Screenwriting : Writing horror scripts, a quick path to success? by Phillip E. Hardy, "The Real Deal"

The thing about Horror and Action is that in addition to having a rabid niche audience domestically, they also have strong markets overseas. They tend to require less talented actors to be able to deliver the desired audience response and for the most part can be done pretty inexpensively. Indie comedies and dramas (unless they contain known actors) aren't nearly as popular overseas. And unless they become breakout critical darlings they don't tend to make as much bang for the buck spent. So as a producer looking to hedge my bets, I can always make something off a horror or action film overseas, even if it doesn't get any traction domestically whereas a drama or comedy that doesn't get picked up domestically has few prospects to make up any ground overseas. And even bad American movies still have a level of standing overseas because the luster of studio fare rubs off on them just by being American.

As far as making a career out of low budget horror and action, lots of people who came out of Corman are still going in the low budget world, like Jim Wynorski. And some like James Cameron made the leap to bigger and better things. Just for sheer volume, the low budget world of horror and action wins by a landslide. But if you want to make the leap to better things, it's still a crap shoot. If your great script gets turned into a terrible low budget movie, it can weigh against you. But if it becomes the next Purge you can parley that into much better things. Just my two cents.

It may be marketable, but I'd still always go for the genres I love best. And that, for me, is not horror. Or p***, for that matter, which is probably pretty marketable, too.

Depends on what success means to you. Take a walk to American Film Market, lots of crappy horror movies bought and sold, doesnt lead to work with the big boys - union and studio folks.

Just write what you want to see or spend your time on. There are plenty of indie films done with minimum budgets that launched big careers. she's gotta have it, Spanking the Monkey, El Mariachi, Clerks, Reservoir Dogs, Saw, Fruitvale Station. Last years Oscar winner, Moonlight, supposedly cost $1.6mil.

Dunno. How many cheap horror movies launched Screenwriting WGA union careers? What happened to the Writers of Blair Witch & Paranormal Activity?

But the bright side, folks like Charles Band, Lou Simon (my favorite low budget Horror director) and David Latt have been doing stuff outside of Hollywood mainstream, making good $$$ and carving their own Horror catalogs.

Great posts.

I dunno, but director David Sandberg and his wife created a 162-second short, "Lights Out," that went viral and got a lot of attention from millions, including "Hollywood." Famed horror producer James Wan came a knockin' and turned a short into a feature-length film. Lol! ;)

Independent writer/director/producer, Robert Eggers, created his unique and original film "The Witch" with a budget of $4 million that performed well—grossing roughly $40+ million at the box office. My understanding is that Eggers got lots of attention and was hired to do a remake of "Nosferatu" for former Warner Bros. President Jeff Robinov’s Studio 8. ;)

To me, it seems if you manage to do some sort of "break out" or create something unique, then that in itself creates possibilities regardless of genre. Also having more creative control seems highly beneficial.

However, horror or horror/thriller seems to be a more accessible market, perhaps? An area where low-budget filmmaking mixed with savvy, creative flare can pack a big punch. Who doesn't enjoy a good scare, right? ;)

Speaking of, what B horror scripts would you all recommend as a good read? I'm thinking about writing one, have what I think could be a marketable idea, but I've never written horror and I'd like to read a few scripts first to learn more about the process.

For horror writers, writing horror is the best path. For non-horror writers... not so much.

Ive never written horror but I don't know that I should be put in the "non-horror writer" category. I've simply never tried. Regina do you think it's more difficult to write than other genres?

I cut my eye-teeth on Stephen King and I've certainly watched a ton of horror movies, but only recently had an idea for a horror script that I thought might be viable.

http://www.la-screenwriter.com/2017/09/26/the-clearest-path-to-success-b...

Jody, generally speaking, I'd tell someone that if she is not passionate about any particular genre, then don't force a square peg into a round hole. Writing and movie-making are hard enough as it is.

Secondly, I believe that horror can be "easier" to write in that it follows certain conventions that a writer can and should lean on. But a writer can't lean on convention to come up with the original material that makes a horror movie stand out. Just like no one can teach another person to come up with original comedy, no one can teach another person to come up with original horror. I do believe that one can be coached into developing better craftsmanship and knowledge in any genre. In my opinion - only my opinion - drama is the most difficult genre to adapt to if it's not your natural leaning as it doesn't contain genre conventions to lean on like a horror movie contains horror set-pieces.

