Genre: Horror
Logline: A pedophile targets a lemonade stand run by a very resourceful little girl.
I wrote this in one weekend for challenge #1 of the NYC Midnight Short Screenplay Challenge (2011). The writers in my heat had to write a horror short featuring a razor blade. The location for the short: a lemonade stand.
I was thrilled to have horror as my genre! I recently had a conversation with a friend about why people enjoy watching horror, let alone why anyone would WRITE it. I think people enjoy horror because it’s a safe way to explore (and overcome) their fears. However, horror stories don’t write themselves. Someone has to accept that responsibility, to let his or mind go places where timid souls fear to tread.
That’s where I come in.
I’m a family man, and I make it no secret that my biggest fears revolve around those I care for being put in danger. With lemonade stand as my location, bringing children into the story was a no-brainer. The question of whether or not the horror should be based in reality or in the supernatural was still up in the air, but I was able to answer that question without much hesitation: let’s do both.
The story has a horror comedy feel to it, and as a diehard fan of flicks like Evil Dead 2, Dead Alive, and Shaun of the Dead, that made me smile a little on the inside.
Heck, with enough open-minded parents and kiddos who don’t mind dressing up in “scary” costumes, this script may just end up making it to the small screen. (I’m looking at you, Martin Troy!)
Apologies in advance for any childhood memories this script might ruin for you. Hope you enjoy Bad for Business!
Download screenplay: Bad for Business
