David Dean
@cynohead.com
Pinned
David Dean
@cynohead.com
· Oct 15
![Over BLACK:
The CRUNCH of a boot against wood.
A second, harder CRUNCH -- a door violently assaulted.
Finally a SPLINTERING CRASH as the door is KICKED IN.
A BURLY MAN stands silhouetted in the doorway of:
INT. NORTH FORK CABIN - DAY [1894]
The job done, the man steps aside in favor of SHERIFF TABER -- a gruff man in his mid-fifties. His paunch and Cattleman hat block out the sun.
TABER
Hell's teeth...
His POV:
A FOURTEEN YEAR OLD GIRL -- CALLIE -- slumps on the floor of the cabin. Resting back against the log wall.
Her face is pale under her dirty blonde hair. She stares up at Taber -- her chest rising and falling with shallow breaths.
Her petticoat is STAINED WITH BLOOD. No way to tell if it's hers.
A thin trail of blood leads to a KITCHEN KNIFE lying a few feet away on the cabin floor.
Taber takes this in. Speaks without urgency.
TABER
Where is he?
Callie nods loosely toward the open door of an adjacent room.
Taber doesn't need to look in there.
TABER
Can you walk?
INT. CARRIAGE - DAY
The sound of horses' hooves on a dirt road.
Callie is slumped in the back of the carriage. Her CUFFED hands resting on her lap.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:5752jiagz4igwlwfrm6gjqb4/bafkreifkn4ieqmrsqn37iui6d3ayhw5nl2qg7xh7qed4evls4r7ksx4ciy@jpeg)
Sweet mother of midpoints...
My screenplay VOICELESS is a PAGE Gold Prize Winner.
No idea what to do with myself, but it will involve drinking.
#scriptsky #pageawards
My screenplay VOICELESS is a PAGE Gold Prize Winner.
No idea what to do with myself, but it will involve drinking.
#scriptsky #pageawards
Screenwriting advice:
Avoid describing a character's physical details unless they're important to the plot.
What you're aiming for is an unmemorable featureless blob.
If the reader can visualize anything, you've failed.
#scriptsky
Avoid describing a character's physical details unless they're important to the plot.
What you're aiming for is an unmemorable featureless blob.
If the reader can visualize anything, you've failed.
#scriptsky
February 2, 2026 at 6:56 PM
Screenwriting advice:
Avoid describing a character's physical details unless they're important to the plot.
What you're aiming for is an unmemorable featureless blob.
If the reader can visualize anything, you've failed.
#scriptsky
Avoid describing a character's physical details unless they're important to the plot.
What you're aiming for is an unmemorable featureless blob.
If the reader can visualize anything, you've failed.
#scriptsky
Normally I hate rewriting, but there's something about being in a four-hour presentation on Agile Methodology that makes me want to get back to it.
#scriptsky
#scriptsky
January 26, 2026 at 10:38 PM
Normally I hate rewriting, but there's something about being in a four-hour presentation on Agile Methodology that makes me want to get back to it.
#scriptsky
#scriptsky
Reposted by David Dean
franz kafka in certain situations: wow this is so me-esque
January 26, 2026 at 8:11 PM
franz kafka in certain situations: wow this is so me-esque
#SpecScriptShoutOut for NO GHOSTS TONIGHT.
Adele Smaill's humane story of migrants facing a treacherous Channel crossing, told with compassion and understanding.
Screenwriters are often asked, "Why does this story need to be told now?" Not something you'll be asking about this one...
#scriptsky
Adele Smaill's humane story of migrants facing a treacherous Channel crossing, told with compassion and understanding.
Screenwriters are often asked, "Why does this story need to be told now?" Not something you'll be asking about this one...
#scriptsky
NO GHOSTS TONIGHT - Drama/thriller feature
Desperate to get home, a young woman forces her way aboard an inflatable dinghy full of asylum seekers trying to evade capture and survive a deadly Channel crossing.
Finalist: Nicholl. Winner: Shore Scripts, Golden Script Competition
#screenpit #scriptsky
Desperate to get home, a young woman forces her way aboard an inflatable dinghy full of asylum seekers trying to evade capture and survive a deadly Channel crossing.
Finalist: Nicholl. Winner: Shore Scripts, Golden Script Competition
#screenpit #scriptsky
January 26, 2026 at 9:05 PM
#SpecScriptShoutOut for NO GHOSTS TONIGHT.
Adele Smaill's humane story of migrants facing a treacherous Channel crossing, told with compassion and understanding.
Screenwriters are often asked, "Why does this story need to be told now?" Not something you'll be asking about this one...
#scriptsky
Adele Smaill's humane story of migrants facing a treacherous Channel crossing, told with compassion and understanding.
Screenwriters are often asked, "Why does this story need to be told now?" Not something you'll be asking about this one...
