Hi People, I'm brand new here so, I don't know the lay of the land that well.

I'm a film maker and I'm looking for a particular brand of script that just doesn't seem to exist. Firstly, I should explain that I'm a fan of movies like the Ray Harryhausen films and movies like 'Aliens', Ghost 'Busters', John Carpenter's 'The Thing' and so on... movies that involve creature special effects. (which is primarily what I create)

I'm currently producing animated special effects for a new Sinbad film and am hoping to find a script to move onto producing myself after this, but I don't seem to be able to find any pre-existing stories or scripts that fit the mold I'm looking for. I HAVE found plenty of zombie flicks but, that's not the genre I'm seeking... don't people like monsters anymore???

The type of film I'm talking about is like one I worked on many years ago called 'Metamorphosis: The Alien Factor' (which is available to watch in it's entirety on Youtube)

I'm based in New York and so for me, the ideal script would be something with a New York based location. (like Cloverfield or Ghost Busters) But it wouldn't be out of the realm of possibility to use another location so long as it could be done on an indie film budget.

I'm looking for something that really features the creature effects but is based in a real Human world - like a Sinbad film does but, it would be easier for me to use mostly real life locations. I'm looking for either a serious or comedy film script but, I'm not into gross shock 'value' low budget horror crap... in other words, I'm looking for a real solid script which would require some real acting.

I've scanned through the horror & action scripts here and maybe I've missed something but, are monsters no longer on the menu?

How about a modern day adaptation of Frankenstein that takes place in the South Bronx?  If this interests you, click here for my script, Frankincense.


Phil

Adaptations, remakes, sequels, prequels and 'based upons' are strictly off my list of interests. Only new and original scripts are acceptable to me. Films based upon Frankenstein are DONE, finished, over and last century's news. Frankenstein is dead, let him rest in peace.

Sequels, prequels and remakes are Hollywood's business, stock and trade - they are simply refusing any new titles at this time. Original script writers - need not apply.

I'd recommend Territory - but it's set in the Philippines...a little far from NYC!

What was that Bonestalker one or something like that?

That was a decent creature feature.

Quoted from Ron Cole Films based upon Frankenstein are DONE, finished, over and last century's news. Frankenstein is dead, let him rest in peace.

Tell that to Guillermo del Toro.

Unfortunately, I have nothing else to show you.


Phil

Again - remakes, sequels, prequels and 'based upons' are Hollywood's primary product. I'm sure Frankenweenie Part II, Part III and Revenge of Frankenweenie are already written and awaiting a 'go-ahead' (if not already in production)  Frankenweenie Vs Dracuweenie is being discussed I'm sure.  

Not sure what your time frame is. Maybe you could encourage a contest here, give people a week to write a 20 to 30 page short within your guidelines. No promises or obligations on your part, but if you found that you liked any of them you could encourage their expansion into a feature.

Just a thought. And of course if you need the script quick, that wouldn't work.

Frankenweeinie vs. Megacroc.
Frankenweenie vs Sharktopus.

I doubt I'm the first to come up with these shitty ideas...

Phil

Not a bad idea to do a 30 page challenge.  

That way, you would be sure to get something that's within the boundaries of what you're looking for...(indie, creature feature, NYC based, etc...)  Then it's just a matter of separating the wheat from the chaff in terms of writing styles and ideas.  Not that any of them will be *guaranteed* to work, but it's definitely worth a shot.  And free.

Question, Ron - what budget range are we talking?

PS: I'm an old FX person myself...though didn't even get to the "IMDB CREDIT" level of work.  But if you want to talk Deadly Spawn, The Thing, Metamorphosis and similar creature features, I'm definitely familiar.  (As are several others on the board, of course.)

While I do have some creature features, not one of them is set in NYC. Also, with the possible exception of the short Mallory's Friend (goth girl believes her pet caterpillar speaks to her) and the full length Creatures Of HABIT,  (sci-fi/horror; think giant man eating frogs-not what you're looking for anyway) and the killer tree plants series (Planted) - and then there's the fantasy-horror short 'Dragons of Ash' short but that's not in modern day so that's out.  I don't have much of creature features on the site --which I was stunned to discover. I actually thought I had one up here, and I LOVE creature features.

I have some of those creature features on other sites, one full length's got a mutant crocodile; a 16p short has a grave digging gargoyle. That location isn't mentioned as in regards to city, state, or country.


