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Lesson 11
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LESSON 11 HOMEWORK:
Dean’s Level 2 Horror Emotion Scene
What I learned doing this assignment is how to ramp up the rampant horror.
Scene: The Night Stalkers
FADE IN:
EXT. TOWN HALL – NIGHT
Anna, Caleb, Daniel, Marcus, Claire, Dr. Evelyn Hart, and Tom hide together inside the town hall, a makeshift refuge for the survivors.
The survivors work together, securing the doors and windows, hoping it would be enough to keep the Myst at bay.
Marcus’s hammers the last board into place.
Anna watches over her young son Caleb, who sleeps on a blanket in the corner.
Daniel’s hands tremble as he stuffs towels under the door, his eyes constantly flicking toward the windows, as if expecting something to burst through at any moment.
Outside, strange noises resound. Scratching sounds echo against the walls, as if something—or someone—claws to get in. Soft whispers drift in through the cracks, faint at first but slowly growing louder.
Marcus’s face goes pale when he hears one of the whispers. It was a voice he recognized—his deceased wife. “Marcus,” the voice calls, filled with longing. He closes his eyes tightly, trying to shut it out, his fear growing with each passing second.
Daniel, unable to resist, moves to one of the boarded-up windows. He peers through a small gap, his breath hitching as he sees twisted, shadowy figures moving in the mist. He gestures for Dr. Hart to come over, whispering urgently:
TOM
Do you see that?
Dr. Hart joins him, her eyes narrowing as she watches the figures circling the village hall, their shapes distorted, barely visible through the fog.
DR HART
This isn’t normal weather. We can’t believe everything we see.
Suddenly, a loud deliberate, slow, and unnervingly calm knock echos through the hall. Everyone jumps, Marcus lets out a strangled gasp.
The survivors exchange glances, their eyes wide with fear.
From behind the door, a desperate, pleading voice calls out:
MYST VOICE (O.C.)
Help me, please!
DR HART
We can’t believe everything we hear either.
Anna’s face goes pale, her arms tightening protectively around her son Caleb.
Marcus shakes his head, his eyes squeezed shut, as the screaming continues, growing more frantic before abruptly stopping.
An eerie silence.
Tom and the others glare at Dr Hart.
DR HART
This isn’t normal weather.
Feeling the weight of everyone’s stares, she sits with Anna and Caleb.
TOM
We could’ve saved her.
Dr Hart weeps softly.
A second softer, almost polite knock resounds.
Everyone gasps.
Tom stands up and trudges to the door.
DR HART
Tom, don’t be fooled.
TOM
You think we’re being fooled? Is that how you rationalize saving yourself while letting others perish?
From behind the door, a desperate, pleading, childlike girl’s voice calls out:
MYST VOICE (O.C.)
Please open the door. Help me.
Tom reaches for the door.
MRS HART
Tom, don’t!
TOM
We can’t just leave her out there.
Tom unlatches the lock.
MARCUS
He’s right. Open the door, Tom. We should save everyone we can.
MRS HART
No! You don’t understand how conniving and manipulative this Myst can be.
TOM
Maybe I don’t understand that, but I do understand how awful I’ll feel if I don’t do all I can to save everyone I can.
MYST VOICE (O.C.)
Please. Help me.
Tom looks back at everyone.
Dr Hart shakes her head no.
Marcus nods.
The others sob softly.
Tom looks back at Marcus, who nods again.
DR HART
Tom. Don’t.
Tom nods back and then opens the door just a crack.
TOM
I don’t. I don’t see anyone.
He opens the door a little bit.
TOM
What?
A NIGHT STALKER, a MYSTical figure emerges from the Myst and sneers.
Tom gasps.
Whoosh! Tom gets yanked out the door. His screaming echos in the night.
Marcus runs forward to lock the door.
Tom’s screaming subsides.
MYST VOICE (O.C.)
Thank you.
The Myst cackles.
Marcus collapses, leaning with his back to the door.
MARCUS
It’s all my fault. If I hadn’t nodded at him, Tom would still be alive.
