MovieBytes Interview:
Screenwriter Torey Haas

An interview with screenwriter Torey Haas regarding the Hellfire's Short Horror Writing Competition.

A: It’s entitled “Lost Laundry”, and it’s about two sexy coeds, April and Amy, who share a shabby apartment together. When April’s clothes begin to regularly vanish from the laundry room, she naturally suspects her roommate, and she sets up a hidden camera to catch her in the act. Upon playing the tape back however, April discovers that it’s not Amy but rather a HIDEOUS CREATURE that’s taking her clothes. Things only get worse from there…

A: This was the first contest I ever entered, and I figured that since they weren’t looking for a feature length script I could devote more time to a shorter piece and increase my chances of winning. Also, everyone who entered before a certain date received a free t-shirt, so I told myself that even if I didn’t win the shirt was a kind of prize in itself.

I entered “Lost Laundry” into another short horror competition, Nine Point Production’s Project DEADLight, but I haven’t yet heard anything from them.

A: Well, since the winners were announced on Halloween and I did get my free t-shirt I really can’t complain. Although I can’t say I received all the awards that were promised until the movie is actually produced, I’m nevertheless extremely grateful to be given this opportunity.

A: I didn’t receive any formal feedback, but winning the contest was more than enough for me. It’s been my dream to work on horror and monster movies since I was about ten years old, and this contest has made me realize that I must have some talent and I can succeed if I work hard enough.

A: Since the script is slated to go into production I didn’t really need to market it. No agents have contacted me, but I’m not sure what I’d do with one anyway given that I’m an unemployed, twenty-year old college student.

A: I’m currently working toward a B.S. at Georgia Tech. I’ve been writing scripts for a little over two years now, and I’ve actually completed ten feature-length scripts and five shorts, including “Lost Laundry”. Now I know that sounds impressive, but in all honesty most of these scripts are pretty bad. Still, unless you’re a genius- which I’m not- I don’t believe you can get good at something without a lot of practice.

A: No, and I don’t have any plans to move there anytime soon.

A: I’d like to place a feature-length screenplay in a contest. I’m always working on a new script, although as a full-time student I don’t have nearly as much time as I’d like to spend writing.

Thanks for reading.

Posted Saturday, February 5, 2005