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The term '''screamer''', now more commonly referred to as a '''jumpscare''' or '''scary pop-up''', is used to describe any game, video, website, or program that tricks the viewer into concentrating on the screen, which may happen in different ways, then has a sudden change that is purposely intended to scare and startle the viewer(s).
[[File:The_Maze.jpg|[[The Maze]], one of the examples on this list.|thumb]]
[[File:The_Maze.jpg|[[The Maze]], one of the examples on this list.|thumb]]
The term '''screamer''', also and now more commonly referred to as a '''jumpscare''', is used to describe a game, video, website, or program, that makes the user concentrate on the screen, which may happen in many ways, and then has a sudden unexpected change that is intended to scare or startle the viewer(s).


Most of these screamers use scary images and loud sounds or screams to increase the effect (hence the name ''screamer''). Some examples of screamers are [[The Maze]] by [[Jeremy Winterrowd]], [[Anne.jpg]], [[Ghost Caught on Tape]], [[What's Wrong?]] and the [[K-fee commercials]]. Screamers often have a scary image and a loud scream, per example, [[Regan MacNeil]] from the 1973's classic horror movie ''[[wikipedia:The Exorcist (film)|The Exorcist]]''. Horror films or games are not considered screamers since the users already know they will get scared. In some cases, they have startling or disgusting images, and these are called [[shock sites]]. They can also be considered screamers since they do surprise the user.
Most screamers use scary/creepy images and loud sounds and screams to make their goal more effective (hence the name ''screamer''), per example, [[Regan MacNeil]] from the 1973's classic horror movie ''[[wikipedia:The Exorcist (film)|The Exorcist]]''. Some famous examples of screamers are [[The Maze]] by [[Jeremy Winterrowd]], [[Anne.jpg]], [[Ghost Caught on Tape]], [[What's Wrong?]] and the [[K-fee commercials]]. Horror films and professional horror games are not considered screamers since the viewers/players already know about jumpscares beforehand. Some screamers use disgusting and graphic images to gross the viewer out. These are called [[Shock site|shock sites]]. Shock sites can also be considered screamers since they intend to surprise and traumatize the viewer with unexpected content.


==='''Malicious scripts'''===
==='''Malicious scripts'''===
Malicious scripts are sometimes basically used on [[screamers]] to frighten the viewer from closing the application immediately, they mostly fullscreen your device right after the page is loaded, other types of them, are locking volume adjust, infinite tabs, as well as extremely loud distortions. and flashing lights, they could potentially harm your computer, or annoy you.
Some screamer websites contain [[:Category:Malicious scripts|Malicious scripts]], scripts in the screamer's source code that are intended to harm the viewer's device. Some screamers also come in the form of [[wikipedia:Scareware|scareware]], which is malicious software which seeks to both scare the viewer and harm their device. These types of screamers may use the following tactics to freak out their victims:


=='''Origins'''==
* Putting the viewers device/browser into full screen mode right after a page loads
[[File:K-fee Car.png|thumb|The '''K-fee Car''' commercial.|233x233px]]Screamers have been around since as far as the early [[:Category:1970s|1970s]] and slowly started to make surface on the web in the [[:Category:2000|2000s]]. The first screamers to be aired on television were part of an advertising campaign named ''Wide Awake'' from [[K-fee]], for their new coffee drink called ''Turbodrink''. The nine ads consisted of a peaceful scene with soothing music, but at some point in the ad, the scene gets briefly interrupted by either a zombie or a gargoyle screaming at the camera, followed by the company's slogan and the product.
* Locking volume adjust at the highest level
* Opening infinite tabs/windows
* Downloading other malicious software on the viewers device
* Shutting down the device's system/making the device unusable
Some better known examples of screamers with malicious scripts are [[000.exe]], [[Abantes]], [[McDonalds.exe]], [[Kkzkk.com]], [[Last Measure]], and [[Hikaru.exe]].


