Want to shoot scary video for stock this Halloween? Discover the secrets of shooting the uncanny and creepy with tips from six masters of terror.
“The main rule when shooting horror footage and photography is that you have to be a little crazy,” cinematographer Lario Tus tells us. “Because who goes through the woods in the rain and fog while most people are sitting at home in front of the TV screen?”
Filmmakers like Tus, who create horror-themed videos, do it because they’re fearless and passionate—but they’re also finding that footage-buyers around the world crave clips like theirs. Scary footage isn’t just fun and exciting; it’s also highly marketable, especially around this time of year.
“Honestly, I was surprised by how many people are interested in this topic,” he admits. “Usually, they buy pictures of happy, successful people who exude positivity and success. Scary clips are the opposite of that, but they resonate with people. I suppose that’s also why Stephen King has sold so many books on the subject.”
We interviewed six masters of the genre to tell us how they create scary footage that sells—and sets our hair on end, whether it’s Halloween or not. Read on for their behind-the-scenes tips.
1. Lario Tus
Video by Lario Tus
Lario Tus:
I’ve noticed that people like ghosts, and shots with a woman in a white dress are often downloaded. This one is the result of a combination of circumstances. That day, we had a plan to shoot at another location, but I noticed a fog in a mountainous area close to where I live, so I suggested that we change our plan. It worked out well, and I recorded a lot of material at that location. On another occasion, I was shooting a model on a green screen background. I combined two shots, and this is the result.
Know your horror.
Consume as many horror stories as you can, since these will form the basis of many of your shoots. Watch scary movies, and read Gothic mysteries—anything to get those creative juices flowing. “I usually get inspired when I see a scene in a horror movie,” Tus tells us. “I put a twist on it and make it my way. I actually developed my style after seeing the poster for the horror movie The Orphan.”
Give yourself extra time.
“It’s best to forget any other plans you have for that day,” Tus continues. “If you are shooting outside, the light and weather conditions change from minute to minute. If, for example, you notice some spooky mist coming from afar, and your model says you need to end the shoot because she has something else to do, you’re out of luck. It happened to me once and never again.”
2. SynthEx
Video by SynthEx
SynthEx:
It’s no secret humans tend to fear the unknown. A scary silhouette approaching in the dark, long, sharp nails scratching on opposite sides of the window, sounds like perfect material for some blood-chilling Halloween footage to me.
Look for “hidden” locations.
“I would suggest keeping an eye open for good locations,” Victoria of SynthEx says. “Sometimes, stumbling upon a flickering light in the hallway is enough to set you in the right mood for some scary thriller scenes. Old, abandoned buildings can be a great source of inspiration as well.”
Shooting scary stock footage can sometimes take a bit of urban exploration, so browse Instagram and urbex websites for creepy spots. Wherever you go, remember to stay safe: bring a buddy, avoid any dangerous areas, and tell people where you’re going. Additionally, leave the location exactly as you found it, and don’t touch anything. The idea is to preserve it for the future!
3. MarioProduction
Video by MarioProduction
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MarioProduction:
This was a thriller movie-inspired video shoot with the main character played by my wife. This video is the perfect example of an authentic “scary” video. It has all of the aspects we look for: deep coloring, extra contrast, and natural emotions.
Be deliberate about casting.
Not all models are well-suited to horror footage, so think carefully about casting. “Find the perfect actor or actress who will dedicate 100%,” Mario, Corina, and Niki of MarioProduction advise. “If they are not afraid to get dirty and look ugly, and they have the talent to act natural, you will get the best scary shots.”
Get trendy.
“In my opinion, successful Halloween-themed footage should always follow the trend,” Mario continues. “While this year buyers might search more for ‘scary clowns,’ next year it could be ‘bloody killers.’ Go with the trend, and keep creating.”
Don’t worry too much about budget.
“When it comes to shooting horror, you don’t need a fancy make-up artist or super-expensive costumes,” Mario adds, “Instead, use props and tools from your household. This will make your shots look authentic and real, and authenticity is everything!”
