Screenplays

The Next Step (2004)

Resa Nelson — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 16:03:28 +0000

I wrote the screenplay for the third film, which is based on the first professional short-story sale I made ("The Basement Apartment" was a small press sale). "The Next Step" was published in Aboriginal Science Fiction magazine in 1989.

The director asked me to make a number of changes to the screenplay, and I think the result is a slightly different story that maintains the heart and spirit of the original.

"The Next Step" has been screened at:

Arisia, Boston on January 13, 2006
WorldCon (Noreascon Four), Boston on September 3 and 4, 2004

Follow (2002)

Resa Nelson — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 15:59:04 +0000

For the second film in this series, I recruited feature film screenwriter Carroll Brown, who's a friend and a fellow SFWA member. He wrote a terrific original script --specifically for this project -- about a man who thinks he's being followed. It's a very effective Twilight Zone type of story.

I'm credited as associate producer. I ran the casting call. I scrounged up lots of donations, including all meals for cast and crew. I worked on set design, continuity, and was the clapboard person during the shoot.

This time I learned I'm more happy off the set than on. I love writing. I hate producing. I've worked lots of different types of jobs over the years, and producing is the hardest work I've ever done. I don't ever want to do it again.

"Follow" has been screened at:

ReaderCon 15, Burlington, Massachusetts on July 11, 2003

Intruder (2001)

Resa Nelson — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 15:54:19 +0000

This film is based on the first short story I sold, called "The Basement Apartment.” The story is about two young women who live in a high-crime neighborhood. Their challenge is not to let their fear of the unknown get the best of them.

I wrote the script and am credited as a producer. Producing involved asking for donations (including meals for cast and crew), working on set design, and working on the shoot. I had just a touch of experience in camera work (which included me saying, "How do I turn this thing on?"), lighting, and sound. I also was a stand-in and body double, as needed. One of the most important things I learned was how to tailor a script for a low budget and a small cast.

"Intruder"has been screened at :

WorldCon (Noreascon Four), Boston on September 3 and4, 2004
ReaderCon 15, Burlington, Massachusetts on Juy 11, 2003

Short Films

Resa Nelson — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 15:49:37 +0000

In 2001 I joined a friend's project to make a series of short films:

"Intruder" (2001) -- A Hitchcock-type mystery
"Follow" (2002) -- A Twilight-Zone-ish psychological fantasy
"The Next Step" (2004) -- A near-future science fiction story

This page includes a summary of each film in which I participated, along with some comments of what the experience was like. Each film has been aired on cable access TV stations in the Boston area. Each summary includes information about when and where the films have been screened in other venues.

Screenwriting Contests

Resa Nelson — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 15:46:26 +0000

For a few years, I entered my scripts in contests and then decided to return to writing novels and short fiction. Here are my contest accomplishments:

Quarterfinalist, 1998 Nichol Screenplay Contest
Semi-Finalist, 1998 Chesterfield Screenplay Contest