Storybreakers

What if the future of Halloween isn’t another reboot or sequel… but a return to its original, abandoned idea?In this episode of Storybreakers, Chris Brennan is joined by filmmaker Paul Bushe to break story on a bold new direction for the Halloween franchise, completely improvised and off the top of our heads.Instead of Michael Myers, timelines, or cult lore, we explore the idea of reviving Halloween as a yearly anthology series, just as John Carpenter originally intended. From there, we crack a full feature-length concept set in the 1800s, centered on Irish immigration, wrongful quarantine, disease, superstition, and a tragic curse that unfolds around October 31st.Over the course of the session, we build a complete story together, including:Why Halloween works best as an anthology franchiseThe problems with endless timelines and retroactive loreA period-set Halloween story rooted in history and folkloreA sympathetic villain driven by grief, revenge, and manipulationA demonic curse tied to festival rituals, masks, and diseaseA dark, tragic climax set during a Halloween bonfireThis episode is a deep dive into why simplicity matters in horror, how franchises lose their way, and how Halloweencould evolve without losing its soul.If you enjoy hearing film ideas come together in real time, this one’s for you.Check out more Storybreakers episodes and the full Halloween playlist on YouTube.

What do you do after Halloween Ends… when the franchise has already explored every timeline imaginable?In this episode of Storybreakers, Chris Brennan is joined by YouTube horror creator Cody Leach to break story on the next possible chapter of the Halloween franchise, completely improvised and off the top of our heads.The idea starts with a bold question:What if the next film is a direct sequel to the original 1978 Halloween, set one year later, with no Laurie Strode, no family motive, and a return to Michael Myers as a motiveless force of evil?From there, we build a full story together in real time, including:A 1979 period sequel that continues the night Michael disappearedReintroducing Dr. Loomis through obsession, tapes, and unfinished businessNew teenage protagonists navigating a fearful Haddonfield one year laterCopycat Michael costumes, foggy streets, curfews, and false sightingsA graveyard climax tied to Judith Myers and Sheriff Brackett’s pastAn ending that leans slightly into the supernatural without repeating past mistakesThis session is a deep dive into why Halloween works, what and how simplicity, atmosphere, and restraint could bring the franchise back to its roots.If you love Halloween, behind-the-scenes franchise talk, or listening to story ideas come together live, this one’s for you.Follow Cody Leach on YouTube for horror reviews, rankings, and deep franchise breakdowns.And check out more Storybreakers episodes wherever you listen to podcasts.

Storybreakers is back, and this episode is pure Halloween geek heaven.Chris Brennan is joined by Lee McCoy from DrumDums, one of YouTube’s most passionate Halloween voices, to break story on the next chapter of the franchise, completely improvised and off the top of our heads.We start with Lee’s personal connection to the series (including seeing Halloween 4 in theaters in 1988), his love for the atmosphere of Halloween 6 (and his fan edit, the Blue Myers Cut), then we dive into the big swing:What if the franchise continued as a true sequel to Halloween 4, with an adult Jamie Lloyd returning to Haddonfield, the evil still inside her, and a new figure stepping in as the heir to Dr. Loomis?We talk structure, themes, set pieces, and what makes Halloween feel like Halloween (trick or treaters included). By the end, we’ve got a clean pitch for a modern Jamie story that goes dark, stays simple, and brings back the missing ingredient the franchise has lacked for years.Follow Lee McCoy (DrumDums) on YouTube, and check out more Storybreakers episodes on YouTube for clips and full sessions.

