Why ksc?Read all about it!
Here you'll find a brief history of my screenwriting & related writing work. In other words, check out my credentials! |
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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, 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 spring of 2022, I completed my 15th feature spec script, a piece entitled A Stench in the Nostrils of God.
[-] Since I entered my first film festival back in 2012, many of my scripts have won, placed or been selected (48 times to be exact) in various film festivals and script competitions. Here's that complete list:
A Stench in the Nostrils of God
[-] 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 the second half of 2019, I was hired to pen a feature-length screenplay. I fulfilled the contract, and excitedly await further news about the piece's potential production.
[-] In the first half of 2020, I partnered up 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 the works, 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 and at Brigham Young University. He currently teaches screenwriting and film production at Utah Valley University.
[-] I recently completed a fifth draft of my first novel and work continues on the sixth (and final?) draft. I'm anticipating completion by late 2023. I also am at work on what will be my second and third novels.
[-] 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 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.
[-] Three of my horror film essays have been published in physical form.
[-] 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 spring of 2022, I completed my 15th feature spec script, a piece entitled A Stench in the Nostrils of God.
[-] Since I entered my first film festival back in 2012, many of my scripts have won, placed or been selected (48 times to be exact) in various film festivals and script competitions. Here's that complete list:
A Stench in the Nostrils of God
- 2023 FilmQuest Screenplay Finalist
- 2022 Screamfest Screenplay Semi-Finalist
- 2022 Boston Horror Comedy Film Festival Quarter-Finalist
- 2021 Screamfest TOP FIVE Screenplay Finalist
- 2021 Academy Nicholl Fellowship Top 20%
- 2021 FilmQuest Feature Screenplay Finalist
- 2021 NOLA Horror Film Festival Top 25 Feature Screenplay Finalist
- 2021 Indie Suspense / Horror / Sci-Fi Film Festival Official Selection
- 2021 LA International Horror Film Festival Official Selection
- 2021 Table Read My Screenplay Genre Competition Horror / Sci-Fi Semi-Finalist
- 2021 Austin After Dark Film Festival Official Selection
- 2020 ISA Virtual Pitch Challenge Finalist
- 2020 Vegas Cinefest Int'l Film Festival Official Selection
- 2020 Screamwriting Festival Official Selection
- 2020 Los Angeles Crime and Horror Film Festival Semi-Finalist
- 2020 Page Turner Genre Competition Quarter-Finalist
- 2020 Table Read My Screenplay Finalist
- 2020 NOLA Horror Film Festival Semi-Finalist
- 2020 FilmQuest Official Selection
- 2020 ISA Virtual Pitch Challenge Finalist
- 2019 Creative Screenwriting Unique Voices Horror Genre WINNER
- 2019 Nightmares Film Festival Top 13 Finalist
- 2019 Screamfest Semi-Finalist
- 2019 Table Read My Screenplay - Austin Semi-Finalist
- 2019 FilmQuest Official Selection
- 2018 FilmQuest Official Selection
- 2018 Shriekfest Semi-Finalist
- 2023 Creative Screenwriting Semi-Finalist
- 2017 Academy Nicholl Fellowship Top 20%
- 2017 FilmQuest Top Ten Finalist
- 2017 Shriekfest Quarter-Finalist
- 2017 NOLA Horror Film Festival Top Ten Finalist
- 2021 ISA Fast Track Fellowship Second Round
- 2016 Screamfest Top Five Finalist
- 2016 FilmQuest Top Ten Finalist
- 2016 NOLA Horror Film Festival Top Ten Finalist
- 2016 Shriekfest Quarter-Finalist
- 2016 RIP Horror Film Festival Official Selection
- 2016 FilmQuest Semi-Finalist
- 2015 Shriekfest Semi-Finalist
- 2015 Fright Night Film Festival Official Selection
- 2021 ISA Comedy & Genre Busting Screenplay Competition Quarter-Finalist
- 2015 World Series of Screenwriting Comedy Finalist
- 2013 Shriekfest Semi-Finalist
- 2013 Beverly Hills Film Festival Official Selection
- 2013 Hollywood Screenplay Contest Horror Finalist
- 2013 Cinestory Quarter-Finalist
- 2012 Beverly Hills Film Festival Official Selection
[-] 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 the second half of 2019, I was hired to pen a feature-length screenplay. I fulfilled the contract, and excitedly await further news about the piece's potential production.
[-] In the first half of 2020, I partnered up 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 the works, 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 and at Brigham Young University. He currently teaches screenwriting and film production at Utah Valley University.
[-] I recently completed a fifth draft of my first novel and work continues on the sixth (and final?) draft. I'm anticipating completion by late 2023. I also am at work on what will be my second and third novels.
[-] 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 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.
[-] 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.