Writing Great Horror Films & TV Shows

Glenn M. Benest is an award winning screenwriter/producer with three feature films and four television movies to his credit.

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Do you love horror like I do? Are you thinking of writing a horror film or are you writing one now? Then you definitely should consider the webinar I’m giving on February 17th at 1:00 PM. Or you can watch it anytime for up to a year.

I will be discussing all the insights I’ve had, not only writing two screenplays for the late, great director Wes Craven, but also mentoring horror projects in my private workshop, including Scream and Event Horizon.

There are many lessons to be learned about this unique genre. And for new screenwriters, there is no better career move than to write horror – which is what I did when I was a beginning screenwriter.

Why is that? Because horror films are relatively easier to produce – you don’t need stars, you have a built-in audience, and the upside is huge if you create a successful franchise, like Paranormal Activity or the Chuckie films. As a result, it’s much easier for producers to take a chance on a first time screenwriter.

Does horror have different rules than say – action movies or straight drama? Absolutely. Is it more plot driven than comedy or even thrillers? For sure. It must do one thing in a more visceral way than any other type of film. It must provide scares – and there are many tricks and tips I’m going to discuss that will do just that.

Horror is a genre that is absolutely unique. For one thing the star of a scary movie is oftentimes the villain, whether it’s a human monster like Hannibal Lector or an inhuman one – like the creature in Alien(s).

Does that mean we don’t want a great protagonist? Of course not, but the star of a horror film doesn’t normally have a character arc as do the heroes in other genres.

And now with horror taking center stage on television, like my favorite – The Walking Dead – or American Horror Story, there are even more opportunities to get work in this area.

I will discuss in great detail all these talking points plus many others in my upcoming webinar. Please join me and launch your career writing horror.