Bill Martell Screenwriting Sessions at Raindance

One of the jurors at this year’s Raindance Film Festival is Bill Martell, someone who has sold over twenty screenplays to Hollywood and had some produced to mixed reactions. He was hired to write the remake of the 80s classic ‘House’ which he informs us is currently sitting on a shelf at Lionsgate awaiting a resurgence in haunted house comedies.

He is holding daily classes on screenwriting which focus on various genres including writing action, horror, thriller, writing a good first ten pages and a session on the recent ‘found footage’ phenomena which has spawned films such as ‘The Blair Witch Project’, ‘Paranormal Activity’ and more.

Not a fan of such classes I thought I’d see what his was like given his experience and being able to compare it with technique classes such as the ones run by Michael Hague and David Freeman.

The writing horror session begins well with Martell mentioning some of his favourite horror movies and talking about the different kinds of films that exist within the genre as sub-genres. It is clear early on that Martell is not intent on teaching any technique in his class nor providing students with a “to do” or form list, but his session will be an informative take on the kinds of films out there, what makes them work, discussion of some of the key devices that are expected and should be delivered in horror movies. Note he doesn’t provide a list of commandments for the genre which is refreshing as others tend to provide a blueprint which has resulted in the genre failing to be rejuvenated in any new way for a number of years.

His advice is peppered with encouragement which is welcomed by writers who in turn feed his enthusiasm for the genre. They ask questions about various elements of horror films and trends that have existed, currently are evident and will continue to go round in a circle as well as advice on what is considered pushing the genre “too far”. By the end of the session, Martell offers sage words of advice telling his students to “write the horror film they want to see” and not to focus too much on trends and what is currently ruling the box office as the sub genres always tend to come around again when the time is right.

This taster session was refreshingly different from what is usually found in screenwriting classes and would serve writers looking not to learn the craft but seeking clarification on issues with the genres on offer. Bill’s passion for movies is infectious and by his own admission he doesn’t hold many (or any) classes so this opportunity to learn from him at Raindance (and in most cases for less than £5), is an opportunity too good to miss.