That will soon be fixed. One more from my vaults isn't going to make any bit of difference to some peeps on the site.

{note: that short script, Something Is Out There,  has just been submitted.}

Then again, Workout Buddies could probably be expanded in sick and twisted ways....

Something's wrong here, I haven't been getting email updates consistently on this thread. I have gotten some so, that's why it's puzzling - I wasn't notified of the last 3 or 4 replies... curious.

Like I said at the start of this thread, I'm new to talking to script writers (my usual internet friends are animators and special effects people) so I had no idea there was anything like a 30 day challenge to be waged on writers. Hmmmmm, I'll need to think on this... Thanks!

It's up to you, but what I actually suggested was 1 week 30 pages, something like that. The scripts would be fairly raw but still give you an idea of the story and what the writer could do.

Quoted from leitskev It's up to you, but what I actually suggested was 1 week 30 pages, something like that. The scripts would be fairly raw but still give you an idea of the story and what the writer could do.

One week, 30 pgs? Raw? You don't say...

I have a short script here titled, "The Eye".

It's a B type movie, real cheezy, but it's fun, and it's only 17 pages.

It's about a killer eyeball that grows everytime it gets wet and kills people by bouncing on them and stabbing them with its spikey like eyelashes.

Here is the link: http://www.simplyscripts.com/scripts/THEEYE.pdf

Cindy

Quoted from DarrenJamesSeeley One week, 30 pgs? Raw? You don't say...

Raw?  More like frozen...


Phil

Quoted from Grandma Bear Hi Ron, I think our moderator George Willson wrote a creature feature for a producer some time ago. I think it's still available.

Yeah, the Creature Feature along with that very title is still out there and available. It was written for a low budget environment, so it has basically one location and six characters. You can see the current draft here.

I wouldn't say the genre is out of fashion in so much as people tend to find their niche and stick to it. I'm sure there are quite a few of the creature scripts on here, but perhaps the writers aren't regulars, and so they don't really promote them. Most people only read scripts for the people they know.

Quoted from leitskev It's up to you, but what I actually suggested was 1 week 30 pages, something like that. The scripts would be fairly raw but still give you an idea of the story and what the writer could do.

Definitely would need to be longer than that to make it worthwhile. Anyone can bash out 30 pages of crap in a week. Give people two weeks, three weeks, a month, and they've got time to consider, pace themselves and rewrite - and that's what'd separate the wheat from the chaff.

I agree with Ron - there should be more monster movies! Vampires and zombies are so tired now. I'm looking forward to Super 8, which promises to be more in this vein...

Quoted from JonnyBoy Anyone can bash out 30 pages of crap in a week.

A lot of them have!  Oh snap!

Quoted from JohhnyBoy Vampires and zombies are so tired now.

If people were to think outside the box, they can do some good things with these genre/sub-genres.  Unfortunately, too many people think Romero is the bar for zombies and Twilight is the bar for vampires.  And they are not!  They are, in fact, the downfalls for the genres.

On a recent trip to Barnes & Noble, I found a new section of books:  Supernatural Romance--

--can you taste the bile--?

--if this trend keeps up, vampires will no longer be monsters but creatures to be pitied.


Phil

All the great monsters were pitied eventually: Godzilla, King Kong, Frankenstein. Maybe pity is the mark of greatness.

Or a matter of running out of new ideas for them. There are only so many ways to kill them, and after awhile, what else can they do? Godzilla destroyed Tokyo so many times, the recent tsunami didn't even bother with it. King Kong fell from the Empire State Building twice, and they made Frankenstein fall in and out of love. And to top it all off, now our vampires are completely invincible to humans, and they (shudder) sparkle. These are dark times.

Simply time for a new monster. When it achieves pity status, it will be time for another!
It's inevitable there's a level of sympathy for things we get very familiar with. King Kong had it right from the outset. Frankenstein and Dracula were almost built for it too. Godzilla? His evolution to a "good" monster illustrates they all get there eventually.

I haven't seen the more recent Alien and Predator movies. Did it happen with them? I guess the alien was a little sympathetic in Aliens when they emphasized her mother aspect. Man, those guys are not very lovable either!

The monsters have evolved in the human kind.  When H-wood makes monsters, they're in the form of Hannibal Lechter and Michael Myers.  It's great when they're believable, but when they become superhuman, they're not so believable.


Phil

How about the Green Monster Phil? That scares ya!

