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|keywords=Screamer, internet screamer, Scary Videos, Jump Scares, Scream Pranks, Horror Games, Internet pranks, Pop-Up videos, Screamer Website, Screamer commercial, Screamer Application, Screamer Websites | |keywords=Screamer, internet screamer, Scary Videos, Jump Scares, Scream Pranks, Horror Games, Internet pranks, Pop-Up videos, Screamer Website, Screamer commercial, Screamer Application, Screamer Websites | ||
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A '''screamer''', also known as a '''Jumpscare''' or '''scary pop-up''', is a type of game, video, website, or program that aims to scare and startle viewers by tricking them into focusing on the screen before revealing a sudden and often frightening change. Most screamers use a combination of creepy or unsettling images and loud, sudden noises to create a sense of shock and fear in the viewer. For example, a screamer might appear to be a harmless video or game, but then suddenly flash a disturbing image of a face or creature accompanied by a loud scream to achieve their intended effect.<ref><nowiki>web.archive.org/web/20150924041030/http://www.geek.com/geek-cetera/what-you-dont-want-to-happen-when-you-computer-prank-someone-1295100/</nowiki></ref> Unlike horror films and professional horror games, screamers are designed to surprise the viewer, and may even include graphic and disturbing images that shock and traumatize the viewer, making them a type of [[shock site]]. | A '''screamer''', also known as a '''Jumpscare''' or '''scary pop-up''', is a type of [[Screamer#In_video_games|game]], [[videos|video]], [[website]], or [[Application|program]] that aims to scare and startle viewers by tricking them into focusing on the screen before revealing a sudden and often frightening change. Most screamers use a combination of creepy or unsettling images and loud, sudden noises to create a sense of shock and fear in the viewer. For example, a screamer might appear to be a harmless video or game, but then suddenly flash a disturbing image of a face or creature accompanied by a loud scream to achieve their intended effect.<ref><nowiki>web.archive.org/web/20150924041030/http://www.geek.com/geek-cetera/what-you-dont-want-to-happen-when-you-computer-prank-someone-1295100/</nowiki></ref> Unlike horror films and professional horror games, screamers are designed to surprise the viewer, and may even include graphic and disturbing images that shock and traumatize the viewer, making them a type of [[shock site]]. | ||
Screamers often rely on deception to work. They may use clever editing, false promises, or other tricks to convince viewers that they are watching something harmless or mundane. This is often done to make the eventual jump scare more effective, as the viewer is caught off guard and taken by surprise. Despite their popularity and notoriety, screamers remain a controversial and divisive form of internet content. These types of pranks are often spread through social media and messaging platforms and typically rely on the viewer being unaware of the content they are about to see. In some cases, screamers are used as a form of advertising, although this practice has been criticized for being uncommercial and upsetting to viewers. Many websites and online communities have implemented policies against screamers and similar content, citing concerns over the psychological impact on viewers, particularly those who may be vulnerable or have anxiety or other mental health issues. The most famous example of screamers are [[What's Wrong With This Picture?]], [[The Maze]] by [[Jeremy Winterrowd]] and more. | Screamers often rely on deception to work. They may use clever editing, false promises, or other tricks to convince viewers that they are watching something harmless or mundane. This is often done to make the eventual jump scare more effective, as the viewer is caught off guard and taken by surprise. Despite their popularity and notoriety, screamers remain a controversial and divisive form of internet content. These types of pranks are often spread through social media and messaging platforms and typically rely on the viewer being unaware of the content they are about to see. In some cases, screamers are used as a form of advertising, although this practice has been criticized for being uncommercial and upsetting to viewers. Many websites and online communities have implemented policies against screamers and similar content, citing concerns over the psychological impact on viewers, particularly those who may be vulnerable or have anxiety or other mental health issues. The most famous example of screamers are [[What's Wrong With This Picture?]], [[The Maze]] by [[Jeremy Winterrowd]] and more. | ||
==Background== | ==Background== | ||
