Introduce Yourself to the Group

[Micki Hess]

Name? Michale (Micki) Hess

How many scripts you’ve written?
I have written ten scripts

What you hope to get out of the class?
Understand how horror scripts are written.

Something unique, special, strange or unusual about you?
I promise not to get overly weird. So I am doing a light strange about myself.
I write left handed that looks like right handled person wrote it.
Just kidding….after all this is a horror class. I have dreams of people dying or if I see them, i get a feeling.
On my honeymoon night, I had a horrible dream that came true five days later. My baby Uncle Randy died, five days after my wedding. (I am older than my Uncle Randy by eleven months and twenty days.)
But it isn’t only death, it could be an accident. Like my husband’s “small accident”, a week before this, I warned him to be extra careful. Because my whole right side had sharp pain starting at my head going down to my ankle. I could not moved or see for a short period of time. When he had the accident, it was at the time when I experienced the sharp pain. He had injuries. He fell two and a half stories. He was on a Chinook helicopter. He is doing better.

[Dean Burkey]

Hi everybody!

1. Name? Dean Burkey

2. How many scripts you’ve written? Over 20. Maybe even over 30. Some of which I think are really good. ;oP

3. What you hope to get out of the class? Learn a new screenwriting skill. I'm not a big horror fan, but that seems to be the best way to break into the business.

4. Something unique, special, strange or unusual about you? I usually write comedy. The last time I tried to write a horror screenplay, it turned out to be one of my zaniest stories. So clearly I have things to learn about horror…

• This reply was modified 7 months ago by  Dean Burkey.
• This reply was modified 7 months ago by  Dean Burkey.

[Tiffany Becton]

1. Name? Tiffany

2. How many scripts you’ve written? I have started 3. I have been stuck writing them for at least 5 years. The horror film for about 10.

3. What you hope to get out of the class? Learn how to develop a horror screenplay the right way.

4. Something unique, special, strange or unusual about you? Started a career path in film in college (majored in Radio, Television and Film). Never put that degree to work for me. Here to dust that dream off and make it happen.

• This reply was modified 7 months ago by  Tiffany Becton.

[Timothy Allen]

Good morning, afternoon, or evening depending on which side of the world you are. My name is Timothy Allen and I’m not that fond of it, so everyone just calls me Tim. Which brings another issue, as I can’t get them to stop calling me the Tim the Tool Man ;-)!
I have written only two screenplays and have seven on the back burner as ideas, but never written anything on a professional level.
My goal from this class is to learn all that I possibly can, so that maybe I can polish up my characters and make my scenes more interesting. And just maybe one day sell at least one of these works in progress.
I’m not sure if there is anything special, unique, or strange about me because many probably have gone through similar or are similar. Buuuuut, I have survived three near death experiences and I can be inspired to write by something as simple as a mosquito landing on a twig. Oh, I’m simple but there is no simplicity in me! Now how is that possible? lets find out together shall we?

[Diane Keranen]

My name is Diane.

I have written three spec screenplays and have one in the works.

From this class, I want to understand the horror genre beyond the surface understanding I currently have.

Something strange about me? Hmmm. I’m not a horror writer even though I’m taking this class. My specialty is drama, but the more I learn about the conventions of other genres, the more each genre stands out from the others.

[Joan Butler]

1. I’m Joan Butler
2. I’ve written 3 scripts.
3. I hope this class will help me create a better supernatural thriller.
4. I have “It will come to me.” in front of me while I write.

[Bob Buhrow]

Bob Buhrl, written 4 or 5, working in Asheville right now so don’t have a way to confirm. Have experienced the spiritual world, though my writing has not necessarily reflected that. Possibly would like to develop something along that line, learning how to make it believable.

[Vince Parenti]

Hi, my name is Vince Parenti.

I began writing in the 90s, so yeah, I’ve written many screenplays and TV pilots.

