8 Part Screenwriting Lab: Write Your Horror Film

Private, interactive Zoom lab led by a Blumhouse-experienced Producer & Studio Executive!

Take your horror feature from concept to completed first draft with hands-on, personalized feedback

Only 10 spots available & 2 spots remain!

Payment plans available at checkout or email edu@stage32.com for more info!

Horror is one of the most commercially durable and creatively alive genres in film—and if you understand why, you can break in faster than in almost any other space. From micro-budget breakouts to studio tentpoles, horror consistently punches above its weight at the box office, proving that a single, well-executed idea can launch a career. But effective horror is a discipline. It requires more than darkness and dread—it demands precise craft, psychological insight, and an understanding of what audiences are truly afraid of.

The best horror films work because they are grounded in character, rooted in theme, and built on escalating stakes that feel inevitable in retrospect. Whether you are drawn to survival horror, psychological dread, or high-concept scares, the fundamentals are the same: a world we believe in, characters we care about, and a threat that resonates on a deeper psychological level. Many writers fall into predictable traps—recycled setups, underdeveloped protagonists, or scares that feel unearned—while others focus so heavily on atmosphere or subtext that they forget what audiences actually came for: tension, payoff, and a meaningful threat.

Guiding you through this process is Sammy Warshaw, a seasoned producer and film executive with deep roots in horror. Sammy has worked with Blumhouse on HAPPY DEATH DAY, TRUTH OR DARE, INSIDIOUS 4, and HALLOWEEN, and brings additional studio experience from Columbia Pictures (Sony), along with producing credits on SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 2 and the KNUCKLES series. Having developed projects alongside Jason Blum and Neal Moritz, he knows exactly what makes a horror script stand out—and how to help emerging writers break through.

In this eight-week lab, you’ll move from concept through a complete first draft of your horror feature. You’ll explore commercial horror fundamentals, build tension and stakes, craft compelling character arcs, and execute set pieces that deliver impact. With weekly assignments, personalized feedback, and one-on-one consultations, you’ll refine every element of your script. By the end, you’ll have a polished, commercially viable horror screenplay—and a clear understanding of how to compete in today’s marketplace.

This interactive Stage 32 lab is held on Zoom and goes substantially more in depth than a Stage 32 webinar. Best of all? As soon as you sign up you will be linked on email with your Stage 32 Educator and given a questionnaire to fill out and send back to them. You will have access to your Educator for the duration of your class by email to ask them any questions you have about your craft or career - it’s like having a mentor on demand! And, if you can't make a live session, don't worry! All class recordings will be available 48 hours after each session and you will be able to view them in your Library on your Stage 32 profile. Finally, you can expand your network with like-minded creatives - you'll have a dedicated lounge for interactive support and discussions with your fellow classmates!

Plus! You will receive the following handouts:

• The Horror Marketplace: Budget Tiers, Buyers, and Where Your Script Fits
• A guide to getting your Horror script read
• Case studies of Horror posters that sell the concept