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[-] I was 10 years old when I wrote my first short story, a horror tale entitled "House of the Dead". I've been writing in some form or fashion (prose, poetry, stage-plays, journals, blogs, screenplays, fan fiction, novels, news articles, celebrity interviews, film reviews, book reviews) ever since.
[-] While attaining my BA degree in Theatre at Minnesota State University; Moorhead (my degree focus was on stage acting and directing) I took play-writing and creative writing courses as well. |
[-] I've been writing screenplays since 2004. And other than the valuable input from trusted professionals who have crossed my path (as well as gifted friends) and one weekend class early on in this venture, I'm basically self-taught, picking up tips and suggestions along the way -- working to make my own writing better and cleaner. In the winter of 2024, I completed my 17th feature spec script, a piece entitled Santa Claus is Coming to Hell! with filmmaker Ben Alpi.
[-] Since I entered my first film festival back in 2012, many of my scripts have won, placed in or been selected for (56 times to be exact) various film festivals and script competitions. Here's that complete list:
[-] Since I entered my first film festival back in 2012, many of my scripts have won, placed in or been selected for (56 times to be exact) various film festivals and script competitions. Here's that complete list:
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Santa Claus is Coming to Hell! (w/ Ben Alpi)
A Stench in the Nostrils of God
Trip
Mom Died
The Costume People
Furnish
Tonight I Shall Lease Your Soul (w/ Chris McCaleb)
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One Last Build in Centralia
Boys
Christian Demons
Spider Eaters
A. Family Portrait
Me & Simon Baker
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[-] In 2016, based on my Screamfest Top Five Finalist placement for my feature screenplay, Spider Eaters, I was approached by an independent film producer for a write-to-hire gig. I am currently developing a project with this company.
[-] In 2018, my feature spec script The Costume People was optioned for production.
[-] In 2019 I was hired to pen a feature-length screenplay entitled "Boss". I fulfilled the contract and excitedly await further news about the piece's potential production.
[-] In the first half of 2020 I partnered with award-winning filmmaker Audrey Cummings to develop my feature spec script, Mom Died, for potential production.
[-] In the second half of 2020, I was hired to develop/write two feature-length screenplays. One project is still in development, and the second was filmed and released in summer 2022, as a Tubi Original. Check out Dead Zone's IMDb page.
[-] My writing colleague, Crit Killen, uses my feature screenplay, Spider Eaters, as a teaching tool in his screenwriting course -- using the script as an example of proper story structure. In the past, he's taught screenwriting and film studies at UCLA, USC, Brigham Young University and Utah Valley University.
[-] My first novel, "What the House Saw" is complete. I've had two offers (terms could not be agreed upon) from boutique publishers. The entire manuscript was requested by and sent to a Toronto-based literary agency. I also am at work on multiple other novel projects.
[-] From 2014 to 2019, I was a film critic for the online horror source, Horror Freak News, penning approximately 400 movie reviews and feature articles. The great thing about this experience, is that I am coming to your script with not only my personal writing background, but also from the perspective of a keen audience member and experienced film reviewer. When writing reviews, I offered praise where it was warranted, and all of my criticisms were backed with specific examples. It'll be the same with your scripts. But instead of "less-than pieces" to mar a completed film (where story problems can't be addressed at such a late stage) you can fix any shortcomings now, before it goes into production! Here is a link to my film review / feature articles archives.
[-] From 2017 to 2022, I penned several dozen feature articles, book reviews and film reviews for Tom Holland's Terror Time.
[-] In early 2023, I joined up with the We Make Movies Int'l Film Festival as they moved into their 5th year. I was named Director of the brand new Short Screenplay Competition, and helped to develop this arm of the festival.
[-] My short film "Immolation" (I was writer, producer and lead actor) was nominated for "Best Writing" (feature or short) at the inaugural Queer Screams Film Festival in summer 2023.
