My Introduction to Horror

by Darren O'hagan
(Aberdeen UK)

I was five at the time I was introduced to the horror genre. The film that commenced my journey into the darkness of horror was Stephen King's IT (1990). This is forever a fond memory as I was so scared I cried.

I later became afraid of clowns, and hated to go to the circus in case Pennywise was waiting to take me away!

Years later I inadvertently returned to the horror genre at the tender age of seven to stay up late to watch Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (1994) with my sister. This was yet another film I shouldn't have watched as it wasn't Disney or Pixar.

As time went by I started watching the classic horror movies and then as I grew up I watched the genre become what it is today - bogged down in remakes and endless sequels. Some people I speak to don't even realize they are remakes and that they've lost their way. The only place for me to go now is to the independent films that don't get the recognition they deserve. I would like to see a change, and have the genre go back to it's roots.

Hopefully one day I can create films that will introduce people to the elements that drew me to horror.