Gianfranco Grenar has a similar outlook. “Look out for behind-the-scenes and making-of stories about zero-budget, low-budget, and guerrilla filmmaking,” he suggests. “There are lots of ingenious tricks waiting to be rediscovered—the plank cam being one of them.”
4. Gianfranco Grenar
Video by Gianfranco Grenar
Vimeo | LinkedIn | Facebook
Gianfranco Grenar:
This is an example of something weird, but perfectly explainable: a clip of water running from a shower in a bathroom. Extremely simple. Aged black-and-white color grading. Sold many, many times.
“It’s a subtle recall of the shower scene in Psycho—so subtle that it doesn’t even feature a woman showering or the ominous silhouette of the killer lurking behind the curtain. But this is the power of pop culture: common items become iconic, and everyday situations evoke strong emotions. Find a way to exploit this power, and sales will flow.
Remember post-processing.
“Often, it’s all about lighting a scene or doing a savvy color-grading,” Grenar tells us. “Mundane, accessible locations like the woods can be pleasant or ominous, depending on how you light them and when you shoot them. Also, push the contrast. Desaturate a little. Hide parts of the scene. Create dark spaces. Shift the point-of-view.”
Go beyond the obvious.
“I just rewatched my best-selling clips, and I noticed there are no common traits, but that might be the key: variety,” Grenar continues. “‘Scary’ means different things to different people. Some people faint at the sight of blood. Some fear spiders. Some fear dolls. The list of fears is very long—and this means that you won’t get bored when choosing what to shoot.”
5. Kopytin Georgy
Video by Kopytin Georgy
Kopytin Georgy:
We accidentally stumbled upon this ruined house, and people were actually still living there. It made a strong impression on us, so we took our daughter and did a shoot there. She sat on a swing with her beloved bear. We had a lot of fun, but I think we scared the residents of the surrounding houses.
Study the psychology of fear.
Kopytin Georgy’s wife is a psychologist, so he understands the depths of the human mind. “Explore the topic,” he advises. “Know what people are afraid of. For example, children’s fears are mostly far-fetched.” If you can, consult an expert, and get to understand how phobias operate in the real world.
Make it dark.
The one thing all these videos share? A mysterious atmosphere. They hide just as much as they reveal.
“People are afraid of the incomprehensible and unknown, and, of course, darkness,” Georgy says. “Darkness is the main tool of an artist who works in the horror genre. I find that the best shots are obtained at dusk and at night. In the daytime, it is difficult to achieve unrealistic lighting. But at night, you can put a lamp on the ground, and you’re done.”
6. Hartmut Witte
Video by Hartmut Witte
Hartmut Witte:
This little one-eyed guy (his name is Alfred) is, like many of my clips, reminiscent of pop culture from my past. I grew up with films like It Came from Outer Space, The Thing from Another World, and War Of The Worlds, and shows like Star Trek. My childhood was full of monsters and spaceships.
Later, I was enthusiastic about the work of directors like Steven Spielberg and John Carpenter. The mysterious and wonderful have always fascinated me. Many of my videos are based on nostalgic memories that I seem to share with many people.
Use the power of suggestion.
Often, the mere hint of something frightening lurking in the shadows can be scarier than the real thing.
“Because Halloween is especially popular with children, I avoid being explicit,” Hartmut Witte tells us. “I find that everything things can seem scary if you illuminate or shoot them unusually. The right lighting can turn a child’s room into a spooky place.
“Play with light and shadows. Haze and fog give the scene more depth. Unusual perspectives or angles are also helpful. I also always try to bring a little humor and create unusual situations in my videos.”
Top Video Screenshot by SynthEx.
Want more on shooting eerie images and footage? Check these out.
- Celebrating Día de los Muertos and Mexican Culture with Illustrator Nahiely Velazquez
- 13 Spooky Images That Will Haunt You This Halloween
- 4 Mexico-Based Creatives on Shooting Día De Los Muertos Images
- Weird Stock Photos: Why They Sell
- Scary Dairy: How Music Can Make Anything Terrifying
