Guest Speakers: Rachel A. Brune, Derek Austin Johnson, Rory Montgomery, Brent Peters, Anita Siraki
LEARN Track Director: R. J. Joseph
Assistant Track Director: Kenneth Broome, Jr.
What are the monsters you want the creative industry to research and discuss more?
– Shifters in Paranormal Romance.
– Folklore roots of werewolves in Horror and Dark Fantasy.
– Aliens, because people are experiencing “other” events, whether it’s on distant planets, extra-terrestrials, fae, ghosts, AI, etc. There are common shared elements of people’s experiences.
– Diverse cultural backgrounds and perspectives. The Invisible Man, Creature from the Black Lagoon, and The Mummy either were not utilized much, or didn’t age well due to cultural exploitation.
– Urban legends, such as Black Eyed Children, or The Mothman Prophecies.
How do these concepts arise and thrive? Research and theories are often limited or sloppy. Historical significance and value absolutely play a role for these intriguing concepts. Lots of socio-exploration can be associated with the concept of invisibility. However, this is frequently used as a plot trick, rather than something meaningful. Also, basic practicality in the plots are usually ignored.
Humans fear what they cannot control, the unknown factor of outsiders, especially when it comes to “others.” It’s a matter of going past the norm and confronting these fears and psychological nightmares that we all face. Audiences are returning to Horror, which can be used as a tool to process trauma. Through it, writers have the opportunity to create from our own personal or cultural fears. People’s perceptions are often based on how they’re raised. For example: being a witch (and not knowing it); not having folklore to draw upon, but rather 1950’s sci-fi (in which case, it manifests as a robot on a plate, rather than a pixie.)
The media often humiliates and follows people who claim to have seen UFO’s, which behave in odd patterns. Scientists are finally in the midst of further research, and taking these phenomena more seriously, including government programs and representatives from NASA. Truth can sometimes be stranger than fiction. What’s more, there’s a connecting thread between these experiences people report upon. There is usually a transformative element, as well as isolation, as they try to reassemble their concept of reality.
There’s a big boom in the Horror market, as people are increasingly researching more about matters of the occult. Libraries are branching out to more digital options, in an attempt to broaden the variety they have available. Unfortunately, first-person accounts are still difficult to find in regards to academic research.
Vampires and zombies are uncanny because they’re humanoids, but something is just not right. When people report ghost sightings, they’re not translucent – they still have the appearance of normal people, but something is just not right. Then you look back, and either nothing’s there, or it appears different than before.
Sci-Fi/Horror writers should study David Lynch’s filmography. He doesn’t do narrative well, but he is very talented in other arenas, such as a strangeness to visuals, and the uncanny aura. While dreamlike, there is still a logic to his worldbuilding techniques.
Any other recommendations for creatives to draw inspiration from, or general advice?
– Netflix adaptations from Asian countries have become more accessible.
– Folktales from around the world. Observe how the culture treats their folklore and beliefs. For example, if you were not a part of American culture, how would you separate the concept of Jesus Christ from zombies? “Mythology” may still be considered real to people within that culture.
– Writing the Other – a workshop on how to write respectfully while still maintaining creative license.
– Consider: “Is this my story to tell? Or am I trying to use it for exploitative reasons?” If you’re trying to do something shallow, then you won’t be digging deep. When you go deeper, that’s when you find a story that is truly more meaningful.
What monsters or paranormal entities would you like to see more of in the creative spheres? Or are there monsters who’ve been rehashed so many times, you would like to see a fresh or different perspective on? If so, how? Let us know in the Comments Section below!
If you’d like to see more panels like this and receive the FULL experience in person, check out Multiverse Con! Get your tickets here: https://www.multiversecon.org/ Hope to see you there! 🙂
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