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Fright Shorts

6 spooky new Halloween comedies developed by ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Writersroom for ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Northern Ireland

Watch the trailer for Fright Shorts
The biggest thing I’ve learned is not to just think about writing - get on and do it. ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Writersroom script calls are a wonderful boot up the backside to give yourself a deadline and get the next script written.
— Martha Keith-Barnett

Fright Shorts are 6 spooky new Halloween comedies developed by ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Writersroom for ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Northern Ireland with support from Northern Ireland screen. They launched on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ iPlayer on Friday 13th October 2018. 

Fright Shorts began as  for 5 minute comedy scripts from writers who are from or living in Northern Ireland. We asked for funny, surprising stories, told in a hilarious way, with brilliant, original characters and which related to Halloween.

Over 150 scripts were submitted from which a shortlisted group of writers were invited to the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ in Belfast for a development day with talks and Q&As with industry professionals. Following this 6 scripts were selected for production. The writers also had script-editing support from  (The League of Gentlemen).

The series was produced by Belfast-based production company, , working in partnership with .  (Crashing, Timewasters, Newszoids) directed all six episodes.

Keith Martin from ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Writersroom says: "Fright Shorts is a brilliant example of the previously undiscovered talent that ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Writersroom has unearthed. Working alongside ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Comedy, Northern Ireland Screen and ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Northern Ireland, ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Writersroom has produced six fantastically spooky comedy-shorts just in time for Halloween, proving even when writing for the undead, indigenous Northern Irish scripted comedy is alive and well."

Chris Jones, the founder of Nice One Productions, adds: "I'm delighted that Fright Shorts is our very first new Northern Ireland comedy commission and hope comedy-horror fans all over the UK will enjoy binge-watching the series on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ iPlayer - with six sparky and distinctive scripts, Fright Shorts is a proper Halloween treat, bursting to life with such a funny cast, a visionary director and the hardest-working crew in Northern Ireland."

The Six Fright Shorts

  • The Candy Gran

    The tale of two teenage 'trick or treaters' who get more than they bargained for when they knock on the door of an old lady. Written by Stephen Large Starring Stella McCusker, Michael Stranney and Aimee Richardson.
  • Derek Vs the Evil Halloween Pigeon

    Suggestible, straight-laced Derek has to battle the Evil Halloween Pigeon and the machinations of his unhinged flatmate to make it to his date on time. Written by Martha Barnett Starring Gerard McCabe and Tara Lynne O'Neill
  • The Grandmummy Returns

    When tragedy strikes, Paul’s solution is a grim, weird one. Can best friend Dennis prise himself off of Paul’s orthopaedic mattress to make a stand? Written by Peter Gray Starring Michael Liebmann, Gerard McCabe and Roma Tomelty.
  • The Visit

    This short follows Death on her frustrating day at the office and a strange visit to the Donnelly's for Halloween. Written by Michael McCullough Starring Dan Gordon, Chris Patrick-Simpson, Julia Dearden and Eleanor Tiernan.
  • Worst Halloween Ever

    Emma, the socially awkward witch, plants a curse on her two flatmates. Little do they know that they are going are going to the Halloween party from hell. Written by Mary Flanigan Starring Louise Parker, Sophie Doran, Julie Lamberton, Ruairi Woods, Rosie Barry, Colan Kelly, Odhran McNulty and Lucy McConnell.
  • Costume Drama

    Two fancy dress shop employees are accosted by a vampire, witch and mummy, however they learn their spooky visitors may not be the stereotypical monsters they appear. Written by Dave Kinghan Starring Peter Campion, Bronagh Waugh, Karen Hassan, David Elliott, Shane Todd and Jason Byrne.

More from ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Writersroom Northern Ireland

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