[-] My short film "Immolation" was nominated for Best Produced Short Screenplay @ 2023's HorrorHaus Film Festival.
[-] In 2023, I wrote an article for the new print magazine, Cinema Macabre.
[-] In 2023 and 2024, I penned two feature articles for MovieMaker Magazine: 1) A behind-the-scenes look at the production of my short film, "Immolation". 2) A "do this, not that" article on screenwriting. Both articles appeared in the magazine's quarterly print issues.
[-] In 2024, I partnered with Scott Kettner (a repeat client for KSC) and co-wrote a feature script entitled Him, which is currently in pre-production.
[-] Three of my horror film essays have been published in physical form.
[-] In 2016, based on my Screamfest Top Five Finalist placement for my feature screenplay, Spider Eaters, I was approached by an independent film producer for a write-to-hire gig. I am currently developing a project with this company.
[-] In 2018, my feature spec script The Costume People was optioned for production.
[-] In 2019 I was hired to pen a feature-length screenplay entitled "Boss". I fulfilled the contract and excitedly await further news about the piece's potential production.
[-] In the first half of 2020 I partnered with award-winning filmmaker Audrey Cummings to develop my feature spec script, Mom Died, for potential production.
[-] In the second half of 2020, I was hired to develop/write two feature-length screenplays. One project is still in development, and the second was filmed and released in summer 2022, as a Tubi Original. Check out Dead Zone's IMDb page.
[-] My writing colleague, Crit Killen, uses my feature screenplay, Spider Eaters, as a teaching tool in his screenwriting course -- using the script as an example of proper story structure. In the past, he's taught screenwriting and film studies at UCLA, USC, Brigham Young University and Utah Valley University.
[-] My first novel, "What the House Saw" is complete. I've had two offers (terms could not be agreed upon) from boutique publishers. The entire manuscript was requested by and sent to a Toronto-based literary agency. I also am at work on multiple other novel projects.
[-] From 2014 to 2019, I was a film critic for the online horror source, Horror Freak News, penning approximately 400 movie reviews and feature articles. The great thing about this experience, is that I am coming to your script with not only my personal writing background, but also from the perspective of a keen audience member and experienced film reviewer. When writing reviews, I offered praise where it was warranted, and all of my criticisms were backed with specific examples. It'll be the same with your scripts. But instead of "less-than pieces" to mar a completed film (where story problems can't be addressed at such a late stage) you can fix any shortcomings now, before it goes into production! Here is a link to my film review / feature articles archives.
[-] From 2017 to 2022, I penned several dozen feature articles, book reviews and film reviews for Tom Holland's Terror Time.
[-] In early 2023, I joined up with the We Make Movies Int'l Film Festival as they moved into their 5th year. I was named Director of the brand new Short Screenplay Competition, and helped to develop this arm of the festival.
[-] My short film "Immolation" (I was writer, producer and lead actor) was nominated for "Best Writing" (feature or short) at the inaugural Queer Screams Film Festival in summer 2023.
[-] My short film "Immolation" was nominated for Best Produced Short Screenplay @ 2023's HorrorHaus Film Festival.
[-] In 2023, I wrote an article for the new print magazine, Cinema Macabre.
[-] In 2023 and 2024, I penned two feature articles for MovieMaker Magazine: 1) A behind-the-scenes look at the production of my short film, "Immolation". 2) A "do this, not that" article on screenwriting. Both articles appeared in the magazine's quarterly print issues.
[-] In 2024, I partnered with Scott Kettner (a repeat client for KSC) and co-wrote a feature script entitled Him, which is currently in pre-production.
[-] Three of my horror film essays have been published in physical form.
- The Inspiring World of Horror. Edited by Caillou Pettis. My essay covers 1982's Poltergeist.
- My Favorite Horror Movie. Edited by Christian Ackerman. My essay covers 1985's Day of the Dead.
- Hidden Horror. Edited by Aaron Christensen. My essay covers 1976's Shock Waves.