A Killer’s Credo – a psychological thriller

Posted on April 7, 2024 by aa

LOGLINE:
A detective interrogates a sociopathic serial killer, attempting to uncover their hidden motives and psychological complexities.

SYNOPSIS:
In “A KILLER’S CREDO”, a gripping psychological thriller set entirely within the confines of a police interview room, DETECTIVE SAMANTHA PARKS, a seasoned detective, confronts JOHN HARRISON YATES, a cold and calculating, sociopathic serial killer, in a battle of wits and wills. As Parks delves into Yates’s twisted psyche, probing for answers to the heinous murders he’s committed, the interrogation becomes a chilling exploration of the darkest corners of the human soul. With each revelation, Yates’s unsettling charisma and manipulative tactics cast doubt on Parks’s own sense of morality, blurring the lines between hunter and prey. As tensions escalate and hidden motives come to light, Parks finds herself confronting uncomfortable truths about her own capacity for darkness. In a climax that leaves both the characters and the audience reeling, Yates’s chilling revelations force Parks to confront the unsettling reality that the truest monster may lurk not in the shadows but within Parks herself. “A Killer’s Credo” is a thought-provoking thriller that challenges perceptions of justice, morality, and the nature of evil, leaving a lasting and haunting impression.

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The Meeting: Script Review

Posted on March 14, 2024 by aa

The Meeting: Review by J.E. Clarke via Script Revolution

A tense negotiation between two rival mafia bosses takes place in a seedy motel room.

Who doesn’t love a good crime drama?

Just as linguine must be dressed in just the proper red sauce, so must mob stories marinate in conflict to get things (cue the chef hand signal) “just” right.

As Armand Arekian’s The Meeting opens, mob bosses Vincent and Salvatore face off in a seedy motel room. From the start, it’s a territorial pissing contest. Their crime dominions have overlapped.  Someone’s guaranteed to get hurt. As to who, that depends: who has bigger cojones? In this particular struggle for dominance, which alpha male will blink first?

As the two negotiate, one thing’s clear: neither of these men are push overs.

On the table is a bottle of whiskey and an open backpack full of cash. Vincent glances at his watch, impatient, then looks up at Salvatore.

VINCENT
You’re late, Sal. Time is money, 
and I don’t have either to fucking waste.

Salvatore smirks, taking a slow sip of his whiskey and glancing at the backpack.

SALVATORE
You always were a fucking stickler for time, Vincent. 
But we’re here now. Let’s get down to business.

Vincent eyes Salvatore warily, leaning back in his chair.

VINCENT
 We’ve been at this shit for too long, Sal. 
Our territories are overlapping, 
and it’s causing problems for both our families. 

Hmmm – perhaps it’s finally time for a truce? Or a pay-off?

Or… maybe a doublecross?

What will happen next? And… will Martin Scorsese or Francis Ford Coppola be involved?

Or… will YOU be the next director to usher in a crime/mob gem?

Single location with a deliciously effective surprise twist, The Meeting is a very budget friendly short that mob-focused directors should take an interest in… ‘cause ignoring a cinema gem like this would be a crime!

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The Meeting: a neo-noir crime thriller short script

Posted on February 17, 2024 by aa

LOGLINE:
A tense negotiation between two rival mafia bosses takes place in a seedy motel room.

SYNOPSIS:
In this tense, noir-inspired story, VINCENT and SALVATORE, rival mafia bosses, convene in a seedy motel room to negotiate the division of their overlapping territories. As their heated discussion unfolds, an uneasy truce is struck with a signed agreement and a backpack full of cash. However, the fragile peace shatters when an unexpected knock on the door triggers a deadly confrontation. Both men, suspicious of foul play, draw their guns simultaneously, leading to a chaotic exchange of gunfire. The seedy motel room becomes the stage for their final, fatal confrontation, as Vincent and Salvatore both succumb to the consequences of their violent world, leaving behind a scene of smoke and silence. The door opens, and THE MAID finds the two men dead. After spotting the backpack, she nonchalantly zips it closed and straps it to her shoulder, quietly leaving the room.

“THE MEETING” is a gripping tale of greed, betrayal, and the brutal consequences of a criminal underworld’s desperate struggle for power.

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“Last Date” – It’s here!!!

Posted on February 1, 2024 by aa

Last Date - short horror filmThe production of my short script “last Date” is complete and the film has been released. A huge tank you goes out to Mad Wife Productions. They did an awesome job on the film… better than I imagined it would be.

