Interview with Screenwriter Matthew Goudie (CLOWN OF THE DEAD)

What is your screenplay about?

At its core, I think it’s about how many clown bits I could squeeze into a zombie movie, but also having fun with a genre I’ve always loved.

2. What genres does your screenplay fall under?

Mostly horror with a hint of comedy.

3. Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?

I think it’s a fresh take on a genre that is coming back from years of oversaturation, and there’s a lot more this particular world has to offer.

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

Honk honk.

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

Statistically, probably Empire Strikes Back. I really wore out my VHS as a kid.

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

I worked on it for about a year between 2018 and 2019 and then put it away for a bit while I worked on other stories.

7. How many stories have you written?

It’s impossible to say, really. I’m constantly thinking of new stories and ideas in my head. Now, how many are on paper? That’s a different story. No pun intended.

8. What is your favorite song? (Or, what song have you listened to the most times in your life?)

It’s hard to pin down since I’m constantly jumping to new artists and albums but probably something by Jeff Rosenstock.

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

This was workshopped while I was in school for scriptwriting so polishing it to a professional standard and facing criticism from real experts for the first time was certainly challenging but definitely rewarding!

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

Music and Dungeons & Dragons are two great loves, though I guess that’s still writing, just of a different sort.

11. You entered your screenplay via FilmFreeway. What has been your experiences working with the submission platform site?

Singlehandedly the easiest and most central platform for submitting to and discovering new festivals.

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

The festival entry was priced reasonably and free feedback is always a really nice bonus. It was great to have someone ask questions that inspired me to dig deeper into the world of the script.

Watch the Screenplay Reading:

In a world of clowns, the zombie apocalypse cuts short Bozo’s funeral.

CAST LIST:
Narrator: Allison Kampf
Father Chuckles : Allan Michael Brunet
Bozo Junior : Scott Beaudin
Klumpo : Steve Rizzo