How to Write a Horror Screenplay with Neal Marshall Stevens, Author of A Sense of Dread: Getting Under the Skin of Horror Screenwriting

Join screenwriter Stuart Wright as he dives deep into horror screenwriting with Neal Marshall Stevens, author of A Sense of Dread: Getting Under the Skin of Horror Screenwriting. Discover how to craft spine-chilling horror screenplays by tapping into the essence of “A Sense of Dread.” Neal shares expert insights on using biological, psychological, and cultural fears, plus his “Toolbox of Dread” to elevate your scripts. Perfect for aspiring screenwriters, horror filmmakers, and fans of suspenseful storytelling looking to master the craft. Episode Highlights: [2:50] - Why write a book about horror screenwriting? [4:45} - What were the elements of horror screenwriting you were keen to explore? And what was difficult to convey? [7:30] - What was the first horror film that scared you?And what was the last film to scare you? [11:00] - What is the scariest example from your own screenplays? 5 Questions about A SENSE OF DREAD: GETTING UNDER THE SKIN OF HORROR [13:42] - What is the sense of dread and how does it apply to the writing of horror movies? Scary versus sense of dread? [21:08] - Our first fears are rooted in biology. What are biological-based fears? What do you understand them to be? [28:48] - What are psychological fears? Instinctive fears? How to utilise those fears. [36:44] - What are fears based in culture? Deep cultural concern. Paranoid fears and how they change over time because they are connected to the power structures of the time. [42:45] - Toolbox dread. How do I create scary moments on the page? How do I build to a scare? Key Takeaways:   Learn about how to use biological, psychological, and cultural fears to help you write better horror screenplays Understand how to create scary moments on the page Discover what a sense of dread is and how his “Toolbox of Dread” will elevate your scripts Rate, Review, Subscribe: Help us grow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred platform. Hosted, written, and produced by Stuart Wright for Britflicks Intro/Outro: “Rocking The Stew” by Tokyo Dragons Instagram About Neal Marshall Stevens: Neal Marshall Stevens, an NYU Film School graduate, boasts over 30 years in horror and genre filmmaking. He’s written for Monsters, Stephen King’s The Stand, and five Puppetmasterfilms for Full Moon Entertainment. Neal also wrote and directed Stitches, penned Hellraiser: Deader for Dimension Pictures, and scripted Dark Castle’s Thirteen Ghosts remake. He currently teaches at Screenwriters University and the David Lynch MFA Program in Screenwriting at Maharishi International University. Get the Book: This book is essential reading for anyone that wants to write horror.  A Sense of Dread: Getting Under the Skin of Horror Screenwriting by Neal Marshall Stevens is available online or at your favourite bookstore. Get Involved:  Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, follow on Spotify or wherever you listen to your podcasts for more about how to write a screenplay Share your favourite horror movies that have a sense of dread for you on X (@leytonrocks) and leave a 5-star review to tell us which horror films scared you. Please note this podcast episode was originally published 22/08/2025 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices