Filmmaker, screenwriter, lecturer and researcher specialising in theory-driven horror creation.
Horror is more than a genre. It is a way of thinking.
My research investigates how theoretical concepts such as the uncanny, the abject and the weird can function as creative tools during horror development and screenwriting.
Drawing on years of research in Horror Studies, Screenwriting Studies and artistic practice, I help filmmakers develop horror projects that are both emotionally effective and conceptually distinctive.
This fall, I’ll be teaching a new course: Horror — The Art of Fear. Learn how horror is constructed, no matter the medium — short story, screenplay, novel, or game — starting 17 October 2026 in Antwerp. More info: https://creatiefschrijven.be/cursussen/nieuw-horror-de-kunst-van-angst
Filmmaking
I wrote and directed MUIL, a multiple award-winning short horror film.
Trailer MUIL
Currently I am writing and developing several feature length projects, like PAN.
In 2023 I made a second short: SOUVENIR and recently – in 2026 – I shot my new short A B A D D O N with co-filmmaker Thomas Vanbrabant.
You can contact me for freelance writing and directing jobs, consultancy, script doctoring and inspiration about your horror project, and training about video production.
I’m a filmmaker specialising in the horror genre, as a director and screenwriter. I write my own solo projects (eg. Muil, Matriarch) but also love to co-write and co-direct (Souvenir, Pan).
I’ve directed horror for hire (Raven en Louise in het Nauw), and am available for freelance horror writing and directing jobs.
Ready to construct real fear on paper? In my course Horror: The Art of Fear, I’ll take you through the mechanisms behind good horror: monsters, tension, themes like the uncanny, and the surprising range of emotions the genre encompasses. The course isn’t tied to a single medium: whether you’re working on a short story, screenplay, novel, game, or play, the insights apply across the board. We’ll alternate theory with writing exercises — no prior knowledge needed, just an appetite for writing. The basic module starts on 17 October 2026 at the Schrijfhub in Antwerp-Berchem, with an advanced module following in spring 2027.
In 2023, I completed my PhD in the Arts, The Anxiety of Genre: Horror tussen vakkennis, theorie, en de Screen Idea Work Group. You can download the dissertation (in Dutch) here.
My research explores how theoretical concepts function not merely as analytical tools, but as active sources of creative inspiration in horror filmmaking and screenwriting. Rather than asking how theory explains finished films, I investigate how concepts derived from film theory, critical theory, and horror scholarship can actively shape the development of stories, characters, atmospheres, and cinematic form.
My work focuses on concepts such as the abject, the uncanny, the weird and the eerie, as well as on influential theories of horror itself, including John Clute’s model of horror narrative, Julian Hanich’s work on horror emotions, and David Church’s analysis of post-horror cinema. I am particularly interested in how filmmakers and screenwriters translate such concepts into creative decisions during the development process.
Drawing on practice-based and autoethnographic research methods, I examine the development of my short films Muil and Souvenir, and the feature screenplays Pan and Matriarch. To analyse the interaction between theory, creative practice, and collaboration, I employ Ian MacDonald’s concepts of the Screen Idea and the Screen Idea Work Group (SIWG).
More broadly, my research sits at the intersection of Horror Studies, Screenwriting Studies, and Artistic Research, with a particular focus on the relationship between theoretical thinking and creative practice.
I’m writing a mainstream publication which collects and explains all relevant theoretical concepts and thinking about horror, aimed at a filmmaking audience. This is expected in 2027, and is currently in development based on my course https://creatiefschrijven.be/cursussen/nieuw-horror-de-kunst-van-angst
The aim is to help filmmakers think in new and refreshing ways about horror, deepening their (and mine) understanding of this genre, and hopefully helping in developing strong new horror films. Horror is a genre and an industry that craves new voices, new ideas and has a deep need of and a longing for innovation.
Over the past decade, I have combined academic research, horror filmmaking, screenwriting, and higher education teaching to develop a unique perspective on horror storytelling and development.
My expertise covers both the theory and practice of horror creation: from genre conventions, audience affect, and narrative structure, to the role of concepts, themes, and creative methodologies in the writing process.
I offer:
Script analysis
Script doctoring
Dramaturgical consultancy
Development support for horror films and series
Research-informed creative development
Workshops and talks on horror storytelling, screenwriting, and theory-driven creation
Whether you are developing a feature film, short film, television series, or writer’s room concept, my interest lies in understanding what kind of horror you want to create. Together, we can explore the ideas, fears, themes, and theoretical frameworks that make your project distinctive, meaningful, and unsettling.
Horror is more than a genre. It is a way of thinking.
Jasper Vrancken is a Belgian filmmaker, horror researcher and lecturer. He holds a PhD in the Arts on horror screenwriting and film development. His award-winning short film MUIL screened internationally and he currently develops new feature projects including PAN.
ⓒ Jo Voets
He was born in the year Alien and The Brood were released, and horror is his main love and passion: from Barker, over Cronenberg, to Laugier and Evrenol.
Contact
Dit is een contactpagina met enkele contactgegevens en een contactformulier.
Horror 