Peter Nelson

Winning FAN FICTION Screenplay: WELCOME TO CRYSTAL LAKE (Friday the 13th), by Mike Meade

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Genre: Horror, Crime, Thriller

When corrupt developers come to Crystal Lake with plans to build a new lakeside resort they run into one unexpected problem, Jason Voorhees.

CAST LIST:

Narrator: Val Cole

Frank: Kris Hagen
Elias: Peter Nelson
Sean: Nick Wicht
Tom: Mike Ruderman
Marta: Carina Cojeen

Get to know the writer:

What is your screenplay about?

Welcome to Crystal Lake is about a group of corrupt developers that come to town with plans to build a new lakeside resort, but when they take things too far by trying to force Elias Voorhees off of his property, his son Jason violently intervenes.

What genres does your screenplay fall under?

I’d say it falls firmly into the slasher sub-genre of horror.

Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?

I think this screenplay should be made into a movie because the Friday the 13th fans (including myself) are dying for the next film to be made, but we want it done right. To me, that means creating a story that is new and fresh, while keeping the same tone and feel of the original films. I think Welcome to Crystal Lake succeeds in doing that and also has the potential to be expanded into an even better feature film.

How would you describe this script in two words?

Classic Jason.

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

That’s a hard one, but if I had to say which Friday the 13th movie I’ve seen the most times it would have to be Part 6, followed closely by Parts 4, 5, and 7.

How long have you been working on this screenplay?

I had the original idea almost two years ago, but didn’t actually write it until recently. By that time the story was so clear in my head it didn’t take long to finish once I got started.

How many stories have you written?

I couldn’t say for sure since I’ve been writing since I was a kid. But as far as screenplays go, I’ve written six shorts (including one I co-wrote) and am working on my third feature right now.

What is your favorite song? (Or, what song have you listened to the most times in your life?)

Fade to Black by Metallica. It never gets old no matter how many times I listen to it.

What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?

Just finding the time to actually write it since I was already working on other projects.

Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?

I’ve been into martial arts since I was about ten years old, so that’s probably the biggest thing. I also like taking my Jeep up into mountains while my hound dog rides shotgun and going camping.

You entered your screenplay via FilmFreeway. What has been your experiences working with the submission platform site?

I’ve had a great experience with FilmFreeway. Before I started submitting my stuff through them, I’d have to email each individual contest or festival, attach whatever file I needed, didn’t have my payment info saved, etc… Basically, it was a big hassle. With FilmFreeway it really just takes a few clicks and I’m done, plus it makes it super easy to keep track of all my submissions in one place. +

What influenced you to enter the festival? What were your feelings on the initial feedback you received?

I really wanted to write a Friday the 13th script, but was afraid it might never be seen or read by anybody, especially since I couldn’t sell the finished product. But then when I discovered this festival I thought I’d go ahead and give it a shot and I’m glad I did. When I received the initial feedback I was mainly impressed with how in depth it was. They had obviously taken the time to really read it and understand what I was going for.

 

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

Director: Kierston Drier
Casting Director: Sean Ballantyne
Editor: John Johnson

Camera Operator: Mary Cox

Watch DOCTOR WHO Fan Fiction Screenplay Reading by Mark Renshaw

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Watch the Fan Fiction Reading of DOCTOR WHO “My Doctor”:

CAST LIST:

NARRATOR – Sean Ballantyne
MARK – Peter Nelson
MATT SMITH – Andrei Preda
DAVROS/THE MASTER – Jason Martorino
CUSHING/TROUGHTON/MCGANN DOCTORS – Scott Beaudin
TENNANT/PERTWEE/BAKER DOCTORS – Cole Reid
AMY – Meghan Allen
WENDY – Julie Burris

Get to know writer Mark Renshaw:

1. What is your screenplay about?

My Doctor is a special episode of Doctor Who starring almost every incarnation of the famous Time Lord; up to and including Matt Smith. It also features some of his most notorious adversaries, such as the Daleks, Cybermen and The Master.

It begins in a normal every day setting, with an average guy called Mark (me!) eating his breakfast. In bursts Matt Smith in character as the Doctor. Mark is a huge Doctor Who fan, so he thinks this is all a prank, until the Doctor shows him a very real and extremely impossible TARDIS.

Realisation soon hits home, this is no ordinary situation. Mark is in very real danger and the only person who can save him is a fictional mad man in a box.

