Slamdance Horror Screenplay Competition, The Puffy Chair

So I got my on-line coverage from Slamdance yesterday...
A mere week after I submitted "Doctor Spooky" script!

They hated hated hated it.

A good page-and-a-half about horror movie marketing,
loads of references to "30 Days Of Night"
and incredulously, even one to that horrible tooth fairy movie,
"Darkness Falls".
Seems I'm writing horror all wrong.
Right off that bat-- anthology is a huge no-no.
No name actors will commit to such a script,
sharing billing in segment chunks.
And since the script isn't based on existing
comic book
or franchise video game
or bestselling Stephen King novel
there's no way in hell it's going to get sold.

The script is also devoid of splatter and villains.
Seems the unknown isn't so scary--
it's "the devil you know".
So load up on the booga-booga men
and the flamboyant crazies.
I'm also advised to invest in more plot
aka "mythology".
You know, horror rules--
like never enter the house in "The Grudge".
Never say Candyman's name 3x in the mirror.
Don't do all that stuff w/ those cute gremlins
etc. etc. etc.
A blueprint for the impending "Trick or Treat" flick.
Since when did horrible stuff happening have
a "To Do" list? (or "Don't Do" list)
To me, the scariest stuff is the most random...
as a writer, I'll tie it into character oh yes BUT
to preordain for the audience if so-and-so does this,
obviously this next bit o' exposition will happen.
Wow. That's spontaneous.
Just like real life, huh?

The Slamdance reader also saw all my protagonists
as sympathetic!
Poor victims of a manevolent Fate.
There's Pat...a womanizer & guy who won't accept
responsibility. Can't even rescue stray kittens but
will use the scenario to pick-up a chippie.
Thn there's Eli, a recovering druggie...
spent his 20's incapacitated.
Or good ole Chapman
Cheats on his girlfriend
sleeps w/ hookers...maybe kills one?
And finally chubby Gerry
animal-abuser and all-around slob.
Yup, a quatret of beauties those four.
The stuff that happens to them is just terrible.
What was the author thinking?
But even if they were great folks
I support J-Horror all the way--
bad things happen to good people.
I'm not going to spoon-feed niceties to an audience
esp. in a horror script.

Oh I could go on
but it'd just be more venting.
And how exciting is that?
The end all be all of this is--
Slamdance is gonna get more money from me.
I'm submitting the "Druids" script.
The horror screenplay deadline isn't until 12 Nov
so I can mail off my 2nd submission in time.
I think this script is more in line w/ what their readers
are expecting.
(I mean, after all, last year "Vampire Strippers Must Die!"
was one of the horror finalists.)

*********************************************

Saw "The Puffy Chair" last night via Red Envelope
via Netflix.
Good stuff.
Three really good actors
and the direction au natural.
The Duplass Brothers in the extras interview
reference the fact that most films spend 90% of set-time
well...setting-up ie. camera, lights
forgoing director/actor time...a dinky remaining 10%.
The Duplass Brothers flip that equation,
director Jay as shooter
and lighting rig simple-- replacement high-wattage bulbs
in room, a few Chinese lanterns overhead.
And minimal blocking. Let the actors take the scene
where they will.
90% of the time is then spent on rehearsing,
get actor & director is sync.
People-- welcome to Mumblcore 101.

I check out the DVD shorts too--
One is so dopey & simple
Brother Mark & an answering machine
all about a guy having trouble dictacting his own voicemail.
This short, "This Is John" got into Sundance!
Paved the way for the feature.
And look at me...
going into 6 years of time & annual income
for "AERODYNAMICS".
I feel like a dumb bunny.