The Successful Screenwriter with Geoffrey D Calhoun: Screenwriting Podcast cover image

The Successful Screenwriter with Geoffrey D Calhoun: Screenwriting Podcast

Ep 220 - Crafting Suspense in Screenwriting: Lessons from Ghosts of the Void

Jan 10, 2024
Jason Miller, a writer-director, shares his journey from concept to execution of 'Ghosts of the Void,' a low-budget, single-location thriller. He discusses the complexities of writing a suspenseful narrative and provides practical advice for aspiring filmmakers. The podcast also highlights the challenges of fundraising and the importance of building relationships in the film industry.
16:53

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The importance of cultivating genuine relationships in the film industry to secure funding and make meaningful projects.
  • Creating a slow burn suspense film involves focusing on the gradual revelation of information and incorporating compelling and mysterious elements within the story.

Deep dives

Creating a Film on a Low Budget: Ghosts of Avoid

In this podcast episode, the writer and director Jason Miller discusses his experience creating the film Ghosts of Avoid on a low budget. He explains that the concept for the film came about as a result of looking for a simple, low-budget idea that could be shot in a single location. The story revolves around characters living in their cars, adding an element of horror to the film. Miller describes the process of writing the script and reveals that he initially structured it in 10-page increments to align with a hypothetical eight-day shoot. He also shares insights on creating a slow burn thriller, focusing on revealing information gradually to maintain suspense.

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