How would you go about writing a script for a horror movie?

[The Flayed One]

Originally posted by CHRIS24
well me and my girlfriend were talking about it more and she estimates it to take about 3 years to write a script.

Not really true. Everything depends on what you're writing and how you write it. If you want to go standard format (what everyone says you have to do to break into Hollywood or get an agent) you're going to need 120 pages. One page represents 1 minute of film in general. There are plenty of nice script writing programs out there. The good ones will set you back a few hundred dollars, unless you're feeling saucy and want to pirate them.

I figure it should take about six months to write the script. If you listen to the professionals, then you should put it down and not even look at it or think about it for at least three months. Then pick it back up and get ready to edit and re-write, another six month process. So really, you're looking at a year & 1/4.

I disagree that everything has to be so pristine & formal, but hey, I haven't sold a script yet.

[Vodstok]

go here:
http://www.hollywoodlitsales.com/index.php


read read read read read read.

[AUSTIN316426808]

Originally posted by CHRIS24
well me and my girlfriend were talking about it more and she estimates it to take about 3 years to write a script.

Took Billy Bob Thornton a week to write Sling Blade. All depends on how focused you are.

[Vodstok]

I like the way you talk.

Carl is one of my favorite characters... Too bad it is the pinnacle of Billy Bob's acting

[CHRIS24]

I like that A week and half but he propably didnt have a steady job at the time so he could spend however much time on the script.

[CHRIS24]

I have already been brainstorming but to tell ya the truth I have been doing that ever since I was a young kid watching these horror films and there are several scenarios I have come across and they are all original.The thing is is i dont want a cheesy peice of shit, it would be a serious film.

[spookychild]

Just take it nice and easy. Be original and don't take it too seriously.

I've been writing screenplays for 7 years and I've sold 2. Nothing ever happened with them, however. Anyway.
1. GET YOURSELF FORMATTING SOFTWARE!!! That's the most important thing. Producers won't read your screenplay unless it's in an EXACT format. Try Final Draft or Sophocles. You can download trial versions off of DOWNLOAD.COM.
2. Keep it at 90 - 110 pages. Everybody says 120. They'll prefer a 90 pager to a 120 pager anyday.
3. It HAS to be structured. They want 3 acts. Any screenwriting book will teach you this structure. STICK TO IT! Producers have people that read these things for them and they want to see format, page counts, and structure breakdowns.
4. Join the Screen Writer's Guild. This will give you protection and immediate access to thousands of agents and producers.
5. DO NOT BASE YOUR SCREENPLAY OFF OF ANY BOOK, PLAY, COMIC BOOK, ETC.. WITHOUT GETTING PERMISSION FIRST!!!
6. Be prepared to write many, many query letters. Make sure you can spell out what your movie is about, what the overall arc of those characters will be, and who your target audience is in 1 or 2 paragraphs.
7. Have a GREAT TAGLINE for your movie. When they talk to you they want you to sell them your MOVIE, not your screenplay. They want you to excite them.
8. Be prepared for a lot of rejection letters.
9. Don't settle for anything less then you deserve. If you think you have a great screenplay, then don't sell until you get what you want.
10. Be open and work with their criticisms, even if they suck. Your screenplay will get re-written many times before it's shot. That's the truth. And if you show that you're willing to work with them and can show excitement for their ideas and creative imput then you stand a chance at being the guy who gets to do the re-writing.

GOOD LUCK!!!

[The_Return]

There used to be a great little refrence guide on Bruce Campbell's site, but unfortunatly it's been down for awhile:(

Here's the link, just incase it does come back in the near future:

http://www.bruce-campbell.com/

If you want to make a great Zombie movie Forget about hollywood- if you want to make such pathetic crap as Dawn of the Dead(remake that came out not so long ago) hollywood is your bet- but Dude All true great zombie movies were done as independent films- Romeros trilogy (im not including his last film "Land of the Dead" as I believe it was too commercial), Fulci zombie movies etc. I my self working on few scripts and will invest in to production- But I will, if everything will work out, direct it my self- my script- my vision- my movie.

Russian Horror Fun