The others huddle together silently, save for Claire’s blustering sobs, for she had grown quite fond of Tom; and now he’s gone. -
Dave Wetzel’s Level 2 Horror Emotion Scene
What I learned doing this assignment is that the art of creating emotional rollercoasters of fear, suspense and dread is one of the most rewarding aspects of horror screenwriting.
DIRE FALLS
INT – SCHOOL CHAPEL – NIGHT
Jennifer and the gang observe a tall, black figure running into a dark corner of the chapel.
RENNY
What is that?!
TOM
(dread)I don’t want to know!
MARLEY
Let’s check it out!
Jennifer
Guys, we should wait, at least for Nearest.
TERRY
We could lose it! You saw what it did to Dean Foy!
JENNIFER
That’s why we should wait!
JOHNNY
Come on guys!
The gang rush towards the dark corner of the chapel, Jennifer reluctantly follows.
They come upon a huge marble statue of a gargoyle.
Johnny pulls out his powerful mini flashlight and illuminates the area.
The statue is imposing to behold, the ferocious looking gargoyle is perched on a mountain of crushed skulls.
MARLEY
I’ve never seen this before, it’s scary as hell!
JENNIFER
Guys, I'm supposed to be the adult here, no swearing in the chapel, please!
Terry spots something at the base of the statue.
TERRY
Johhny, what’s that along the base?
Johnny illuminates the base of the gargoyle statue; it’s covered in ancient text engraved into the marble.
Johnny, Terry and Marley all move closer, Tom stays a good distance back.
JOHNNY
That’s Latin, I’m sure of it, Marley?
Marley and Johnny both move in closer and run their hands along the engraved scripture.
TERRY
Can you read it?
Johnny and Marley slowly read the script together.
JOHNNY and MARLEY
“On the twentieth year, the dark lord will be avenged.”
Jennifer’s eye widen in fear as an “aura” of red suddenly appears around the statue!
A yellow / orange glow appears in a crack in the wall behind the statue too!
Jennifer covers her mouth and points to the crack in the wall.
TERRY
What? What do you see?
Jennifer continues to point to the crevice in the wall, the gang move in closer.
RENNY
What is that?!
There’s more writing on the base of the statue next to the crevice.
MARLEY
“Souls lost, never to return, all who enter.”
Suddenly, the huge statue moves away from the wall to widen the crevice!
The gang jump back as the yellow / orange glow emits from the widened crevice.
Sounds can be heard deep inside; it sounds like chanting in a foreign tongue.
TERRY
There’s somebody in there!
RENNY
Let’s go!
JENNIFER
(dread)You just heard Marley, two seconds ago! “Souls lost,” “all who enter!”
TOM
I’m with Jennifer, I’m not going in there!
Renny pulls on the statue, the huge gargoyle moves further away from the wall to reveal a dark passage!
JENNIFER
Oh, hell no!
The gang reply in unison.
THE GANG
Language!
It’s Jennifer’s turn to blush, Johnny sticks the flashlight inside the crevice to reveal a downward sloping dirt passageway.
JOHNNY
It looks like it goes down a good ways.
RENNY
I say we check it out.
TERRY
Somebody’s in there.
MARLEY
With whatever killed Dean Foy!
Tension hangs in the air for a moment, Jennifer shakes her head.
JENNIFER
(dread)I can’t protect you guys alone; we can’t go in there.
Suspense for a few moments, then Terry finally steps up.
TERRY
That’s why we’re going in together, everybody stay close.
Jennifer and the gang venture into the dark passageway as the eyes on the gargoyle now burn red!
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This reply was modified 6 months, 1 week ago by David Wetzel.
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This reply was modified 6 months, 1 week ago by David Wetzel.
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This reply was modified 6 months, 1 week ago by David Wetzel.
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This reply was modified 6 months, 1 week ago by David Wetzel.
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This reply was modified 6 months, 1 week ago by David Wetzel.
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This reply was modified 6 months, 1 week ago by David Wetzel.
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This reply was modified 6 months, 1 week ago by David Wetzel.
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This reply was modified 6 months, 1 week ago by David Wetzel.
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This reply was modified 6 months, 1 week ago by David Wetzel.
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This reply was modified 6 months, 1 week ago by
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Tim's Level 2 Horror Emotion Scene
What I learned from doing this assignment is that dread and suspense can be used a lot, but Fear is that great icing!
Scene Outline: Jonah’s Disappearance
1.Fear:
Jonah approaches the pool alone, scoffing at Tyler’s growing paranoia. He leans over to splash water on his face, but as he looks down, his reflection lingers, grinning with a dark intensity. The water ripples, distorting his reflection into something unnatural, making Jonah uneasy.2.Suspense:
Jonah leans in closer, checking his face in the water as the night around him grows deathly silent. He turns, convinced he hears footsteps, but sees no one. Returning to his reflection, the rippling water calms—only to show his reflection again, now moving in ways he hasn’t.3.Dread:
Jonah realizes his reflection isn’t just distorted—it’s reaching up toward him, as though it wants to pull him in. Despite his terror, he can’t pull away fast enough. His reflection’s hand breaks through the water and seizes him, dragging him in. Jonah is helplessly pulled under, his scream muffled by the water.Scene Draft: Jonah’s Disappearance
EXT. POOL AREA – NIGHT
The pool shimmers under the moonlight, its surface disturbed by the occasional raindrop from the storm gathering above. Jonah steps out, rolling his eyes, clearly annoyed by the tension inside.JONAH
(under his breath)Ghost stories and jump scares… Unbelievable.
He moves to the edge of the pool, crouching down. With a sigh, he dips his hands into the water, splashing his face to clear his head. The ripples distort his reflection, but as they settle, his reflection seems to grin back, twisted and sinister.
Jonah pulls his hands away. The smile fades, but his reflection’s eyes remain locked on him, just a shade too intense.JONAH
(murmuring to himself)What the hell…?
He leans in, examining the pool’s surface. The night around him grows quiet, almost unnaturally so. Jonah glances over his shoulder, half-expecting someone to jump out and yell “boo,” but there’s only silence.
When he turns back to the water, his reflection doesn’t match his movements. It leans toward him, tilting its head, eyes widening with a look of dark amusement. Jonah’s mouth goes dry, his breath catching.
JONAH
(whispering)No way…
Suddenly, the reflections hands SHOOTS out of the water, swiping at his face. Jonah pulls back but the arm clasps his wrist tightly.
JONAH
(screaming, struggling)What the fuck! Let go, motherfucker!
He thrashes, kicking and twisting, but the reflection’s grip tightens, pulling him forward. He gasps, his face inches from the water as he fights to free himself. His own distorted face sneers back, victorious.
With a violent pull, the reflection drags Jonah under the water. His scream is muffled as his head slips below the surface, swallowed by a silent, dark abyss. His hand reaches out desperately, his fingers clawing at the air, before they, too, are pulled under.
The water stills, leaving no sign of Jonah—just a faint ripple, and an eerie silence settling over the pool.
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This reply was modified 6 months, 1 week ago by Timothy Barley.
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This reply was modified 6 months, 1 week ago by
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Alison’s Level 2 Horror Emotion Scene
INT. MUSEUM — DARK HALLWAY — NIGHT
The last ceiling light flickers out.
It’s pitch-black, with only the occasional glow of emergency lights casting eerie shadows.
The group huddles in a tight circle, whispering frantically.Emily clutches her now-broken glasses, struggling to see as she leans on Claire for guidance.
CLAIRE
(whispering, shaking)
We need to get out of here. I can’t… I can’t stay here any longer.
EMILY
We’re locked in. And he’s still here… somewhere.
The faint, echoing sound of footsteps reaches them. They turn around and stare down the long, dark hallway, unable to see the source of the sound but certain that the night guard is close.
DEREK
(hissing)
He’s just trying to scare us. Stay calm.
A heavy silence falls as the footsteps stop. They know he’s out there, lurking, but they can’t tell where.
SARAH
(whispering to Claire)
Do you see anything?
Claire peers into the shadows but shakes her head.
