The Spider's Warning

A woman’s pursuit of something small reveals the unexpected consequences of fear.

  • Staci Mallett
    Writer
  • Project Type:
    Short Script
  • Genres:
    Noir horror
  • Number of Pages:
    3
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • First-time Screenwriter:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
Writer Biography - Staci Mallett

Originally hailing from Metro Detroit, Michigan, Staci moved to Los Angeles, California in 2000 with hopes of breaking into the film industry. Her dreams began to come true when she moved to East Hollywood (Sunset and Normandie) and settled in an artist building with many aspiring filmmakers. One of her new neighbors learned that Staci also had a career in the hair industry and needed a hairstylist for an independent film he was working on. From then on, Staci worked in production, rising from production assistant to the art department, carving out what seemed to be a solid path in film and television.
However, sometimes the universe has different plans. With the 2008 crash, Staci found herself struggling to find film work and realized her skills had become outdated, making it difficult to obtain employment elsewhere. This led to several years of experiencing housing and resource vulnerability. Knowing she had to gain new skills and experience, Staci returned to school, completing an undergraduate degree in sociology and a postgraduate degree in education.
Currently, Staci works in management within the nonprofit sector, supporting those experiencing homelessness. She is deeply passionate about her work in advocacy and, alongside this, has never forgotten her love for storytelling and writing, which she believes is a powerful tool for transformation, inspiration, and change. Staci has built a collection of ideas that have stayed with her, waiting for the time when the universe would finally say, "Now is your turn."

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Writer Statement

I was inspired to write "The Spider's Warning" a long time ago, though I’m not always sure where my ideas come from. I often have random creative thoughts that develop into stories—sometimes sparked by a phrase, an experience, or a dream. Recently, I had a dream about spiders, which in some cultures are seen as communicators of fate. Since then, I’ve been motivated to enter "The Spider's Warning" into short film contests and festivals for consideration.
I have always loved horror films in the noir style. If I had to suggest a theme, it would be fear and control—how a small spider can wield so much power over someone, making them fearful enough to act without considering their mental health and safety. I believe audiences who enjoy spine-tingling thrillers with relatable experiences will appreciate this film.
As a first-time scriptwriter, I recognized the importance of learning the film script format, while also valuing time. I used ChatGPT for formatting help and to ensure my ideas made sense. I don’t have a personal connection to spiders, but I know they’re not the harbingers of doom some believe. I even learned that scientists think spiders might be able to dream. Perhaps this script can make my dreams come true.
*All concept art created through prompting by writer using ChatGPT AI DALL•E
*Script Copyright protected