Hey all - my name is Shawn Schepps, I am a produced movie and TV writer (saying I am produced sounds so cheesy.) Anyway, I wrote a pilot that first Ciniflex optioned, but the company fell apart. Then Universal (cable, UCP) optioned the pilot. We were just about to go into development when the old brass at Universal went out and the new brass came marching in with their own ideas of that they want to develop. My pilot was with Jessica Biel's company but that didn't matter, they have passed on everything that was from the old brass. So now my pilot is lingering at Universal until I can get it back. Getting it back - finding out when I get it back - will be a chore as there are tons of writers and producers now trying to get their material back. While my pilot lingers at UCP, I am rewriting an old one hour pilot. And here is where I make the long story short - the pilot I am working on is a procedural, very heavy on character, and... violent, scary, dark. Dark comedy is my wheelhouse - violence, and shock, not so much. SO... does anyone out there have knowledge of how to write violent and scary material? How do you write it? Are there any places on line that are resources to teach a writer this genre. Do any of you have tips as to how to write - in the action lines - the descriptive part of a script - violence, things the character's see that are horrifying, et al. I just figured I should be writing something new until this UCP thing gets settled and my agent can take that pilot out. Yes, this is a writer looking for answers. I'm reaching out to writers I know and am friends with to see what their process is - and now I am wondering what your process is, or if you know where I can find websites that tackle this subject matter. I thank whoever responds in advance. I appreciate your reading this novella here, and will much appreciate your feedback. All my best, Shawn Schepps
Screenwriting : Hi, and i have a couple of questions for those who are reading this about genres with horror or violence in them wrapped up in a procedural one hour pilot. by Shawn Schepps
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Thanks Lyse - that is a really good idea!
Maybe I can help, well I'll try.When I'm writing an actors part, I vision the scenery that's around me.In your story, it would be dark, cold air passing through, sending shivers to even the warmest dressed person.Tree branches slapping each other.In the dark a shadow passes each street light but never showing who the figure is.All along, the figure stuttering words from his past as he makes his way closer to where he grew up.Being locked up for 27 years, no one told him his parents passed away and new occupants have moved in.
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Oooo, Andrew - very, very good and very helpful! Thank you so much!
Thank you Shawn.I have many stories that come to me at very odd times.This is an example of how quickly I can draw up stories.If you are ever stuck on a story on which way you want to take it, I'll gladly help you.Andrew..
Lyse's note on reading horror scripts is probably already the best idea. I would try a script from a couple different genres (I would suggest "The Descent" and "The Conjuring" to cover gore and suspense). As far as writing the scenes, sound is extremely important when building atmosphere. Also, while I'm usually an advocate for dry, clinical descriptions of action, horror is one of the genres that relies on the action the most. I try to use punchy language to give the action more immediacy, even venturing to use similes at times. Less is almost always more, and action should still be as concise as possible, but bringing it to life with descriptive aids is more accepted in horror than any other genre.