Hey everyone, how are you all doing? I’ve been absent from this place for a little bit now, as I haven’t been writing very much. Instead I’ve actually been filming some random short horror movies on my own, as I’ve taken a strong interest into the filmmaking side as well. I’m trying to get back in the writing mode again, though, and hopefully plan on filming some of these ideas as well. What I’ve been filming, I’ve done without a script as I mainly just wanted to get some practice using the camera and getting some of the techniques down and what not.

ANYWAY with that being said, I do have a few ideas that I plan on writing as short scripts, and maybe even possibly a feature. My first idea I’ve actually had for a while now, I was going to write a feature but plans on that fell through, I did however end up turning it into a short script, which I’ve posted on here, The Crystal Demon, about a Demon who possesses the bodies of drug addicts. I really didn’t like how the short script turned out, and I actually revamped the idea for it a little bit and I’d like to know what you guys think. The story is going to start out with a small group of friends getting high and shooting up...then one of the friends ends up having an accidental overdose and dies. The others don’t know what to do, they’re scared and don’t want to go to jail so they end up taking the body and putting it down in the basement...then they try coming up with a gameplan on what to do, and unbeknownst to them, an evil entity/demon has already taken over their friends body and it proceeds to wreck havoc on them.

I actually really like that idea, but I fear it may be too unoriginal...I think some people will compare it to the Evil Dead remake, which I actually noticed some similarities AFTER I came up with the idea. Do you guys think it’s original enough? And do you think it would make for an interesting short film, or even possibly a feature?

My other idea for a short would start off with someone taking a shower in the morning, eating breakfast, the normal routine, and maybe even do some not so normal things, like rummage through the dresser drawers, and smell the underwear, etc. anyway, in the end, the twist will be revealed that it’s not actually that persons house, they are actually just hiding there and secretly living in the basement/attic/whatever- and only coming out whenever the homeowner isn’t there. I think that would make a pretty good short film and has the potential to be extremely creepy.

The last idea I have is about this small town and how everyone is playing the “you rock” game where they take a rock, paint something nice or positive on it, and hide it for others to find so it can brighten their day. Anyway the main character finds a rock with a number 3 painted on it and someone’s name written on the other side. In the end, it turns out that person is actually a missing person, the 3rd one in recent weeks. Basically the person who painted the rock, killed that missing person WITH that rock, and proceeded to hide it...it’s confusing with how I’m describing it right now but in my head it has the potential to be a very good, disturbing short horror film.

Sorry guys, I know that was a lot to read- I would just like to know what you all think of my ideas, if they are original enough, have potential, anything I can change/add, etc. I also hope to be reading more and posting a lot more as well! In the mean time, have a good day everyone! And it’s good to be back here again :)

(Note: this really isn't what this thread is intended to be, but, I'll respond anyway.)

My advice is: write 'em up.

They're shorts. Won't take that long to write, so, get to it.

In the end, it's all about the script anyway... so, experiment. Find out what they look like on the page. And, as you may know, your ideas may morph as you start writing. There may be an even better idea that comes out as you write.

To answer your question though:

#1: Of all your ideas, I think this one feels most like it could be really good, or really bad, depending on how you write it up. So, let's see how you play it out.
#2: I think I've seen a version of this as a produced short on this site. If I recall, their twist was that the person living in the house was a ghost, so, yours is a different take. But, that's pretty close.
#3: Not sure what to make of this one. It feels more like a small part of a bigger piece. Someone finds the rock... what do they do with it? Will a detective be involved? Presumably there are more rocks... does your main character find them also? How do they discover what it means, and what do they do with that information? Sorry, but, again, it all comes down to execution, which we won't know until you write it up.

Get crackin'! The writing is the fun part.

The Rock premise was the most interesting one to me.

The rock thing is interesting. I have kids, and the neighborhood parents would have their kids decorate the rocks for other kids to find. You could easily turn this into a Stand By Me type of thing revolving around kids who find the rocks and maybe are convinced some "scary old dude" is planting some of them. Could either go the Summer of 84 route where they're correct in their suspicion, or....blanking on a movie where their assumption was wrong.

I love the rock concept. Could even be a feature I think.

I loved your second and third idea. As the first comment said, the writing part is super important so I hope to read it soon!
for the second one, you could make it seem as if he is nervous because someone is threatening him or like. he is scared of attack on his house but it's actually the fear of getting caught (hope I make sense lol)

good luck!

The rock one sounds a bit different and intriguing, the other two have been done extensively. Saying that though, pretty much everything has been done. It's not about being completely original, it's about taking an idea and twisting it enough so it seems new.

As others have said, write them up. As they are shorts they won't take long. See which one shines the most with you.

This is only my opinion, but I feel as though execution trumps originality when it comes to short films. They exist to let you hone your craft and build up your creative muscle bit by bit. Don't get me wrong though -- originality is awesome and if you have a great idea, by all means go for it! I'm just saying that a simple short made well can go a long way even if it breaks no new ground at all.

The first one about the intruder living in the house actually happened in real-life in Japan. Not sure if you were aware, but I'd totally watch a short based on that.

I do like the rock idea too. Either one could work very well IMO!