My hope for this class is to begin to understand how to write good horror. I’ve tried it. Haven’t had success. My bar is to, at least, place in a horror script festival (as a writer).

I guess the unique thing about me (in this class) is: I began my career in Entertainment as an actor. Now, I write, produce and direct.

I’ve taken other classes from Hal and Cheryl and I’m excited for this one as well!

[Johnathan Gorman]

1. Name? Johnathan Gorman
2. How many scripts you’ve written? A handful (4 or 5)
3. What you hope to get out of the class? I’m just venturing into horror, and I would like to understand how to bring a concept to life in a creative scary but original way.
4. Something unique, special, strange or unusual about you? I don’t consider myself a writer at all! Actually far from it. When I write it’s all “gut” based much like everything I have achieved in the film industry. I recently bought a horror project to produce because I liked the idea/concept but not the script. I hired a writer to rewrite it, but they literally missed the mark. I felt like I spent money that became wasted. So, I took a stab at rewriting it. When I showed it to my team and the person who created the concept, everyone was shocked how creative I was with the draft… and to be honest, I really liked writing the crazy outlandish scenes. Horror is a genre I’m not very familiar with so I thought, hey, why not take a class to see if this is an area I can become comfortable with this space. .

[Timothy Barley]

1. Tim Barley

2. How many scripts you’ve written – eight (8) film scripts and two (2) TV pilots, including 1 thriller and 1 action after the ScreenwritingU classes.

3. What you hope to get out of the class? – really looking forward to creating a horror franchise! I've fallen in love with horror over the years.

4. Something unique, special, strange or unusual about you? I write better when/after I've been moving. So, I drive Uber to let my creative brain chill out and accumulate ideas to short-term writing problems, and drive across country every summer to work on bigger projects.

• This reply was modified 7 months ago by  Timothy Barley.

[Lois Buchter]

1. Name? Lois Buchter
2. How many scripts you’ve written? Hard to say…a bunch. I have seven elevated high concept, worked in paid writing assignments and have an award-winning short horror that I’m thinking of producing next year. Wanted to take this class to have it in my back pocket in when the short is out there. Have gone through the ProSeries and Master Series with Hal, also in the Top Tier group with Roadmap.
3. What you hope to get out of the class? A way to elevate my short and this concept.
4. Something unique, special, strange or unusual about you? My daughter likes to watch me watch horror. She loves it…me, not so much. I like suspense horror, not blood and guts like Saw, but I am interested in the emotional toll that Hal talked about.

[Brian Bull]

Brian Bull
I have written 7 – 8 scripts – maybe more – I write a lot of scripts, but I need to elevate a number of them.

I just started working on the series – Season 2 of THE LAST THING HE TOLD ME.

[Karyn Laitis]

Name — Karyn L.
I’ve written 3 scripts, but have not sold anything. I’ve had a number of false starts and so I’m hoping to break out of my block and complete a project I’m really excited about. I have a Thriller project that is too close to my heart, so I’m exploring the horror genre to scare the crap out of me and get me started (Like the Black-eyed Peas–Let’s get it started!!!)

Something unique, special, strange or unusual about you? I get earthquake premonitions-its an odd, toxic feeling then the seismic activity usually happens with 12 hours to 2 days. Its been going on for over 25 years.

I look forward to working with everyone. Karyn

• This reply was modified 7 months ago by  Karyn Laitis.

[Ryan Benson]

Hi Everyone!

I am happy to be here and can’t wait to learn and improve my writing.

1. Name?
Ryan B.

2. How many scripts you’ve written?
I have written 4 scripts but none over 30 pages. I have written a lot of short stories and have about 10 of them published.

3. What you hope to get out of the class?
I hope to finish a feature film length screenplay. I have written many horror stories, but I also want to learn all the little tricks to make a horror screenplay marketable.

4. Something unique, special, strange or unusual about you?
This is probably not that unique but I loved creative writing and home movie making until I went for something more practical in college and ended up in the world of science and academia for over a decade, before going back to what actually makes me happy.