#scriptsky
January 24, 2026 at 1:33 AM
Reposted by David Dean
My 1st new entry for #FirstPageFriday in ages from my latest WIP. It’s been a hoppin ride for this lil story. 6 years in the making. I’m on cloud nine after finishing the latest draft, but time will tell if it’s still the bee’s knees once I get feedback that brings me back down to Earth 😅 #Scriptsky
January 23, 2026 at 6:55 PM
My 1st new entry for #FirstPageFriday in ages from my latest WIP. It’s been a hoppin ride for this lil story. 6 years in the making. I’m on cloud nine after finishing the latest draft, but time will tell if it’s still the bee’s knees once I get feedback that brings me back down to Earth 😅 #Scriptsky
Reposted by David Dean
It's a rewrite day, which means I'm easing into the headspace (drinking tea) and circling the project conceptually (scrolling social media).
#scriptsky
#scriptsky
January 19, 2026 at 7:27 PM
It's a rewrite day, which means I'm easing into the headspace (drinking tea) and circling the project conceptually (scrolling social media).
#scriptsky
#scriptsky
Reposted by David Dean
Huge thanks to Adele for the kind words about VOICELESS, and for kicking off a #SpecScriptShoutOut chain last night.
I’m hoping to read more peer scripts this year, so if there are standouts that spring to mind, give them a boost.
#scriptsky
I’m hoping to read more peer scripts this year, so if there are standouts that spring to mind, give them a boost.
#scriptsky
Tell us about a great peer script #scriptsky ?
David Dean's VOICELESS -a moving supernatural Western, follows a young girl whose unexpected power has smartly and subtly handled ramifications. Fizzing with ideas, it keeps the reader guessing and engaged.
#SpecScriptShoutOut @cynohead.com
David Dean's VOICELESS -a moving supernatural Western, follows a young girl whose unexpected power has smartly and subtly handled ramifications. Fizzing with ideas, it keeps the reader guessing and engaged.
#SpecScriptShoutOut @cynohead.com
January 15, 2026 at 5:49 PM
Huge thanks to Adele for the kind words about VOICELESS, and for kicking off a #SpecScriptShoutOut chain last night.
I’m hoping to read more peer scripts this year, so if there are standouts that spring to mind, give them a boost.
#scriptsky
I’m hoping to read more peer scripts this year, so if there are standouts that spring to mind, give them a boost.
#scriptsky
The first step is admitting that you have a debilitating ellipsis addiction.
Just discovered I can save a whole page in this script by converting all ellipses to periods.
I refuse.
#scriptsky
Just discovered I can save a whole page in this script by converting all ellipses to periods.
I refuse.
#scriptsky
January 11, 2026 at 12:32 AM
The first step is admitting that you have a debilitating ellipsis addiction.
Just discovered I can save a whole page in this script by converting all ellipses to periods.
I refuse.
#scriptsky
Just discovered I can save a whole page in this script by converting all ellipses to periods.
I refuse.
#scriptsky
January 9, 2026 at 11:46 PM
Hi, I'm one of many screenwriting Davids.
I write because I watched Buffy season two, and that was that.
My work is on the weirder side of fantasy / horror / sf, and so far the highlight has been the occasional contest judge being into that.
#scriptsky
I write because I watched Buffy season two, and that was that.
My work is on the weirder side of fantasy / horror / sf, and so far the highlight has been the occasional contest judge being into that.
#scriptsky
Just thinking it's been a minute - probably several - since we had any kind of introduction thread on #scriptsky
So - tell us who you are again! What do you write, why do you write, what's a highlight so far in your screenwriting - and what other cool (or nerdishly uncool) stuff do you do?
So - tell us who you are again! What do you write, why do you write, what's a highlight so far in your screenwriting - and what other cool (or nerdishly uncool) stuff do you do?
January 7, 2026 at 12:43 AM
Hi, I'm one of many screenwriting Davids.
I write because I watched Buffy season two, and that was that.
My work is on the weirder side of fantasy / horror / sf, and so far the highlight has been the occasional contest judge being into that.
#scriptsky
I write because I watched Buffy season two, and that was that.
My work is on the weirder side of fantasy / horror / sf, and so far the highlight has been the occasional contest judge being into that.
#scriptsky
In celebration of National Screenwriters Day I changed two words on a page then made a cup of tea.
#scriptsky
#scriptsky
January 6, 2026 at 3:24 AM
In celebration of National Screenwriters Day I changed two words on a page then made a cup of tea.
#scriptsky
#scriptsky
Today is the Sundayest Sunday of the whole year.
January 4, 2026 at 5:47 PM
Today is the Sundayest Sunday of the whole year.
The myth of Sisyphus was originally about having multiple work-in-progress feature scripts and being trapped in an endless cycle of rewrites.
