Anyone have a three page horror script? Low/micro budget.  A.B. Steele needs it for a Cinematography Class.  Probably exchange for a copy of the film and, of course, writing credit.

Please post logline.

Thank you, Don!

To explain further: I have to shoot one 2-3 minute film for a cinematography class. This needs to be super low budget, so if anyone has any scripts that could be shot outdoors. I live in San Francisco, so there's a lot of opportunities for fun settings.

Writers will receive credit and I can get a DVD made.

I'd prefer little to no dialogue, as I don't want to have to get someone to help me with the boom.

If you have anything, I'd love to read them.

Also, two actors, at most. Doesn't have to be a horror, but I do not want two talking heads.

Message me if you have any questions.

I read an "urban legend" one a few weeks back.

Dad is tucking in the kid at night, the kid is terrified that somebody is under the bed.

Dad checks, and under the bed he finds the kid -- the same kid -- terrified that somebody is in his bed.

I loved the idea, but the author tried to do to much with it.  It was, like, eight pages. And later I found out it wasn't even original.

This could be a great 2-minute film, and with 2 actors and no effects, it practically writes itself.

Quoted from bert I read an "urban legend" one a few weeks back. Dad is tucking in the kid at night, the kid is terrified that somebody is under the bed. Dad checks, and under the bed he finds the kid -- the same kid -- terrified that somebody is in his bed. I loved the idea, but the author tried to do to much with it.  It was, like, eight pages. And later I found out it wasn't even original. This could be a great 2-minute film, and with 2 actors and no effects, it practically writes itself.

I second that.  It'd be a cinch to edit that script down to a three pager.

Are you talking about Gabe's Mannequin? I thought that one was pretty good.

Quoted from Grandma Bear Are you talking about Gabe's Mannequin? I thought that one was pretty good.

This is Gabe's Mannequin script - http://www.simplyscripts.net/cgi-bin/Blah/Blah.pl?m-1392567943/

It was weird.  In a good way.

That one is based on the urban legend "Aren't you glad you weren't home" or something like that. I thought Gabe did a good job with it. It could easily be trimmed down and told more visually to work for Austin's cinematography class.  

I should've said that we are pitching our ideas on March 24th and once approved, we can begin shooting right away.

I need to bring in a few.

I'll read The Mannequin.

It gave me the goosebumps, but I don't know if I'd use everything. It reminds me of the script where the little girl hides in the closet, but then there's a ghost or demon inside the closet? It's been a while since I read it, but it freaked me out. I'll ask Zombie Sean.

I live in San Francisco and only one of my friends has a car. It's also one of those little Italian things and brand new, so I'd cut the majority of the beginning and have the mom on V/O.

Can you shoot at the Golden Gate?

Shawn....><

I have a 6 page short I submitted for spesh2k's horror anthology that was declined.  It's about a thug who flees from the cops and takes shelter at an abandoned house, where he unleashes an evil djinn.  Cops and the shoot out are never shown.  It's kinda low budget, but hell, you can rewrite it if you'd want to make it more budget friendly.

Two actors, could be one/two locations.

--Steve

LetBedder: Yes, but I'm not going to get any permits, so it can't be too complicated.

steverino: I don't have access to any abandoned buildings, and the script can only be 3 minutes MAX, with credits.

I don't have anything and I wouldn't give it away if I did, especially for a student class that doesn't have anything to do with a degree or doctorate. But, I do think that you should just write one yourself.

I don't know you, so I googled your handle alongside the keyword screenplay and it appears you can write. You know what you have at your disposal, finding a script that matches what you have access to will be hard. It's hard for guys that don't have locations as an issue to find a decent script let alone someone with all your parameters. So... why not just write it yourself?

Quoted from DustinBowcot ... why not just write it yourself?

^ I was kinda thinking that myself last night.

Or... how 'bout an AB Steele Horror Script OWC.

Quoted from NickSedario Or... how 'bout an AB Steele Horror Script OWC.

^ I was kinda thinking that myself last night.

Or better yet, why not have a section on here for film students looking for a script where they can plug in all their criteria:  Actors, budget, locations, length, genre, etc., and we all go to work.  

It'd be a win/win situation.  The student gets a script that they like and the writer gets to see their words come to life.

@ABSteel,

What exactly are the criteria you have to work with?  

So far I've gathered that it's a horror, that's 2-3 pages long, the film itself can't be more than 3 minutes long, it's set in San Francisco, two actors max, minimal dialogue, a Fiat (optional), and it's due by March 23rd.

What kind of special effects do you have at your disposal?  What kind of horror are you looking for?  Torture porn, Zombie, Slasher, Supernatural...?

Jordan

Dustin: I have to pass this class to graduate. I don't know why you'd assume differently. As far as writing it myself, I totally could. Except I work full time and I have 3 other classes to juggle. I know a lot of writers who would love to have the chance to have something filmed. Using another writer is beneficial to both of us.

I'm not looking for any particular genre. Horror was tossed around on Facebook.

