Hello, Everyone. I'm happy to say that I'm the proud owner of eight feature screenplays (4 dramas, 3 thrillers, and 1 comedy). During my seven-year residency at the Virginia Screenwriters Forum, I was able to secure recognition with some "Best Screenplay" acclaim on the national screenwriting competition circuit, along with "Finalist" status attached to several titles.
Each script, for the most part, was accompanied by a strong sense of direction; of constantly moving forward. Some were created via an outline, some were not. I prefer non-outlined works, as I find it incredibly gratifying in discovering new thoughts along the way.
Script # 9 has taken an entirely different route. It's my first leap into the genre of Horror. I began "HORROR-FEST" on April 18th with 6 pages, then set it aside for a while. "A While" became mid-September. My process as a writer is to wait for scenes to come to me. For the most part, I never had to wait very long. Life appears to be very different with my horror script.
Ah! RENEWED LIFE! The last three days have been a flurry of fresh pages! Death scenes are very detailed and quite intense. Some are a slow burn to the inevitable, racking up the tension, awaiting the shocking slash and the steady flow of crimson.
This one is unfolding very differently in a genre I've never tread upon, which is probably why it has taken me down the longest road to completion. Planning to spend the next 4 days making up for lost time. : )
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Love this description of your process, Bill Brock ! Sounds like a successful, if drawn out, foray into horror. Best of luck making up for time over the next 4 days! Why did you decide upon the title HORROR-FEST?
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awesome and well done
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Hey Bill Brock, good to meet you. Congratulations on your success so far. I could use a "flurry of fresh pages" myself!
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Creepy mask, Bill Brock. Is that what the killer wears?
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Joanna Karselis Hi, Jo. The setting is at a Horror-Con, which is what I wanted to call it, but according to IMDb, the title is the name of a podcast. I could still use it. I don't know. Yep, Totally working it. Writing the individual deaths first. Plus, already have the ending.
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G Luke Thanks, G. So far, so good. Fun journey!
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Robin Gregory Thank you, Robin. Let it simmer a bit. You'll get going when the time is right! Good luck!
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Maurice Vaughan Yes, Maurice. It's actually based on the face of an old clown named Emmet Kelly, AKA "The Sad Clown." Plus, if you know anything about the 1978 HALLOWEEN original film, it was the second choice for the Michael Myers mask. They decided to go with William Shatner's face instead.
Cool, Bill Brock. I like the Kelly mask. Picking a mask for a Horror script is tough sometimes. You want something that's unique but scary. A lot of times I have to really think outside the box because there are so many Horror movies with masks.
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Love hearing you talk about your process of writing. I tried an outline for my first scrip but my second one that I just finished without one turned out much more exciting and powerful. I let the scenes come to me as well. That was a painful process for me at first but now I kinda love it. Thanks for sharing!
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Thank you for sharing, keep us updated!
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it just crossed my mind to ask............there are so many film festivals..............which are the most recognized "script writing festivals" for new comers ? if anyone knows ?
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Nice! Now that I understand story structure better, I keep telling myself to make a plan/outline before jumping in, but I can't do it. I'm a "by the headlights" writer, writing only as far as I can see. I actually like Greta Gerwig's process, where she over-writes (by like, a hundred and fifty pages) then culls the scenes into a movie. I don't know. I'd love to be a planner, but I don't think I have it in me. I just started a new screenplay this weekend, and after the first scene I thought: "Wow, these people are way more Southern than I realized." New level unlocked. ;)