A couple of years ago, I decided to try my hand screenwriting. Rather than trying to come up with a new story and learn screenwriting at the same time, I decided to adapt one of my short stories.

Pod Fifteen was an obvious choice because a) I really like it and b) it seemed like a good length. I ended up turning it into a 38 page screenplay. Short films tend to be under 30 pages so it sits in an uncomfortable spot where it’s not quite a short but definitely not a full length movie.

Still, I enjoyed the process and didn’t have any plans to try to get the script made so I put it into my completed projects folder and moved back to writing prose.

Fast forward to May 2023 and a Horror Writers Association meeting where a guest talking about screenwriting mentioned submitting to film festivals. Despite really not knowing what I was doing, and with no expectations of success, I dug up that Pod Fifteen script and submitted it to a few contests.

To my surprise, I got some good feedback, reached the quarter-finalist a couple of times, and the semi-finals at the MidWest WeirdFest.

But the highlight, was this…

To say I was surprised was an understatement. While I’m under no illusions that this is my first step to big-screen success, it’s still cool. And it’s encouraged me to adapt another story. This time something that’s definitely a short film.

Until next time, stay safe.

[My First Screenplay (Award) by Philip Harris first appeared on Solitary Mindset on 4th April 2024]