I'm more thrown off by your comment that I'm not working toward a degree.

Aw, what the heck.  I'll throw my gauntlet into the ring.  Something I banged out this morning.

edit: link removed (optioned)...not

Thanks for the inspiration, A.B.  If this script isn't for you, feel free to pass it around the class.  Somebody else might wanna do it.

Keep me posted.

Quoted from NickSedario Aw, what the heck.  I'll throw my gauntlet into the ring.  Something I banged out this morning. https://www.dropbox.com/s/7qbx7eawmhv9ge4/Five%20Percent.pdf Thanks for the inspiration, A.B.  If this script isn't for you, feel free to pass it around the class.  Somebody else might wanna do it. Keep me posted.

Nick, this isn't actually too bad. I think Jack needs to puff and pant a litte more, given the exertion and dire straits but... I just wish it had a better payoff at the end - something witty or shocking.

The ending just felt a little flat for me but I was definitely going with the story until the final scene.

It's nearly past my bedtime and I'm not that alert so an alternate ending doesn't immediately spring to mind, but perhaps someone else could chime in with one. Not bad though and the horror vibe is there.

You specifically said cinematography class. You also didn't link to anything that you've done previously. I assumed you were just taking a class somewhere and wanted to make a cheap film for it.

How will you be getting actors for it? Friends?

Personally, I like to know my shit is going somewhere decent. I need more information, or I'm going to assume that with such a half-arsed attempt at selling yourself as a producer that your film will be half-arsed too.

Others don't seem to mind though, so what do I know.

I keep in regular contact with some of the SimplyScrfipts/MoviePoet crew on Facebook, so they're aware of my credentials as both a writer and a filmmaker.

I only mentioned it was for a cinematography class because that's what will be graded. The instructor will take other factors into account, but only if they're a detriment to the final project.

The project also has to be approved by the instructor, which is why I need more than one project to pitch.

I read FIVE PERCENT and agree with LC. It'll be too hard for me to do, but I'll pass it along to my class.

I didn't mean to skip over your question about actors. I have acting friends and I have friends who can act.

If you add the time it takes to post here to the time you will take reading scripts and analysing them, asking the writers for redrafts etc, you would have been better off doing it yourself. I have no idea regarding your capabilities as a writer... it could be that you don't believe you're good enough to write a three-page script. If so, then I understand your need to find somebody prepared to write a script for you.

So you have certain actors to write for too... that makes it even harder for an outside writer that doesn't know the limitations of your friends to come up with something that will fit for you. Not like you're going to hold auditions or head hunt specific people you believe can bring the best to the parts.

Seems to me that only you or one of your friends, that likewise knows your constraints, can write this script.

Quoted from LC Nick, this isn't actually too bad. I think Jack needs to puff and pant a litte more, given the exertion and dire straits but... I just wish it had a better payoff at the end - something witty or shocking. The ending just felt a little flat for me but I was definitely going with the story until the final scene. It's nearly past my bedtime and I'm not that alert so an alternate ending doesn't immediately spring to mind, but perhaps someone else could chime in with one. Not bad though and the horror vibe is there.

Thanks L.C.   You're right about the ending.  Although taking his own life is quite a shocker, IMO.  But I'd love to hear any other ideas for an alternate ending when you wake up.  Maybe you'll dream something.

Quoted from ABennettWriter I read FIVE PERCENT and agree with LC. It'll be too hard for me to do, but I'll pass it along to my class.

Sounds good.  Thanks.

I should also point out this script is kind of inspired by Phil's "Sixteen Minutes" and Pia's "The End".

I'm such a hack.

Austin asked on FB if any of his writer friends had a short script he could shoot for his cinematography class. Don, always being helpful, started this thread.

If we could change it to an urban setting, I could make it work. Not sure how I would do the pit. I'm trying to think of an alternative.... empty swimming pool, or ditch.

Quoted from ABennettWriter If we could change it to an urban setting, I could make it work. Not sure how I would do the pit. I'm trying to think of an alternative.... empty swimming pool, or ditch.

Wish I would've known you want an urban setting from the start.  That changes everything.   We could just rip off Phil's "Even Unto Death" and have Jill chained in a basement.  

Not.

I live in San Francisco, and God knows Golden Gate Park is big enough to do a jungle movie if I could avoid the homeless.. I mean, they may be willing to play zombies...

Here's another version.  "Six Percent".  Urban setting.  Again, feel free to pass it around the class.

edit: link removed

Good luck with whatever you choose to do.  Filmmaking is a pain in the neck.

My degree is in screenwriting, but the school requires every film student to be proficient in the other degrees. I'm happy to say that I never have to take any more editing classes. I have cinematography, lighting, and sound left of the basics. Then I can focus on the screenwriting classes.

Sean posted this the other day, maybe you saw it? I thought it was great. Maybe that can give you some ideas.  

http://sourcefed.com/i-am-never-turning-off-my-lights-again/

I could make SIX PERCENT work. I won't know if I'd use the voice over, because I can show everything visually.