Jody, B Horror scripts are generally short page count, like 80 pages max, full of cliche characters and technically bad filmmaking skills because of budget, crew,, and talent. Look into Full Moon Ent (Charles Band). He knows how to make B Horror movies. Lou Simon is a writer/director and she's made 3 horror movies in 3 years. Low budgets, her craft is improving, she's making $$$ for her backers and building a brand.

Thanks Chris! I'll check it out. I totally enjoyed the movie!

GET OUT is awesome, but it's also a satire vis-à-vis genre/horror.

Quoting CJ Walley , do what makes you happy. Happy writing!!

I agree with Regina. If there is a 'best genre' to write, it's the one you most want to write. Write what you enjoy and feel passionate about. That is more likely to result in work you're proud.

TRY to come up with an original horror idea. Not as easy as it sounds. The Autopsy of Jane Doe was one of the most original concepts I have seen in a while.

I am probably not the only horror person who has thought, " this has been so over done" when coming up with an idea, then having to think of ways to make it original and stand from the rest.

Just write a compelling tale in a generally recognized industry format in whatever genre tickles your fancy. Having said that; if I have to read another zombie/vampire jump scare horror script - I'll scream!

1. I do think it has merit. Horror movies can be made with a low budget. So, it becomes a matter of telling a good story in that genre that's original, which can be hard.

   2. I enjoy horror as long as it leans less supernatural and more psychological.

   3. I don't think there is a definitive "best" genre. However, there might be a "best genre" for a particular writer.

I wonder why a horror script/movie shall be a better (or guaranteed) way to success when a great new tv series for children (just to take a contrast) would do the same.

My first job as a screenwriter was a horror, "Delirium". It was funny because the guys I did the job with and for were both action film/stuntmen and choreographers so I thought I'd be working on an action film! It was originally written as a found footage but after test screenings, it was decided to make it a regular multi-camera film. I rewrote parts, added more scenes for the "cameraman" character and it went on to win a few awards at film fests and...(SHAMELESS PLUG!) Delirium is FINALLY getting a limited theatrical release and then on to DVD/VOD. (dates to be announced!) Here's the latest trailer! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CU-d_-S6Js

Lisa Clemens that looks damn scary!

That use to be the rumor going around a few years ago. I don't know if it's true today. Horror is one the more complete ways to create a compelling film on a low budget with no names. Great makeup job!

Elisabeth, I think if one were to argue that point, 1) for any TV series, you need a showrunner type person whom a network trusts to run a TV series, and 2) I estimate there are fewer TV outlets for kids' TV than for a horror movie. For example, you need a TV network to say yes to either financing a TV series or to licensing a TV series. For a horror movie, you would ideally have a studio to release it, but you could VOD it or self-release it if all else failed. You can't self-release a TV show. You must ultimately get a corporate entity to fund or license your show. So there are bigger hurdles for all TV shows than movies, which (like books) allow for self-release if all else fails. With a TV series, someone else always has to say "yes" to you. With a movie, you could do it all yourself, including finance it, if you have the money and the endurance.

Uncle Phil, I think you started a very lively topic. Nice.

To circle back around to the question of "is horror the best genre" for a new writer to break into the business, the other element in the quote by Angela Bourassa was "contained." That's a big thing to keep in mind as an unproven writer regardless of genre. If you can write a compelling story with great characters and a great hook and keep it in a few simple locations with limited production requirements you greatly increase your odds of getting read and finding a buyer. Most producers would rather put their money into hiring strong name actors than on window dressing like period costumes or big locations or VFX. Also, your awesome big budget epic might never get read because anyone who can't afford to make it won't bother and the big studios don't need you. But your strong contained script might get read by a lot of people, generating interest in you as a writer and leading to meetings and assignments. So consider trying to write something contained for you next project. It's also a great writing exercise because it forces you to focus on the characters, not the spectacle, which is what really matters anyway.

