Ryan Hollinger has taken the horror side of YouTube by storm, recently obtaining an astounding 500,000 subscribers on his channel. I've been a fan of his for quite a while, and I've learned quite a bit about horror itself throughout the many hours spent watching his in-depth analyses and reviews. If you ever thought horror was objective, he might make you think again. Subscribe at www.youtube.com/user/himynamesryan/featured!
What motivated you to start making YouTube videos?
Originally I wanted to start doing game analysis and built the channel as a hobby while in university. As it started bringing in viewers, I began wanting to enter the "essay" format and soon ended up growing it to the point that I was able to make it a job after finishing university. It dwindled for a bit soon after until I realised I wasn't really covering the topics I wanted to and the channel got quite boring and derivative. My research speciality in university was actually Documentary film surprisingly, so career-wise, I'd end up on that road. Horror was always just my guilty interest because it gets a lot of stigma, then taking that into account I thought, "why I don't I explore horror as a challenge to this stigma". Turns out, there was a niche in analysing horror from a therapeutic, self-reflexive perspective!
When did you realize that you were so interested in horror?
I had a sinister curiosity as a child! While I'm easily scared, I loved thinking about the unknown and supernatural.
What are some of the most important components of a good horror film?
KISS – Keep It Simple, Stupid!
You could use this logic for any story. I believe in the "one-sentence pitch" format where if you can summarise your story in one sentence, you're maintained your focus and now the rest comes own to execution. Take It Follows for example – "girl gets chased by mysterious shapeshifter" – that's enough in terms of drama, conflict and mystique. Now, it's all about the journey and bringing the viewer into that horrifying bubble.
What is your "guilty pleasure" film, horror or not?
Thirteen Ghosts is pure mayhem in the best and worst sense – it's got absolutely phenomenal creature and production design that's terrifying in it's own right, but then you have Matthew Lillard and co chewing scenery and having a lot of fun with what's, admittedly, quite a silly premise. Like in the last question – "ghosts chase people around a rotating house" – it sticks to the point, doesn't try to get smart and moves so frantically that it's never dull.
What horror sub genre is your favorite and why?
Really, I'm just a sucker for hybrids that mix a variety of things in a cohesive way, but if I'm trying to be specific, I do find "domestic" horror to be the most interesting. Traditionally, these are slasher movies, yet I like to think of anything home invasion/siege-style as finding that mould such as Dog Soldiers, You're Next, The Thing (technically). I think the idea of "safety at risk" is always tangible, if indeed, you have to dig through a lot of crap to get to the good stuff.
Although, if I could – anything with that bizarre "what the f are we up against" concept always intrigues me!
Have modern audiences become desensitized to horror?
I think today's audiences are actually split down the middle with the growing appreciation of "arty" horror films. You will always have the Blumhouse jump-scare crowd who feed of abrasiveness and sensationalism, which I'm all for. Yet, you also now have the high-brow types who see horror as either "intellectual" (The Witch) or "anti-intellectual" (insert random mainstream horror)... Then you have the normal people who just want a good time and don't let their bias get in the way!
As for desensitization, I think it's inescapable because we have so much easily accessible knowledge of most things. Although, I do believe you can surrender to certain experiences if they're good at drawing you in... that's just good filmmaking!
Do you prefer horror films with underlying social messages or life lessons?
I'm usually pretty mood dependent – sometimes, I'm all for something different and wild while other times I don't really want it getting in the way. To me, I love themes, etc as long as they don't disrupt the actual storytelling. When you start pushing an ideology or social message that I'm pulled out of the experience, I see it as condescending because there are a wealth of incredible stories that never call attention to themselves. Some people seem to think social messages, etc are a new thing... they've always been a thing!
What is more effective in scares: build-up or payoff?
If we're talking jump scare – as long as there's anticipation behind it, I see no problem. Sustaining tension however, requires a purpose. Tension for tensions sake does nothing for me. I have to feel like that dread or anxiety or trauma or whatever has to go somewhere or mean something. Actually, Jason Blum made a point before that you can't hold that energy forever, you have to release it someway to give you a breather, whether it be safety or a joke or something to give you a reward for holding in.
Do you prefer any certain era of horror?
Historically, I love the 70s because it really came to define a lot of the genre that we see today. In fact, I think it's drawn on more than other eras. I know everyone loves the 80s but... for all the great fiction to come out of it, it was a pretty "safe" decade as far as horror is concerned. I also have a soft spot for the early-2000s because there are some pretty wild concepts that came out of it.
If your life was a horror movie, what role would you play?
My friends think I'm the "damsel in distress" so... I guess that's the answer. I'm usually the type of person to get into trouble and needs help. Or I'm too stubborn and ignorantly walk into danger.