== '''Popular Culture''' ==
==Origins ==
Because of their reputation as clever trolling tools and pranks, screamers have been featured quite recently in works of fiction and also in some well-known cartoons.
[[File:K-fee Car.png|thumb|The '''[[K-fee Car]]''' commercial.|233x233px]]Even though the use of jumpscares in media can be traced back to the early 20th century,<ref>https://ultimatepopculture.fandom.com/wiki/Jump_scare</ref> screamers have been around since as far as the early [[:Category:1970s|1970s]] and slowly started to make surface on the web in the early [[:Category:2000|2000s]]. The first screamers to be aired on television in the 2000's were part of an advertising campaign named ''Wide Awake'' from [[K-fee]], for their new coffee drink called ''Turbodrink''. The nine ads consist of a peaceful scene with soothing music, but at some point in the ad, the scene gets briefly interrupted by either a zombie or a gargoyle jumping up and screaming at the camera, followed by the company's slogan and a picture of the product.


=== The Amazing World of Gumball ===
==Popular Culture==
In the Cartoon Network animated series ''The Amazing World of Gumball'', the episode named “The Internet“, parodies the [[K-fee advertisements]]. In one scene, Gumball and Darwin appear randomly browsing the web while watching videos. Among these videos, they come across what is implied to be the K-fee ''Car'' ad. Gumball watches the video, commenting on the white car driving through the hills and staring closely at the screen, when suddenly the loud scream is heard, causing him to have an intense reaction which gets recorded and posted to the web. The rest of the episode involves Gumball trying to get rid of the video about his reaction, which has given him unwanted fame.
Because of their reputation as clever trolling tools and pranks, screamers have been featured quite frequently in works of fiction, including some well-known cartoons.
 
===The Amazing World of Gumball===
In the Cartoon Network animated series ''[[wikipedia:The Amazing World of Gumball|The Amazing World of Gumball]]'', the episode named “The Internet“, parodies the [[K-fee advertisements]]. In one scene, Gumball and Darwin appear randomly browsing the web while watching videos. Among these videos, they come across what is implied to be the K-fee ''Car'' ad. Gumball watches the video, commenting on the white car driving through the hills and staring closely at the screen, when suddenly a loud scream, which sounds nothing like the scream heard in the actual commercial, is heard, causing him to have an intense reaction which gets recorded and posted to the web. The rest of the episode involves Gumball trying to get rid of the video about his reaction, which has given him unwanted fame.


In the episode "The Spoiler", when Anais wants Gumball to take her to a horror movie, Gumball pulls a prank on both her and the audience by having the screen suddenly cut to a picture of a real-life piranha with its mouth fully open alongside a screeching noise. The screen then cuts to Anais white with shock while Gumball sports a smug grin.
In the episode "The Spoiler", when Anais wants Gumball to take her to a horror movie, Gumball pulls a prank on both her and the audience by having the screen suddenly cut to a picture of a real-life piranha with its mouth fully open alongside a screeching noise. The screen then cuts to Anais white with shock while Gumball sports a smug grin.


=== Gravity Falls ===
===Gravity Falls ===
In the Disney<span> animated series </span>''Gravity Falls'', the episode "<span>Summerween"</span> also refers to screamers. After many failed attempts at scaring two kids who have been coming to the Mystery Shack for trick 'n' treat, Grunkle Stan asks them what they find scary. One of the children shows him a video on his smartphone which says "Watch closely". It then shows a cute kitten, which is abruptly cut by a screaming demonic face, scaring Stan and causing him to have a nervous fit.
In the Disney<span> animated series </span>''[[wikipedia:Gravity Falls|Gravity Falls]]'', the episode "<span>Summerween"</span> also refers to screamers. After many failed attempts at scaring two kids who have been coming to the Mystery Shack for trick 'n' treat, Grunkle Stan asks them what they find scary. One of the children shows him a video on his smartphone which says "Watch closely". It then shows a cute kitten, which is abruptly cut by a screaming demonic face, scaring Stan and causing him to have a nervous fit.


=== Drawn Together ===
===Drawn Together===
In the Comedy Central <span>animated series </span>''Drawn Together,'' the episode <nowiki>''Spelling Applebee''</nowiki> parodies the flash screamer [[Where's Waldo?]]. In one scene, Princess Clara disguises herself as Waldo and tells Captain Hero before she disappears into the crowd: "''You know where to find me". ''After a while, the screen cuts to a close-up picture of three monstrous-looking aliens, accompanied by a piercing screech. Earlier, The image with the screaming aliens appeared during the Foxxy Love montage in the same episode.
In the Comedy Central <span>animated series </span>''[[wikipedia:Drawn Together|Drawn Together]],'' the episode <nowiki>''Spelling Applebee''</nowiki> parodies the flash screamer [[Where's Waldo?]]. In one scene, Princess Clara disguises herself as Waldo and tells Captain Hero before she disappears into the crowd: "''You know where to find me". ''After a while, the screen cuts to a close-up picture of three monstrous-looking aliens, accompanied by a piercing screech. Earlier, The image with the screaming aliens appeared during the Foxxy Love montage in the same episode.