A Christmas horror movie, set at sea, in the 19th century, with a ghost in the fog.In this Storybreakers episode, Chris Brennan is joined by Evan from Rocklin Graves Productions, and we break story on a brand-new holiday horror film idea completely off the top of our heads.We start with our favorite Christmas horror picks, then we build a slow-burn nautical ghost story around a gruff fisherman spending Christmas away from home. A cramped fishing vessel. A crew trying to force “Christmas cheer” into a brutal job. Mistrust, guilt, and grief boiling over, until the sea itself starts pulling them toward something they can’t explain.Expect: a haunted boat, a missing captain, a Christmas tree that becomes a trigger, and a final fight to make it back to shore before Christmas Eve.If you love holiday horror, ghost stories, and screenwriting process, this one’s for you.TakeawaysChristmas horror film developmentExploration of guilt, grief, and supernatural hauntingCharacter dynamics and tension on a fishing boat Supernatural tension and conflictEscalating danger and mistrust Supernatural entity as a metaphor for inner demonsSurvival and redemption in the face of lossChapters00:00 Exploring Christmas Horror Favorites24:07 Introducing the Supernatural Element31:04 Character Dynamics and Crew Interactions36:05 Setting Sail and Crew Dynamics41:17 The Manifestation of Grief51:05 The Disappearance58:48 The Conflict of Sustenance01:07:22 Confrontation with the Entity01:16:23 Returning Home

When a Christmas Slasher starts attacking families in a secluded cabin, everyone instantly spirals into Main Character Syndrome, convinced the killer is after them. As paranoia spreads, they start unloading their own “this is why it’s me” backstories, trying to prove they’re the real target. One question takes over the night: are they the main character, or did a psychopath just cross their path by chance?In this Storybreakers holiday horror special, filmmaker and host Chris Brennan is joined by cosplayer and YouTuber Chris Stanley to break story on an original Christmas slasher, built live from scratch. Snowed in cabins, escalating suspicion, festive kills, and a darkly funny theme at the core.If you love holiday horror, slashers, and the creative process of building a movie idea in real time, you’re in the right place.Chapters00:00 Holiday Horror Favorites17:42 Building the Concept30:21 First Night at the Cabin40:26 Introducing the Slasher47:00 Setting the Stage52:12 Farcical Killings01:03:07 The Killer's Identity

Storybreakers is back! Welcome to the show where we come up with a brand-new film idea off the top of our heads. And if you like it... It's yours! For this special Holiday episode, your host, Chris Brennan, is joined by screenwriter and director, Paul Bushe to craft a new original horror film idea, inspired by Elf on the Shelf (mixed with a little bit of Paranormal Activity). Subscribe now so you don't miss another episode. Also, check out our video version on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/kLYLiUxOOkA Click here to download 5 tried, tested, and proven Screenwriter Email Templates for free: https://www.writingchops.io/screenwriter-email-marketing-ebook =========================== Connect with us!    Subscribe to the Writing Chops YouTube Channel so you don't miss out:   @writing-chops   https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAHcYDu5lAPn5y1B6WgILBA?sub_confirmation=1 =========================== TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@writingchops Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/writingchops/ #screenwriting #screenwriter =========================== Our mission at Writing Chops is to give screenwriters the tools, strategies, and resources to turn their passion into their profession.

Welcome to Storybreakers Special Studio Session Reading. This is the first in possibly a new series, where we move from the stage and record a faithful adaptation of an unproduced Hollywood script. The first one up is the unmade X-Files script, Flight 180 by Jeffrey Riddick. This script is particularly interesting, not just because it is fantastic. But it would eventually become the 2000 Horror film Final Destination. Yep, that's right. Final Destination first started as an X-Files Spec script. Your Players for the show are as follows: MULDER Niall Bruton SCULLY Muireann Darcy CHARLES Matthew O'Brien SHERIFF WOOD, SKINNER, CANCER MAN Morgan Jones AARON TALL MAN David O'Neill JOSH Donagh Humphreys MONICA Lauren Murphy Narrator Liam Cooney Sound & Music applied by Jim Sheridan If you enjoy what you hear, share this episode on Facebook & Twitter & Subscribe for more episodes.

