Platoon One Films Launches Online Screenwriting Lab for Horror Writers

Fifteen independent writers in India will spend the next three months developing original horror screenplays through a new online program. The initiative, launched by Platoon One Films, aims to shift the local genre away from familiar ghost stories and comedy hybrids. Participants will work on scripts that explore philosophical and metaphysical themes rather than relying on supernatural staples.

The lab is designed to provide ongoing feedback as drafts evolve. Sessions will occur on weekends and combine group mentoring with individual critiques. Industry professionals from India and other countries will lead these discussions on craft and suspense. The company plans to announce the specific names of mentors and faculty in the coming weeks.

Platoon One Films operates as an independent production and distribution company that also handles international sales. The founder, Shiladitya Bora, established the lab to address a perceived lack of quality in mainstream offerings. Bora noted that many recent films failed to be either genuinely scary or funny. He stated that the goal is to bring genuinely good horror stories to audiences who are tired of predictable plots.

Bora argued that horror allows filmmakers to explore difficult ideas more effectively than standard dialogue. He described the genre as a tool for examining society and the human mind. The program encourages writers to draw from India’s myths, folk tales, and local beliefs. This approach seeks to use the genre as a lens for deeper storytelling.

Upon completion of the three-month course, the fifteen participants will pitch their projects to producers. Platoon One will use its industry network to connect writers with potential financiers. Successful pitches could lead to the financing and eventual production of the films. The company aims to create stories that resonate with international audiences.

Bora expressed a desire to help Indian horror gain a global audience. He envisioned stories set in local Indian communities that would still frighten viewers in cities like Seoul and São Paulo. The lab represents a step toward training the next generation of writers and filmmakers for this purpose. The company seeks to elevate the standard of the genre through rigorous development.

The program will run entirely online, allowing participants to balance their work with other commitments. Each writer will bring one original screenplay to the table. The format is structured to ensure that each draft receives specific attention throughout its development. The next phase involves the formal selection of the fifteen writers for this cycle.