to make your horror and fantasy stories keep that valuable edge of realism and make it believable.

Midpoint of the day saw us sitting down with our fellow countryman John Ajvide Lindqvist as we discussed just how far you could take your protagonist/antagonist, his writing process and just how great Morrissey's lyrics are.

Session four had us going face to face with the great Dennis Etchison who shared his thoughts on start-middle-ends and the power of rushes of insight.

Finally the fifth interview for the day starts and we meet the fascinating David Case with whom we discussed Archetypes, the horror of Ghouls, Case shared writing habits with Hemingway and just how important that opening paragraph is.

Wrapping it all up we headed down to the screening hall to hear our friend Stephen Volk introduce and give a short Q&A before the screening of GHOSTWATCH, the infamous BBC program that terrified a nation and created national outrage.

Following that, it was finally time to wind down and hit the Querqus Party for a few drinks with some of the great writers that we have interviewed during these fascinating and intensive days.

Brighton, day three

2010-03-26T17:17:00.000-07:00

Day three. We are definately not getting enough sleep, but the pure rush of meeting and talking to our interview subjects and all the fantastic people at the WHC2010 is feeding us as we continue our exploratiomn of horror storytelling.

The early birds - well our splendid cameraman David - was the first of the team to get up and about as he shot a series of stock shots for the documentary. Brighton definately serves up some wonderfull images that we can use in the project.

The first interview for the day was with the great F. Paul Wilson, writer of the Repairman Jack books, with whom we discussed character traits, beats and themes with.

For the second interview of the day we met up with Michael Louis Cavaillo who writes some highly entertaining and gruesome pieces and manages to work full time as a ninthgrade English teacher at the same time - what is it with English teachers that attracts them into the realm of Horror...+

Session three for the day saw us discuss archtypes, protagonists and antagonists with the fascinating Tanith Lee who brought some great insight into these subjects.

Our final interview for day three had us meet up with the always insightfull and entertaining Stephen Volk. Obviously we talked about character arcs, how to keep horror believable and what empathy is really all about.

But this would not be the final events for the day, as there where two points left on our hectic schedule to check off.

The Heather Graham Pier Party, and an obligatory ride on the haunted house ghost train.

Needless to say our gratitude goes out to the Original Heather Graham for the free bar and buffet that rounded off this excellent day.

Brighton, day two

2010-03-25T16:31:00.000-07:00

So, as night falls accross a cold and windy Brighton, let us sum up day two - our first day of interviews and exploration of the art and craft of horror with some of the greatest storytellers in the world.

Our first session saw us discuss amongst other things; defintion of genre, beginning, middle and ending with the charming and talented Sara Pinborough.

The second inteview of the day was with the fascinating Grand Master of Horror and creator of the Saint-Germain series Chelsea Quinn Yarbro, with whom we talked about themes, empathy and motivation.

The final session of the day was spent in conversation with the Bram Stoker Award winning screenwriter/horror author Lisa Morton, who we talked about character archs, archetypes, and how protagonists and antagonists in many ways have changed spheres with eachother.

Brighton, day one

2010-03-24T13:28:00.000-07:00

After travelling for the major part of the day, we are finally in Brighton.

The beaches are desolate...

...but for the constructinghorror team, who have stocked up at WHSmiths and Mark's & Spencers. (Notebooks, pens and pork pies)

Finally we settle down in our basecamp and start planning the Thursday interviews...

...and check out the equipment.

Tomorrow the shoot starts as we interview Sarah Pinborough at eleven sharp.

One day to go...

2010-03-23T02:10:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow morning - crack of dawn - we get on the plane and journey to the U.K.

At noon we will be on English soil, and promenading along the Brighton Pier.

Yesterday we confirmed more interviews for the Documentary project, Michael Louis Calvillio, Lisa Morton have been added to the list.

And we will (if time allows them) be interviewing Grand Masters of Horror Chelsea Quinn Yarbro, and Ramsey Campbell.

Stay tuned!

There’s something about Brighton…

2010-03-20T09:58:00.000-07:00

...that is getting us really, really excited.

There’s only a few days left until we set off for the World Horror Convention 2010, held for the first time in the United Kingdom – Brighton to be precise.

ConstructingHorror.com will of course be attending, and with us we will have a small crew of four people.

Now why a small crew of four people you may question, well the reason for that is simple. We are in the process of producing the first independent documentary on the arts and crafts of horror storytelling.

Our miniature documentary team will be shooting on camera interviews with several of the attending members during the week in Brighton.

So far we have booked several sessions, and to let a few names out of the bag - how do you like the sound of the great author/screenwriters Stephen Volk, John Ajvide Lindqvist and grandmasters of horror F. Paul Wilson and Tanith Lee!

That’s merely a teaser of several confirmed interviews and we will release more names as we pass through the week.

Also we hope to be able to use this blog to write some kind of ConstructingHorror diary during the time at the World Horror Convention 2010.

So hang tight and check back for updates during the coming days!

World Horror Convention 2010 - Brighton.

2010-02-28T08:51:00.000-08:00

It's official, the World Horror Convention in Brighton is sold out.

There are no more spaces available. But even if you are not attending, you can rest assured as ConstructingHorror will be there to participate. We have an agenda for the dates of the Convention, and will soon share some more of what we plan to do there.

We will of course be using this blog to keep our readers informed of what is going on there.

In the meanwhile, take a few minutes to check out their official site!

Our Promo!

2010-02-28T08:35:00.000-08:00

Welcome!

2010-02-28T07:01:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the ConstructingHorror.com blogg.

This is where we will keep you informed of stuff that's going on behind the scenes and try to keep you updated on what is going on on the site.

Welcome, and enjoy the ride.

Whether you are an author, a screenwriter, a filmmaker, or just a curious fan, this site will become your personal resource to telling stories in the horror genre. Our vision is to provide an inspiring and motivating guidance that will teach you how to become a better horror storyteller. 1

The approach is unique and simple. By researching the horror genre from every possible angle you will discover how to create a compelling and powerful story. You will access practical advice and techniques that put you ahead of the competition while studying the ConstructingHorror.com site.

Imagine the possibilities and advantages you will gain as a creator of horror, if you know how to move the mind and trigger the imagination of the audience.

ConstructingHorror.com is also developing products to take the genre to another level, so sign up for the newsletter on the main site to keep updated.