=== The Shivering Truth ===
===The Shivering Truth===
In Adult Swim's </span>stop-motion animated series </span>''The Shivering Truth'', the episode <nowiki>''The Burn Earner Spits''</nowiki>' cuts to a woman walking with an Umbrella until she stops. She will trick the viewer into getting ready to count; then a Deformed-human face zooms in, accompanied by a piercing scream.
In Adult Swim's stop-motion animated sketch comedy series ''[[wikipedia:The Shivering Truth|The Shivering Truth]]'', the episode <nowiki>''The Burn Earner Spits''</nowiki>' cuts to a woman walking with an Umbrella until she stops. [[wikipedia:Vernon Chatman|Vernon Chatman]], the creator and narrator of the show attempt to count the numbers; which is abruptly cut by a Deformed-looking human face zooming in, accompanied by a piercing scream.


== '''Reactions''' ==
==Reactions==
{{Main|Reaction videos}}
{{Main|Reaction videos}}
As screamers made surface on the web, people started recording their reactions to screamers and uploading the videos online. Eventually, [[reaction videos]] <span>became a trend on the Internet</span>. The concept of a reaction video is to get someone to play or watch a screamer while recording their reaction.
The first reaction video to [[The Maze]] was uploaded to YouTube by the user ''CantWeAllJusGetAlong'', on May 20th, 2006. In the now-deleted video, a young kid, named Justice, is playing The Maze. Then, he gets surprised by the screamer. Shocked, he starts screaming and repeatedly hitting the computer screen. He then runs to his stepdad Chad and starts crying. As of 2018, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oh87njiWTmw the video] has over 27 million views.
[[File:Reaction.png|thumb|220x220px|Justice playing '''The Maze'''.]]
[[File:Reaction.png|thumb|220x220px|Justice playing '''The Maze'''.]]
As screamers made surface on the web, more [[reaction videos]] were being posted <span>and eventually became a trend on the Internet</span>. The concept of a reaction video is to get someone to play or watch a screamer while recording their reaction.
==Resources==
 
<references />
The first reaction video to [[The Maze]] was uploaded to YouTube by the user ''CantWeAllJusGetAlong'', on May 20th, 2006. In the now-deleted video, a young kid, ''Justice'', is playing The Maze. Then, he gets surprised by the screamer. Shocked, he starts screaming and repeatedly hitting the computer screen. He then runs to his stepdad, ''Chad'', and starts crying. As of 2018, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oh87njiWTmw the video] has over 27 million views.
==External links==
*en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jump_scare#Internet_screamers
*tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ScreamerPrank
[[Category:Videos]]
[[Category:Videos]]
[[Category:Animations]]
[[Category:Animations]]
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[[Category:Commercials]]
[[Category:Commercials]]
[[Category:PSAs]]
[[Category:PSAs]]
{{Comments}}
{{Comments}}

Revision as of 12:18, 1 July 2022

The term screamer, now more commonly referred to as a jumpscare or scary pop-up, is used to describe any game, video, website, or program that tricks the viewer into concentrating on the screen, which may happen in different ways, then has a sudden change that is purposely intended to scare and startle the viewer(s).

The Maze, one of the examples on this list.

Most screamers use scary/creepy images and loud sounds and screams to make their goal more effective (hence the name screamer), per example, Regan MacNeil from the 1973's classic horror movie The Exorcist. Some famous examples of screamers are The Maze by Jeremy Winterrowd, Anne.jpg, Ghost Caught on Tape, What's Wrong? and the K-fee commercials. Horror films and professional horror games are not considered screamers since the viewers/players already know about jumpscares beforehand. Some screamers use disgusting and graphic images to gross the viewer out. These are called shock sites. Shock sites can also be considered screamers since they intend to surprise and traumatize the viewer with unexpected content.

