Short Screenplay – MATERNAL FEAR by Stephen Milek

Watch the July 2016 Winning 1pg. Short Screenplay 

MATERNAL FEAR by Stephen Milek

CAST LIST:

NARRATOR – Sean Kaufmann
PAM – Elizabeth Rose Morriss

Get to know writer Stephen Milek:

1. What is your screenplay about?

My screenplay is a psychological thriller based on events that happened to a friend of mine. She was heading to bed and looked at a baby monitor to check on her son and saw a white orbs circling around her son. Not wanting to wake her son up she googled what to do and found an incantation to say to send evil spirits away.

2. Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?

A relationship that lives in the aftermath of an abortion is
The fear a parent has for their children is universal. When something unknown threatens an innocent child even non parents feel a sense of dread. I believe a film like this could tap into those universal fears.

3. How would you describe this script in two words?

Mother’s fear

4. What movie have you seen the most times in your life?

As a kid I probably watched The Goonies the most and still revisit it as an adult and still ranks as one of my favorite movies.

5. How long have you been working on this screenplay?

When I found out about the 1 page screenplay challenge I tried to come up with a good story that could be told in a short time. Since I only found out about the challenge shortly before the deadline it was a pretty short time that I was working on it.

6. How many stories have you written?
Around 10

7. What motivated you to write this screenplay?

I liked the challenge and love to get feedback to strength my writing skills. The story comes from wanting to tell a complete story in 1 page.

8. What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?

The one page limit posed the biggest obstacle especially with the end. In my first draft there were more characters and bigger ending. But a lot of editing had to be done to get the one page ending but still try to keep the intensity of the script.

9. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?

Movies in general. I write for a blog and help run The Milwaukee Twisted Dreams Film Festival.

Besides that I work in a hospital as a pharmacist.

10. Any advice or tips you’d like to pass on to other writers?

I still feel like I am learning so not sure what advice I could pass on.

The biggest part of learning to write is seeking meaningful feedback. I always appreciate tips on how to make my writing better. I also try to read other screenplays to get a feel of how the pros do it.

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Director/Producer: Matthew Toffolo http://www.matthewtoffolo.com

Editor: John Johnson

Casting Director: Sean Ballantyne