Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Joel McElvaney

@screenwritermac.bsky.social

1.4K followers 1.4K following 360 posts

Took a workshop from William Goldman in college. Waited 30 years. Started screenwriting career. Did I do something wrong? AFF 2nd Rounder. StC! Top 5 Finalist. GA Film Academy-trained. UH Manoa alum. West Coast boy. Enters late, leaves early. 🤙

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Pinned

Joel McElvaney @screenwritermac.bsky.social · 4d

Alright, the universe has spoken. I’m gonna film my horror short next year. There, I said it. Now it has to happen, right?

1 1

Joel McElvaney @screenwritermac.bsky.social · 4d

Alright, the universe has spoken. I’m gonna film my horror short next year. There, I said it. Now it has to happen, right?

1 1

Joel McElvaney @screenwritermac.bsky.social · 4d

Congratulations! 🎉

Joel McElvaney @screenwritermac.bsky.social · 4d

My first year as a middle school teacher in the 90s, I had a parent refuse to let her daughter read A Wrinkle in Time. (witches!)

1 2

Joel McElvaney @screenwritermac.bsky.social · 24d

Amazing! 🔥 Congratulations!

1 1

Joel McElvaney @screenwritermac.bsky.social · 27d

Underrated gem.

Joel McElvaney @screenwritermac.bsky.social · 27d

Well, my script didn’t make it this year. Is that stopping me from going to AFF? Hell no!

Joel McElvaney @screenwritermac.bsky.social · 27d

Same, friend. 🤷

Joel McElvaney @screenwritermac.bsky.social · 27d

#ScriptSky
Stoked to report that my first-ever horror short, THE HOOK, is an Official Selection in the 2025 @horrorigins.com Film Fest! #WhereHorrorIsBorn

A movie poster for horror short The Hook written by Joel McElvaney with tagline: This ain’t your grandpa’s campfire story.

2025 Official Selection Laurel for HorrOrigins Film Fest.

3 1 18

Joel McElvaney @screenwritermac.bsky.social · Sep 11

Welcome to #ScriptSky!

1 1

Joel McElvaney @screenwritermac.bsky.social · Sep 11

This former teacher loved it! 😂

1 5

Joel McElvaney @screenwritermac.bsky.social · Sep 9

Congratulations, Peter! 🎉 I’d love to read it sometime!

1 1

Joel McElvaney @screenwritermac.bsky.social · Sep 8

Congratulations, Steve! 🎉

1 1

Joel McElvaney @screenwritermac.bsky.social · Sep 3

If that doesn’t work, I go with this.

a man is looking at his reflection in a mirror and says i 'm good enough i 'm smart enough

Alt: a man is looking at his reflection in a mirror and says “i 'm good enough i’m smart enough and doggonit people like me”

media.tenor.com

1 2

Joel McElvaney @screenwritermac.bsky.social · Sep 3

I have had this exact feeling! I tell myself to trust that I’ve learned *enough.* And to trust my storytelling instincts.

2 2

Joel McElvaney @screenwritermac.bsky.social · Sep 2

Congratulations!🎉

1 1

Joel McElvaney @screenwritermac.bsky.social · Sep 2

Congrats!

1 1

Joel McElvaney @screenwritermac.bsky.social · Sep 1

🤞🤞

Joel McElvaney @screenwritermac.bsky.social · Aug 30

I have two projects outlined and ready to write:

1. a *very* dark limited series thriller
2. a *very* silly “stunt” holiday feature using IP I don’t have rights to

Seeing as real life is sliding into “very dark” territory, I’m leaning toward 2.