In Advisor Studio sessions, film and television industry professionals share field experiences and insights into their specific areas of craft, including writing, directing, and producing for TV and film. 

What makes an audience scream, squirm, jump, or hold their breath in dread? In this Sundance Collab session, veteran producer and development executive Beth Bruckner O’Brien pulls back the curtain on the architecture of cinematic scares.

Beth will guide writers and filmmakers through the process of choreographing scares on the page—from jump scares and slow-burn tension to the subtle rhythms of dread that keep audiences hooked. Participants will learn how to build suspense using horror beat sheets, mapping out the precise moments of shock, unease, and release that shape unforgettable horror films.

Beth has held senior positions at Millennium Films and Solstice Studios, where she developed thriller and horror titles such as Unhinged, Bullet Head, Leatherface, and Texas Chainsaw 3D. Her other horror credits include the SAW franchise, House at the End of the Street, and Frozen.

With a slate of new horror, thriller, and action projects currently in development, Beth brings industry-tested insight into what makes scares effective not just on screen, but also in the marketplace. This session is designed to help creators at every level sharpen their craft and design horror stories that leave a lasting impact.

If you would benefit from an accommodation to fully participate in this event, please complete this form, contact us at (435) 776-7790, or email us at accessibility@sundance.org to discuss your specific requests. Every effort will be made to accommodate advance requests; however, requests made within 5 days of the event may not be guaranteed.

A recording of this Advisor Studio will be posted to our Video Library the business day following the session. All registered attendees will find the recording in the “Purchases” section of their account once it is posted.