Emily stumbles forward, nearly tripping over an ancient artifact’s display case. Derek reaches out, steadying her, and gestures for everyone to follow him down a side hallway.
The footsteps resume, closer this time.
The group holds still, not daring to breathe.
A faint shuffle comes from behind them, around the corner, echoing in the silence.
They move, slowly, step by step, peeking around each corner, every creak of the floor amplifying their anxiety.Shadows twist, transforming ordinary statues into monstrous figures under the faint light.
JAKE
(whispering, voice cracking)
What if he’s just pushing us into a trap?
Emily clutches her arm tightly, struggling to breathe, eyes squinting as she tries to see without her glasses. The fear is so thick you could almost taste it.
MAX
(whispering)
Maybe if we stay still, he won’t find us.
A loud clang echoes from nearby, like metal slamming against metal, making them all jump.
DEREK
(whispering through clenched teeth)
He seems way too close.
The footsteps stop again, followed by an ominous creak. They hear the faint, unsteady breathing of the night guard, somewhere in the darkness, almost as if he’s just behind them. Derek swallows hard, eyes wide with the realization.
DEREK
(voice trembling)
Don’t turn around.
They can hear him, even feel him — but can’t see him. And now, they know: they have no choice but to go down the hallway toward where Dr. Harrison was killed.
They’re trapped, forced to face the monster head-on if they want any chance of surviving.
Emily’s hand slips from Derek’s shoulder as she stumbles in the dark, her vision blurred. She sucks in a breath, steadying herself, before following close behind, fear written across her face.
EMILY
(whispering to herself)
Just keep moving, one step at a time!
The group pushes forward, knowing that danger waits for them, unavoidable and lethal.
They continue down the hallway, each step heavier than the last, preparing to confront the terror that awaits.
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Diane’s Level 2 Horror Emotion Scene
What I learned doing this assignment is how to cram these emotions closer together and to skip the extra description. This scene was revised several times to edit out rambling wording that diminished the emotions. I learned to avoid doing that.
SCENE:
INT. ALCATRAZ ISLAND CATACOMBS — FLASHLIGHT LIGHTING
The group moves through the catacombs that are not as finished as the hallway. There are carved steps and level floor to walk on, but the walls are rough and damp.
TRAVIS
I’m telling you. He’s gone. He kept talking to me about dumb stuff, making stuff up. What the heck was his name.CHESTER
I don’t know. It seems like everyone is here.TRAVIS
Blake. It’s Blake. The skinny kid that wouldn’t shut up.ISABEL
The water took him. Look.Isabel at the back of the group points out a flashlight on the ground.
ISABEL
Did any of you drop this?They look around at each other. Everyone has their flashlight.
ISABEL
I didn’t think so.CHESTER
We should go back to the hallway and look for the door again. What if the water goes up again?Chester turns to go back, but no one follows.
TRAVIS
He’s right. We need to get out of here. We need to do it now.VINCENT
We can’t go back. We looked everywhere we could. Whatever happened that closed that doorway, it’s not there anymore.HAROLD
I don’t know if anyone is missing or not, but we probably should have done a headcount when we came in here. Now we know for sure that there are eight of us. Everyone be sure to have a buddy to keep track of.FRANKIE
Come on Travis. I’ll keep an eye on you and you on me, okay. Maybe that Blake kid was here, maybe not. But, by my supply count, we could be one short.TRAVIS
Well, I’m sure. There was nine. Now we’re eight. Doesn’t matter what you all say.FRANKIE
C’mon. Let’s keep going. If the water gets in, it gets out. So can we.The group continues deeper into the catacombs.
Isabel, at the back hears a noise behind her. She looks down. It’s a trickle of water that wasn’t there before.
ISABLE
Uh oh. Look at this.The others turn to see. Several flashlights find the trickle.
Suddenly, they hear a roar coming from behind them. They look as all flashlights turn to light up the passage where they came from. First a few splashes of water, then a rapid flow, and then a torrent rushes toward them.
Screams of horror and shouts to hold on to something mix with the roar of the water.
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