Stage 32 + Mammoth Pictures Search for New Blood Screenwriting Contest Inbox Rejection

 Just got the word from Stage 32:

"Hey Erik,

Thank you so much for entering the Stage 32 + Mammoth Pictures Search for New Blood Screenwriting Contest! Thank you for being a part of the Stage 32 community and trusting us to help you move your scripts and your career forward. 

I am reaching out now because, unfortunately, Personal Demons was not one of the scripts selected to advance to the next round. I’m sure it isn’t easy to receive this news, but please don’t be discouraged. This year’s contest was extremely competitive and our judges were continually telling us how talented our community is and how hard of a decision this was for them. Together, we will keep working to advance your career and we will be there to support you every step of the way.

Be on the lookout for an email from Pat, our Writer Liaison, who will send over your prize package on Monday! And please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns - we're here for you!

The Stage 32 Contest & Writer Success Team"

 

Normally, this would at least put a tiny ding in my mood (or self-esteem), but I decided months ago that this site (and everyone affiliated with it) is a scam... in fact, I've decided most Pitchfests are a scam. How is it that Personal Demons has been impressing film fests and screenplay competitions worldwide, and yet none of the "VIPs" at these Pitchfests (I'm convinced) actually read the scripts and get back to the authors in a timely fashion. I think I've only had one "VIP" take my script seriously... and that was back in 2022... and it was a few and far between example. 

Also, I love how these guys send rejection notices on Friday... to really destroy your weekend. Great demoralization tactic from those "in power" to those who want, even a dime-sized aperture view into, a path to success.

C'est la vie. 

And thus I soldier on.  

 

Page Twenty-Nine

 I have just reached page 29 and completed act I of my second Christmas horror screenplay, Mall Santa.

I won't lie: I fear the inciting incident takes a bit too long to arrive (it arrives on page 20-25, instead of page 15), but all that happens before that is (IMO) necessary character and world-building. 

Then the plot point (which is supposed to be on page 30... this is all according to Syd Fields) now appears... well, right on schedule. 

But it is elbow-to-elbow with the inciting incident.

Whatever.

Narcissistic as it may sound, I am loving what I am writing.

If given a proper budget and releases at the correct time (just after Halloween, but close enough to Christmas) and given the right amount of promotion (I'm thinking actors dressed as Krampus strategically placed throughout the country at major events... and Krampusnacht festivals, obviously) it could be huge (not just a cult classic) and spawn a franchise.

I am off now to do my annual re-watch of Christmas Bloody Christmas and Violent Night., Hopefully, I will gather some inspiration, as well as my inevitable enjoyment. 

 

 

 

Merry Krampusnacht

It's strange that on this Krampusnacht of 2025 (an especially bad year, IMHO), that I have no motivation or real inspiration to write much in a Christmas horror screenplay (about Krampus!).

Perhaps it is just too obvious.

Regardless, I did write a single scene, so I guess that counts.

 

 

 

 

Ravenwood Submission

Yesterday I submitted Personal Demons to the Ravenwood Film Festival.

It was only $10 to submit.

If nothing else, I just like the Poe-esque name of the fest.

We'll see how this goes.

 

 

 

 

Last Mintue Inspiration

 My best friend from college (and one-time roommate) just texted me that he has just discovered Joe Begos's Christmas Bloody Christmas, one of my favorite Christmas horror films of all time!

I told him that I did a full (moralist, Christian and Dickensian) analysis of the movie. There's a lot more going on there than people realize. 

Anyhow, I am doing some rare school week writing. Trying to knock out a few scenes in my second Christmas horror screenplay, Mall Santa.

I found that I am able to recycle some scenes from a bit of fan fiction I wrote back in March of 2020 (I wrote the first 20 pages of what I would want to see from a sequel to Michael Dougherty's Krampus).

Though it should be noted that I intended to dip into that bit of 20-page fan fiction all along in order to help me write this script.

Regardless, here I sit, my Paddwax Charles Dickens candle burning by my side, Christmas music playing through my favorite Pandora Christmas music station (they play all the old and new Christmas music... it really is a magical thing... this station introduced me to Lindsey Stirling and helped me appreciate Michael Bublé... I wait all year to crank this station) and eating the last of my mother's famous cranberry nut-bread that she sent me home with after Thanksgiving.

The holiday spirit can be felt in every corner of my home.

I love this time of year! 

 

 

Situation Change

 I just got back from a horror con in Chicago.

I have attended this particular con (Days of the Dead) ten times now.

And while I love cons, fandom and meeting my heroes... I am no longer content with just going to these cons as a star-struck fan.

I want to have my own table at these cons.

And not as one of those self-published indie horror authors, looking to sell a book or two and gain a new fan/reader for life (which, incidentally, there is nothing wrong with that... I bought five books from three different indie authors this weekend alone), but as a screenwriter whose films have garnered a massive following.

I want to be one of the headliner guests.

I want to have Dan O'Bannon (another St. Louis horror screenwriter)-sized billing and recognition.

I just wrote a scene in Mall Santa.

It's a scene that has lived in my head for months. 

I need to find the energy and time to write and to keep this momentum going.

I want to be a part of that storytelling machine out West that I love so much.

I need to stop admiring it and break down the doors so I can be a part of it.  

 

Breaking News

This just in: I just wrote a scene in my new screenplay (my second Christmas horror film) that actually made me choke up and cry a bit.

I'm serious.

It was, what I thought, a sweet character moment.

I honestly can't tell if this is narcissistic or not...

Whatever.

Back to writing.  

I love these characters so much, I want to hang out with them a bit more before I sleep.