#scriptsky
#scriptsky
January 2, 2026 at 4:03 AM
The myth of Sisyphus was originally about having multiple work-in-progress feature scripts and being trapped in an endless cycle of rewrites.
#scriptsky
#scriptsky
Reposted by David Dean
THE CUL-DE-SAC
A family struggling with trust issues is forced to take shelter in their home after a chemical bomb renders their cul-de-sac a toxic wasteland. They must learn to work together in order to survive as deadly forces close in on them.
#screenpit #fea #th #isa
A family struggling with trust issues is forced to take shelter in their home after a chemical bomb renders their cul-de-sac a toxic wasteland. They must learn to work together in order to survive as deadly forces close in on them.
#screenpit #fea #th #isa
December 30, 2025 at 6:16 PM
THE CUL-DE-SAC
A family struggling with trust issues is forced to take shelter in their home after a chemical bomb renders their cul-de-sac a toxic wasteland. They must learn to work together in order to survive as deadly forces close in on them.
#screenpit #fea #th #isa
A family struggling with trust issues is forced to take shelter in their home after a chemical bomb renders their cul-de-sac a toxic wasteland. They must learn to work together in order to survive as deadly forces close in on them.
#screenpit #fea #th #isa
Reposted by David Dean
JOHN THE REVELATOR
A Confederate deserter is pursued by a hell-bent Lieutenant across the high desert while his transformative visions increasingly bleed into reality.
A post-modern Western
#Dr #Th #Hi #Wes #Fea #Re #ScreenPit #Scriptsky
A Confederate deserter is pursued by a hell-bent Lieutenant across the high desert while his transformative visions increasingly bleed into reality.
A post-modern Western
#Dr #Th #Hi #Wes #Fea #Re #ScreenPit #Scriptsky
December 30, 2025 at 6:11 PM
JOHN THE REVELATOR
A Confederate deserter is pursued by a hell-bent Lieutenant across the high desert while his transformative visions increasingly bleed into reality.
A post-modern Western
#Dr #Th #Hi #Wes #Fea #Re #ScreenPit #Scriptsky
A Confederate deserter is pursued by a hell-bent Lieutenant across the high desert while his transformative visions increasingly bleed into reality.
A post-modern Western
#Dr #Th #Hi #Wes #Fea #Re #ScreenPit #Scriptsky
✨ PAGE Gold Winner ✨ – VOICELESS
In 1890s Montana, a mute girl with an unsettling power escapes an abusive marriage and flees across the plains, joining a disillusioned preacher on a journey towards freedom or damnation.
#ScreenPit #scriptsky
#Fea #CWin #Dr #Wes #Su #Ad
In 1890s Montana, a mute girl with an unsettling power escapes an abusive marriage and flees across the plains, joining a disillusioned preacher on a journey towards freedom or damnation.
#ScreenPit #scriptsky
#Fea #CWin #Dr #Wes #Su #Ad
December 30, 2025 at 10:05 PM
✨ PAGE Gold Winner ✨ – VOICELESS
In 1890s Montana, a mute girl with an unsettling power escapes an abusive marriage and flees across the plains, joining a disillusioned preacher on a journey towards freedom or damnation.
#ScreenPit #scriptsky
#Fea #CWin #Dr #Wes #Su #Ad
In 1890s Montana, a mute girl with an unsettling power escapes an abusive marriage and flees across the plains, joining a disillusioned preacher on a journey towards freedom or damnation.
#ScreenPit #scriptsky
#Fea #CWin #Dr #Wes #Su #Ad
Reposted by David Dean
Don't Blink
When a group of unsuspecting teens discovers a mysterious Ouija board, it reveals an impossible warning and unleashes a sinister entity hellbent on enacting deadly consequences.
Emmy-winning director attached! Let's bring this one to life!
#ScreenPit #Ho #Fea #WrDis #SeRe #scriptsky
When a group of unsuspecting teens discovers a mysterious Ouija board, it reveals an impossible warning and unleashes a sinister entity hellbent on enacting deadly consequences.
Emmy-winning director attached! Let's bring this one to life!
#ScreenPit #Ho #Fea #WrDis #SeRe #scriptsky
December 30, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Don't Blink
When a group of unsuspecting teens discovers a mysterious Ouija board, it reveals an impossible warning and unleashes a sinister entity hellbent on enacting deadly consequences.
Emmy-winning director attached! Let's bring this one to life!
#ScreenPit #Ho #Fea #WrDis #SeRe #scriptsky
When a group of unsuspecting teens discovers a mysterious Ouija board, it reveals an impossible warning and unleashes a sinister entity hellbent on enacting deadly consequences.
Emmy-winning director attached! Let's bring this one to life!
#ScreenPit #Ho #Fea #WrDis #SeRe #scriptsky
Reposted by David Dean
NO GHOSTS TONIGHT - Drama/thriller feature
Desperate to get home, a young woman forces her way aboard an inflatable dinghy full of asylum seekers trying to evade capture and survive a deadly Channel crossing.
