new script in development, 'Hell Weekend' is getting a treatment

I've been really bad with my blog, sometimes, I forget I even have one.  Here are a few updates:

1.  Hell Weekend is in the final stages of completion.  Currently, I am writing a treatment before sending off the script to a prodco.  I'm not good at treatments, which I'll never understand why.  Maybe it's because I don't want to give anything, or too much away?  I don't know, but the one thing I do know is that I'm very excited by the story and the characters. If I get the actors I want, this could really be an amazing slasher.

2.  My third, officially in development screenplay, The Haunting of Willow Falls Manor, is currently being written.  I had barely scratched the surface of the script when I was contacted yesterday by an actress who is already interested in it.  The power of networks.  I can't say who she is, you may have never heard of her either.  I know I haven't.  But her resume is impressive and horror is her specialty.  So, fingers crossed.

3.  I'll be attending Flashback Horror Weekend here in Chicago on Sunday.  I'll be sitting in on director Tim Sullivan's "Slash Course," a presentation on film making and all that it entails. I'm very excited to go to this, as I want to increase my knowledge on how a movie gets made from concept to script to screen and all the little details in between.  I plan to take the next step into directing. 

So there ya have it.  Not much else to say except...keep screaming! :)

Have a great weekend!

'Seekers' get a last minute revision, new actress in mind for the lead.

Hello Horror Freaks!

It's been quite a while since I've blogged, so here are a couple updates.

1.  My zombie screenplay Seekers, has undergone a major revision.  The female lead, which I had Jennette McCurdy in mind to play, has now been changed to another actress, only this one is recognized in the genre.  I won't reveal who I have in mind, yet, but rest assured I think she is more than capable of playing the part.  I still have genre fave, Bill Oberst, Jr., in mind for the male lead, that of Henry "Hank" McCulley, a military officer who knows first hand how the zombie epidemic started.  The screenplay has been sent to two prodco's as of this writing. 

2.  My second feature, Hell Weekend, has been on the back burner because I could only revisit that landscape so many times before I ran out of steam with it.  So I am letting simmer. The story revolves around a young girl who must fight back against a backwoods, pick ax wielding psycho and his demented family members.  I have Maria Olsen (Paranormal Activity 3, Way Down in Chinatown) and Gregory Blair (Deadly Revisions, The Great Venice Robbery) pegged to star in this one. It'll be interesting to see them bring the characters of Rose and Claude to life. 

3.  In early June, I did a one minute interview with Shriekfest founder/director/actress, Denise Gossett.  You can read the interview here on my blog.  I'm thinking of doing the radio interview to give myself a bit more publicity. 

4.  And finally, my short story, Slicer, is almost completed and will be submitted to the LGBT horror anthology, Blood Drenched Rainbows, as part of the NOH8 campaign. 

That's all for now.  Hope everyone is enjoying their summer so far.  And remember...

Keep screaming!   >:-D

One Minute Interview

Below is my one minute interview with Shriekfest Founder/Director, Denise Gossett.

DG: What is your name and company name and URL?

MS: My name is Mike Schoonveld. I don't have a company name, but I do have a blog, horrorguy30.blogspot.com, or I can be followed on Twitter @horrorguy30.

DG: What is your specialty...filmmaking or screenwriting?

MS: Right now it's screenwriting. I enjoy the writing process of creating characters and telling a story. Creating likeable and believable characters is crucial when telling a story. If they're not believable, then the story fails, too. Eventually I would like to venture into directing. I think it would be a lot of fun.
 
DG: What are you currently working on?

MS: I just finished writing my second feature, Hell Weekend, that I'm looking to get made with Maria Olsen and Gregory Blair. It'll be interesting to see them bring these two psychotic characters to life.

DG: Sounds cool! congrats! Have you been a finalist or winner in any festivals or competitions?

MS: Yes. I was a finalist at last years Shriekfest with my zombie apocalypse screenplay, Seekers. Bill Oberst, Jr. said he would love to do it. He's a great guy and a very talented actor. I actually wrote the part of Military Officer Henry 'Hank' McCulley with Bill in mind. He has a very commanding presence that the role requires.

DG: Nice! I love Bill, he is a dear friend. Why do you think the horror/scifi genres have such a large following?

MS: Because these movies take us away from our everyday lives. They're fun to watch and not meant to be taken so seriously. With everything we have going on with work, kids, paying bills. Just struggling to survive is work. At the end of the day, its nice to just sit back and watch a good horror movie and be scared and have fun. That's what its all about. Having fun.

