PAUL KNAUER, Screenwriter
2022 Academy Nicholl Fellowship Quarterfinalist
Aug. 8, 2022 -- WAIT TILL NEXT YEAR, my sports-centric, Disney-style comedy feature, was named a 2022 Nicholl Fellowship Quarterfinalist. Check out the script page here. (Only 359 of 5,526 entries chosen.)
What Others Say About My Work:
“A sharp reinvention of classic themes with charming twists." "Not just an inspired story, it also has a feel good quality that brought a smile to my face as you predicted." "This is a film that should and could be made."
— Steven N., Producer, regarding my family comedy feature WAIT TILL NEXT YEAR
“... one of the very few (scripts we've analyzed) with a high financial prediction." Rated: Greenlight
— ScriptBook.io, regarding my thriller feature 60 FEET UNDER
"Impressive, witty storytelling."
— NPS, Page International judge
“I loved your style.” “The dialogue was first rate...”
— CS, Script analyst
“... a great deal of potential.”
— JPB, Fresh Voices judge
“A beautiful piece.”
— Sikendar Hemani, Director
“A brilliant screenplay.”
— Celeste Hoang, Director
Sample Scripts
by Paul Knauer
Features: (Additional features in varied genres available on request.)
SCRIPTBOOK RATING: GREENLIGHT
"... one of the very few (scripts we see) with a high financial prediction."
Predicted Domestic ROI of 228% and a Worldwide ROI of 307%.
100% predicted probability of aDomestic Gross of $30-60M.
Desperate to help his anxiety-riddled, claustrophobic daughter,
a father takes her on a road trip, only for them to be kidnapped by an erratic couple
and held in an underground missile silo.
This semi-contained thriller is designed to be made on a smaller budget (ScriptBook analysis: $13.7M).
Limited locations, a small cast and minimal FX required, 60 Feet Under is sure to thrill audiences and producers alike (ScriptBook expected Domestic Gross: $44.8M). Check out the project page here.
"... one of the very few (scripts we see) with a high financial prediction."
Predicted Domestic ROI of 228% and a Worldwide ROI of 307%.
100% predicted probability of aDomestic Gross of $30-60M.
Desperate to help his anxiety-riddled, claustrophobic daughter,
a father takes her on a road trip, only for them to be kidnapped by an erratic couple
and held in an underground missile silo.
This semi-contained thriller is designed to be made on a smaller budget (ScriptBook analysis: $13.7M).
Limited locations, a small cast and minimal FX required, 60 Feet Under is sure to thrill audiences and producers alike (ScriptBook expected Domestic Gross: $44.8M). Check out the project page here.
In this modern extension of the Cain and Abel story, a murderer,
sentenced to life on earth by God, is given a chance at redemption
when God reunites him with his brother --
the man he killed so long ago.
A semi-contained thriller with limited locations and a small cast, The Hand of God builds to a dramatic
and satisfying conclusion. Though centered on strong religious themes, it is written for broad appeal, and would not be considered a strictly-religious script. Check out the project page here.
Sitcom Pilots: (Additional sitcom pilots available on request.)
Edward, an aspiring politician, has a secret: His backyard is now home
to an unauthorized underground survival bunker built and occupied
by his paranoid and fiercely anti-government brother.
This multi-camera sitcom brings a light-hearted look at life in the Midwest.
This script was actually written several years ago, as I was experimenting with different types of sitcom formats.
If you've read my early sitcom scripts, the themes will be familiar. I offer this here as a fun writing sample.
And, for a peek at one step along the evolutionary chain of my newest concept: 1,000 Reasons I'm Going to Hell.
Shorts: (Additional shorts in varied genres available on request.)
Sixty years ago they made a pact to die together. One of them intends to honor it.
This 9-page short is tested and ready to shoot.
A contained drama with slight thriller elements, Blood Brothers is a festival-level script written to help you wrap quickly. All you'll need is a cabin in the woods, 4 seasoned male actors, 1 middle-aged female, and a few easy to find props.
For more details and a link to the full script, check out the project page here. (WARNING: offensive dialogue.)
(NOTE: Dialogue does NOT reflect my views, but is included to represent the dying views
of a generation struggling to adapt to new social norms.)
A young boy wants to play cars with his mommy. The only problem? He's dead.
(CURRENTLY UNDER OPTION)
This tight little 5-page thriller (with slight horror elements) is written to be a one day shoot.
Set entirely in a suburban home, and with a cast of two (not including one line of VO), PLAYING CARS is a great low-cost project for any team looking for a quick addition to their portfolio.
For more details and a link to the script, check out the project page here.
*** Contest-Winning Short ***
Wanna catch something big? It's all about the bait.
The contest challenge: write a 5-page creature feature that could easily be converted into a PG-rated,
anthology-style, graphic comic. Click here to read my winning entry.