Summary: AMELIA, a lawyer, returns home to visit her estranged father LIAM, whose health is rapidly declining. As she returns to their Texas land, she learns that the town has been ruined by fracking companies, which is starting to cause earthquakes, along with draining resources and money from the locals. A fracking company turns up on Liam’s land, who tells Amelia he’s doing this so he has something to leave Amelia after he dies. After an earthquake sends the home into ruins, Liam dies and Amelia is left staying in the trailer of DAVE and MIKE, members of the fracking crew. The earthquake resulted in the deaths of crew members, so ASHER shows up to survey the area. When JAX discovers gems lining a hidden cave that was revealed in the ground during the earthquake, Asher takes things into his own hands. He threatens Amelia, Dave and Mike and forces them to retrieve as many gems as they can and for Amelia to sign away the land. While down there, they discover there are bloodthirsty creatures that attack them. With the help of CHAD, Dave and Amelia manage to defeat Asher and get enough gems to make money. Amelia decides she doesn’t want any more death or violence in favor of money, so they won’t tell anyone about the cave. She sells a giant diamond and gifts the proceeds to the town.

CAST LIST:

Narrator: Julie Sheppard
Amelia: Hannah Ehman
Liam: Steve Rizzo

Get to know the writer:

1. What is your screenplay about?
- My screenplay on one hand is about how pain, guilt and the feeling of being let down by those we love most alter the course of our lives. On the other hand, it's also about the exploitation of our land and way of life in service to greed. I personally feel that life is about balance, and when we are off-kilter, we can sometimes lash out at those closest to us. And when Mother Nature is out of balance, there's no telling how severe the consequences may be, including taking the shape of scary cave monsters.

2. What genres does your screenplay fall under?
- Horror/Thriller with the subgenre of Creature Feature

3. Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?
- In a business sense, there are very few genres as financially successful, especially on lower budgets, than horror/thriller films. We love to feel exhilarated, terrified, shocked, etc. whether that be in the form of roller coasters, haunted houses, escape rooms, and of course movies. Personally however, I think this screenplay would lend itself to not only being a fun ride for moviegoers, but it's also a very personal film that I think many people can relate to.

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

5. What movie have you seen the most times in your life?
- I'd say a three-way tie between Jurassic Park, Die Hard and Aliens

6. How long have you been working on this screenplay?
- I started writing this in August, so just about 6 months

7. How many stories have you written?
- I have four other feature screenplays, two pilots, and one short

8. What is your favorite song? (Or, what song have you listened to the most times in your life?)
- Either "Got To Give It Up" by Marvin Gaye or "Hey, Hey What Can I Do?" by Led Zeppelin

9. What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?
- Self-doubt, per usual. But this screenplay flowed from the beginning. I honestly haven't finished a script and felt so confident and excited as quickly as I did with this script.

10. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?
- So much! I love going to live music concerts and sporting events, cooking new recipes, painting, soaking in that sunny LA weather by the pool, and enjoying having such wonderful friends and family.

11. You entered your screenplay via FilmFreeway. What has been your experiences working with the submission platform site?
- Submitting was simple and clear. It's always exciting pressing send, you never know what could happen.

12. What influenced you to enter the festival? What were your feelings on the initial feedback you received?
- It's pretty amazing to hear actors read from your script, I have never had that happen with any of my works before. The shot of that becoming reality was one of the main reasons I entered. The feedback, though concise, really struck at the finer points of what is working and what could be expanded upon, which I very much appreciate. Constructive criticism is invaluable to a young writer, and I'll gladly accept any feedback from industry professionals who take the time to read my script, and luckily for me have seemed to enjoy it.