As a matter of fact, I've been kicking around a zombie flick idea and decided to watch Dawn of Dead 2004 tonight while I read the script. Just to get the pacing going...gonna time how long between scares and all.

I've got a solid idea, been jotting down notes- characters...beginning middle...several scenes...no ending yet. Not going for Zombieland or Shaun of the Dead, more on the side of D.o.D. with a lighter tone. Humorous but combined with REAL scares, not a zomedy.

I definitely will avoid watching

any zombie movies after I start writing though. Thanks for the advice!

The media (movies, books, etc) I take in doesn't effect what I write whatsoever, it seems strange to me that it could.

I watch movies to relax when I'm not writing, not get ideas for my projects. But maybe that's because I've already got the tone down, outlined, and feel secure with where the script is going.

I've never thought about it though, good post!

:) my girlfrend reelly like this artickle she say :(

Whoops. Sorry about that. Been reading the Yahoo comments page too long.

Oh, yeah. I agree w/Steph and the rest, w/ this exception. BEFORE I start writing a screenplay/novel, whatever, I read and watch everything I can on the subject and in the genre. Once I've started writing, I try to read/watch the opposite. For instance, if I'm writing horror, I watch romcoms (and vicey voisey); action/introspective foreign flicks. Scifi/period pieces. Etc.

And, in the interests of pimping whatever is at hand, I urge the reader to download the following script:
http://studios.amazon.com/projects/3522

log: With the US thrown into chaos by nuclear attacks in New York and D.C., a ragtag posse uncovers the terrifying link between the nation's new leadership - and the end times.

Yeah, this black dramedy is on that terrible amazon website, but it's NOT a bottom of the drawer script, and it's only ONE of thirty I've written the past ten years, so I can afford to lose it for eighteen months.

Cheers!

I watch whatever is similar in tone a bunch of times. Right now I'm working on something that's very reminiscent of Grosse Pointe Blank so I'm watching that movie a lot. I'm also watching Pineapple Express and Heathers to make sure my brain stays in the right place.