Talking Screenwriting, Inspirations and Rubik's Cubes with Screenwriter Ariel Relaford {Talent to Watch}

This week we have the honor of jumping into our "talent to watch" section with Ariel Relaford. She's a screenwriter who puts her dreams on paper and utilizes a unique method to help her with writer's block.  

What was your first introduction to horror? 
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My first introduction to horror was watching Child's Play (1988) when I was seven or eight. Instead of being afraid, I was intrigued! After the movie, I begged Mom to get me a Chucky doll, thinking it would come to life and be my best friend. Being little, I kind of forgot about the whole killing people bit...
 
Haha yeah, that part is kind of important to remember. How did you get started in the industry? 

I've been part of the film and entertainment industry on and off since I was a teenager. I have a handful of friends who are directors and screenwriters, and I guess their creativity rubbed off on me. I wrote my first screenplay about two years ago and I fell in love with it!
 
That is great! I think learning different areas of the industry only makes you an important resource in filmmaking. What keeps you interested in the genre?

Horror is something that never gets old for me. There's always a new idea or story that comes from everyday life, which I love about it!
 
I think writing in the everyday life horrors is some of the scariest stuff. What is it about screenwriting that you enjoy?

The excitement and challenge of creating something from thin air. Whether you have only one idea, character, or location in mind, you can create an entire film or TV series just from that if you can find the dedication to keep writing until you reach FADE OUT.

Starting from thin air to FADE OUT is a huge achievement for anyone. What do you do after you complete your first draft?

It is! After I complete my first draft, I force myself to put it down and not look at it for a few days. After that, I go through it with a chainsaw (to remove the typos and fix minor aspects that don’t really work) before I send it to my trusted screenwriter friends for feedback. After that, I rewrite and repeat the same process until it’s as solid as I can make it.
 
That is a solid process. I really enjoy hearing the process that screenwriters use. What are some ways you find inspiration when writing?

A lot of my inspiration comes from real-life situations and my dreams (nightmares). The scarier the dream, the better, and the more likely it's going to end up written on a page at some point.
 
That is exciting to hear. I love the stories that are inspired by dreams and real-life scenarios. A lot of great writers, write from those inspirations. Can you share any of the real life scenarios/dreams with us?

I’ve dealt with sleep paralysis since I was a teenager. While terrifying at times, some of my ideas stem from my sleep paralysis nightmares, as they’re so vivid and feature creatures or scenarios I’m genuinely afraid of. The thought of being awake and not being able to move myself is something I find wild and is a premise of one of the scripts currently in my pipeline.

I think most people have experienced sleep paralysis. It is terrifying. What does your writing process look like?

I start by taking a piece of paper and write a few sentences about the story I want to tell. From there, I list the main characters along with their personalities and conflicts. Once I know the characters a bit more, I think of the curveballs I can throw my characters to make the story more of a journey for them. Next comes the dreaded outline. The more detail I can put into each scene, the faster I find myself writing later on because I don't need to think about it from scratch. After that's all set, I pick a date on the calendar and begin writing. After that, sending it out for feedback, rewriting it, sending it out for more feedback a few times, and voila! A finished screenplay!
 
Like I mentioned before, I always find the different routines fascinating. It goes to show that whatever works for one person may not be the things that work for others but by sharing it gives other writers the opportunity to learn new things. Do you have any advice/suggestions for up and coming or hopeful screenwriters? 

Screenwriting is a challenge. Along the way, you will face a ton of rejection that might make you want to quit. If you feel that way at any point, remember this:

You are the future of film and television and it's never too late to tell the stories you want to share with the world! If you don't tell these stories, who will?
 
That is inspiring. Love it. What projects are you currently working on?

I’m currently shuffling through about ten projects I'm excited about. One is a horror-comedy pilot about astral projecting and cults. It’s scary, campy, and a lot of fun. Another is a historical-horror feature I’m hoping one day will become a new serial killer franchise on par with Scream, Halloween, Friday the 13th, and The Nightmare on Elm Street. The rest are being outlined and I’m looking forward to sharing more about them in the near future!
 
