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Neil Chase

Proof That Short Scripts Can Open Big Doors

Published 27 days ago • 1 min read

Hi Reader,

Quick story.

A producer friend once asked me, "Could you write a short that uses a few hearses?"

I replied, "Do you have access to any hearses?"

He grinned, and said, "Absolutely! Can you think of any way we could use them?"

I took that as a personal challenge to flex my creative muscles. That night, I wrote Boneyard Racers - a supernatural fantasy short about a pair of teens who are challenged to a drag race by a crossroads demon - with their very souls on the line. And the hearse - a vintage 1967 Cadillac called Countess - was the demon's car in the race.

The next day, I dropped it on his desk and said, "Here's our next movie."

12 pages, lean and visual. We shot it for next to nothing. It went on to screen at top festivals, won awards, got distribution, and opened doors to Spin the Wheel, my first feature film as a director.

So why am I telling you this?

Because a short script is the fastest path to confidence, momentum, and real-world results. It forces clarity: one goal, strong conflict, a punchy ending. That’s what we build -step by step - in Zero to Hero.

In 12 weeks you’ll have:

  • A finished 10-15 page screenplay
  • Weekly coaching + hot-seat feedback
  • A simple system you can reuse for your next script (short or feature)

We kick off Sunday, Sept 21 @ 2pm MST.

Just use my special code: NEIL100 and get $100 off !

If a short script could change my path, imagine what it can do for you.

Neil

P.S. Check out my feature film, Spin the Wheel - out now on Tubi!

Click here to watch for FREE: https://tubitv.com/movies/100030151/spin-the-wheel​

Or check out the BRAND NEW official trailer for Contamination, my upcoming sci-fi military-horror feature. Check it out here:

video preview​

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Learn more about storytelling, screenwriting, and filmmaking:​ www.neilchasefilm.com.

Looking for some help with your script, story or film? Check out my one-on-one coaching services here.

Check out my Gothic horror-western novel, Iron Dogs, available in eBook, print, and audiobook.

**My emails may include affiliate links. You can read my full disclosure and privacy policy here.

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Neil Chase

Filmmaker, Writer and Story Consultant

Neil Chase is a story and writing coach, award-winning screenwriter, actor, and author of the horror-western novel, Iron Dogs. Neil believes that all writers have the potential to create great work. His passion is helping writers find their voice and develop their skills so that they can create stories that are both entertaining and meaningful. If you’re ready to take your writing to the next level, join the email list for writing tips and inspiration!

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Hi Reader, This week is a huge milestone for me - my feature film Contamination is having its world premiere in Los Angeles at the Southern California International Film Festival. To say I’m excited would be an understatement. This project started as an idea in my head - a “what if?” moment - and now it’s about to play in front of a live audience in the heart of the film industry. Hollywood. The place we all imagine when we think of big screens, popcorn, and movie magic. What makes it even...

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Hi Reader, If you’ve been thinking about joining Zero to Hero: Screenwriting for Beginners, but you're still on the fence, I get it. Making the leap from wanting to write a screenplay to actually committing can feel big. Here’s the thing: you don’t need to have the perfect idea, tons of free time, or years of experience to start. You just need a willingness to show up once a week, take in the lessons, write a little bit, and let me and your classmates support you through the process. By the...

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