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The first step in making your film dream a reality.

This is my first post here for Horror Society and I am very excited to be a part of this incredible site.  Going forward I plan to concentrate my posts on the independent film maker and offering tips on how to get their film made.  I figure the best place to start is with the script.  You can have all the best equipment, you can have the most talented cast and crew, you can have endless resources but if you have a lousy script you ultimately don’t have anything.  Get your hands on some screenplays from movies you have enjoyed to see how the writer conveyed their story, this will help before you begin your journey.  Here are some tips on getting your incredible idea from you head to the page.

The first piece of advice I give to any prospective writer is cliche but it’s true…writers write.  A writer should write something every day.  Even if it’s a thoughtful letter to someone, a description of the sunlight coming through the window, or something as simplistic as a shopping list with a brief description of each product, the point is write something every day.  Writing is a muscle, you have to exercise it.  If you don’t it will be hard to sit down and write a script.  When you are ready to write your masterpiece, whether it is a short or feature length movie the most important thing is to develop strong characters.  If you can make the audience connect with one of your characters you have a written a solid script.  I know, plot and story are important but ultimately it is your actors abilities to sell your character that will make your movie memorable.  If you write a strong character the audience will care about them and be drawn into the story.  When writing a strong character, particularly in a horror script, stay away from stereotypes.  What drives me crazy when watching horror is how almost every character regardless of the movie is basically interchangeable.  Break that mold.  Base a character on someone you know.  We all know people who have interesting character traits so why not incorporate them into a character we write.

The other time proven adage when it comes to writing is write what you know.  Now we are talking about writing a horror script so hopefully you aren’t writing from experience.  What you need to concentrate on is the things and situations that frighten you.  The best writing is honest writing.  If you can convey your fears to the page in a compelling manor the story is going to flow.  If you want to write a zombie story imagine the scenario that scares you the most. whether it is being chased or being trapped and put your character in that frightening situation and now work in other elements.  Dialogue, description, and obstacles.

After you have written your first draft sit back and digest it.  Read it several times with a critical eye.  Be honest and amend what needs amending.  You have watched movies with a critical eye and I am sure you have even said I would have done that differently.  So when proof reading your script use that same scrutiny and your re-writes will improve the overall script in the long run.

I hope this helps in some small way with your journey to make your film.  In future posts I am going to discuss every aspect of film making from concept to post, including the most difficult  obstacle for most film makers…funding.

Mitchell Wells

Founder and Editor in Chief of Horror Society. Self proclaimed Horror Movie Freak, Tech Geek, love indie films and all around nice kinda guy!!

2 Comments

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  1. Looking forward to an interesting series of articles. There’s so many obstacles to independent filmmaking. About writing; don’t write a script you can’t film. Meaning, if you can’t afford a dozen different locations, then don’t write them in. Stick with one or two tops. Keep it simple if you’re just starting out.

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