It could maybe start with Goosebumps, the tv series. I remember reaaaaaally wanting to see it but being afraid of seeing it alone. I always tried and waited for my brother to wake up and watch it with me. That intro sound still gets to me, ugh. Later, I discovered the books and who remember the ones that were games!?. Me and my friend in school made a competition on who would read the most. Still love the covers and typeface of the logo!
And talking about covers and typefaces, I walked all kind of types of dark music. From Rammstein to Evanescence, to NIN, to Marilyn Manson, ending at my strong dark wave and rockabilly phase when I was in my early 20’s. Since I was at design college at the time, I could say visuals and aesthetics from The Cure, Bauhaus, Joy Division, The Cramps, The Meteors, deeply end up influencing my design style – and my tumblr feed.
Design college was also where I learned about the so called “real cinema” (pukes at how snob that sounds), and I still remember watching *Nosferatu: A symphony of Horror* from YouTube at our classes without the teachers knowing, and being blown away by how simple and emotional that movie was. Also, I just died with every special effect they tried to do at the time – It’s hilarious, please watch it.
I got my official wannabe cinephile badge, when I actually went to the cinema to watch a silent movie called The Cabinet of Dr. Calligari and I was also blown away by the film set. I loved how this movies walked such a close line with theatre. I wish I get to use all these references on a set design someday, preferably for something like a music performance, with some music artist...( I’m not picky, could be, like, Rihanna?...)
Getting into the realm of classics, at the end of my teens I met a boy who wanted to be a writer and he led me into the phase of my life that I probably read the most (a girl has to do what a girl has to do…). I devoured tons of classics, and one story that just stuck with me and moved me deeply was that of Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. What a journey on what it meant to be human!
I also got into Edgar Allan Poe, and it was definitely a point of turn in my life, as probably all my illustration work was inspired by his stories (nope, you'll never get to see those, sorry).
Eventually I found another boy, and this one led me to classic horror movie marathons (and also too much whiskey). If I wasn’t so traumatized by its taste I’d say I would love to grab a glass with Karloff and Lugosi once I arrive to hell. You should definitely watch these actors OG Frankenstein and Dracula movies. They are so close to early cinema, that in some way, they are not really scary. Everything feels very theatrical, and I love that rawness, the black and white images, the relation between the text and the images, the elegance in all that. Much like film noir, I would spend a day or two in one of this movies!
The set that REALLY steals my heart tho, is the one I discovered when I still had time to attend horror cinema festivals. Dario Argento’s Suspiria, stole by breath and to this day I’m still dreaming of the day I’ll be a millionaire and replicate it in my house just for fun.
In the same year, I believe, I also got my first contact with Japanese classic horror movies, and if you’re a cat fan you definitely shouldn't watch The Black Cat Mansion. However I love how they explore the concept of being haunted, which reminds of me to the moment I finally watched the original “The Ring”. I must say this is one that is definitely not inspirational at all. It just purely scared the shit out of me. Stay. Away. From that.
I’m probably at the phase of my life where I read the least books and watch the least movies. This is something I’m trying hard to figure out how to hack around (tips welcome). Anyway, I still watch series and as much as they are an addictive malady ruining our brains (thanks a lot Netflix) I’d say watching American Horror Story, really changed my view of horror in a way I never expected too. Actors are bomb, aesthetic is flawless. The themes are freakish to the point where I’m like, “wtf happened to the people that wrote this to be able image something like this”. I also skip one season or two cause it was just too much for me. If you’re an horror fan you can relinquish in all sides and doses of it with this series. My fav is Cult, Hotel, and Coven, btw.
The theme of vampires has had a long and good ride, from flawless Lugosi to a movie that joined Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt and Kristen Dunst and that I was definitely too young to see. However, I think the latest series Dracula from BBC (and from the creators of Sherlock!) depicts this character with a fabulous break down of his essence and what he represents as such. I felt it was a really good explanation why the vampire becomes such a mythical figure.
If you wanna explore more about that, you should also check Suspira, the magazine I wish I had done. I bought the vampire issue and really like the approach. Not only cool design, but also good content. We all know that’s the jam.
As I mention I rarely make time for movies anymore. And when I do, it’s hard to find a fellow companion that will watch the horror ones with me (my friends are a bunch of pussies, yeah you heard meeeeee). However I still found the time to watch “Us” by Jordan Peele, and oh boy, such a journey. Loved the aesthetics, the thrill, the performances. And that I Got 5 On It remix kills me anytime. Recommend 10/10 nightmare material.
And finally - because I’m not the only one attracted to horror movies - The Weeknd’s latest album After Hours, its just a nod to this world and just amazing aesthetically. The project of my art direction dreams. From the type to the videos. It’s just a whole vibe. His latest video for Too Late is insane and I’m just gonna leave and watch in repeat the rest of the afternoon.
Have a nice Halloween!