2. Why should this Dr. Who fan script be made into a movie?

I think this would make the quintessential Whovian adventure. It celebrates everything about Who, both classic and modern. I poured every bit of my admiration, respect and enjoyment for the show into this script. I wanted to write something long-term fans would really appreciate but also people new to the show would enjoy.

I believe this would make a fantastic audio, animated or even live-action production.

3. How long have you been watching Dr. Who? Have you seen almost (or every) episode?

I started watching in the Tom Baker years and I’ve seen pretty much every episode since. I’ve also gone back to watch some of the earlier episodes starring Jon Pertwee, Patrick Troughton and William Hartnell. I even love the old Doctor Who movies starring the legendary Peter Cushing.

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

Star Wars – A New hope. There was a point in my childhood I was watching it every day.

5. What artists would you love to work with?

I’d love to team up with Steven Moffat and Russell T Davies to co-write the ultimate Doctor Who movie. I’d also love to work with Joss Whedon. I really admire his writing and the characters he creates. Oh and yeah, If JJ Abrams wants any help with Star Wars or for me to take over Star Trek, tell him to gimme a call!

6. How many stories/screenplays have you written?

I’ve been writing as a hobby for many years, so I’ve written lots of short stories and scripts; some fan fiction but mostly original material. I’ve recently finished writing my first original feature called The 12 Step Killers and I’m currently working on a sequel to American Werewolf in London, just for fun and because the idea popped in my head. I have to write whatever pops in my head otherwise it drives me insane.

7. What motivated you to write this screenplay?

When Steven Moffat produced the 50th Anniversary of Doctor Who, he said something about the fan’s desire to include every incarnation of the Doctor in the special episode was impractical and impossible. I took that as a challenge. I know he includes a shot of all the Doctors at the end of the anniversary special but I felt they could have done more.

Also, as a fan I wanted to take part in the celebrations and was disappointed the BBC didn’t offer any opportunities for fans to participate. So I decided to write this just for myself. It was my way of joining in the celebration of fifty years of my favourite TV show.

8. Describe your process; do you have a set routine, method for writing?
I have very little time to write, due to this annoying thing that keeps on getting in the way called life. So I have developed a process that works for me. Once I get an idea, I flesh it out in my head during the week. I have conversations with the characters and work on each scene mentally. I’ve found the best time for this is at the gym.

The idea is to have 10-15 pages worth of material ready to go. Then, when I get a few spare hours, I’ll seal myself off from the world, prepare an enormous cafetiere of coffee, fire up some inspirational soundtrack music, pound away at my keyboard and see how far I can get.

Some weeks I don’t get any time to write but as long as I keep on writing when I do, it all adds up and stops me going mental.

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

I love stories. I love hearing them, reading them, watching them. I love music and art, anything which touches me emotionally and spiritually. I’m passionate about anything which helps me appreciate the here and now more.

10. Who is your all-time favorite Dr. Who and why?

Just like in the script, Tom Baker is my Doctor. He’ll always have the most special place in my heart but I really grew attached to Matt Smith. I do like Peter Capaldi a lot, he’s becoming an epic Doctor but I still miss Matt Smith.

11. What influenced you to enter the Fan Fiction Festival? Was the feedback you received valuable?

I wrote My Doctor for myself. As unsolicited fan fiction I knew the BBC couldn’t entertain even reading it, so I never thought I could do anything with it until I came across this fabulous festival. I looked through the website and saw some of the fantastic TV episodes and movies from all sorts of famous franchises and thought, why not give it a go? I’m so glad I did.

The feedback I received was incredible. The guy reviewing seemed to really understand not only scripts but Doctor Who and good, well-rounded stories. The feedback really helped me to write a new draft.

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

Never stop writing. Never stop believing in yourself. Never stop challenging yourself. Write out of your comfort zone. Write things that scare you, write things that are difficult.

Write even if you only have one hour a month, never let excuses stop you. Never let that little demon that whispers in your ear ‘Why even try? Just give up!’ persuade you to stop.

Let your writing be your art, your message to the world, your legacy. Let your words cut deep, your dialogue speak volumes and make every single element of your script mean something; even if it only means something to you.

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Deadline: FAN FICTION FESTIVAL
Submit a classic TV show, movie series, or iconic franchise screenplay.
https://fanfictionfestival.com/

Watch sneak peak teaser of the DOCTOR WHO video on Instagram:
https://instagram.com/p/4zIURiOOio/