I do like the "Jack be nimble..." line though.

As an aside, there's another script I'm considering that also have Jack and Jill as characters.

Saw you were looking for a script.  My script Ringfinger seems to fit the parameters you're looking for :  2 actors, 1 scene, 0 dialogue all in one stuffed page as a few pointed out so more like a page and a half.  Just throwing it out there.  In either case, good luck with it ABSteel.

Is the three-page rule necessary? I have one that's more a psychological thriller (although some people have read it as a comedy. Weirdos), but it's a single character (if you can find someone to accurately portray an 18-year-old), single location (basement), single page. Only sticking point may be a little bit of "adult" content...

Still, if that may pique your interest, let me know.

The assignment calls for a 2-3 minute short inculding credits.

If your one page script has so much slow action that I can make it at least 2 minutes, then I want to read it.

Email me: austinbsteel@yahoo.com

Quoted from bert I read an "urban legend" one a few weeks back. Dad is tucking in the kid at night, the kid is terrified that somebody is under the bed. Dad checks, and under the bed he finds the kid -- the same kid -- terrified that somebody is in his bed. I loved the idea, but the author tried to do to much with it.  It was, like, eight pages. And later I found out it wasn't even original. This could be a great 2-minute film, and with 2 actors and no effects, it practically writes itself.

Looks like someone already did it:

Damn.  That was effective...!  (And well shot, too!!!)  

[/quote]

Ha.  Primo stuff.

Script written!

LOST & FOUND is about a single gay in the city wanting a little more from a one night stand.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/avif01pm3ez4we1/LOST%20%26%20FOUND.pdf

You shouldn't really have kissing or touching in a short unless you're going to be paying the actors... and an actor's minimum daily rate should be a few hundred dollars. Unless you have two gay friends of course who don't mind kissing each other for free. I found this one out recently with a short I'm making.

Not much of a story either here... more of a scene... but as you aren't being judged on story, it probably doesn't matter.

You do remember this is a student film, right? If anyone is getting paid, they'll be paid in way of lunch and beer. I do have gay friends who will do this without bitching. It's also not much of a kiss.

Here's a slightly revised second draft. I've streamlined the action a bit, but didn't touch the dialogue.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/avif01pm3ez4we1/LOST%20%26%20FOUND.pdf

Thank you for reading it. This script is something I can do with my friends/classmates for free.

Quoted from ABennettWriter You do remember this is a student film, right? If anyone is getting paid, they'll be paid in way of lunch and beer. I do have gay friends who will do this without bitching. It's also not much of a kiss. Here's a slightly revised second draft. I've streamlined the action a bit, but didn't touch the dialogue. https://www.dropbox.com/s/avif01pm3ez4we1/LOST%20%26%20FOUND.pdf Thank you for reading it. This script is something I can do with my friends/classmates for free.

The action was pretty streamlined already. I haven't got any issues with your writing. The story is just a little weak... but if it isn't about story and is just about how you work a camera, lighting and whatever else... then you'll be fine. There's enough in there... with indoor and outdoor scenes...

You're going to need two indoor locations... and do you have liability insurance in the US? It shouldn't be much... but the last thing you need is one of your actors injuring themselves then suing you.

It ain't exactly horror, but story-wise it's not that bad.   One of those "Oh crap moments."   Although I think it'd be better with a male and female.  Best of luck with it.

I didn't say I was going to write a horror. The horror genre got thrown around on Facebook and got stuck.

Quoted from DustinBowcot You're going to need two indoor locations...

Austin could use the same location for Oliver's and Derek's house if he only shows the interior when they're at Oliver's, and only show the exterior when they're at Derek's.  Something hanging on the door at one of the houses would definitely distinguish one from the other.

When Derek leaves Oliver's house, have him walk to the left as Oliver watches him through the gate.  And when Oliver comes to Derek's house, have him walk from the right.  Camera placement should be able to make sure there aren't any overlapping identifying landmarks.

Granted, this all depends on what kind of house Austin has available for the shoot.

The sound of a bus' air brakes and the groan of its engine while Oliver "fingers the address" will help sell the image that Oliver took the bus to get to Dereks.

Derek should say, "Oh.  Thanks." when Oliver gives him the wallet back.  Derek sounds like a dick by just saying, "Thanks."

Story wise, Oliver needs more self respect.  Derek stayed the night at Oliver's, then he lied to Oliver about having to work, then he lied to Oliver about his number, then he accuses Oliver of stalking him, and then he just says 'Thanks' when Oliver returns his wallet.

It would be better if Oliver looks at Derek with contempt when he hands the wallet back, walks away, then Derek offers him a cup of coffee, Oliver turns around and looks at him and says, "I gotta get to work."

As it is right now, I see Oliver as a doormat and I have no respect for him.

Jordan

Thanks for that very in depth review! I do like your ending and I'll see how I can work it in. I've always thought about doing a web series kinda thing, and I think this is a good start.

If I find some actors that are willing to get under the sheets, I'll add the previous night.