Length of my horror script....

GonnaBeFamous · Jul 19, 2005

I think horror scripts should be the shortest of all movies because the element of surprise and killings can only go for a certain amount of time before it loses its, well horror.

Anyways I wrote a horror script and have been revising it and it looks like the final might be about 86 pages. Ive read Halloween H20 production script and that was 86 pages also with even cut to's between scenes to add extra white space and an ungodly number of subheadings for character and object closeups(mine has some too just not quite as many

). The thing is that is a sequel. Am I doing something wrong byhaving it this short as a non-sequel? One note, one part of my scene would take a lot of work as far as(non action wise) as far as special effects so maybe its not a bad thing mine is slim to help decrease budget for independants(I'd be kidding myself if hollwood wanted it

)

Boo_Radley · Jul 19, 2005

Your average horror script is usually around ninety pages, so 88's close enough.

Notice, however, some of the greatest horror films run nearly two hours, if not more. Films like the original Dawn of the Dead, The Exorcist, Scream, and others are lengthy, but for a reason; the writers took the time to flesh out their characters and add drama to the horror, with different types of human struggle other than "I must escape this guy with the hockey mask and big *** machete".

So if you're writing a horror script and feel it's too short, take the time to read back over it and see where you can make things more interesting either character-or plot-wise.

A few years ago a filmmaking friend of mine wrote a horror screenplay and asked if I'd give it a look because he thought it was missing something. I read it, and he was right. It WAS missing something. Namely, there wasn't a single character you cared about. In my opinion, the best horror films are the ones which have those characters whom you want to see survive, but who die, anyway. It adds to the shock and horror much more than killing "Bikini Bimbo #3."

GonnaBeFamous · Jul 19, 2005

My movie is about one character. Im finding that if I make it too long I wind up adding cheesy dialogue with too much emotion. I had to cut out 5 pages in the last few days alone after already cutting out about 7 or 8 a few weeks ago.

GonnaBeFamous · Jul 19, 2005

Thanks for the idea of killing the main character. Since my movie is based on one character I think that would be a good ending. I spared her but since im low on pages I think that would be something that I could pad the movie with an extra page or two and hopefully get real closet to 90 if not reach it. Originally i wanted sequel potential but i realize i'd be lucky if this thing ever saw the light of day in a producers studio, so I'll do your suggestion.

One question could I get away with a day or 3 day time lapse between showdown of mass killings and the final killing of the main character or should I have it happen within the same day or hour?

Boo_Radley · Jul 19, 2005

I couldn't even wager a guess, my man. You'll know what works best for your story. My only piece of advice would be that if you're going to kill your main character off, make sure it fits the story. If it's just tacked on for shock value alone, it'll show.

GonnaBeFamous · Jul 19, 2005

Boo_Radley said:
I couldn't even wager a guess, my man. You'll know what works best for your story. My only piece of advice would be that if you're going to kill your main character off, make sure it fits the story. If it's just tacked on for shock value alone, it'll show.

I'm not sure what you mean by fit the story, cause I would think you could rewrite it at the end for it to fit in almost any case. Anyways, let me explain mine in general terms and see what you think. Originally I had it where the killer "dissapears" after the mass killings and that was the end(possible potential for sequel

)

I just decided I don't want to kill the main character now, cause I will have more then one person with the main character for showdown 2 so I think it would be more dramatic if I let her escape twice since I already have the guy dissapear. Do you think that is as dramatic? Or do you think I still have to kill the main character for ultimate drama even if the friends are all killed off and the person escapes twice? I need sorta a second opinion, doesn't really matter a whole lot if the main character dies or not doesn't change my story much at this point.

dpaterso · Jul 19, 2005

I'd just like to say, every time Bikini Bimbo #3 gets hacked to pieces I have an extremely emotional response.

-Derek
Derek's Web Page - stories, screenplays, novels, insanity.

GonnaBeFamous · Jul 19, 2005

Sorry if my posts are hard to understand. I'm having trouble editing these posts. There seems to be a delay.

LOL@ DP

Length of my horror script....

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