This class prepares you to write a feature-length horror film screenplay.
In the film industry, horror remains a dominant and profitable genre. Whether you're interested in writing stories about zombies, vampires, cosmic monsters, slashers, ghosts, or supernatural phenomena, low budgets and unknown talent present no barrier to breaking into the market. Many successful horror films have launched the careers of screenwriters who understood the genre's unique appeal and commercial potential.
In this Online Horror Feature class, you'll develop high-concept ideas, explore subgenre mashups, and learn the craft of creating a horror screenplay that resonates with audiences. You'll work through the process of developing your own original horror narrative from concept to finished script.
Taught by Cheryl Meyer, a former Padding contributor and experienced screenwriter with 6 films and 9 TV Show credits to her name, this course offers deep insight into the horror genre's structure and conventions. Her feature film CARVED achieved remarkable success, reaching number one on Hulu in October. Through her guidance, you'll discover what makes horror scripts commercially viable and explore the behind-the-scenes process of bringing frightening concepts to life on screen.
By course completion, you'll understand the foundational principles of horror screenwriting and have completed essential planning documents for your project, including a strong premise, well-developed characters, and a detailed beat sheet that outlines your feature's narrative progression, scare sequences, and thematic elements. This hands-on approach ensures you'll develop both the creative vision and technical skills needed for success in horror screenwriting.
This course is available for "remote" learning and will be available to anyone with access to an internet device with a microphone (this includes most models of computers, tablets). Classes will take place with a "Live" instructor at the date/times listed below.
Upon registration, the instructor will send along additional information about how to log-on and participate in the class.