DG: I agree! An escape. What do you love most about this business?

MS: How close everyone seems to be in the genre. It's like a family. Everyone I've come in contact with has been so nice and has given me a lot of great advice over the last couple of years and I didn't let any knowledge or insight they had go to waste. I feel like I am part of the family now.
 
DG: It is a wonderful family! What do you dislike most about this business?

MS: Ask me again in a few years. Haha!

DG: LOL Any advice you'd like to give to newbies?

MS: If you have a dream, go for it. Nobody can make it happen but you. Grab it by the balls and don't let anything or anyone stand in your way or get you down. It's about having fun with what you do and making the most of the opportunities that come your way. If you can't have fun with it, you shouldn't be doing it.

DG: I love it! Anything else you'd like to say?

MS: If I hadn't come across Shriekfest, I probably wouldn't be doing this interview today. I'm very grateful for the chance I had to submit my first screenplay to Shriekfest. Making it to the finals was a huge accomplishment and a proud moment in my life, and I thank you very much for that. And I thank you for this interview. It's been fun.
 
DG: Thank you MIke, great catching up with you!

"Hell Weekend" completed, Shriekfest interview

I never thought I would see the end, but my second feature, Hell Weekend, is complete.
This script took longer to write than my first.  Trying to create scenes and dialogue for six characters was a bit challenging.  But I think the story flows nicely, with some likeable characters and some you can't wait for the slaughter.
I'm hoping to get the film made by the end of 2012/early2013 with Maria Olsen and Gregory Blair starring.  I will keep you posted on its progress.

In other horror related topics, I just completed my first interview with Shriekfest.  Can't wait for you guys to read it!

Until next time, keep screaming!

"Hell Weekend" gets a new title, script near completion

My second feature screenplay, Hell Weekend, has been given a new title:  Fear.  

The story follows Dana Spencer, who a year earlier is brutally attacked and tortured, as she tries to pick up the pieces of her life.  After agreeing to a weekend of fun with her friends before they go off to college, a psychotic, pick axe wielding maniac is stalking and killing them, one by one.   It soon becomes a game of cat and mouse where Dana must find the courage to face off against her attacker or die trying. 

I guess you can say that the reason for the title change is kind of metaphoric.  Take everything you once feared that is bottled up and let it out.  Dana spends a whole year of her life afraid of everything and everyone.  But when you are put in a situation like hers, you take that fear and use it to your advantage and fight like hell.  Dana takes matters into her own hands and decides she is no longer going to be a victim. 

Trying to write a script that is a throwback to the classic 70's and 80's slasher films, while keeping it modern for today's technologically advanced audience, is no easy task.  In fact, it's daunting and frustrating. Therefore, the use of cell phones, laptops, iphones, ipads or anything electronic is omitted from this movie.  I know, how are they gonna call for help?  Well, you'll just have to wait to find out how.  Haha!!

I have two actors, Maria Olsen and Gregory Blair, in mind to star in this...but not set in stone.   Wanna know more about them, check out their IMDB pages. 

I'll keep you updated as it moves forward.  Until then....

Catch up

It's been a while since I've posted anything.  It's been rather quiet, but things are picking up again.
Seekers has a director and a star.  At this point, there's nothing more I can tell you on that. My second script, Hell Weekend, is nearing completion.  I have two stars in mind so hopefully they'll like what they read.  Hehe. 

Other than that, there is not much else to report.  Im also getting ready to submit my screenplay to Shriekfest this year.  Will keep you posted on that as well.

Until then be safe and keep screaming!!

Halloween 9-faux teaser

little something i made last year and felt like sharing it again.  Enjoy! :)

'Seekers' may have its director; 'Hell Weekend' script getting finishing touches

It's been a month since my last blog so I want to apologize for that. 
Here's what's been going on:

Seekers:
Currently in pre-production.
The amazing Bill Oberst, Jr. is currently attached to the project.
Working on my website for the film, as well as other scripts I am writing.
Script is currently being read by a director who has done a lot of short films and I think he is ready for the next step to be a full length feature.
Working on getting financing for the film.

My Shriekfest Film Festival screenplay entry, Hell Weekend, is getting the finishing touches to it.  Its been a busy month, and I think I may have developed a case of writers cramp in my hand.  Haha. 

Until next time,
Keep on screaming!!

 

'Seekers' lands genre actor as its first star!

     Actor Bill Oberst, Jr. is on board to star in the zombie apocalypse flick, Seekers.