The "[[bait-and-switch]]" technique of screamers is a popular feature of [[shock | The "[[Wikipedia:bait-and-switch|bait-and-switch]]" technique of screamers is a popular feature of [[shock site|shock websites]] and videos that are designed to startle or frighten viewers. Screamers typically begin with seemingly innocuous content before suddenly switching to a startling or frightening image accompanied by a loud, startling sound. This sudden change can be particularly effective because the viewer's attention is often focused on the innocuous content at the beginning, making the sudden change more unexpected and shocking. The bait-and-switch technique used in screamers takes advantage of the viewer's expectations and preconceptions by presenting seemingly normal or innocuous content, making them more susceptible to the sudden shock or scare. This technique is commonly used in horror movies and other media to create a sense of suspense and tension before revealing the scary or shocking moment. Screamers are a type of online prank or meme that typically take the form of a video, game, or other interactive media, with the viewer encouraged to focus intently on the screen or task at hand. The bait-and-switch technique is used to manipulate the viewer's expectations and create a sense of surprise or shock. By luring the viewer in with something peaceful, the screamer sets them up for the sudden and unexpected scare. The popularity of screamers peaked in the early 2000s, but they are still occasionally used as a form of online prank or meme. However, they have become an overused form of internet prank and many websites and social media platforms now prohibit their sharing. Additionally, the bait-and-switch technique used in screamers has been used for more malicious purposes, such as spreading malware or tricking viewers into sharing personal information. The bait-and-switch technique used in screamers is an extension of the broader internet phenomenon of [[wikipedia:clickbait|clickbait]], where sensational headlines are used to entice viewers to click on a link. These are several techniques of screamers documented in this article below. | ||
==History and origin== | ==History and origin== | ||
{{Main|Screamer Wiki:Throughout the Years}} | {{Main|Screamer Wiki:Throughout the Years}} | ||
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Screamers are a common technique used in horror video games to create sudden and intense moments of fright. This technique involves startling the player with an unexpected event such as the sudden appearance of a frightening creature or a loud noise accompanied by a quick visual or auditory cue. The main purpose of a screamer is to create a feeling of suspense and anticipation, leading the player to become increasingly anxious and fearful as they progress through the game. Screamers are often used in combination with other horror elements such as eerie music, ambient sounds, and disturbing imagery as a design to make their game scarier. While screamers can be very effective at scaring players, they can also be overused or used poorly, leading to frustration or boredom. When used sparingly and in the right context, a screamer can be a powerful tool for creating an experience of horror games. One example of a horror game that utilizes screamers is [[Lomando.com]], which contains various puzzles that lead the player to screamers at almost any room they enter. The objective of the game is to use every element of the game they can find and reach an "archive". Webcomics also often used animated screamers in moments of suspense. In other words, screamers play a very crucial role as an element in almost every horror game. | Screamers are a common technique used in horror video games to create sudden and intense moments of fright. This technique involves startling the player with an unexpected event such as the sudden appearance of a frightening creature or a loud noise accompanied by a quick visual or auditory cue. The main purpose of a screamer is to create a feeling of suspense and anticipation, leading the player to become increasingly anxious and fearful as they progress through the game. Screamers are often used in combination with other horror elements such as eerie music, ambient sounds, and disturbing imagery as a design to make their game scarier. While screamers can be very effective at scaring players, they can also be overused or used poorly, leading to frustration or boredom. When used sparingly and in the right context, a screamer can be a powerful tool for creating an experience of horror games. One example of a horror game that utilizes screamers is [[Lomando.com]], which contains various puzzles that lead the player to screamers at almost any room they enter. The objective of the game is to use every element of the game they can find and reach an "archive". Webcomics also often used animated screamers in moments of suspense. In other words, screamers play a very crucial role as an element in almost every horror game. | ||
==In advertising== | ==In advertising== | ||
[[File:HRK-fee.JPG|thumb|right|250px|K-fee's "Auto" is one of the most recognizable | [[File:HRK-fee.JPG|thumb|right|250px|K-fee's "Auto" is one of the most recognizable screamers.]] | ||
Before the emergence of screamer videos, several public service announcements were broadcasted with the intention of shocking viewers with disturbing imagery to raise awareness about various issues. One early example is the Faroe Islands (WDC) PSA which depicted the slaughter of dolphins by islanders. In addition to public service announcements, screamers were also utilized as a means of advertising. However, the use of screamers in advertising is not without controversy. While some argue that it is an effective means of capturing the viewer's attention. Perhaps the most well-known example of advertising screamers is the controversial "Wide Awake" campaign launched in April 2005 by the German beverage company [[K-fee]]. The campaign consisted of nine 20-second television commercials that portrayed peaceful scenes which were abruptly interrupted by the appearance of a zombie or a gargoyle screaming at the camera, followed by the company's slogan and product. The advertisements were criticized for being uncommercial and upsetting, with many viewers complaining to K-fee, which subsequently took the commercials off the air. Although it is rumoured that a warning message was displayed before the advertisement was played, this has not been proven. The K-Fee Car commercial was featured on several TV shows, including ''[[Wikipedia:The Tonight Show with Jay Leno|The Tonight Show with Jay Leno]]'', K-Fee's official website, Tarrant on TV, and [[America's Funniest Home Videos]]. The "Auto" commercial was uploaded to [[YouTube]] with the name of "Ghost Car" which gained 38 million views since its upload.