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Yeah, it's definitely worth a look. I wouldn't be surprised if this got picked up soon by a company that specializes in horror. Out of all the scripts I've read in the past 2 months or so, this has the biggest marketing potential. And I think it's a million times better than that "Little Evil" movie on Netflix with Adam Scott. This really does have a Sam Raimi kinda vibe ala his "Evil Dead" movies and "Drag Me To Hell" in regards to its humor -- mixed in with a little "American Psycho" style humor. I even got a little bit of "Joshua" out of this, too... not the most well known movie and, though it was marketed as a serious evil kid flick, it had a shit ton of funny moments with Sam Rockwell... and had one of my favorite quotes from comedy legend Michael McKean -- "Don't you know? Never beat up your kid in public on the weekend!"
I dunno, personally, as a hardcore horror fan, the cheeky Adams Family style comedy would lose me and its intended demographic (horror fans, the "Shudder" crowd) immediately -- I actually think it would completely ruin this. But, that's just my two cents.
Regardless, I definitely recommend people read and check it out for themselves!
I dunno, personally, as a hardcore horror fan, the cheeky Adams Family style comedy would lose me and its intended demographic (horror fans, the "Shudder" crowd) immediately -- I actually think it would completely ruin this. But, that's just my two cents.
Regardless, I definitely recommend people read and check it out for themselves!
-- Michael
You're missing my point so I want to make sure that Kev isn't. It's maybe my fault because of the word "vibe" I guess - but focus more on the preface to that statement.
First, I 100% wouldn't recommend a shift of tone to "cheeky". I think Kev nailed it. I'm not looking for the Munsters or the Adam's Family tone. I was looking for a general concept that they are all in on it and the outside world ain't. i.e, what was weird to outsiders did not at all seem weird to them - it was normal.
I continue to believe that Kev needs to address the WTFs????
Like this:
Quoted Text
BEVERLY Come here for a second.
Sophia leans her head down.
Beverly takes a closer look. Something protrudes from two parallel spots on Sophia's head. She moves some of the hair - budding HORNS!
Suddenly, SMAAACK!!!! A crow comes crashing into the bay window behind Sophia and Beverly.
Beverly SCREAMS.
So, Bev - got no issue with devil horn in her daughter's head - but a dead crow causes her to scream. I thought WTF???
Same issue when the tar is seeping out of Sophie's mouth - no Doc, no hospital - no problem and I thought - WTF???
Now, if you don't think these are WTFs - okay dokay. Nothing to solve.
If you do, I thought one way of solving that was to make Beverly already in on it. i.e., it shifts from two adults ignoring what are obvious problems with a little girl to one adult trying to convince the other adult that the problems with the little girl are no big deal.
Anyway - I have no issue obviously with you having a different take. Just wanted to be clear to Kev on what my take was. I thought he understood it - but perhaps not.
So, Bev - got no issue with devil horn in her daughter's head - but a dead crow causes her to scream. I thought WTF???
I dunno, I don't read it like that at all. To me, it sounds like Bev isn't sure exactly what she's looking at, still trying to figure it out (hence calling Grace over for confirmation) when -- SMACK! A crow hits the window and makes her scream.
Quoted Text
If you do, I thought one way of solving that was to make Beverly already in on it. i.e., it shifts from two adults ignoring what are obvious problems with a little girl to one adult trying to convince the other adult that the problems with the little girl are no big deal.
I kinda sorta that's the dynamic of the Grace/Beverly relationship -- Grace is playing the straight man, completely freaked out by this, trying to convince Beverly something's terribly wrong with Sophie while Beverly is more concerned with taking care of finances and doing Youtube videos. Of course, she knows something's wrong, but she just doesn't really want to accept it. Beverly is already kinda turning the other way and playing it off like it's nothing to be concerned about -- the rats in the tub, the tar, the demonic voice, etc.
