Genre - Drama

Logline: A mother gives her three year-old daughter a beautiful, impossible birthday gift.

I wrote this in two days for the final round of the NYC Midnight Screenwriting Championships (2009).  The writers in my heat had to write a short that featured a nursery and a wig.

I was up against 39 very talented writers, and this script came in 12th place.  Considering the competition, I'm okay with that.  ;]

I surprised myself by choosing to write a drama when the judges opted for an open genre for the final round.  I'm happy with my choice (and the resulting script), but I read some KILLER scripts from other writers that have prompted me to approach the next contest with a little more courage.

Overall, I tied for 11th place out of 278 writers.  That puts me in the top 4%.

I wish I could say something like, "I can live with that," but I'd be lying.

I'll keep at it until I've either landed in the top 1% or a I've become ineligible to compete because of a script sale.

Whichever comes first...

Happy_Birthday_Anna.pdf (8.11 KB)

Genre - Fantasy

Logline: A young boy puts together a very special first aid kit, with the hopes that he can heal a wound from which he's still trying to recover.

I wrote this in two days for round 2 of the NYC Midnight Screenwriting Championships (2009).  The writers in my heat had to write a fantasy short that featured a cemetery and a first aid kit.

I really dig this script.  It came in fourth place in my heat, but this is one of those gems that begs for a rewrite.  With the right tweaks and the right cast, this script could turn into a very cool, very sweet little short.

Believe.pdf (8.09 KB)

Genre - Romantic Comedy

Logline: Two men engage in a long-standing tradition, competing to be the first to seduce a stranger to share his bed with him.

I wrote this in two days for round 1 (part 2) of the NYC Midnight Screenwriting Championships (2009).  The writers in my heat had to write a romantic comedy short that featured a hotel lobby and a trophy.

This script took third place in its heat.  After the total scores were tallied for both round 1 scripts, I came in first place.  On to round 2!

Tiger_Tiger.pdf (8.24 KB)

Genre - Drama

Logline: A young mother in Auschwitz is given the opportunity to win favor with an SS Officer, but the benefits of working for the enemy come with a steep price.

I wrote this in two days for round 1 of the NYC Midnight Screenwriting Championships (2009).  The writers in my heat had to write a dramatic short that featured a campground and a bottle of wine.

With seventeen writers in my heat (myself included), this script came in second place.  Not too shabby...

Work_Brings_Freedom.pdf

Genre - Horror

Logline - A serial killer and single father tries to start a new life with his son, only to learn that escaping his violent past isn't as easy as he'd hoped.

This was the eighth short produced by Tempered Zealot Productions.


TZP Film Site for A Thousand Words: Revelation
MySpace Site for A Thousand Words: Revelation



A_Thousand_Words_Revelation.pdf (36.26 KB)

Genre - Mystery

Logline - When Hannah's son is kidnapped, her journey for the truth raises questions she isn't ready to answer.

I wrote this short over the course of a week for round 1 of the NYC Midnight Screenwriter's Challenge (2009).  The writers in my heat had to write a mystery where the subject was an egg (or eggs).

I was originally leaning toward a Da Vinci Code / National Treasure short featuring a Faberge egg, but I opted instead for something much more intimate.

This short features Hannah, a young mother addicted to heroin.  It centers around the kidnapping of her young son, Max, and around her efforts to be a good mother while struggling with her addiction.

So where do the eggs come into play?  What's the mystery?

Read on...

A_Mothers_Love.pdf (14.53 KB)

Genre - Horror

Logline - A young mother and her toddler son move to a small town with the hopes of starting over, only to learn a tragic lesson in the relationship between beginnings and endings.

I wrote this in two days for round 3 of the NYC Midnight Screenwriting Championships (2008).  The writers in my heat had to write a horror short that featured a post office and a blank check.

The results for this round should be announced in early February.  If I place high enough (either overall or just in this round), I'll bring home a little bit of scratch.  More importantly, though, I've got four new short scripts in my portfolio.

Good_Little_Boys.pdf (9.51 KB)

Genre - Horror

Logline - A young couple visits a Native American reservation and learns that the sins of the past have not been forgiven.

I wrote this in two days for round 2 of the NYC Midnight Screenwriting Championships (2008).  The writers in my heat had to write a horror short that featured a desert and a rug.