Huge monsters like King kong and Gozilla are going to be disappear from the face of the earth ( Holywood). All the fuss about them was the huge city destruction they made and the special effects. Now a tsunami and a meteor is a more .... valid option if you want destruction. The monsters are becoming more and more sexier. Thats the new wave. You want monsters? Choose Megan Fox ( Jennifers Body). Best sexy monster ever: Bateman: American Psycho..... And im a guy!

Quoted from leitskev How about the Green Monster Phil? That scares ya!

The green monster disappears in October... often earlier.


Phil

Quoted from dogglebe A lot of them have!  Oh snap! If people were to think outside the box, they can do some good things with these genre/sub-genres.  Unfortunately, too many people think Romero is the bar for zombies and Twilight is the bar for vampires.  And they are not!  They are, in fact, the downfalls for the genres. On a recent trip to Barnes & Noble, I found a new section of books:  Supernatural Romance-- --can you taste the bile--? --if this trend keeps up, vampires will no longer be monsters but creatures to be pitied. Phil Phil

My wife reads these books Phil, and another genre called erotic horror! I looked through one and it was pretty full on stuff!
One had these 2 werewolves fighting while a female vampire watched. they changed into guys, got the horn and started shagging each other and then the chick joined in!

I only had a brief look you understand - maybe 20 pages or so...

A long way from Lon Chaney howling at the moon or Christopher Lee's blazing red eyes!

Quoted from George Willson Yeah, the Creature Feature along with that very title is still out there and available. It was written for a low budget environment, so it has basically one location and six characters. You can see the current draft here. I wouldn't say the genre is out of fashion in so much as people tend to find their niche and stick to it. I'm sure there are quite a few of the creature scripts on here, but perhaps the writers aren't regulars, and so they don't really promote them. Most people only read scripts for the people they know. That vanilla style is basically how I've always promoted the spec style around here. Glad it made the read easy. I was just going for a skeleton of a story that a crew could use to make a movie. It allows for a lot of freedom.

I remember reading that script, one I read not too long after joining.
That script was ripe with juicy opportunities, a fine skeleton to put flesh on!
So much play there for family drama and sexual overtones.
As an ex-vet tech and canine behaviorist, I really should write something like that.
It's weird how we forget to drawn on our job histories for writing.
So what's up with *cough* Animal Control *cough* I mean creature feature?

E.D.

Quoted from stevie My wife reads these books Phil, and another genre called erotic horror! I looked through one and it was pretty full on stuff!

The ones I've seen were teen romance.  One time, in B&N, I saw a book entitled All I Want For Christmas Is A Vampire.

I nearly shit myself, I was that mad.


Phil

The current script I'm working on is a creature feature, but it ain't low budget and it ain't set in NYC...but it will ROCK!!

I like the idea of a contest and agree with a few that it needs to be more than a week, so the quality will be better than the dreck that comes out of most OWC's.

If Ron's looking for a feature, does it really make sense to write a 20-30 page short?  Probably not.

Ron hasn't responded back with a budget he's looking for either, so maybe he's lost interest in us.

IMO, the creature feature isn't dead, it's just napping.  It'll rear its ugly head soon when my new script is completed.  You guys just wait...

Ron PM'd me yesterday. There's no deadline, and he was really just feeling things out. He did have interest in the contest, but did not want to build expectations too high.

The reason I suggested 20 to 30 pages was this: that's enough to get a general idea about a story, see if it's worth expanding into a feature. Maybe that can be done with 10 pages, I don't know. 20 to 30 pages is a lot, but as this is not an OWC, it's ok to use stuff you have already in your arsenal and expand it into something monster oriented.

Ron may not come back, who knows. Either way, no one should write a script unless its something they want to have.

Jeff, how bout a sneak preview? A script of a trailer or something.

BWOOOHAHA!!!!!!  

All I can tell you is that it takes place in numerous western states, finally culminating in Tucson, AZ.  It will center around a shape shifter type creature that is thousands of years old, being pursued by FBI agents as well as local cops.  It will be an extremely bloody and wild ride...hard R rating - lots of graphic violence, profanity, and of course, nudity and sex.

The title is...

Something in the Way She Moves

Coming soon to a theater near you!  Yeah...right...

Quoted from Grandma Bear You're not looking hard enough Phil. Horror/erotica is pretty big...And it ain't aimed at teens...

The point I'm trying to make is that today's youth doesn't know what a monster is anymore.  They're mystical romantic figures with angst.


Phil