    
     The man who is probably best known around the world for his Facebook app Take This Lollipop, will play the part of military officer Henry 'Hank' McCulley.
    
     


    

'Seekers 2' 1st draft near completion, 'Hell Weekend' in final draft stage

     Working on 4 scripts wore me out.  I lost all sense of direction and got every character, scene, story and killer mixed up.  So I took a breather and focused on writing one, which was Hell Weekend.  Now that that script is going into the final draft stage, which I will get to in a few days, I took another script I had started working on a several months ago and revisited the zombie landscape in Seekers 2: Rise of the Dead.  
     I am always writing and learning my craft and the only way to do that is just keep pushing forward and never giving up, which is what I nearly did.  I didn't want that or disappoint people in just throwing in the towel and settling into a rut.  I have so many people who are encouraging, supportive and inspiring that I would be letting them down if I just stopped.
     Now I can focus and the words are flowing like the blood in my veins.  
     Hell Weekend needs one more read (I'm thinking this will be my Shriekfest entry this year) and it will be good to go.  I already have two actors in mind to star in it, but not set in stone.  Although it would be bad ass!
     Seekers 2: Rise of the Dead picks up moments after the first and continues to follow Ashlie as she learns that the virus is spreading rapidly.   I'm on the first draft and this is a much bigger story with more of the undead, more action and even a little bit of a love story thrown in this time for Ashlie.
     I'm looking forward to bringing these to life and making them great. 
     Keep screaming! :-)

Horror short film in development ; 3rd draft of 'Hell Weekend' completed.

     I have been busy writing, reading, rewriting and rereading my screenplay for Hell Weekend.  I think with one more revision it will be completed.  But, who knows how that will turn out.
     The characters are more fleshed out and real.  The kills are extreme and over the top (I'm thinking hardcore R-rating) and intense.  Exactly what you would expect for a flick that's a throwback to the 80's slasher craze!  And yes, there is T-n-A for all you horndogs out there!  Haha.  I even threw in something for the ladies, too.  ;-)
      I am also looking to do a short film that I will write and direct in the coming months and will be posted here on my blog as well my youtube account.  I will keep you updated on its status as it progresses.  Right now, it is just a brainstorm.  But, it's brewing.
     With the horror festival, Shriekfest, right around the corner, I am going to be getting my ass in high gear to get the script and the short film finished and, if I can, submit them both.  I'm not holding my breath for both to be able to be entered though.  I think it's one or the other.  Again, I will keep you posted. 
      Until then, keep on screaming, you twisted psychos! :-)


      

'Hell Weekend' is in 2nd draft stages

     My second feature screenplay, Hell Weekend, is getting a second draft.  After writing the first 100 pages in 2 days, obviously there were going to be flaws, typos, dragging scenes, unnecessary scenes and boy, there were a lot of them.  Suffice it to say, I have gone back to clean it up before going into it a 3rd time.  I feel like 4 is my lucky number, as it took that many rewrites to get my first feature, Seekers aka Resurrection of the Dead, to get it just write.  And I owe all my thanks to Gregory Blair for getting me on the right path.  I'm still thinking of a way to repay him.   But enough babbling, let's get to point of this blog.
     The movie takes place in the late 70's.  I though the 70's were a great fit for this story as I have always found the movies from that era scared me, such as Carrie, Halloween, Jaws, Alien and The Exorcist.  Going back and doing my research, I got to writing.  But, coming up with characters wasn't easy.  I've actually had to picture certain actors as these characters, even though they may never play them.  But picturing them in these scenarios makes the writing process easier to go through.
     For instance, the character of Rose Marley would be played by, in my mind, Maria Olsen, probably the most underrated actress of our time and an indie favorite.  Claude Marley (he and Rose are brother and sister) would be played by none other than Gregory Blair (could this be my way of repaying him for all his help?).  Since these two characters border on creepy and mentally disturbed, I figured they would be perfect for these characters. Check out some their work if you don't believe me!!!
     Dana would be played by Scout Taylor-Compton (yes, Laurie Strode from Rob Zombie's Halloween films).  She may not be everyone's favorite actress, but she captures the essence of a 70's teenager perfectly to me (check out her cameo in The Runaways). 
     So far that is all I have for this.  It's still an up hill battle, but one worth climbing. 
     Will you keep you updated on more as this script develops!  I may even post an excerpt from the script for feedback!  :)
     Until then, be safe and keep on screaming!