Ep 278 - Paul Etheredge on Writing 'The Other' and Reinventing Indie Horror Writer-director Paul Etheredge joins Geoffrey to discuss his chilling new horror film The Other. From dream-fueled inspiration to last-minute casting chaos, Paul shares how the film came together—and how it cleverly subverts genre expectations. Plus, a candid look at indie filmmaking challenges, practical effects, and building layered character arcs that flip audience assumptions. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: - How The Other was inspired by a nightmare and developed into a subversive horror film - What it’s like collaborating with horror legend Jeffrey Reddick - Why practical effects are still powerful—and how they pulled it off on a budget - The unexpected casting journey and how it shaped the film’s tone - Advice for screenwriters on writing readable, producible scripts Key Moments: 00:23 – Geoffrey’s horror-fan confession and Paul’s reaction to early screenings 02:10 – Working with Final Destination’s Jeffrey Reddick 04:33 – The nightmare that sparked the idea for The Other 06:36 – Why the film took five years to make 08:30 – Commitment to practical effects and 80s influences 09:43 – Building empathy for a character who first appears dangerous 12:48 – Shawnee Smith’s accidental casting and standout performance 13:54 – The climax rewrite done during the shoot 16:14 – Paul’s blunt advice for screenwriters 17:12 – Getting a Hallmark actress to go dark for horror About the Guest: Paul Etheredge is a writer-director known for the cult LGBTQ+ slasher Hellbent and now The Other, a psychological horror film praised for its genre-defying twists. He’s a longtime collaborator with Jeffrey Reddick and brings a wealth of indie filmmaking experience and insight. About the Host: With films on network television, streaming platforms, and in theaters, Geoffrey D. Calhoun is a screenwriter, author of The Guide for Every Screenwriter, and a passionate mentor in the industry. He hosts The Successful Screenwriter podcast to empower writers and filmmakers at every level. Resources Mentioned in the Episode: - The Other – Available now on Amazon, Apple TV, Roku, and other VOD platforms - Fangoria Magazine – Featuring The Other on the cover Connect with the Guest: - https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/amzn1.dv.gti.b64a3e46-7350-4760-a199-1473d8f37e17?autoplay=0&ref_=atv_cf_strg_wb - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0262049/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_0_nm_8_in_0_q_paul%2520ether Connect with Geoffrey D. Calhoun: - https://www.thesuccessfulscreenwriter.com - https://www.instagram.com/screenwriterpod - TikTok @screenwriterpod If you loved this deep dive into horror filmmaking, be sure to rate, follow, and share the episode. Got a favorite horror twist in film? Let us know in the comments! #HorrorFilm #IndieFilmmaking #ScreenwritingTips #TheOtherMovie #SuccessfulScreenwriterPodcast

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