Welcome to Storybreakers special Dynamic Live Reading Panel episode, featuring the cast of our recent explosive show: Alien 3 Live. Get all the nitty gritty on how we put the show together, how the cast came up with their characters and our thoughts on the long-lost, original script for Alien 3. Muireann Darcy: Ellen Ripley Liam Cooney: Brother John David O'Neill: The Abbott Wayne Talbot: Anthony Donagh Humphreys as Brother Kyle Morgan C. Jones as the morose menagerie of muttonheaded Monks The Xenomorph: Matthew O'Brien The Narrator: Niall Bruton Please share!

Welcome to part 2 of the Storybreakers Dynamic Live Reading special of the original, unmade script for Alien 3! Performed on November 15th at The Grand Social Dublin to a jam-packed audience, for the first and last time ever, we performed the legendary, infamous Wooden Planet script by Vincent Ward & John Fasano. The question we want to know is: Should they have just stuck with their original plans and made Vincent Ward's Wooden Planet vision. Well, we're about to find out! Your players for the show are: Muireann Darcy: Ellen Ripley Liam Cooney: Brother John David O'Neill: The Abbott Wayne Talbot: Anthony Donagh Humphreys as Brother Kyle Morgan C. Jones as the morose menagerie of muttonheaded Monks The Xenomorph: Matthew O'Brien The Narrator: Niall Bruton The Music, Sound effects & Sound Mix: Jim Sheridan Please share!

Welcome to part 1 of the Storybreakers Dynamic Live Reading special of the original, unmade script for Alien 3! Performed on November 15th, at The Grand Social Dublin to a jam-packed audience, for the first and last time ever, we performed the legendary, infamous Wooden Planet script by Vincent Ward & John Fasano. The question we want to know is: Should they have just stuck with their original plans and made Vincent Ward's Wooden Planet vision. Well, we're about to find out! Your players for the show are: Muireann Darcy: Ellen Ripley Liam Cooney: Brother John David O'Neill: The Abbott Wayne Talbot: Anthony Donagh Humphreys as Brother Kyle Morgan C. Jones as the morose menagerie of muttonheaded Monks The Xenomorph: Matthew O'Brien The Narrator: Niall Bruton The Music, Sound effects & Sound Mix: Jim Sheridan, so this could be the most immersive show yet! Please share!

Over the past couple of months, Stevie and Chris have been in a battle for Story Supremacy. Tears were shed, blood was spilled, all to see who would be the victor in an epic Storypitch battle. On episode 82, one champion emerged... But who was it? Joined by writer/director Brian O'Neill as the Head Of Studio. Which Storypitch does he choose?

On this week's episode, we are challenge by Paul Brennan to come up with a film or TV idea that is based on Historical events. Our Head Of Studio for the Pitch Battle is the writer, director & host of the Irish FilmShow: Aidan Duffy. Stevie is currently leading the Pitch Battle 3-2. Can Chris even it up? Or does he suffer crippling defeat? Find out now!

Welcome to episode 80! This weeks challenge comes from Niall Bruton who demanded we deliver the ULTIMATE! Irish movie pitch. From setting to casting, it must be green to the core. With the scores now tied at 2-2, we invited Chris's brother, History Master and film buff, Paul Brennan to occupy the "Head of Studio" throne. Will the Brennan's stick together on this one or will sibling rivalry raise its pretty little head in favour of Stevie?

On this episode, we are challenged to choose a tv show and turn it into a movie... But which ones will we pick? Special Guests in the PodCave are actor and Narrator, Niall Bruton & Cosplayer Extraordinaire Lauren Murphy (AKA Pixie Styxx) - https://www.facebook.com/chronic.pixiestyxx https://www.facebook.com/niallbrutonactor

Welcome to episode 78! It's time for a Creature Feature #StoryPitch Battle! Our 'Head Of Studio' today is writer and host of the Irish Pubcast, Wayne Talbot. Which #StoryPitch will Wayne go for, a creature feature set in an Alaskan Glacier or a Killer Klown film with a twist! Find out now! Check out the Irish Pubcast on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/ie/podcast/the-pubcast/id417133428?mt=2 And Geek Planet Online: http://pubcast.geekplanetonline.com/

