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:
Connect with Geoffrey D. Calhoun:
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