This script placed 4th in my heat.  Since I placed within the top five in my heat, I was able to advance to the final round.

Reservation.pdf (9.98 KB)

Genre - Historical Drama

Logline - At the tail end of World War I, a young family learns that some enemies are inescapable.

I wrote this in two days for round 1 (part 2) of the NYC Midnight Screenwriting Championships (2008).  The writers in my heat had to write an historical drama that featured a waterfall and a tablecloth.

This script placed 4th in my heat.  My combined score for round 1 was enough to advance me to round 2.

Sacrifice.pdf (9.93 KB)

Genre - Political Satire

Logline - The battle lines are drawn, and two presidential candidates go to extremes to connect with Ohio voters (and win their precious electoral votes).

I wrote this in two days for round 1 (part 1) of the NYC Midnight Screenwriting Championships (2008).  The writers in my heat had to write a political satire that featured a tattoo parlor and a hard hat.

This script placed 4th in my heat.

Swing_State.pdf (9.54 KB)

Genre - Drama

Logline - An out-of-work family man learns that getting what you asked for isn't always for the best.

I wrote this in one week for the NYC Midnight 5th Annual Screenwriter's Challenge (2008).  The writers in my heat had to write a dramatic script about a map.

Reclamation.pdf (22.34 KB)

Genre - Fantasy

Logline - Eating a forbidden fruit reveals what the future has in store for a young couple, forcing them to choose between a short life together or a long life apart.

I wrote this in one week for the NYC Midnight 4th Annual Screenwriter's Challenge (2007).  The writers in my heat had to write a fantasy script about a garden.

Seeds_of_Eden.pdf (19.51 KB)

Genre - Horror

Logline - A son comes to terms with his voyeuristic serial killer father, and he must decide between protecting his dad or saving the girl he loves.

This was the seventh short produced by Tempered Zealot Productions.

Festival Links
    The Indie Gathering - 2007 (Winner - Best Horror Short)
    Frightmares Film Festival - 2007 (Winner - Best Music)
    Akron Independent Film Festival - 2007
    Atlanta Horror Film Fest - 2007
    Dark Carnival Film Festival - 2008
    Fright Night Film Fest - 2007
    IUSB Independent Video & Filmmakers Festival - 2008
    Sacramento Horror Film Festival - 2007
    Spooky Movie Film Festival - 2007

TZP Film Site for A Thousand Words: Bloodline
MySpace Site for A Thousand Words: Bloodline
IMDB Link for A Thousand Words: Bloodline

A_Thousand_Words_Bloodline.pdf (40.85 KB)

Genre - Comedy

Logline - The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse walk into a coffee shop, where one of them reveals he wants to quit.

This was the sixth short produced by Tempered Zealot Productions.

Festivals:
    Akron Independent Film Festival - 2007
    IUSB Independent Video & Filmmakers Festival - 2007
    Swansea Bay Film Festival - 2007

TZP Film Site for Over Coffee
MySpace Site for Over Coffee
IMDB Link for Over Coffee

Over_Coffee.pdf (35.5 KB)

Genre - Mockumentary

Logline - An out-of-work actor takes us behind the scenes in the world of independent filmmaking.

This was the fifth short produced by Tempered Zealot Productions.

Festivals:
    Broken Lamp Film Festival - 2006
    IUSB Independent Video & Filmmakers Festival - 2006
    Look at My Shorts III Film Festival - 2006

TZP Film Site for Support an Indie Filmmaker
IMDB Link for Support an Indie Filmmaker

Support_an_Indie_Filmmaker.pdf (31.39 KB)

Genre - Horror

Logline - A voyeuristic serial killer draws another victim into his web through a series of gruesome photos.

This was the third short produced by Tempered Zealot Productions.

Festivals:
    Broken Lamp Film Festival - 2006
    Look at My Shorts III Film Festival - 2006
    Twisted Spine Micro Film Festival - 2006

TZP Film Site for A Thousand Words
IMDB Link for A Thousand Words

A_Thousand_Words.pdf (17.31 KB)

Genre - Suspense/Thriller

Logline - A young mother cares for her infant daughter, unaware of the stranger in their home who is videotaping their every move.

This was the second short produced by Tempered Zealot Productions.

TZP Film Site for Game Day

Game_Day.pdf (100.7 KB)