<ref><nowiki>https://www.denofgeek.com/culture/forgotten-era-of-internet-jump-scares/</nowiki></ref> [[Count The Snow Bunnies|Count the Snow Bunnies]] was also aired and uses the sample of where the viewer search for something. | Before the emergence of screamer videos, several public service announcements were broadcasted with the intention of shocking viewers with disturbing imagery to raise awareness about various issues. One early example is the [[Faroe Islands (WDC)]] PSA which depicted the slaughter of dolphins by islanders. In addition to public service announcements, screamers were also utilized as a means of advertising. However, the use of screamers in advertising is not without controversy. While some argue that it is an effective means of capturing the viewer's attention. Perhaps the most well-known example of advertising screamers is the controversial "Wide Awake" campaign launched in April 2005 by the German beverage company [[K-fee]]. The campaign consisted of nine 20-second television commercials that portrayed peaceful scenes which were abruptly interrupted by the appearance of a zombie or a gargoyle screaming at the camera, followed by the company's slogan and product. The advertisements were criticized for being uncommercial and upsetting, with many viewers complaining to K-fee, which subsequently took the commercials off the air. Although it is rumoured that a warning message was displayed before the advertisement was played, this has not been proven. The K-Fee Car commercial was featured on several TV shows, including ''[[Wikipedia:The Tonight Show with Jay Leno|The Tonight Show with Jay Leno]]'', K-Fee's official website, Tarrant on TV, and [[America's Funniest Home Videos]]. The "Auto" commercial was uploaded to [[YouTube]] with the name of "Ghost Car" which gained 38 million views since its upload.<ref><nowiki>https://www.denofgeek.com/culture/forgotten-era-of-internet-jump-scares/</nowiki></ref> [[Count The Snow Bunnies|Count the Snow Bunnies]] was also aired and uses the sample of where the viewer search for something. | ||
The advertising campaign for the 2018 horror film ''[[Wikipedia:The Nun|The Nun]]'' utilized an [[The Nun - YouTube Ads|unskippable YouTube ad]] that violated the platform's "shocking content policy."<ref><nowiki>https://deadline.com/2018/08/the-nun-youtube-ad-removed-1202445509/</nowiki></ref> The ad featured an iOS device volume icon and then suddenly transitioned to the titular character with a loud scream. A Twitter post featuring a clip of the ad went viral, garnering over 145,000 likes and 132,000 retweets, as well as numerous complaints to [[YouTube]]. The platform subsequently removed the ad. | The advertising campaign for the 2018 horror film ''[[Wikipedia:The Nun|The Nun]]'' utilized an [[The Nun - YouTube Ads|unskippable YouTube ad]] that violated the platform's "shocking content policy."<ref><nowiki>https://deadline.com/2018/08/the-nun-youtube-ad-removed-1202445509/</nowiki></ref> The ad featured an iOS device volume icon and then suddenly transitioned to Valak, the titular character from ''The Conjuring'' Universe with a loud scream. A Twitter post featuring a clip of the ad went viral, garnering over 145,000 likes and 132,000 retweets, as well as numerous complaints to [[YouTube]]. The platform subsequently removed the ad. | ||
==Internet screamers== | ==Internet screamers== | ||
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{{Main|What's Wrong With This Picture?}} | {{Main|What's Wrong With This Picture?}} | ||
[[File:Ww.jpg|right|200px|thumb|The stock image from [[What's Wrong With This Picture?]], one of the most original screamers.]] | [[File:Ww.jpg|right|200px|thumb|The stock image from [[What's Wrong With This Picture?]], one of the most original screamers.]] | ||
Various other types of screamers involve staring at a dot or finding the difference between two pictures. One notable example is the 2001 screamer called "[[What's Wrong With This Picture?]]" or simply "What's Wrong?" The screamer, which pretends to be a still image, begins with a normal stock photo of a dining room and asks the viewer to find something wrong with it. After 30 seconds, the image suddenly changes to an eyeless woman with a wide open mouth putting her hands around the side of her face, accompanied by a loud scream. This screamer gained significant popularity and was even featured in ''[[wikipedia:The New York Times|The New York Times]]'' on April 22, 2002. The creator of the animation, Jaybill, stated that he made the screamer "exclusively for the purpose of scaring my girlfriend."<ref>https://www.nytimes.com/2002/04/22/business/compressed-data-why-is-this-room-so-popular-shh-you-re-about-to-find-out.html?searchResultPosition=1</ref> The screamer also inspired the "[[When you see it|When you see it, you will shitbrix]]" memes where it pretends to be an image (which is a .gif itself) before an animated image appears on the screen.