And it's not like Grace grew up behaving like she was possessed, so why would Beverly really, truly think that this is normal? Maybe that's why she called Grace to stay with her -- because she's a voice of reason while Beverly is kinda blinded due to other shit going on financially, and Sophie being her meal ticket, pretty much. She's just in denial. Yes, there's things here where you'd have to suspend disbelief, but you kinda have to do that with the whole story and the premise in general -- a whole minion of child Youtube subscribers showing up, also possessed, the small print in a contract stating that by signing it, they'd be selling off Sophie's soul, cutting off all social media accounts because the more views and subscribers she gets, the more powerful it makes this demonic power... I think all that other stuff (the rats, the tar, the dolls hanging, etc) fits perfectly with what this story is and its tone. This isn't exactly "The Exorcist".
Though, I do agree that, if we don't have a scene with Sophie taken to the hospital and getting a clean bill of health, Beverly should at least tell Grace that she took her to the hospital, or even maybe took her to therapy sessions and everything seemed to be fine. Or maybe after the black tar, they take her to the doctor and they tell them nothing's wrong. Or something like that. Maybe a priest.
I dunno, I don't read it like that at all. To me, it sounds like Bev isn't sure exactly what she's looking at, still trying to figure it out (hence calling Grace over for confirmation) when -- SMACK! A crow hits the window and makes her scream.
I kinda sorta that's the dynamic of the Grace/Beverly relationship -- Grace is playing the straight man, completely freaked out by this, trying to convince Beverly something's terribly wrong with Sophie while Beverly is more concerned with taking care of finances and doing Youtube videos. Of course, she knows something's wrong, but she just doesn't really want to accept it. Beverly is already kinda turning the other way and playing it off like it's nothing to be concerned about -- the rats in the tub, the tar, the demonic voice, etc.
And it's not like Grace grew up behaving like she was possessed, so why would Beverly really, truly think that this is normal? Maybe that's why she called Grace to stay with her -- because she's a voice of reason while Beverly is kinda blinded due to other shit going on financially, and Sophie being her meal ticket, pretty much. She's just in denial. Yes, there's things here where you'd have to suspend disbelief, but you kinda have to do that with the whole story and the premise in general -- a whole minion of child Youtube subscribers showing up, also possessed, the small print in a contract stating that by signing it, they'd be selling off Sophie's soul, cutting off all social media accounts because the more views and subscribers she gets, the more powerful it makes this demonic power... I think all that other stuff (the rats, the tar, the dolls hanging, etc) fits perfectly with what this story is and its tone. This isn't exactly "The Exorcist".
Though, I do agree that, if we don't have a scene with Sophie taken to the hospital and getting a clean bill of health, Beverly should at least tell Grace that she took her to the hospital, or even maybe took her to therapy sessions and everything seemed to be fine. Or maybe after the black tar, they take her to the doctor and they tell them nothing's wrong. Or something like that. Maybe a priest.
-- Michael
Okay - at least it is clear we disagree (I thought you just misunderstood me). All cool.
Congrats Kevin for this script winning week 2 of the Amateur Showdown on Scriptshadow! And best of luck in winning the overall Amateur showdown and making it to the semi-finals! This still stands as my favorite unproduced spec of 2020, bro, great work!
Congrats Kevin for this script winning week 2 of the Amateur Showdown on Scriptshadow! And best of luck in winning the overall Amateur showdown and making it to the semi-finals! This still stands as my favorite unproduced spec of 2020, bro, great work!
Congrats Kevin for this script winning week 2 of the Amateur Showdown on Scriptshadow! And best of luck in winning the overall Amateur showdown and making it to the semi-finals! This still stands as my favorite unproduced spec of 2020, bro, great work!
Thanks a ton guys! Both of your notes were incredibly helpful to help tune this up, and I received a lot of useful stuff from the showdown comment section. Looking forward to see how this competition unfolds!
Thanks a ton guys! Both of your notes were incredibly helpful to help tune this up, and I received a lot of useful stuff from the showdown comment section. Looking forward to see how this competition unfolds!