Let's Make It Five!
Mar. 27, 2020: I've been tasked by a production company based in Toronto to write a new short for their team to shoot. That'll make 5 shorts produced in 5 different countries! And, since I've been given an open assignment, if I choose a unique genre, I'll have 5 shorts, with 5 different directors, in 5 different countries, across 5 different genres. I won't force the genre, but if it works...
In other news, I just completed a rewrite of my thriller feature 60 FEET UNDER. Another layer added to fill out the story. If you're looking for a contained thriller with commercial appeal written for big impact at a low production cost, let's talk!
In other news, I just completed a rewrite of my thriller feature 60 FEET UNDER. Another layer added to fill out the story. If you're looking for a contained thriller with commercial appeal written for big impact at a low production cost, let's talk!
Fun With Numbers
Feb. 16, 2020: Just for kicks, I sat down yesterday to count how many scripts I've written. Here are the totals for "completed scripts": 5 sitcom pilots with a total of 9 scripts (one project has 5 episodes), 2 sitcom spec scripts, 4 features (2 comedy, 2 thrillers), and 25 shorts (2 action, 13 comedy, 7 thrillers, 3 horror).
That's 40 scripts, and counting.
Looking through the scripts, the biggest surprise? 12 thrillers and horrors. I've always considered myself a comedy writer first. But, I've thoroughly enjoyed writing serious projects. And, surprisingly, some of my biggest audience reactions have come from the horrors. I never knew I had it in me.
That's 40 scripts, and counting.
Looking through the scripts, the biggest surprise? 12 thrillers and horrors. I've always considered myself a comedy writer first. But, I've thoroughly enjoyed writing serious projects. And, surprisingly, some of my biggest audience reactions have come from the horrors. I never knew I had it in me.
2 More Shorts Picked Up
Dec. 5, 2019: Momentum continues as 2 additional shorts are picked up for production. I now have 4 shorts, in 4 different genres, at various stages of pre-production. Additional fun fact: the shorts will be produced in 4 different countries!
Stay tuned for details as I'm allowed to share.
Stay tuned for details as I'm allowed to share.
Writing Update: Pre-Production begins for 1 horror short and 1 romcom short, plus other news
Nov. 15, 2019: Several of my shorts have garnered international attention, with 2 currently in pre-production across the pond. In addition, I've taken on a rewrite project of a feature written to be filmed in India. It's a unique project that promises to be loads of fun. Further updates as they are available.
NEW PROJECT START
I've begun early work on my next Imagine Impact application. I'll be pitching my sitcom idea: 1,000 Reasons I'm Going To Hell.
ANOTHER CONTEST WINNER
COLD BLOOD, a psychological horror short written for an online writing challenge, is my latest winning script. The short, based on the killings made famous by Truman Capote's book IN COLD BLOOD, finished first in the Halloween-inspired contest.
I'm now in the very early stages of developing the project as my first horror feature. The project is a psychological horror/thriller that'll make your skin crawl. If you're interested in reading the short, drop me a line at the contact link above. I won't be posting it here. But, let's just say: It would make a GREAT proof-of-concept short for the feature, and I'm supremely confident in the idea's ability to generate some real buzz.
FIRST DRAFT FINISHED ON COMEDY FEATURE
I recently completed the first draft of a family comedy feature very loosely based on my life as a small-town broadcaster. Now, I'll set it aside for a bit to let it mature. I'll let everyone know when the second draft (and the real work) begins.
NEW PROJECT START
I've begun early work on my next Imagine Impact application. I'll be pitching my sitcom idea: 1,000 Reasons I'm Going To Hell.
ANOTHER CONTEST WINNER
COLD BLOOD, a psychological horror short written for an online writing challenge, is my latest winning script. The short, based on the killings made famous by Truman Capote's book IN COLD BLOOD, finished first in the Halloween-inspired contest.
I'm now in the very early stages of developing the project as my first horror feature. The project is a psychological horror/thriller that'll make your skin crawl. If you're interested in reading the short, drop me a line at the contact link above. I won't be posting it here. But, let's just say: It would make a GREAT proof-of-concept short for the feature, and I'm supremely confident in the idea's ability to generate some real buzz.
FIRST DRAFT FINISHED ON COMEDY FEATURE
I recently completed the first draft of a family comedy feature very loosely based on my life as a small-town broadcaster. Now, I'll set it aside for a bit to let it mature. I'll let everyone know when the second draft (and the real work) begins.
New Scripts: Click Here
I hope you'll jump to my 2019 Writer's Tournament page and check out three of my new shorts written over the past several weeks. Each was written in 72 hours to tournament-provided handcuffing parameters. Each one has something unique to offer, and the list includes one of my all-time favorite shorts. I'm proud of all three for different reasons.
Featured Scripts By Paul Knauer
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. This particular version of the script leans heavy (in the early pages) on Edward's religious views, as it was adapted for a contest run by a group looking for scripts featuring atheists. A rewrite would probably downplay that angle a bit. But, really, I offer this here more 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. (I've been playing with similar themes and characters for years... all leading to this moment.)
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. This particular version of the script leans heavy (in the early pages) on Edward's religious views, as it was adapted for a contest run by a group looking for scripts featuring atheists. A rewrite would probably downplay that angle a bit. But, really, I offer this here more 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. (I've been playing with similar themes and characters for years... all leading to this moment.)
An emotionally-stunted loner is forced to interact with the world by his hard-charging goldfish.
This proof of concept short introduces the world of Stanley and Albert, opposites thrown together by the random fate of the pet adoption process. Bad Fish: A Stanley Crumpler Novel is a live-action, sometimes-dark, occasionally-absurd comedy.
It's fun. It's weird. It's a heartfelt story of finding connection in a disconnected world. Check out the project page here.
UPDATE: I've been considering developing this project as a graphic novel. After mentioning this to my very good friend and talented screenwriter Warren Duncan (check him out here), he surprised me by commissioning a sample cover. Click HERE to see the cover and a few bits of concept art. The artist is Eli Johnson (check him out here). It was a tremendous gift and an amazing bit of generosity. Thank you Warren. And, thank you Eli. You are an incredible artist.
Features: (Additional features in varied genres available on request.)
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 contained thriller is designed to be made on a small budget. Limited locations, a small cast and minimal FX required,
60 Feet Under is sure to thrill audiences and producers alike. Check out the project page here.
In this modern extension of Cain and Abel, 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.
Shorts: (Additional shorts in varied genres available on request.)
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PROJECT UPDATE: OPTIONED. Currently in post-production.
A widow needs a push to begin dating again. The contest challenge: write a 5-10 page RomCom. Script must include roses, a box of chocolates, and something red. FOR NOW (originally titled BLESSING) was my 2nd-place winning entry. This sweet little 8-pager is ready to shoot and inexpensive to make. If you're looking for a fun little short with heart, then click here. |
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, a few easy to find props and a camera.
For more details and a link to the full script, check out the project page here.
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A young boy wants to play cars with his mommy. The only problem? He's dead. 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. |
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*** 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. |
What Others Are Saying About My Work
“Impressive, witty storytelling."
— NPS, Page International judge
“I loved your style.” “The dialogue was first rate...”
— CS, ScriptQuack analyst
“... a great deal of potential.”
— JPB, Fresh Voices judge
— NPS, Page International judge
“I loved your style.” “The dialogue was first rate...”
— CS, ScriptQuack analyst
“... a great deal of potential.”
— JPB, Fresh Voices judge