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20101016212629/http://www.urlesque.com/2010/10/13/screamers-the-history-of-the-scary-maze-prank/</ref> | Various other types of screamers involve staring at a dot or finding the difference between two pictures. One notable example is the 2001 screamer called "[[What's Wrong With This Picture?]]" or simply "What's Wrong?" The screamer, which pretends to be a still image, begins with a normal stock photo of a dining room and asks the viewer to find something wrong with it. After 30 seconds, the image suddenly changes to an eyeless woman with a wide open mouth putting her hands around the side of her face with her pinky fingers raised, accompanied by a loud scream. This screamer gained significant popularity and was even featured in ''[[wikipedia:The New York Times|The New York Times]]'' on April 22, 2002. The creator of the animation, Jaybill, stated that he made the screamer "exclusively for the purpose of scaring my girlfriend."<ref>https://www.nytimes.com/2002/04/22/business/compressed-data-why-is-this-room-so-popular-shh-you-re-about-to-find-out.html?searchResultPosition=1</ref> The screamer also inspired the "[[When you see it|When you see it, you will shitbrix]]" memes where it pretends to be an image (which is a .gif itself) before an animated image appears on the screen.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20101016212629/http://www.urlesque.com/2010/10/13/screamers-the-history-of-the-scary-maze-prank/</ref> | ||
===Malicious scripts=== | ===Malicious scripts=== | ||
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==In popular culture== | ==In popular culture== | ||
*In the Warner Bros. film ''[[wikipedia:Pee-wee's Big Adventure|Pee-wee's Big Adventure]]'', Pee-wee Herman was picked up by deceased driver Large Marge, who tells him a story about a terrible accident she passed away. However, Large Marge turns around at Pee-wee and abruptly transforms into a scary face with the effect of "pinching her eyes / punching her mouth" accompanied by a laughing sound effect, scaring Pee-wee and causing him to get out of the truck. | |||
In the Warner Bros. film ''[[wikipedia:Pee-wee's Big Adventure|Pee-wee's Big Adventure]]'', Pee-wee Herman was picked up by deceased driver Large Marge, who tells him a story about a terrible accident she passed away. However, Large Marge turns around at Pee-wee and abruptly transforms into a scary face with the effect of "pinching her eyes / punching her mouth" accompanied by a laughing sound effect, scaring Pee-wee and causing him to get out of the truck. | *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 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. | |||
*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. | |||
*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; which abruptly transforms into a Deformed human face, zooming in, accompanied by a piercing scream. | |||
==Reaction videos== | ==Reaction videos== | ||
{{Main|Reaction videos}} | {{Main|Reaction videos}} | ||
Screamers and shock sites, which originally took the form of chain emails, have since evolved into reaction videos where people record their responses to scary or shocking content. These videos have become popular on video-sharing platforms, such as YouTube, and are credited with starting the trend. One of the earliest screamers to gain popularity was What's Wrong With This Picture? in 2002, which was followed by the screamer reaction video of a boy named Justice playing The Maze in 2007. The popularity of screamer reactions on YouTube peaked in 2008 with the video created by nalts, which has accumulated over 43 million views to date.<ref><nowiki>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2R9YTXJeWE</nowiki></ref> The Maze's creator, [[Jeremy Winterrowd]], also held a contest called the ''[[Reaction videos#In screamers|Winterrowd Prank Contest]]'' where people could submit their reaction videos and the most voted submission would receive a prize. These screamers and their reaction videos have been parodied on television shows such as America's Funniest Home Videos and Saturday Night Live. | Screamers and shock sites, which originally took the form of chain emails, have since evolved into reaction videos where people record their responses to scary or shocking content. These videos have become popular on video-sharing platforms, such as YouTube, and are credited with starting the trend. One of the earliest screamers to gain popularity was What's Wrong With This Picture? in 2002, which was followed by the screamer reaction video of a boy named Justice playing The Maze in 2007. The popularity of screamer reactions on YouTube peaked in 2008 with the video created by nalts, which has accumulated over 43 million views to date.<ref><nowiki>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2R9YTXJeWE</nowiki></ref> The Maze's creator, [[Jeremy Winterrowd]], also held a contest called the ''[[Reaction videos#In screamers|Winterrowd Prank Contest]]'' where people could submit their reaction videos and the most voted submission would receive a prize. These screamers and their reaction videos have been parodied on television shows such as America's Funniest Home Videos and Saturday Night Live. | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
*[[Shock | *[[Shock site]] | ||
==Further reading== | ==Further reading== | ||
*https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jump_scare | *https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jump_scare | ||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
<references /> | <references /> | ||
{{Screamer}} | |||
[[Category:Featured Articles]] | [[Category:Featured Articles]] | ||
[[Category:1990s]] | [[Category:1990s]] | ||