It is currently available on YouTube: “Last Date”

 

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A Brief History of Halloween in Film

Posted on October 31, 2023 by aa

Halloween movies have become a beloved tradition for many, capturing the spooky and playful spirit of the holiday. Here’s a brief history of Halloween movies:

  1. Early Influences (1920s-1930s): The roots of Halloween movies can be traced back to the early years of cinema. Classic horror films like “Nosferatu” (1922) and “Frankenstein” (1931) set the stage for the spooky, atmospheric themes that would become a hallmark of Halloween movies.
  2. Universal Monsters (1930s-1940s): Universal Pictures introduced iconic monsters like Dracula, Frankenstein’s Monster, and the Mummy during this period. These creatures would go on to star in a series of sequels and crossovers that remain popular Halloween classics.
  3. The Golden Age of Horror (1950s-1960s): The 1950s and 1960s saw the rise of B-movie horror, with films like “Plan 9 from Outer Space” (1959) and “Psycho” (1960) achieving cult status. Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho” in particular introduced a new level of psychological horror.
  4. The Slasher Era (1970s-1980s): Halloween movies as we know them today truly took off during this period. John Carpenter’s “Halloween” (1978) introduced the iconic character Michael Myers, while “Friday the 13th” (1980) and “A Nightmare on Elm Street” (1984) popularized the slasher subgenre.
  5. Halloween Franchise (1980s-present): The “Halloween” series, starting with the 1978 film, has been one of the most enduring and influential in the genre. It spawned numerous sequels, reboots, and spin-offs, making it a staple of Halloween movie marathons.
  6. Family-Friendly Halloween Films (1990s-present): In the 1990s and beyond, a wave of family-friendly Halloween movies, such as “Hocus Pocus” (1993) and “The Nightmare Before Christmas” (1993), became annual viewing for all ages.
  7. Modern Horror (2000s-present): Recent decades have seen the resurgence of horror films as serious works of art. Movies like “The Conjuring” (2013) and “Get Out” (2017) have become critical and commercial successes and are frequently featured in Halloween movie lineups.
  8. Halloween Reboots (2010s-present): In the 21st century, Hollywood has embraced the trend of rebooting and reimagining classic horror franchises. The “Halloween” series, for instance, saw a successful reboot in 2018, bringing back Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie Strode.
  9. Indie Horror (2010s-present): Independent filmmakers have made a significant impact on the Halloween movie landscape. Films like “It Follows” (2014) and “The Babadook” (2014) have garnered critical acclaim and added a fresh, innovative twist to the genre.
  10. Streaming Services (2010s-present): With the rise of streaming platforms, horror anthologies like “The Haunting of Hill House” (2018) and “The Haunting of Bly Manor” (2020) have introduced new ways to enjoy spooky stories in a binge-worthy format.

Halloween movies have evolved and diversified over the years, catering to a wide range of tastes and age groups, but they continue to be a significant part of the Halloween tradition, providing thrills, chills, and a dash of spooky fun for audiences around the world.

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One Night In Reno – Dark Comedy Short Script

Posted on October 27, 2023 by aa

One Night In RenoLOGLINE:
A bride-to-be and her three bridesmaids embark on a wild bachelorette weekend in Reno. When a stripper’s accidental death leads to a desert cover-up, hilarity and chaos ensue.

SYNOPSIS:
“ONE NIGHT IN RENO” is a dark comedy that dives headfirst into the uproarious misadventures of JESSICA, a bride-to-be, and her three lively bridesmaids, LISA, ALEXIS, and MOLLIE, as they embark on a bachelorette weekend in Reno. Their journey begins with excitement and revelry at a lavish hotel and casino, where Jessica’s winning streak, Lisa’s losing streak, and Alexis’s flirtations with a HANDSOME STRANGER set the stage for a wild night. Mollie, the pragmatic planner, strives to keep the group on schedule but can’t anticipate the chaos that ensues.

When the girls hire DIMITRI, a hunky male stripper, to amp up the festivities in their hotel suite, their night takes an unexpectedly twisted turn. Amid the seductive performance, Jessica accidentally sends Dimitri crashing into a table, rendering him unconscious. Drunk and scared, and believing Dimitri is dead, panic sets in as they grapple with the ramifications of their actions, ultimately leading them to bury Dimitri in the unforgiving desert. What follows is a darkly comedic odyssey as the women struggle to conceal their outrageous secret, weaving a web of lies and hilarity that keeps them on their toes and the audience laughing. “One Night in Reno” is a rollicking ride through friendship, secrets, and the unforeseen repercussions of a bachelorette party gone hilariously awry.

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The Writers Guild Strike: Embracing AI in the Writing Process

Posted on July 22, 2023 by aa

In the world of entertainment, the recent Writers Guild strike has brought attention to the evolving landscape of the writing industry. As writers, we have a unique opportunity to leverage the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance our creative process.

While the strike raises important concerns about fair compensation and working conditions, it also highlights the potential benefits of incorporating AI tools in our writing workflows. AI can act as a valuable collaborator, helping us generate ideas, improve productivity, and refine our craft.

With AI-powered writing tools, we can:

1. Generate fresh ideas: AI algorithms can analyze vast amounts of data and provide us with unique insights and inspiration. They can suggest plot twists, character developments, and even help us uncover hidden narratives.