Uncle Phil, I completely agree with you that it IS about storytelling, no matter what genre you choose to write. Now, having said that, yes, I do think that horror is a good potential genre for some, but again, with some caveats - the script still has to be interesting, good, entertaining. It also helps if it's different and covers new ground. And, yes, as you aptly pointed out, HOW MUCH will it cost to make? Blumhouse is prepared to fund some of these lower-budget scripts with decent storytelling. But, more caveats - can you get a name attached - even if it's not Top 'O the A-List, but bottom or a couple of character actors who may have greater value in the genre. So, in essence, the same rules apply - write a great script and tell a story and have some commercial elements. While I do think that horror is a great genre to break into, if your script isn't good, covers no new ground and is just drek, it will still be hard to break into the industry. GOD BLESS my brother and as I always say, STAY FRESH! ;)

In general (I'm not saying all); the horror films I've had to watch/review/judge by new indie filmmakers on a low/no budget basis really look cheap and cheesy. Most use way to much kitchen condiment make up, terrible lighting, atrocious audio and rely on jump-scare tactics. They mostly look like they were made by high school kids at best. But yes, there have been a few very fine horror films made. Why this is the best genera to screenwriting success is beyond me. I don't see one genera as better than any other.

Take a look at GET OUT, and carefully take note of the sets, most are very affordable shoots, no crowds, empty streets, out of the way settings - of which we have many in Atlanta. Still affordable for a micro-budget shoot, but getting more expensive. Of course, 1st "Blair Witch" was produced for what - 32k? All they needed was a camera, floods, and some woods.

Thanks, Jody! The original concept was to have the characters' relationships as an important part of the film. Think, Stand By Me meets Amityville Horror. The screenings we had told us the viewers wanted less character development, more scares. So I'm glad it works, but I really miss the camaraderie the characters had. Now just a little of that is shown as one of the characters (who is going to be a film major) edits his footage from a party, which was part of our original opening.

Keith, I agree. Delirium had two main locations. A house (one of the producer's) and the mansion which we HAD to have that particular one (The Dunsmuir-Hellman Estate) because the film is based on what the Director, Johnny Martin and his friends used to do as teens, namely dare people who wanted to hang out with them to jump the fence of that place (used in Burnt Offerings and Phantasm) and prove they made it to the porch. (the walk through the grounds was and still is scary as hell- No one got that far! There are lots of wild animals making sounds, it's pitch dark, etc) So the film was fairly cheap but got more expensive since we had to return for more filming and had to rent the mansion again and bring back the cast and crew. Johnny wanted it to be a salute to his hometown, his friends, and classmates who supported and followed his career from his days living near Oakland on to where he is now (he just Directed Al Pacino in a film called Hangman).

Lisa Clemens as someone who is working on my first contained horror, do you think more scares outweigh character development when it comes to what producers want? I've written some horror/dark comedy scripts but this is my first foray into straight horror. Would love any insight you can offer.

Dark comedy (all genre) is always high on the want list and character evolution outweighs scary every time. Stay away from the cheesy jump-scares. Just my pov.

jump scares are hard to write and describe on pages.

Every producer is different. Our producers on Delirium loved the script, but when it screened, the audience and prospective distributors gave the director and producers feedback that told us they wanted it scarier. Write it the way you like. If the producers want you to scale back the drama in exchange for scares (and not all are of the jump-scare variety) they'll make notes and let you know. Just tell the story the best way you can.

Dan M - they're not very difficult to write - right words, right timing, right pauses, right action & BLAM - it's gotta be there. I'm sure they have their place; I just haven't found it yet. I really prefer the steady pressure cooker approach.

Doug - I dunno. Jump scare done right is a combination of script & filmmaking- shoot, post production editing, sound, music efxs.

The most famous jump scare in movie history is the shower scene in Psycho. I read the script a long time ago and the shower scene is about 1 page and half, written in big blocky paragraphs with a typewriter. Lots of suspense on the page and it was left for Hitchcock to interpret the words and suspense/horror.

Lisa Clemens' comments are spot on. Most times, the stuff we write on the page don't work with actors & crew, and even after you're done shooting, folks reshoot because the test audience didn't get it or don't like it. Happens on big movies like Star Wars and expensive TV shows like Games of Thrones. Lots of people don't know the pilot episode of Games of Thrones was trashed. HBO execs ordered the filmmakers to reshoot the entire pilot.

If folks wanna break into the Industry, start hanging out with working filmmakers. All this stuff is trial and error. Just gotta be around working people.

Dan M - I forget exactly how many shots it took, but that Shower scene in Psycho is comprised of something over twenty shots. If you read the script carefully (much more verbose than today's), you'll see that it's all there. Hitch got it.

Yes Doug, Hitch got it. According to wikipedia, 77 set-up shots and 7 days to film the shower scene.

I knew it was long - i didn't remember that it was seven days.