Screenwriting : Xavier Dolan Reveals Writing Period Horror Movie In Return To Feature Filmmaking by Maurice Vaughan

Not yet, but my love is in history. I've stayed away from pitching my Period scripts due to the hard sell. I have written Period stage plays though. I pay close attention to language, style, pace and character nuances in order to bring to life a realistic "feel" of another time. Society and politics/social norms play a big part. And when I direct/produce those plays, it is imperative to get a modern actor out of modern physicality as well. Clothing and the restrictions of movement is another area to look at when writing. How fast can a woman run in a corset/bodice and layers of skirts for example?

Thanks for commenting, Susan Kelejian! I'll keep the language, style, pace, etc. in mind when I write a Period Horror.

Thank you for sharing Maurice Vaughan . I'm glad to see period features still being made!

Maurice Vaughan Yes - research is important. It is also knowing the balance of what details to include, in setting the correct period tone, without overwhelming a reader.

You're welcome, Robin Gregory. I'm glad too! Are you thinking about writing a Period script?

Thanks, Eoin O'Sullivan! I'll keep those things in mind.

Yes Maurice Vaughan . I've been working on a feature adaptation that takes place in late 19th/early 20th century Western America. Fortunately, there are several movie ranches that can provide setting. No need to build sets. Melody Ranch or Rancho Deluxe in L.A. County have been used for many TV series and films. A whole variety of stages, lots, back lots, equipment, and amenities to choose from. I'm also investigating the use of found footage.

I think you might've told me about the feature adaptation, Robin Gregory. A Period Found Footage movie sounds interesting!

Maurice I mainly write period pieces as Susan and Eoin have said do your research.I completly agree with what Eoin said about knowing the balance.Minimise your descriptions as much as you can while still creating time and place.Use objects to show both time and place as well as an opportunity to either represent or hint at a characters personality,trauma,relationships or psychology etc.For example you have someone play with a piece of jewlery a lighter etc everytime you do that you can project stress etc to the audience and start building suspense while showing something specific to time place and character.By doing that you show and not tell but you also free up space on the page for description that is necessary and lesson the clutter in the readers mind that Eoin is talking about "overwhelming a reader".If used correctly that object allows you to build suspense and even dread as well as potentially creating a twist that tricks your audience.Although I agree with Susan that period pieces can be expensive but not all period pieces are ball gowns,corsets and carriages.The Lighthouse is a period piece 2 actors a couple of sets a few costumes and props.So if you keep costs in mind and write to that reality they are salable.

Craig Prickett good points Craig.

Thanks for the in-depth answer, Craig Prickett!

Hi ! Interestingly I have written both a short and feature which is set in more or less the same time period (and set in France). I'm positive my stories and Xavier's are very different though especially when I'm also using a real person as my protagonist. Both my short and feature are in advanced development with (fingers crossed) the short being shot before end of this year (we needed the right location being available which proved a challenge) with the feature Q3 2025. For me, research was key but also to try and make the 'horror' relatable to a modern audience. I've also (co)written a straight period drama script (1830s France/Austria) and it was always a pleasure when people read it and they 'forget' that it's a period piece as they can relate to the story and the characters just speak 'normally' (hopefully that makes sense) rather than as if they were appearing in a 1920s Shakespeare production on the London stage (not that there's anything wrong with that obviously)...

Thanks, Dean Drinkel! Congratulations on your short and feature being in advanced development! Looking forward to seeing them!

Thanks Maurice - will keep you updated - I've got a horror short in post right now which we shot a a few weeks back now - that was a fun one too !

https://www.drax-productions.com/thedevilisinthedetailfilm

You're welcome, Dean Drinkel. Congratulations! The short looks great!

@Maurice I’ve only written a couple of period pieces pre 1900, Victorian & Stone Age. Main problem is keeping budget down. Even cheap locations usually need expensive sets.

Thanks, Debbie Croysdale. I'll keep the budget in mind.

Thank you for sharing Maurice.

You're welcome, Asmaa Jamil.