Creating the Horror in Your Screenplay (On Demand)

This is an On Demand course that was developed from existing live online library content. On Demand courses allow you to watch video lectures at your own pace, with curated resources and other materials to support your work. You can begin taking this course at any time.

Ready to write a horror screenplay that gets under your audience's skin? Learn to craft truly terrifying and unforgettable horror stories in this comprehensive,  On Demand course taught by celebrated horror screenwriter Owen Egerton.

In this course, you'll go beyond cheap jump scares to discover the core principles of cinematic horror. Through bite-sized video lessons you can watch at your own pace, Owen will guide you through writing exercises that build your story from the ground up, helping you develop compelling characters, build suspense, and create scares that are both original and deeply unsettling.

This course builds upon a previous Sundance Collab Master Class and features exclusive insights and conversations with some of the biggest names in the genre, including Jennifer Kent (The Babadook), Ana Lily Amirpour (A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night), Jason Blum (Blumhouse Productions), and Robert Eggers (The Witch).

In this course, you will:

• Develop and outline a compelling horror story
• Create and define your characters
• Craft and analyze the art of "the scare"
• Write a powerful logline to pitch your project
• Draft a short horror script for your film concept

Who this course is for: This course is ideal for aspiring and working screenwriters, as well as directors and genre enthusiasts who want to master the unique elements of horror storytelling.

Additional Benefits: Your enrollment includes a Workbook and access to several additional videos from Sundance Collab's Video Library.

View the Outline tab for more details on the course.

All course videos are closed-captioned. For other accommodations and support services, please email us at accessibility@sundance.org.