The types of media are divided into three groups: Spooky, or the goofy, silly kind of Halloween themed fodder; Scary, classic stuff–it might give you a good jump, but nothing too haunting; and Genuinely Terrifying, which taps into feelings like existential dread and abject, skin-crawling horror. Tag us on Instagram if you try out any of our suggestions!

Music 

Spooky: “Scare Me” by Ludo has an upbeat, 80s feel to it. The lyrics are full of playfully creepy imagery. It’s a guaranteed hit for an impromptu at home Halloween dance party. 

Other Suggestions – “Addams Family Theme”, “Werewolf Bar Mitzvah” from 30 Rock, “When He Died” by Lemon Demon

Scary: “The Hearse Song” is a perfect fit for this category. The Marshmallow Ghosts are a Halloween themed project native to Savannah, and this song is a perfect example of their October niche. It’s a perfect inbetween, with enough doom and gloom to be actually scary, but not quite panic inducing. The upbeat nature of the song helps, too. 

Other Suggestions – “You’re Dead” by Norma Tanega, “Psycho Killer” by Talking Heads, “Special Death” by Mirah

Actually Terrifying: “Zombie” by the Cranberries is a rare song that effectively conveys a chilling message in a poetic manner. Though most likely know the song for Dolores O’Riordan’s distinctive vocal delivery, there’s actually a deeply tragic narrative behind the lyrics stemming from conflict in Ireland.

Other Suggestions – “Western World” The Casket Girls

Check out the rest of SCAD Radio’s Halloween Playlist here. 

Movies 

Spooky: Rocky Horror Picture Show – If you’re wanting to watch an occult classic with a “Sweet Transvestite” (played by Tim Curry, the man himself), a hit musical track, aliens, incest and sex, then Rocky Horror Picture show is the spooky movie for you.  -Anne Connor

Other Suggestions – Halloweentown, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Hocus Pocus

Scary: Psycho is an absolute staple of the horror genre. Audiences back in the day were surely given some nightmares after viewing this flick, but our modern sensibilities allow for a tamer reaction. 

Other Suggestions – The Silence of the Lambs, Carrie, The Witch

Actually Terrifying: Green Room tells the story of a punk band trapped in a Neo-Nazi club. I know, that’s already some pretty scary stuff, and that’s only the barest of bones of the story. Patrick Stewart plays a chilling villain that reveals the true inhumanity that one can reach. 

Other Suggestions – Hereditary, Get Out, Midsommar, Coraline

TV Shows

Spooky: Over the Garden Wall is a Cartoon Network animated miniseries that aired over the course of a week in 2014. This highly critically acclaimed show tells the story of two boys trying to find their way home in a beautifully animated manner filled with fall imagery. The cutesy creepy style makes it perfect to breeze through while enjoying some apple cider with friends. 

Other Suggestions – Goosebumps, The Twilight Zone

Scary: The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy is yet another Halloween-related cartoon that existed during the youth of millenial/gen-z kids. It revolves around the Grim Reaper and two kids who have him bend to their will. It makes it into the scary category by virtue of the psychedelic imagery and gross-out humor that the show indulges in. 

Other Suggestions – Haunting of Hill House, The Simpsons Treehouse of Horrors 

Actually Terrifying: Courage the Cowardly Dog is notorious for causing nightmares. Despite the main character’s appearance, Courage explores disturbing topics and incorporates genuinely terrifying villains on the regular. I definitely recommend this one if you want to reignite some childhood terror. 

Other Suggestions – American Horror Story (depending on the season) 

Visual Artists

Jon Macnair – Macnair puts a contemporary spin on the medieval likes of Hireonymous Bosch in his macabre tableaus. His work is full of human faces on animals as well, which is scary enough on its own. 

Peo Michie – Annually, Michie illustrates Halloween-themed WLW pinup girls that are absolutely charming. They’re a really fun and unique way to celebrate the season. 

Ramen Shaman – Ramen Shaman’s work generally consists of some fairly unsettling portraiture that is sure to get you thinking about the macabre. Who knows, maybe a distended face will show up in your subconscious sometime. 

Youtubers 

Defunctland – Kevin Perjurer hosts this amusement park themed youtube channel. On the surface there isn’t too much scary stuff going on, but a deeper dive results in some pretty chilling real life tales, specifically his Son of Beast, The History of Action Park, and the History of America Sings videos. 

Bailey Sarian – Sarian’s videos bring together the worlds of horror and makeup in her true crime youtube series. 

Ask a Mortician – Caitlin Doughty, author and actual mortician, has a youtube series that investigates death related subjects and answers common questions about morticianhood. She has a refreshing “death positive” position that is refreshing and helpful to those with existential fears. She also has a video covering Savannah’s own Bonaventure Cemetery!

Special thanks to all of the staff and volunteers that contributed to this article, including Anne Connor, Billie Redner, Savannah Mendoza, Mel Pezoldt, Maya Looney, Cher Shaffer, Jessica Clary, Hailey Feller, and Sarah Luongo.

The post Spooky, Scary, and Actually Terrifying: A SCAD Radio Halloween Special appeared first on SCAD Radio.

Here’s how the story goes:

In 1998, Avril was discovered during a singing contest and quickly snatched up and away to create the next big star. She leaves behind all her friends to start a career as a singer, and in 2001, signs a million-dollar contract with L.A. Reid.

In 2002 she released her debut album, Let Go, and became the idol and spokesperson to angsty skateboarders everywhere. She was an icon with her stick-straight hair, dark eyes, baggy pants, and the infamous neckties.

However, life for Avril wasn’t easy after her debut. She had pressure to release another great album to follow up and was also dealing with the loss of her grandfather.

The story could go two ways here, depending on your source:

Some claim that Melissa, the double, came in to appear as Avril publicly as she dealt with work and family, but then after Avril’s death, stepped in full time.

The other story is that following Avril’s death, her record company searched for a look-alike to take her place and found Melissa.

Under My Skin was the first album released following Avril’s death. Fans claim that some of the songs were Avril originals, while others show Melissa’s influence coming in.

Around this time as well, fans begin to notice differences in “Avril’s” appearance. She begins lightening her hair to a true dyed blonde, rather than the dark blonde. She styles her hair in a more feminine, wavy look, not the overly-straightened style. Fans notice that she starts wearing dresses and skirts on the red carpet. Long gone are the skater days. Avril now looks like the cutesy-goth section of Hot Topic.

Even more so, fans online begin pointing out the physical differences in Avril. Moles on her arms are gone completely, as well as on her face. The biggest difference people say is her nose, which is a completely different nose.

There are also claims that Melissa is slightly shorter than Avril, but in my professional opinion, this one is pretty hard to sell without real measurements.

There is also this weird photoshoot in which she poses this “Melissa” written across her hand.

Pretty weird, but it is hard to find when this photoshoot happened originally, since this photo is on every conspiracy site now.

Avril or Melissa did shut down the conspiracy last year in a radio interview, saying it was “silly people think I’m dead.” Would the real Avril say “silly”?

When asked about this conspiracy now, she only points out how ridiculous it is because “I’m right here.”

So, is Avril alive or not? Who really is Melissa? And despite all of this, who at her record company thought “Hello Kitty” was a good idea???? Some question may never get answered.

The post Spooky Sh!T Presents the Avril Lavigne is Dead Conspiracy appeared first on SCAD Radio.