Hi folks, I'm not really one to post in the General boards but I don't think I can get away with such a request on the Paranormal studies forum.

I'm currently shooting a film for fun and have shot 30 minutes out of 60. That 30 minutes (shot in Italy) has a contained story about passing into the afterlife, but I need a separate storyline for the remaining 30 minutes (to be shot in the UK over the next fortnight).

I had a story in place but sadly couldn't persue it so now I'm opening up the floor to hopefully read someones creative ideas and put it into a practical filming state.

Originally the "missing" story was going to be about a monster that emerged from the river and started killing people off, but it became apparent the effects side was going to be difficult, as the films budget is already used up.

Then I thought it'd be fun to play on the "Joanna Southcott" case and have person discover her "box of wonders" in a national crisis and...something. But I didn't get much further than "something"

So what I'm after now is any ideas, no matter how crazy that encompass the following into a spooky tale:

1. A story that focuses on one man, who will meet other people, briefly, throughout the telling of the story.

2. Something that doesn't require any major effects, ie a monster or entity that can't be seen. A bit like Jaws, you know whatever it is is around, but you cannot see it.

3. Anything that will not involve CGI.

4. Not necessarily a known "myth" or legend, but a completely unheard of terror (ie mobile phones killing people) - something that perhaps we don't connect with danger or horror but could occur in the film.

With that in mind, please, let me know. Even if you just have a short spooky tale please let me know (preferably one that is set in a forest, near a river or a city). You will get a credit in the film if I use your idea, or in fact, any part of it.

Many thanks

Mark L

How about a story about a man or woman who has discovered the secret to eternal life. Every generation he has to transfer his acquired wealth to a new identity to avoid being discovered. He has managed to do this successfully for over 1000 years, but in this modern era of globalization he is finding it more and more difficult.

To compound his problem, someone else has discovered a different route to immortality less than 100 years ago, and they see each other as potential threats. Can they co-exist, each going their separate ways? Can one expose the other without exposing themselves? How will they be able to continue living indefinately without being discovered? What exactly do you do with your life when your lifespan is unlimited?

OnceReturned: That is a creepy tale, thanks! I'll add that to the table. It would require black lenses and kids to follow that kind of story exactly, which won't be particularly easy - but I am definitely intrigued, and will be thinking of ways to play on that. Thanks for taking the time to share that spooky tale Let me know if you have any other ideas!

VictorVonDoom: Very deep! I need to think that one over, but great stuff - thanks for contributing!

How about a shaman shapeshifter that appears to an individual, as whatever the victims fears conjure up, rather it be a giant hairy beast, alien, ghost or just scary humanoid. The shaman's powers can momentarily reflect someone's thoughts and imagery by becoming that image.
Just thinkin'.....

Peace,
spec

Speculative: Very cool. And it wouldn't even be necessary to show these visions, til perhaps the end. Special FX aren't going to be easy, it will mostly be stunts. Another very likeable tale, one I need to think about a bit more, but thanks for your input!

Note to self: Guy infected with this shaman power and its inflicted on everyone he meets.

Yep, lots of good threads here to get inspiration from, but I've already read enough of that thread, and my post here includes a few guidelines for how I need a story to play out. So instead of me taking ideas and molding them to fit my criteria, people have kindly posted some ideas that keep my criteria in mind. But I don't deny there are some fascinating tales in that thread.

Dave: Thanks. I'm in Oxford. If you have any ideas or random old plots do post them here. We may do a days filming in London, not sure yet. But I really can't go too in depth with a storyline. I'm going to work from a basic idea and make it up as we go.

Story: A man begins to troll an internet forum with a wild, made-up conspiracy theory he pulled out of his imagination.

In the course of fleshing out his theory, he discovers that what he is making up is, in fact, true. The stranger the theory, the better.

Originally posted by silent thunder
Story: A man begins to troll an internet forum with a wild, made-up conspiracy theory he pulled out of his imagination.

In the course of fleshing out his theory, he discovers that what he is making up is, in fact, true. The stranger the theory, the better.

edit on 7/7/11 by silent thunder because: (no reason given)

ELEnin then

Thanks though. I'll be keeping all these ideas in mind for a future "case". Right now though it's all about getting this one bloody finished

how about a creepy story about..

BOB....

a being with no arms and baby like teeth...

who stalks young men who are paranoid...

into the woods...er..welll

you write the story..

ok...

looks like a low budget movie