The Horror

Writing is all a matter of mathematics or at least that's what researchers of King's College are trying to make us believe. They have worked out the mathematical formula behind the perfect horror film:

(es + u + cs + t) squared + s + (tl + f) / 2 + (a + dr + fs) / n + sin x - 1

es = escalating music
u = the unknown
cs = chase scenes
t = the sense of being trapped

s = shock

tl = true life
f = fantasy

a = small number of characters
dr = with the lights off
fs = in an isolated setting

n = the number of people

Sin x = blood and guts
1 = the stereotypes

The PERFECT horror film according to the research is Stanley Kubrick's The Shining! At least that's one observation I couldn't agree with more.

Full article located at the IC Wales website