WHY DO WE WATCH SCARY FILMS?

CATHARSIS - we watch negative things so we can purge; cleanse our negative thoughts

ARISTOTLE

• We are drawn to violent, negative imagery or experiences to release pent up feelings of aggression.

DOLF ZILLMAN

• Excitation transfer theory
• By experiencing negative and scary imagery we intensity the positive feelings when the negative is removed.

GLEN D. WALTERS

For films to be scary they must

• 1) Tension and suspense  - Narrative, use of micro-elements - manipulation of information.
• 2) Release  - The fears explored by the audience have to be relevant to the audience - they have to believe.
• 3) Unrealism  - We have to know it is not real.