Short Film Script

I created "The Voice Left Behind", a psychological horror screenplay that explores guilt, identity, and self-destruction. The story follows Caleb, a man haunted by his past, as he encounters The Mimic, a sinister entity that forces him to confront the truth about himself.

The script aims to blend psychological tension, surreal horror, and an intimate character study, drawing inspiration from psychological horror films, folklore, and real-world studies on guilt and repression.

What materials, tools, or software did you use?

Screenwriting Software: Trelby / Pen & Paper / Google Docs
Reference Materials: Psychological horror films, mythological research, and real-world case studies on guilt and trauma
Collaboration Tools: Group chats and Facetime for feedback sessions

Before writing, I focused on defining the core conflict and themes:

Central Dramatic Question: "If you don't take responsibility for your past, will he it consume you?"
Main Themes: Guilt, Identity, Self-Deception
Character Motivations:
Caleb is trapped in self-denial, refusing to accept his past.
The Mimic represents Caleb’s subconscious guilt, manifesting as a malevolent force.
Sarah serves as the emotional anchor, revealing key truths about Caleb’s past.
This stage was crucial in ensuring that every scene reinforced the story’s psychological depth.

To create a strong narrative flow, I structured the script using a three-act structure and key story beats:

Act 1: Caleb’s unstable routine, introduction of The Mimic
Act 2: Psychological horror escalates, flashbacks reveal Caleb’s denial
Act 3: The climax where Caleb’s fate is sealed

I also used Decision Spaces exercises to explore different plot directions:
Problem: Caleb is haunted by something he refuses to acknowledge.
Obvious Solution: He should confront the truth.
Why He Can’t: Doing so would shatter his perception of himself.
Root Cause: He believes that ignoring his past will make it disappear.
Alternate Solution: The Mimic forces him into confrontation through psychological horror.

Wrote the first draft—focused on raw emotion and pacing
Revised for tension, foreshadowing, and visual storytelling
Workshopped with peers for feedback
Refined dialogue to keep it natural yet unsettling

After completing the first draft, I focused on polishing the pacing, tension, and character arcs:
Tightened dialogue to make it more effective and eerie.
Enhanced foreshadowing to make the horror feel inevitable.
Reworked character interactions to deepen their emotional weight.
Integrated feedback from peers, refining unclear or weak moments.

This writing process taught me how to craft a psychologically rich horror narrative, balancing tension, ambiguity, and emotional depth. Every rewrite brought me closer to a version that fully realized the story’s themes and character arcs.