Pilot Episode: “Black Luck and Red Doom”
In 1930s Texas, pulp fiction writer Robert E. Howard battles both external pressures and internal demons as he creates the legendary Conan the Barbarian. When his beloved mother Hester falls gravely ill with tuberculosis, Bob struggles to maintain his sanity while a dark entity from his imagination threatens to break free into reality.

Get to know the writer:

1. What is your screenplay about?

The Breaking of Bob Howard is a supernatural historical drama about a young writer in 1930s Texas whose imagination begins to manifest as something dark and destructive, forcing him to confront whether creativity is a gift, a curse, or a moral responsibility.

2. What genres does your screenplay fall under?

Historical drama, supernatural horror, psychological thriller.

3. Why should this screenplay be made into a movie (or series)?

It explores the cost of creativity and ambition through a grounded historical lens while using supernatural elements to externalize psychological and moral conflict. It’s character-driven, thematically rich, and designed to sustain a long-form narrative.

4. How would you describe this script in two words?

Haunted ambition.

5. What movie have you seen the most times in your life?

Star Wars: A New Hope.

6. How long have you been working on this screenplay?

Six months, including research, though I’ve been a Robert E. Howard fan going back decades.

7. How many stories have you written?

Dozens across film, television, and publishing.

8. What motivated you to write this screenplay?

A fascination with the inner lives of artists, particularly how imagination can blur into obsession, paranoia, and self-destruction.

9. What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?

Balancing historical authenticity with psychological horror while keeping the character emotionally grounded.

10. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?

Lead guitar-playing in classic rock bands (Van Halen, AC/DC, Led Zeppelin).

11. What influenced you to enter the festival? What were your feelings on the initial feedback you received?

I was drawn to the festival’s focus on genre storytelling. The feedback was thoughtful and encouraging, particularly regarding voice, pacing, and thematic clarity.