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Have you considered introducing some supernatural element to it? We see that someone is definitely doing some creepy magic in this town... led to believe its the twins... but in a twist it turns out to be someone else. Or the twins are magic but not in an evil way.
Just spitballing.
Honestly hadn't considered taking a supernatural route with this. Does present some interesting options.
Maybe ever since the twins and their mother arrived, the town seems to be surrounded by bad luck. Crops going bad, livestock getting sick, stuff like that. What if it's not the twins, but actually the mother who is the root of the evil?
Hmm. Gonna run this by John and see what he thinks.
Evil twins? Fantastic, Zack. Is one evil, one not? Or is one covering for the other? Brian De Palma's, Sisters is a classic horror everyone should catch. Kids and horror - great combo.
I like the idea of one being evil and manipulating the other one.
I like the idea of this and although I may be largely unqualified to comment if you would allow me for a moment I'd like to add in a suggestion.
Instead of a gravity train have it run on thermal radiation, the closer it gets to the centre of the earth, the source of the heat and radiation, the faster it gets, downside is the possibility of radiation flooding the train, but in this instance, the radiation takes the form of demons.
Just a thought, thanks for indulging me.
Thanks for the suggestion. Don't worry about being "qualified" - none of us are, and it is always good to get the perspective of others.
Think I will keep it as a gravity train as I don't want to overcomplicate things. And really, the propulsion system of the train isn't really that important.
In the spirit of sharing and getting some advise, here's my plan for my script and it's a topic that's been close to my heart for years. Jack the Ripper. I know it's been done to death but I have my own theories on why Jack did what he did so I'm incorporating that into my story. Basically, a woman survives an attack by Jack and is used by the police to lure him out. But the trauma of the attack causes PTSD, hallucinations, nightmares and grim desire for revenge. I'm listing and creating backstories for my characters and I've already started on the script, but it's gonna be a grind
I do like a good Jack the Ripper story - But I am a bit obsessed with the Victorian era.
As has been pointed out, it doesn't matter if something has been done before if you can put your own spin or stamp on it to make it fresh again.
I would say being the victim of a major violent crime is quite a traumatic life event and would certainly change a person - But not up to me if it qualifies or not.
Alright, the great John Staats has joined the team and helped me develop my original concept further.
Title - From Bad To Worse
When Earl's only son dies in a horrible bus crash, the distraught father is certain that the only survivors of the accident (a pair of twins) are somehow responsible. A few of the other grieving parents side with Earl. The twins have had a troubled past, some even believe they were responsible for their own fathers' death the year prior, but the twins' mother stands firm in her belief that her children are innocent and kind-hearted. As night falls, Earl and his mob of grieving parents descend upon the twins' house. Can the mother save her children from the vengeful bunch? Should she even try?
What John and I are aiming for is a siege film, in the same vain as "Assualt on Precinct 13" and "Dog Soldiers".
Twins - and kids in general - in horror movies can be really creepy. Good choice.
Where is the horror going to come from? bear in mind that I don't watch horror movies that much - does the mob turn a bit sadistic?
Hey Geezis, I like what you got so far. And I think doing character backstories can be really helpful. Jack the Ripper will never get old, there's always a new way to tell it. Having a damaged woman looking to get even is certainly a bit different.
You could maybe even change it up more by including a clearer life event as others suggested. For example, maybe the woman he attacks is his last kill, something about it shakes him and he decides to give it up (retirement).
So he's trying to live a normal life, missing the thrill, memories coming back to haunt him... while she's doggedly trying to draw him back into the game to exact vengeance.
Good morning, sorry for the late reply, I’ve just woken up, the time difference might be an issue when posting Having a more defined life changing event seems to be a recurring suggestion, I can adopt that into one of my main characters but still retain my original idea. I’ll have 2 events within my story then. A bit more challenging but if I don’t push myself I’ll never improve. Thanks everyone for the feedback, I’m already thinking of ways to incorporate the suggestions into my script.
If at first you don't succeed........bribe someone.
Good morning, sorry for the late reply, I�ve just woken up, the time difference might be an issue when posting Having a more defined life changing event seems to be a recurring suggestion, I can adopt that into one of my main characters but still retain my original idea. I�ll have 2 events within my story then. A bit more challenging but if I don�t push myself I�ll never improve. Thanks everyone for the feedback, I�m already thinking of ways to incorporate the suggestions into my script.
She has been attacked by a serial killer right? She could sustain a life-changing physical injury, or suffer life-changing psychological damage. "personal injury or illness" is on the life change index scale so must qualify
She has been attacked by a serial killer right? She could sustain a life-changing physical injury, or suffer life-changing psychological damage. "personal injury or illness" is on the life change index scale so must qualify
I read the index as posted and I thought it qualified, not only is there physical but also psychological injury. And that changes lives. I've had a lot of great suggestions and I'm taking them on board. My mind is set on my story and I'll add in the suggested changes as I develop the script, I've already had a couple of ideas to develop based on the suggestions.
If at first you don't succeed........bribe someone.
Where is the horror going to come from? bear in mind that I don't watch horror movies that much - does the mob turn a bit sadistic?
At first, the horror will be presented from the perspective of the mother, who desperately tries to protect her children, since she believes they are innocent. At the start of the third act, we are gonna flip the story on its head. The protagonists and the antagonists will flip, then the real horror will be revealed when it becomes clear that the twins are most definitely evil. It's gonna be tricky, but I think John and I can pull this off.
I read the index as posted and I thought it qualified, not only is there physical but also psychological injury. And that changes lives. I've had a lot of great suggestions and I'm taking them on board. My mind is set on my story and I'll add in the suggested changes as I develop the script, I've already had a couple of ideas to develop based on the suggestions.
It's all good, Geezis. I like what you've come up with so far. Full steam ahead!
So far, it looks like these brave souls are at least attempting to climb the mountain:
Geezis Matthew Zack John Henb Arundel Me (cheating using oxygen tanks) Andrew Heretic AlsoBen Marnie Zombie Sean Dena??????
And these people have either joined the climb or are still deciding at base camp:
Midsommar has a far more disturbing and ugly catalyst than that - the death of her family under horrible circumstances. The breakup she instigates in a very novel way comes at the end - breaking up for good, let's say.
Anyway, you said you hadn't seen it so...
As far as Andrew's idea that would work if his main character for example moved cities for what he thinks is going to be a life-changing career move, then murders a business rival, (for some desperate reason) -
- and then a chain of horrific events ensues. Something like that would work, wouldn't it? It's all about linking the sudden event of change?
Btw, welcome to Oz, Andrew! Are you working in the film industry here?
Hey Libby, you've summed it up better than me! You've given it that shape to make it compliant with the challenge.
I was throwing an idea out with some linkage to the theme, but really have always wanted to write a story about a murderous protag. I know it's in vogue right now with 'You', but it's always seemed like such rich territory to explore.
I guess to stay within the parameters of the challenge (as you say), person A, moves to a new country triggering the long supressed desire to kill. For example, there was a serial killer in the UK who was caught, and then there were a number of cases he was linked to in Australia that aligned with the period he lived out here.
I would have to think about the set-up, genre I want to explore, but it seems like a shell of an idea to work with. Lots of avenues for it to go.
No, I'm no longer in the industry. I sold out and become a coprorate hack. Been doing that in London and NYC in past few years, and now the show has come to Sydney. Aiming to be back in the future, but love being back here. Sydney is glorious. Where in Aus are you?
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