2. Enhance productivity: AI can automate repetitive tasks, like proofreading and editing, allowing us to focus on the creative aspects of our work. This streamlines the writing process and enables us to meet tight deadlines more efficiently.

3. Improve language and style: AI language models can assist us in refining our writing style, making our work more engaging and impactful. They offer suggestions for sentence structures, vocabulary choices, and even help with grammar and syntax.

4. Collaborate effectively: AI can facilitate collaboration among writers by providing a virtual space for feedback and brainstorming. It can analyze multiple drafts and offer objective insights, fostering a more inclusive and iterative writing process.

5. Adapt to changing audience preferences: AI algorithms can analyze audience data and trends, helping us tailor our content to specific target audiences. This enables us to create stories that resonate with viewers and readers, enhancing our chances of success.

It’s important to note that AI is not meant to replace human creativity or the invaluable role of writers. Instead, it complements our skills and empowers us to push the boundaries of storytelling. By embracing AI in our writing process, we can navigate the changing landscape of the industry, adapt to new technologies, and continue delivering captivating narratives.

#AIinWriting #WritersGuildStrike #EmbracingInnovation

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Blackout

Posted on July 14, 2023 by aa

LOGLINE:
Alone in a darkened room during a storm, a woman must confront a sinister presence that whispers her name from the shadows, pushing the boundaries of her sanity and forcing her to fight for her survival.

SYNOPSIS:
“BLACKOUT” is a psychological horror short film that unfolds as SARAH finds herself trapped alone in her dark living room during a raging storm. As the power abruptly goes out, she becomes ensnared in an eerie atmosphere, haunted by strange scratching sounds from above and a malicious whisper that taunts her.
Armed with a flickering candle, Sarah’s fear intensifies as a chilling gust of wind extinguishes the flame, plunging her into a suffocating darkness. In her desperate search for a light source, she discovers a flashlight, illuminating the room to reveal a GROTESQUE FIGURE mere inches away, poised to strike.
Before the figure can harm her, the power unexpectedly returns, flooding the room with light. Sarah finds herself standing alone, her racing heartbeat the only sound. Overwhelmed with relief yet shaken to her core, she sinks to the floor, tightly gripping the trembling flashlight.
“Blackout” delves into the depths of Sarah’s terror and her struggle against an unseen evil. Through its atmospheric tension and nerve-racking encounters, this psychological horror short film invites viewers to question the boundary between reality and the sinister forces that lurk in the shadows.

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The Scarecrow’s Curse

Posted on July 14, 2023 by aa

LOGELINE:
A skeptical paranormal investigator and his determined assistant girlfriend become trapped in an abandoned farmhouse with a haunted scarecrow. To survive, they must confront the curse and perform a dangerous ritual.

SYNOPSIS:
“THE SCARECROW’S CURSE” is a supernatural horror film that follows ALEX, a skeptical paranormal investigator, and his girlfriend LISA, who enter an abandoned farmhouse to debunk scarecrow curses. Their investigation takes a terrifying turn when they awaken an ancient evil.
Trapped inside, they face a malevolent SCARECROW and must confront their deepest fears. With the help of dark artifacts and an ancient book of spells, they battle the curse in a desperate bid for survival. As they fight against supernatural forces, their love is tested, and they must find the strength to banish the curse before it consumes them.
“The Scarecrow’s Curse” is a chilling tale of suspense, unraveling secrets, and the ultimate struggle against an ancient curse.

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Bloodlust Boulevard

Posted on July 14, 2023 by aa

LOGLINE:
A vengeful drifter battles a sadistic cult and their charismatic leader on the notorious Bloodlust Boulevard, leaving a trail of blood-soaked bodies in his wake in this grindhouse-inspired rampage of violence and revenge.

SYNOPSIS:
In a seedy motel room, JACK, a rugged and brooding drifter haunted by his lost love, prepares to seek justice for her. As he cleans his shotgun, his determination grows amidst the peeling walls and heavy atmosphere. Jack leaves the motel and hitches a ride with HANK, an experienced driver who imparts wisdom about facing demons.

They arrive at “BLOODLUST BOULEVARD”, a haven for dark desires, where Jack confronts MALACHI, a charismatic cult leader. In a showdown filled with chaos and violence, Jack dismantles the cult and ultimately defeats Malachi. After freeing a captive named LUCY, Jack and Lucy share a brief moment of gratitude before Jack continues on his solitary journey, leaving the darkness behind.

As Jack walks away, Lucy asks who he is, to which he cryptically replies as a wanderer seeking justice. Jack departs into the night, leaving the neon glow of Bloodlust Boulevard, the sirens wailing in the distance. The story ends with Jack’s figure fading into the shadows, hinting at his ongoing pursuit of peace and justice.

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