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Is there such a thing as "L.A. horror films"?

posted 5 years ago by CinemaDemon989 (1286)
23 replies | jump to latest

When I say, L.A. - I mean, Los Angeles.

Ever since I got Netflix and have been browsing through films on Amazon Prime, I noticed that a lot of low budget / indie horror films are all clearly filmed in L.A., and all have this obvious 'Los Angeles theme' to them. This has led me to believe that these horror films are almost in a different genre, seeing all of them are shot in L.A.

I assume that's because there are a lot of aspiring filmmakers out in LA. I guess it's just the happening place for horror films.

Has anyone else noticed this??

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

I have never heard of a specific genre being called "LA Horror Films". There ARE a lot of movie filmed in LA, however. Take "Scarface" (1982) for example. These scene based at the internment camp under the highway was actually shot in LA. that's why they don't pan up onto the actual highway, the signs would give it away. Besides obvious exterior shots, most of that movie was actually shot in LA.

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

Them! (1954) was a good L.A horror.

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

It's not LA, but if we're talking creature features then Tarantula (1954) is soooooooooooooo much better.

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

[deleted]

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

well in that case TARANTULA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

Them! is so cheesy it's good.

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

The spider from Tarantula was a straight up movie star. It also played the spider in Incredible Shrinking Man.

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

what a career!!!

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

A lot of people don't realize this, but I played the human in "The Incredible Stepping on Spider".

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

was this off Broadway??

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

Coleman Francis was the director.

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

it's not in the database.

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

The working title for the Beast of Yucca Flats was actually the Beast of Spider Stepping.

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

you have an unique taste in movies

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

what you mean is I have a GOOD taste in movies!

But seriously, all joking and crap movies aside, you really should watch

Island of Lost Souls (1932)

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0024188/?ref_=nv_sr_2?ref_=nv_sr_2

Excellent movie! Great movie! I cannot stress this enough. Great movie!!!! Charles Laughton!

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

It is a good movie. I saw it years ago on TCM but can't find it anywhere now.

[–] CinemaDemon989 (1286) 5 years ago

Okay, let me rephrase this question...

Why are so many horror films made in LA?

[–] VinceD (6950) 5 years ago

I have noticed this as well.

I think you actually answered the question as best as anyone else could.

A lot of aspiring film makers live in LA, and Horror movies are a good way to get your foot in the door as they usually can be made on lower budgets

[–] CinemaDemon989 (1286) 5 years ago

If I ever get involved with filmmaking, I'm gonna make it a goal of mine not to film in LA. It's so annoying to see the same setting used over and over again.

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

Stereotypes about L.A being a dangerous place, maybe.

[–] CinemaDemon989 (1286) 5 years ago

Oh, well, I'm not gonna jump to that conclusion. I have no doubt that LA can be a dangerous place. lol

I'm just getting sick of seeing horror films take place in the same location. That's all.

[–] slimone (7996) 5 years ago

Whatever Happened to Baby Jane takes place in Los Angeles.

[–] Prelude (1443) 5 years ago

Absentia is a good, low-budget creepy horror that was filmed in an LA suburb - someone on another forum used to live in the neighborhood and knows the location personally; that was interesting to chat about.

Los Angeles is the natural point of gravitation for anyone who wants to make movies, hence it being the location for people making low budget and just starting out. And once budding filmmakers are settled there, to travel away for another location costs money -- easier and cheaper to film it where you are.

There are other places where there's a film industry too, albeit it much smaller, such as central Texas, where some indie horrors have also been made.