Malicious scripts

Some screamer websites contain Malicious scripts, scripts in the screamer's source code that are intended to harm the viewer's device. Some screamers also come in the form of scareware, which is malicious software which seeks to both scare the viewer and harm their device. These types of screamers may use the following tactics to freak out their victims:

  • Putting the viewers device/browser into full screen mode right after a page loads
  • Locking volume adjust at the highest level
  • Opening infinite tabs/windows
  • Downloading other malicious software on the viewers device
  • Shutting down the device's system/making the device unusable

Some better known examples of screamers with malicious scripts are 000.exe, Abantes, McDonalds.exe, Kkzkk.com, Last Measure, and Hikaru.exe.

Origins

The K-fee Car commercial.

Even though the use of jumpscares in media can be traced back to the early 20th century,[1] screamers have been around since as far as the early 1970s and slowly started to make surface on the web in the early 2000s. The first screamers to be aired on television in the 2000's were part of an advertising campaign named Wide Awake from K-fee, for their new coffee drink called Turbodrink. The nine ads consist of a peaceful scene with soothing music, but at some point in the ad, the scene gets briefly interrupted by either a zombie or a gargoyle jumping up and screaming at the camera, followed by the company's slogan and a picture of the product.

Popular Culture

Because of their reputation as clever trolling tools and pranks, screamers have been featured quite frequently in works of fiction, including some well-known cartoons.

The Amazing World of Gumball

In the Cartoon Network animated series The Amazing World of Gumball, the episode named “The Internet“, parodies the K-fee advertisements. In one scene, Gumball and Darwin appear randomly browsing the web while watching videos. Among these videos, they come across what is implied to be the K-fee Car ad. Gumball watches the video, commenting on the white car driving through the hills and staring closely at the screen, when suddenly a loud scream, which sounds nothing like the scream heard in the actual commercial, is heard, causing him to have an intense reaction which gets recorded and posted to the web. The rest of the episode involves Gumball trying to get rid of the video about his reaction, which has given him unwanted fame.

In the episode "The Spoiler", when Anais wants Gumball to take her to a horror movie, Gumball pulls a prank on both her and the audience by having the screen suddenly cut to a picture of a real-life piranha with its mouth fully open alongside a screeching noise. The screen then cuts to Anais white with shock while Gumball sports a smug grin.

Gravity Falls

In the Disney animated series Gravity Falls, the episode "Summerween" also refers to screamers. After many failed attempts at scaring two kids who have been coming to the Mystery Shack for trick 'n' treat, Grunkle Stan asks them what they find scary. One of the children shows him a video on his smartphone which says "Watch closely". It then shows a cute kitten, which is abruptly cut by a screaming demonic face, scaring Stan and causing him to have a nervous fit.

Drawn Together

In the Comedy Central animated series Drawn Together, the episode ''Spelling Applebee'' parodies the flash screamer Where's Waldo?. In one scene, Princess Clara disguises herself as Waldo and tells Captain Hero before she disappears into the crowd: "You know where to find me". After a while, the screen cuts to a close-up picture of three monstrous-looking aliens, accompanied by a piercing screech. Earlier, The image with the screaming aliens appeared during the Foxxy Love montage in the same episode.

The Shivering Truth

In Adult Swim's stop-motion animated sketch comedy series The Shivering Truth, the episode ''The Burn Earner Spits''' cuts to a woman walking with an Umbrella until she stops. Vernon Chatman, the creator and narrator of the show attempt to count the numbers; which is abruptly cut by a Deformed-looking human face zooming in, accompanied by a piercing scream.

Reactions

Main Article: Reaction videos


As screamers made surface on the web, people started recording their reactions to screamers and uploading the videos online. Eventually, reaction videos became a trend on the Internet. The concept of a reaction video is to get someone to play or watch a screamer while recording their reaction.

The first reaction video to The Maze was uploaded to YouTube by the user CantWeAllJusGetAlong, on May 20th, 2006. In the now-deleted video, a young kid, named Justice, is playing The Maze. Then, he gets surprised by the screamer. Shocked, he starts screaming and repeatedly hitting the computer screen. He then runs to his stepdad Chad and starts crying. As of 2018, the video has over 27 million views.

Justice playing The Maze.

Resources

External links

  • en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jump_scare#Internet_screamers
  • tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ScreamerPrank

Comments

Comments

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