Filmmaking / Directing : FREEZE FRAME character intros in horror? by Dwayne Williams 2

I like the freeze frame/info idea, Dwayne Williams 2!

Maurice Vaughan the goat! haha thank you! Do you think having the introduction after the action starts would kill the seriousness of the film, or does it add to the tension and intrigue?

You're welcome, Dwayne Williams 2. "Do you think having the introduction after the action starts would kill the seriousness of the film?" I do. I think the introduction should go before the action. That way, it won't kill the seriousness.

Maurice Vaughan Do you think it’s lazy to only introduce the villains and not the good characters, or should the good characters be introduced separately throughout the film? Is it okay for me to leave out the freeze frame for the good characters, or should they also get that treatment? What’s your take on balancing the introduction of both in the opening?

I edited my first comment, Dwayne Williams 2. I misread your question. You were talking about the freeze frame and the introduction when you asked "Would you love seeing that type of bold cinematic move in horror?" I thought you were asking if having a gory opening is a bold cinematic move in Horror ("SLAMS her head into a door until it explodes open"). I pictured the scene being really gory as she slammed her head against the door. I guess the goat is off his game some days. Haha

Thank you, Maurice Vaughan! That still helps because it also is the intro, and I really need that feedback too. I appreciate you taking the time to clarify!

Maurice VaughanShe slams her head exactly as you're envisioning, charging forward with a running, wet, waddling head start first.

You're welcome, Dwayne Williams 2. I've only seen a little bit of Scott Pilgrim, but I'm guessing you got the freeze frame and intro idea from that. I would only use the freeze frame and intro for the villain because it shows how evil she is.

I would use regular introductions for the other characters. Name, age, and a short description for each character that tells us about their personality. And their appearance, clothes, and accessories if they're important to the story. And I would introduce the characters separately unless this is an ensemble cast script.

"Think Kill Bill x The Ring meets Saw x Scott Pilgrim." Using four really different movies to sum up your script might confuse producers, directors, etc. I suggest using two.

Maurice Vaughan I like that idea! Thank you for that feedback always appreciate your insight. The comparisons were primarily meant to sum up the style of the introduction scene. The main influences for the overall movie, however, align more with SAW and Jumanji, with a tone and stakes closer to those films. It’s more reflective of the style you might find in a TV series, where the character introductions are designed to create ongoing tension and build the narrative progressively.

You're welcome, Dwayne Williams 2. Ok, gotcha.

You are aware that Jin is another word for genie?

Greg Lyon Yes—Jin is a twisted version of a genie who doesn’t grant wishes to humans, but grants demons life on Earth when the cursed board is activated.