Ep 278 - Paul Etheredge on Writing 'The Other' and Reinventing Indie Horror

Writer-director Paul Etheredge joins Geoffrey to discuss his chilling new horror film The Other. From dream-fueled inspiration to last-minute casting chaos, Paul shares how the film came together—and how it cleverly subverts genre expectations. Plus, a candid look at indie filmmaking challenges, practical effects, and building layered character arcs that flip audience assumptions.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:How The Other was inspired by a nightmare and developed into a subversive horror filmWhat it’s like collaborating with horror legend Jeffrey ReddickWhy practical effects are still powerful—and how they pulled it off on a budgetThe unexpected casting journey and how it shaped the film’s toneAdvice for screenwriters on writing readable, producible scriptsKey Moments:00:23 – Geoffrey’s horror-fan confession and Paul’s reaction to early screenings02:10 – Working with Final Destination’s Jeffrey Reddick04:33 – The nightmare that sparked the idea for The Other06:36 – Why the film took five years to make08:30 – Commitment to practical effects and 80s influences09:43 – Building empathy for a character who first appears dangerous12:48 – Shawnee Smith’s accidental casting and standout performance13:54 – The climax rewrite done during the shoot16:14 – Paul’s blunt advice for screenwriters17:12 – Getting a Hallmark actress to go dark for horrorAbout the Guest:Paul Etheredge is a writer-director known for the cult LGBTQ+ slasher Hellbent and now The Other, a psychological horror film praised for its genre-defying twists. He’s a longtime collaborator with Jeffrey Reddick and brings a wealth of indie filmmaking experience and insight.About the Host:With films on network television, streaming platforms, and in theaters, Geoffrey D. Calhoun is a screenwriter, author of The Guide for Every Screenwriter, and a passionate mentor in the industry. He hosts The Successful Screenwriter podcast to empower writers and filmmakers at every level.Resources Mentioned in the Episode:The Other – Available now on Amazon, Apple TV, Roku, and other VOD platformsFangoria Magazine – Featuring The Other on the coverConnect with the Guest:Watch The Other on AmazonPaul Etheredge on IMDbConnect with Geoffrey D. Calhoun:Podcast WebsiteInstagram @screenwriterpodTikTok @screenwriterpodIf you loved this deep dive into horror filmmaking, be sure to rate, follow, and share the episode. Got a favorite horror twist in film? Let us know in the comments!#HorrorFilm #IndieFilmmaking #ScreenwritingTips #TheOtherMovie #SuccessfulScreenwriterPodcast🎬 Get Free Script Leads — be the first to know which producers are requesting scripts and accepting submissions.If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe. Share it with a fellow screenwriter who’d find it valuable!