[Suzanne Thomas]

1. Name? Suzanne
2. How many scripts you’ve written? This will be my first full script. Previously only written sections for classes taken.
3. What you hope to get out of the class? A fleshed out script of an idea I have wanted to work on for years.
4. Something unique, special, strange or unusual about you? I hold 6 degrees including a BA in Interdisciplinary Film Studies and an MA in Communication with an Emphasis in Media Arts.

[Allie Theiss]

Hi All!

1. Name?

Alison (Allie) Theiss

2. How many scripts you’ve written?

10 – took an 8 year break

3. What you hope to get out of the class?

To learn how to create a scary horror film that I can sell.

4. Something unique, special, strange or unusual about you?

I am scared very easily, so I watch horror films in the middle of the day. As a teen, I used to read Stephen King before bed, which scarred me.

• This reply was modified 7 months ago by  Allie Theiss.

[Patti Wall]

1. Patti Wall

2. How many scripts you’ve written? 9

3. What you hope to get out of the class? I have never written a horror, so I'm excited to learn this genre.

4. Something unique, special, strange or unusual about you? Sometimes, I just know things about people…lol. Sorry, I just had to add to the horror vibe…Truthfully, I am one of those people who covers their eyes during scary scenes.

• This reply was modified 7 months ago by  Patti Wall.
• This reply was modified 7 months ago by  Patti Wall.

[Douglas Booth]

Hi!
Doug Booth here. I’ve been a working animation screenwriter for quite a while now – so lots of produced TV scripts and a few animated features that I’ve written or co-written – one, at least, was produced in India – another that, hopefully, is on its way through post-production.
I thought it would be a good idea to take this course. First, because I’ve enjoyed all my ScreenwritingU classes – and also because every time I see a request for scripts on, say, Inktip or ISA – it’s for a horror script! I’m not really into scaring – or being scared – for its own sake (like the adrenalin rush of fear) – but to work on the challenge of having characters have to meet their deepest fears and emerge triumphant on the other side. Which, I figure, oughta help me, too – both as a writer and as a person!
I’m looking forward to the “scary challenge” of this course, as well! Good luck to us all!

[Zachary Hunchar]

My name is Zachary Hunchar.

This will be my first film script. I’ve written a number of comic book scripts.

I want to be able to write something scary. Everything I’ve written tends to be strange or funny.

I’m trying to approach Hollywood differently after 2+ decades at studios in distribution. I’ve spent so much time helping others tell their stories and I want to tell my own.

[christopher Cochran]

1. Christopher Cochran
2. 3
3. A straightforward approach to writing Horror.
4. I drive an ancient pickup truck by choice.

[Judith Potocki]

Hi, all!

I'm just arriving, and I may be out for awhile if Hurricane Milton slams Orlando tomorrow.

I've written a few screenplays, but never horror. However, after seeing newer horror movies I'm itching to give it a try. My normal genres are thriller and rom-com (go figure).

Let's see. I'm fairly normal — bleeeccch — but my family exhibits some paranormal activity.

In 1863 my grandmother-many-times-removed woke up and ran to her sleeping children for comfort; she'd dreamed their father had died in battle. Weeks later, she learned her husband did die that day at Chickamauga — the first major Civil War battle fought in Georgia. His best friend carved the minie ball that killed him from a tree and later gave it to her. That bark, wood, and metal relic is now a family heirloom.

Much more recently, my brother-in-law saw my mother several times after she died. Once she was out for a spin in a convertible with his deceased uncle. And everyone in his family — including my sister and their two kids — heard my mother scream while they were driving home from the movies. This occurred about six months after my mother died. When they got home they heard a voicemail from my father. He'd just re-met an old flame from high school and they'd started dating!

So apparently we see dead people. Hear them, too. In fact, that is what my horror story is about — the way certain people DO see one particular dead person.

