Horror is my personal favorite genre of film, and luckily, I have been involved in several high-profile horror films. Throughout my experience working as an actor and screenwriter on horror movies, one of the most important tips a horror actor must know is understanding their characters’ emotional core.
Horror movies are typically overlooked when it comes to acting technique, as the special effects and story line often overshadow the actual performances of the actor; however, when you strip away the gore and violence of a horror movie, it is the acting that truly makes a film horrific.
What is an Emotional Core?
Every character is a horror movie, and any other movie for that matter, has an emotional core. This core is what drives the character. It’s what inspires him to step inside that creepy looking mansion, to walk outside to discover what’s making that sound and how he reacts to the horrific situations he’s currently bombarded by.
When you think about yourself, you have an emotional core. You can discover this core right now, as you’re reading this article. Close your eyes and ask yourself, why are you reading this? Is it to help assist you in an upcoming horror film audition? Why do you feel you need assistance? Are you self-conscious about your acting ability? Why are you self-conscious? Is it because you’re afraid of failure? Through a series of questions, you can discover the emotional core for every action you perform. All actions and thoughts are driven by this hidden and subconscious engine. It is your job as an actor to discover this engine and review its mechanical parts.
Using the Script to Find Your Emotional Core
A script will have all the information you need to help discover your character’s emotional core. Within the lines of dialogue you will get certain clues, such as a sentence the lead actor’s friend says to him before he gets out of the car. For example, the lead actor’s friend says, “Why are you always the one to investigate things? Can’t we just leave? Go about our business?” The lead actor replies, “I can’t sit around while someone might be in trouble.”
The potential emotional core of the lead actor may be his desire to help people. But where did this desire come from? Perhaps when he was a child he saw his mother or someone close to him being beat. He felt helpless. Now, as an adult, he strives to protect others – even people he doesn’t know – to prove that he is in control; to prove that he can help. This boils down to an emotional core of – desperation, hurt, anger and a hero-complex.
Use not only the words within dialogue to discover your characters’ emotional core, but also the action. For example, “Brian slowly walks toward the sound coming from the closet. He pauses, puts his ear to the door and turns to look at his friends who are begging him not to continue. Shutting his eyes tight, he ignores his peers’ silent begging, and turns the doorknob.”
Using this example, Brian’s emotional core may be one of frustration, confusion, aggravation and defiance. Why did he ignore the obvious “silent pleas” from his friends, his loved ones, and continue? What did he want to prove by continuing with his soon-to-be lethal investigation?