Lesson 13

[Deb Johnson]

Deb’s Scares, Releases, and Creepy Moments!

What I learned… Scares, releases, and creepy moments can be used in any scene. These are great techniques that can be used as a setup or as a way to keep the audience on edge. Releases are also important so there is an ebb and flow to the horror.

EXT. MAMA LEE’S HOUSE – DAY

Gabe and Aaron walk across the front yard. Gabe snaps photos of the peculiar debris scattered; a porcelain doll head, a child’s bike, books, and a school crossing sign.

Gabe knocks on the front door, and as Aaron follows, the handrail breaks off. He regains his balance.

MAMA LEE, 65, plump with jet black hair, wears a wraparound flowered dress. She pushes her glasses up on her nose.

MAMA LEE: Well, look what the storm blew in! Come in! Come in! Aaron, so nice of you to drop by.

They enter the tilted house.

GABE: Mama Lee, the house is unstable. You should leave.

MAMA LEE: Honey, this old house has weathered worse.

INT – MAMA LEES HOUSE – KITCHEN – CONTINUOUS

Gabe and Aaron follow Mama Lee to the kitchen.

Gabe’s gaze drifts to the backyard. He freezes as he spots a lifeless body amidst the debris. Mama Lee busies herself with a propane burner and a coffee pot. Gabe motions to Aaron who is also shocked.

MAMA LEE: Will you be in town long?

GABE: Just here to cover the story.

Aaron moves and stands in front of the window. Mama Lee notices.

MAMA LEE: I know about the body boys. It’s Barbara. Not much I can do now.

Gabe and Aaron exchange uncertain glances.

GABE: Who’s Barbara?

Mama Lee gets coffee cream from the dark fridge.

MAMA LEE: Lives… I mean lived, about two blocks away. We visit just about every Tuesday. Always came by with her Shih Tzu. Snickers.

AARON: Snickers?

MAMA LEE: The dog’s name.

GABE: Mama Lee, about the tornado… can you describe your experience?

MAMA LEE: God’s judgment, dear. But I escaped His wrath. Why don’t you boys grab a mug? Make yourselves at home.

Aaron picks up a mug that reads “Live, Laugh, Love.” Mama Lee chuckles.

MAMA LEE: Barbara’s favorite. Bless her heart.

She pours coffee into the mug. Aaron looks out the window at the corpse.