Welcome to episode 77! On todays show the guys are pitching their version of Blade to this weeks "Head of the Studio" Paul Bushe. Stevie brings in a 1-0 lead to this one but can Chris tie up the score? If your a fan of wrestling then check out Paul Bushe on the Kiss My Ass Club Wrestling Podcast, https://itunes.apple.com/ie/podcast/kiss-my-ass-club-podcast/id1143839032?mt=2

Welcome to episode 76! Its time for a #PitchBattle and this week we are joined by the amazingly talented, and hilarious, actor Niall Bruton. Both Stevie and Chris have to pitch a Futuristic Crime movie to this weeks "Head of the Studio" Niall and the loser takes one step closer to completing a forfeit chosen by you the listener! Let us know what that forfeit should be on Twitter www.twitter.com/storybreakers or on Facebook www.facebook.com/storybreakers and we will pick the worse one to complete! You can follow Niall Bruton on YouTube www.youtube.com/user/Guchysaurus FaceBook www.facebook.com/niallbrutonactor Instagram www.instagram.com/niallbruton/

Welcome to part 2 of a very special episode of Storybreakers, and today, you are getting exclusive access to our Dublin Comic Con live reading of JJ Abrams's 2003 Superman Flyby script. Originally written to be the first part of a trilogy, If this film was to be made, it really would've changed the landscape of Hollywood blockbuster cinema as we know it. Unfortunately, JJ Abrams's script floated to the bottom of the Hollywood sea, lost forever... Until now! Your Players For The Performance Will Be: Superman - Donagh Humphreys Lois Lane - Donna Nikolaisen Lex Luthor - Morgan C. Jones Jor-El/Perry White - David O'Neill Ty-Zor - Liam Cooney Jimmy Olsen/Jonathan Kent - Ciaran Marcantonio Lara - Lauren Murphy Ancillary Characters - Wayne Talbot Narrator - Niall Bruton

Welcome to part 1 of a very special episode of Storybreakers, and today, you are getting exclusive access to our Dublin Comic Con live reading of JJ Abrams's 2003 Superman Flyby script. Originally written to be the first part of a trilogy, If this film was to be made, it really would've changed the landscape of Hollywood blockbuster cinema as we know it. Unfortunately, JJ Abrams's script floated to the bottom of the Hollywood sea, lost forever... Until now! Your Players For The Performance Will Be: Superman - Donagh Humphreys Lois Lane - Donna Nikolaisen Lex Luthor - Morgan C. Jones Jor-El/Perry White - David O'Neill Ty-Zor - Liam Cooney Jimmy Olsen/Jonathan Kent - Ciaran Marcantonio Lara - Lauren Murphy Ancillary Characters - Wayne Talbot Narrator - Niall Bruton

Welcome to part 2 of Storybreakers Star Trek dynamic Live Script Reading Special! This time, we boldly go where no man has gone before as we perform the greatest Star Trek script never made. Back in 1967, The Edge Of Forever episode of Star Trek: The Original Series was a landmark achievement in television and was known as one of the very best Star Trek tales of all time... But it was radically different to what should have been! Due to technological and budget restraints, Harlan Ellison's award-winning masterpiece of a script never made it to the audiences as he always intended... Until now! Right before Storybreakers hits Dublin Comic Con with a Mega Live Reading, don't miss out on Dublin's Original Star Trek Blockbuster Event Of The Year. Your players for the show are as follows: Captain Kirk - Donagh Humphreys, Mr. Spock - Matthew O'Brien, Yeoman Rand & Edith - Lauren Murphy, Guardian Of Forever, Beckwith & Cook - David O'Neil, Transporter Chief, Renegade & Trooper - Ciaran Marcantonio, LeBeque, Orator & Janitor - Wayne Talbot, Narrator - Nial Bruton