Very cool! Can you tell us more? Loglines and/or titles? Can you tell us about Fun and Games?

Absolutely! I recently finished a feature titled Fun and Games. It’s loosely based on my relationship with my younger cousin, who loves escape rooms and puzzles as much as I do. It’s about two, nerdy adopted siblings who are left on their own for a few days while their parents go to a conference. During this time, they receive a mysterious box in the mail containing riddles. They quickly realize there’s something more sinister behind this seemingly innocent box and it’s not all “fun and games.” In order to save their own lives and others’ from a sadistic killer, the duo must race to solve the riddles the box holds.

You like riddles and puzzles right? What’s with the Rubik’s Cube while you write? Tell us, we’re intrigued.

It sounds silly, but when I write, I make sure to have my handy, dandy Rubik’s Cube nearby. When I get stuck on something or have writer’s block, I take a moment to solve my Rubik’s Cube a few times. For a few minutes, it fully takes my focus away from my screenplay, so when I look back at it, my mind is clearer and refreshed in a sense.

What a unique idea. I can't solve those things at all so my frustration would just build more. What is your favorite classic horror movie? 

Can I choose the entire Scream franchise? The Scream movies are ALWAYS entertaining and the villain reveals get me every time. 
 
Other than writing what else do you do in the industry?

I am a Marketing Manager for a boutique agency that conceptualizes and executes influencer marketing campaigns for the film and entertainment industry (among others). I get to work with clients from Netflix, Lionsgate, Hulu, HBO Max, and STX Entertainment. It’s a lot of fun!
 
That sounds very exciting and an amazing opportunity for you! What movies & filmmakers give you the most inspiration?

Jason Blum, Tim Burton, Ryan Murphy, and Guillermo del Toro. I aspire to work with these gentlemen one way or another one of these days!
 
Those are all great filmmakers. I’m a huge Jason Blum fan myself. What is it about these filmmakers that inspire you?

I became a big Jason Blum fan when I saw Sinister. With C. Robert Cargill’s screenplay, Scott Derrickson as the director, and a low budget, they were able to craft a horror masterpiece people will enjoy for decades to come. It’s inspiring because even though it’s a low-budget film, it doesn’t look or feel that way. I want to be able to do that with my screenplays.

I loved Sinister too! That was a creepy movie. Loved the "found footage" of the deaths of the families. What is something in everyday life that scares you?

People. Of all the monsters and ghost stories I've written, nothing comes close.
 
So true. People can be evil. Who is someone currently in horror that you would love to work with?

Any of the filmmakers I listed previously. They're all so talented.
 
What was your top 3 or 5 (whichever is easier to answer) horror films of the last decade?

Not in any particular order: Host, The Conjuring, Sinister, The Final Girls, and As Above, So Below.
 
What was your top 3 or 5 (whichever is easier to answer) horror films of all time?

The Cabin in the Woods, Us, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974), Pan’s Labyrinth, and The Nightmare Before Christmas.
 
What is your dream project? 

Getting to write or direct a feature alongside any of the classic horror filmmaking icons.

How can people follow you?

I am on Twitter here: @ArielRelaford

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Author

Brandon Waites served in the U.S. Air Force and had the opportunity to deploy Iraq and Pakistan.  After his service, he earned his bachelor's degree in Business and earned his MA in Film & Television with a concentration in producing.  He interned under Benderspink for Hollywood producers Chris Bender and J.C. Spink.  After his intership, Brandon co-founded multiple companies for networking and contests for screenwriters and filmmakers.  His love for horror drove him to begin HorrOrigins as a film festival in 2019.  In response to the positive response of HorrOrigins, Brandon decided to expand HorrOrigins into multiple ventures to benefit the independent horror screenwriters and filmmakers.