Horror Duo's Secret to Landing Hot Scripts Early

Spooky Pictures partners Roy Lee and Steven Schneider, with backing from Ben Ross of Image Nation Abu Dhabi, have carved a niche in the competitive horror genre by securing promising scripts before rival producers. Their strategy hinges on leveraging industry relationships to gain early script access, enabling swift offers and production. This proactive approach, combined with a commitment to fair filmmaker terms, has led to significant successes, including the $25 million gross of 'Hokum' on a $5 million budget.

Unlike some industry practices, Spooky Pictures avoids requiring filmmakers to sign away options for future projects. Instead, they focus on building collaborative relationships, evidenced by consistent repeat business. This philosophy, rooted in their own early career experiences, prioritizes treating talent respectfully. The company has successfully backed multiple films this year, including festival entries like 'The Company' and 'The Liberation,' demonstrating their consistent output and broad taste within genre filmmaking.

Spooky Pictures prides itself on identifying and nurturing emerging talent, often working with projects under $10 million, though larger productions like 'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre' are also in their pipeline. Their efficient operational style, characterized by brief, focused meetings, allows them to maintain productivity. Lee himself continues to produce larger projects independently, showcasing a diverse career spanning major studio releases and independent horror hits.