********************The REVIEWS are in on SEANCE***************************
" This is an easy, fast, engaging read, and a great idea for a horror/thriller. CABIN IN THE WOODS meets LOS ESPOOKYS with elements of FACE/OFF?! You ratchet up the stakes and tension on every page and Edgar's escalating commitment (from no f-ing way to all in) is absolutely believable.
I like how there's a rational explanation for the hallucinations, but there's also real mysticism and psychic activity. And everyone who thinks he knows what he's doing is dead wrong.
Your writing has a really kinetic feel, and it hits us from the first page. There's a flow to the action, with an excellent ratio of action to dialogue... The turns keep coming, with Act 3 so full of them I didn't know which way was up. Right up to the last word.
There's also a great mix of big and small. Meaning most of the action takes place in an intimate setting, but there are enough action set pieces (car in the river, raid on Montero's house) to place this a real-world context as well as hit the right genre notes.
I like how we're supposed to feel bad about instinctively mistrusting Miguel, but we were right to be suspicious...
You do a great job of planting and revealing... The main character is well-realized, and his internal and external conflicts jive nicely... You have some great turns of phrase, like pg 7 with Sancho's rage sublimating into a smile. And Sancho "holding all the cards" is a cool line. Also, the visual of Jorge and Armando gamely joining the seance is quite funny. "You, you need to believe, homes." So sick. And Jorge being "dead. Again." They s really keep the mood going.
Bonus points for an Epic villain kill. and for dropping the name Marion Ravenwood...
This is an original take on the horror thriller, which only seem to be more popular every year. The role of Edgar seems like it would be a blast to play (Also, Armando, who gets some great lines).”
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"From a technical standpoint, this script is an excellent example of the writer's work. This writer clearly understands and respects the screenwriting medium.
This story is essentially a hostage scenario with a most unusual take on the negotiator, being a psychic. It's an interesting enough idea and I think the engine on its own has enough juice to carry the basic premise.
This script isn't short on-premises. It's a nesting doll of ideas. Every layer you descend more and more of the mystery unfolds and that was a good way to keep me invested and keep my attention from waning."
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BREFNI O'ROURKE is a New York based screenwriter actively marketing all of his materials for possible sale or option. He is the author of more than 50 original feature-length spec screenplays, primarily within the action, suspense-thriller, and horror genres. The "cinematic Brefniverse" includes:
"The Awning", a supernatural thriller, was a quarterfinalist in the 2023 WeScreenplay Feature contests. It was named a finalist in the 2022 Story Pros International Screenplay Contest and has been awarded a Coverfly badge of - Top 6% of discoverable projects. In March of 2023 it made the Red List as the # 8 ranked thriller screenplay.
"Wake", a psychological thriller, was recognized as a semifinalist in the 2022 Creative World Awards. It was recognized as a quarterfinalist in the Final Draft/Big Break Contest (top 10% of entries) and the American Zoetrope contest. It has been awarded a Coverfly badge of being among the top 22% of discoverable projects.
"Descendancy", an action-thriller, was recognized as a Quarterfinalist in the Script Lab - TSL Free Screenplay Contest 2022 and has been awarded a Coverfly badge of - Top 18% of discoverable projects.
"Moving Day", a supernatural thriller, was recognized as a quarterfinalist in the 2015 Final Draft/Big Break Contest. It has been awarded a Coverfly badge of being among the top 34% of discoverable projects.
"Panopticon", an action-thriller, was selected as a "Notable Project" by Amazon Studios (one of only 50 projects recognized as such).
"God's Work", a supernatural action thriller was optioned by The Ferla Consulting Group.
"Threshold", a horror-thriller (cowritten with Elizabeth Rowin and Greg DeRochie) was optioned by Contribution Films. (http://www.contributionfilms.com/threshold.html).
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