I'm a full-time professional and part-time writer. I cut my teeth on writing a feature in 2016 (baptism by fire) and have since written two more features, 50+/- shorts, a pilot, a podcast, and 15+/- comics (illustrated by others). I've optioned a few scripts for production but none have made it to film...yet. Thank goodness for my FT profession!

My Work

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Big Al's and Bub's

Creator: John Staats

Big Al's and Bub's

Creator: John Staats
The proprietors of Big Al's and Bub's (Beelzebub) Crossroad Station toy with a rising star to force a decision out of desperation. It's a win-win situation, right?
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Dark Knight: Triad

Creator: John Staats

Dark Knight: Triad

Creator: John Staats
Tables turn on Bruce Wayne when he questions the Arkham Asylum Psychologist about a new inmate.*With 'The Batman' just two months from release, I thought I'd share a fun little short about the early days of Bruce Wayne. This is purely fan-fiction of DC's finest.
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Forsaken

Creator: John Staats

Forsaken

Creator: John Staats
A gunfighter and his lover share their thoughts of the past, present and future.When the Sheriff calls out the bandit to settle a score, all will be revealed.*Another short western for a shoe-string budget, one location and two actors.
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I Reckon: A Christmas Yarn

Creator: John Staats

I Reckon: A Christmas Yarn

Creator: John Staats
A Stranger rides into town on Christmas Eve. It's Judgement Night for those that cross his path. Choose wisely for your life and beyond.*It's that time of the year so I thought I'd share a little Western Christmas tale. This short could be produced on a shoe-string with a small cast and minimal SFX.
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Impasse

Creator: John Staats

Impasse

Creator: John Staats
Ambushed and besieged, a US Cavalry Command struggles for survival until reinforcements arrive. It's a Wild West 'Black Hawk Down' in 1879.*This is a 15-page partial of a 98-page completed feature. This action/war drama is based on the Battle of Milk Creek, one of the last true battles of the American Indian Wars and the most decorated single battle in U.S. Military history. Impasse could be produced as a sprawling epic ensemble (I just read that Ridley Scott is wanting to make a Western) or a reasonably budgeted independent. If you like the partial, the full feature can be accessed on Script Revolution.
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Let 'er Rip!

Creator: John Staats

Let 'er Rip!

Creator: John Staats
An outlaw's last words are more befitting than intended.*A fictional account of a wild west outlaw's last moments. Based on the real life hanging of the notorious Tom "Black Jack" Ketchum in 1901. This short could be produced on a shoestring with minimal SFX.
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No Good Deed

Creator: John Staats

No Good Deed

Creator: John Staats
A good Samaritan attempts to diffuse a bad situation, only to light the fuse to another.* Film-Noir, baby! I envision B&W with color highlights ala Sin City. Grainy high-contrast would be awesome, but it's the director's prerogative! Two characters (one femme fatale late 20's + one suave male early 30's) and one location. Golden.
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No Good Deed

Creator: John Staats

No Good Deed

Creator: John Staats
A good Samaritan attempts to diffuse a bad situation, only to light the fuse to another.* Film-Noir, baby! I envision B&W with color highlights ala Sin City. Grainy high-contrast would be awesome, but it's the director's prerogative! Two characters (one femme fatale late 20's + one suave male early 30's) and one location. Golden.
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The Gift of Giving

Creator: John Staats

The Gift of Giving

Creator: John Staats
An elderly man and his dog enjoy another memorable Christmas Eve. Again. And again.*Charley and his dog Sam are settling in for another Christmas eve. The evening doesn't really start until he takes out a gift that's full of memories. This shoe-string gem has one location, a small cast, and a lot of 'feels'.