I'm taking several courses and may not get much done on the homework — but I'm pumped to be with you all and to learn ways to make my story materialize. So to speak.

• This reply was modified 7 months ago by  Judith Potocki.

[Zachary Hunchar]

Be safe!

[William Sokolic]

Name: Bill Sokolic
2. How many scripts you’ve written? 8-9, not all of them ready for human contact. Only one is horror.
3. What you hope to get out of the class? A polished horror script
4. Something unique, special, strange or unusual about you? Where to begin. I also wrote three novels without a home. And I am a reporter. And I myself am strange and unusual, with too many instances to list here. I’ll leave you with one word: lipsnot.

[MADELINE PUCCIONI]

To start the class out, please introduce yourself below. That will give you a chance to be part of this group and learn how the forums work.

Tell us the following:

1. Name? Madeline Puccioni
2. How many scripts you’ve written?
I’ve written dozens of short stage plays, two full length screenplays, and three full length stage play. This is my first attempt at writing a horror screenplay
3. What you hope to get out of the class? — I hope to finish a good original and marketable horror feature screenplay
4. Something unique, special, strange or unusual about you? I’m 80 years old and I plan to live until I’m 112.

We look forward to working with you all!

[Renee Johnson]

Hello all,

I’m Renee. I hope to get a good script out of this class. About me…. I need a computer soooo bad. It takes forever to make this thing do what I need it to do. I can’t explain dragging my feet. One of these days I will end my torment and make the leap. Until then I will continue in my dread.

[David Wetzel]

1. Dave Wetzel

2. To date, I've written four screenplays including a YA TV Pilot, I have a screenplay currently listed on The Black List site and was so grateful to recently receive an overall score of 8/10! So happy!

3. I hope to gain the foundational skills to write a solid and marketable horror screenplay that can be shot for under $5-8 million using very few locations with 90% practical effects with a possible series spin off.

4. I'm a registered pharmacist in CA, NY and OH and hold a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. It's great to meet everyone!

• This reply was modified 7 months ago by  David Wetzel.
• This reply was modified 7 months ago by  David Wetzel.

[Toni Truong]

Hi, I’m Toni and I’ve only written scenes from ideas. I haven’t written a full script. I have a concept for a horror idea but don’t know how to make the “monster” terrifying. I look forward to learning how to make my idea scary and make the story compelling. I love grocery stores and trying out new recipes. If I’m trying a recipe for the first time, I’m vigilant about getting every single ingredient. My curse (or gift) is that one store never seems to have all I need so I have to go to three — worth it every time.

[Harold Burdick]

Hello everyone. I’m Hunt, and I’ve written screenplays but nothing in the true “horror” genre.

I’m working with three different ideas/concepts for a script and I think this class will help point me to the best one to complete.

So looking forward to it!

– Hunt

[Nyambura M. Waruingi]

Hello everyone,

Really excited to be here. My name is Nyambura M. Waruingi. I’m a Proseries2011 alum and it was soooo worth it.

I haven’t taken a writing class in a couple of years so looking forward to the growth.

I’m here because I am a multi-media creator who writes games, screenplays, and stage plays. And with my new body of work, I am writing a multi-genre horror installation and I’m here to work on the story/worldbuilding/lore. This would be the foundation for the short film, tv series, and the cut scenes within the game.

I’ve written 4 short films, 3 feature-length films, and 10 TV episodes. Of which my short, Falling In Love With Joginder Singh, and feature-length, Zara, were awarded writing grants. And the TV episodes, RUSH, were broadcast on African Magic Channel, where they were nominated and won an award. I have mostly written drama with comedy elements. So horror is new and I can’t wait to dive in.

I cook feasts to destress. Autumn and Spring are my favourite seasons because they are about transition/evolution/transformation. I buy books, which I sometimes never read and will mostly likely give away, because I love the written word.

Ciao for now.