Finalist: Nicholl. Winner: Shore Scripts, Golden Script Competition
#screenpit #scriptsky
Desperate to get home, a young woman forces her way aboard an inflatable dinghy full of asylum seekers trying to evade capture and survive a deadly Channel crossing.
Finalist: Nicholl. Winner: Shore Scripts, Golden Script Competition
#screenpit #scriptsky
December 30, 2025 at 4:08 PM
NO GHOSTS TONIGHT - Drama/thriller feature
Desperate to get home, a young woman forces her way aboard an inflatable dinghy full of asylum seekers trying to evade capture and survive a deadly Channel crossing.
Finalist: Nicholl. Winner: Shore Scripts, Golden Script Competition
#screenpit #scriptsky
Desperate to get home, a young woman forces her way aboard an inflatable dinghy full of asylum seekers trying to evade capture and survive a deadly Channel crossing.
Finalist: Nicholl. Winner: Shore Scripts, Golden Script Competition
#screenpit #scriptsky
PAGE Gold Winner – VOICELESS
In 1890s Montana, a mute girl with an unsettling power escapes an abusive marriage and flees across the plains, joining a disillusioned preacher on a journey towards freedom or damnation.
#ScreenPit #scriptsky
In 1890s Montana, a mute girl with an unsettling power escapes an abusive marriage and flees across the plains, joining a disillusioned preacher on a journey towards freedom or damnation.
#ScreenPit #scriptsky
December 30, 2025 at 5:10 PM
PAGE Gold Winner – VOICELESS
In 1890s Montana, a mute girl with an unsettling power escapes an abusive marriage and flees across the plains, joining a disillusioned preacher on a journey towards freedom or damnation.
#ScreenPit #scriptsky
In 1890s Montana, a mute girl with an unsettling power escapes an abusive marriage and flees across the plains, joining a disillusioned preacher on a journey towards freedom or damnation.
#ScreenPit #scriptsky
2026 Resolutions:
- Get a rep by hook or by crook
- Write at least one more feature
- Learn to stop finding rewriting so miserable
- Mercilessly block or mute people who post AI-generated screenplay posters because life’s too short for that shit
#scriptsky
- Get a rep by hook or by crook
- Write at least one more feature
- Learn to stop finding rewriting so miserable
- Mercilessly block or mute people who post AI-generated screenplay posters because life’s too short for that shit
#scriptsky
December 29, 2025 at 6:04 PM
2026 Resolutions:
- Get a rep by hook or by crook
- Write at least one more feature
- Learn to stop finding rewriting so miserable
- Mercilessly block or mute people who post AI-generated screenplay posters because life’s too short for that shit
#scriptsky
- Get a rep by hook or by crook
- Write at least one more feature
- Learn to stop finding rewriting so miserable
- Mercilessly block or mute people who post AI-generated screenplay posters because life’s too short for that shit
#scriptsky
I listened to every episode of the Scriptnotes podcast and wrote comprehensive notes.
All that work has now been rendered pointless by this lovely gift I will treasure.
@johnaugust.bsky.social @clmazin.bsky.social #scriptsky
All that work has now been rendered pointless by this lovely gift I will treasure.
@johnaugust.bsky.social @clmazin.bsky.social #scriptsky
December 25, 2025 at 4:44 PM
I listened to every episode of the Scriptnotes podcast and wrote comprehensive notes.
All that work has now been rendered pointless by this lovely gift I will treasure.
@johnaugust.bsky.social @clmazin.bsky.social #scriptsky
All that work has now been rendered pointless by this lovely gift I will treasure.
@johnaugust.bsky.social @clmazin.bsky.social #scriptsky
2025 Wrap-Up:
Written: 2 features
Entered: 3 contests
Wins: PAGE Gold & AFF Semis
Enjoyed: Austin Film Fest
This year was fairly weak on Actual Writing, but strong on Nice Things Because Of Writing.
#scriptsky
Written: 2 features
Entered: 3 contests
Wins: PAGE Gold & AFF Semis
Enjoyed: Austin Film Fest
This year was fairly weak on Actual Writing, but strong on Nice Things Because Of Writing.
#scriptsky
December 23, 2025 at 7:08 PM
2025 Wrap-Up:
Written: 2 features
Entered: 3 contests
Wins: PAGE Gold & AFF Semis
Enjoyed: Austin Film Fest
This year was fairly weak on Actual Writing, but strong on Nice Things Because Of Writing.
#scriptsky
Written: 2 features
Entered: 3 contests
Wins: PAGE Gold & AFF Semis
Enjoyed: Austin Film Fest
This year was fairly weak on Actual Writing, but strong on Nice Things Because Of Writing.
#scriptsky