Introduction
Synopsis: In 1990s Hollywood, small-town dreamer Dorothy Gumm arrives determined to become the next big star, but instead stumbles into a bizarre underworld of vampires, washed-up celebrities, eccentric creatives, and supernatural secrets lurking just behind the glitter. After an unexpected encounter with a Hollywood A-lister goes sideways, Dorothy stumbles upon an unbelievable secret – vampires are real, and they’re winning Oscars! After making a deal with a Hollywood hunk-turned creature of the night, she’ll keep his secret if he can get her into his next big film. Befriending a rogue’s gallery of misfits, Dorothy’s never-ending pursuit for stardom takes her and her “found family” into Tinseltown’s strangest corners and eventually into global cult classic status.
Tone and Inspirations: HollyWEIRD! blends supernatural comedy with heartfelt satire, delivering the affectionate absurdity of What We Do in the Shadows, the pop-culture wit of 30 Rock, and the friendship and warmth of The Golden Girls. Like Beetlejuice, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Shaun of the Dead, it plays its monsters for both scares and laughs, while grounding the story in real human (and undead) emotion. Stylistically, it nods to cult classics such as Clueless, Empire Records, and Ed Wood, appealing to fans of sharp, character-driven ensemble comedies with a love for Hollywood history and the supernatural.
"Here’s to the fools who dream." – La La Land (2016)
"They're here!" – Poltergeist (1982)
Project background
Originally conceived as a supernatural comedy graphic novel series and now as a film screenplay based on the characters and world created for Brian Richard's "Creature Feature" universe, HollyWEIRD! was inspired by a love of the strangest corners of pop culture that have sprung from the legends and misfits in Hollywood's unusual history.
For over a century, people have flocked to Hollywood chasing the dream of being immortalized on the silver screen — to live forever in flickering light of the projector, much like a vampire’s eternal life in the moonlight (minus the coffin). They arrive chasing that intoxicating blend of artistry, recognition, and cinematic magic. The city promises eternal fame to those who “make it,” but for every star, there are thousands more hustling in the shadows, eager for their moment in the spotlight. In HollyWEIRD!, that hunger for immortality takes on a very literal twist.
Hollywood is also a place where outcasts find each other and form unlikely communities — a “found family” bound by shared ambition, oddball creativity, and the unshakable sense that they belong here, even if they never fit in anywhere else. The film draws inspiration from a lifelong passion for pop culture and cult classics, a fascination with Hollywood’s eccentric history, and a personal drive to create something that speaks to fellow pop-culture obsessives. It’s a love letter to the dreamers, the weirdos, and the legends (both real and imagined) who make Hollywood unlike anywhere else on Earth.
"Keep repeating – It’s only a movie… only a movie… only a movie…" – Last House on the Left (1972)
The Story
In 1990s Los Angeles, Dorothy Gumm — a sunny, determined Midwestern transplant — has been chasing stardom for three years without luck. Her best friend and roommate, Zoe, is an aspiring ad agency mogul and part-time model who supports Dorothy’s quest despite her own struggles with sleazy industry types. After a failed attempt to sneak into a glamorous Hollywood awards show lands Dorothy in jail for trespassing, Zoe bails her out and promises to help her strategize her next career move.
An unusual casting ad catches their eye: “Raven-haired beauty… must work well with animals.” A makeover later, Dorothy finds herself auditioning for the role of Countess Carmilla, the campy host of a late-night horror show. She charms the casting team — even when they hand her a live tarantula mid-audition — but leaves unsure if she’s landed the job. Days later, Zoe delivers the news: Dorothy’s been cast… but not as the new Countess. Instead, her first TV role is as “Unnamed Corpse #2” in an episode of Unsolved Mysteries.
On set, Dorothy meets Academy Award winner Benjamin Davis, whose charm hides a literal thirst for blood — he’s a real vampire. A botched feeding attempt on Dorothy leads her to discover a hidden Hollywood underworld of vampires, werewolves, and eccentric fixers like Stanley, who procures “organic” human donors for undead clients. Benjamin offers Dorothy a small role in his new sci-fi adventure film, giving her a foothold in the industry.
But chaos erupts when the production is shut down mid-shoot by a bombastic studio head determined to replace practical effects with cutting-edge (for the ’90s) CGI. Dorothy, Benjamin, Zoe, and their new friends — including ex–child star-turned-zen-stoner Buzzy, strong and silent co-star Ronald, and a libido driven special effects artist named Elsa — rally together in a whirlwind of schemes to keep Dorothy’s career alive. Along the way, she encounters everything from Hollywood egos to psychic screenwriters, learning to navigate a city where the monsters aren’t always the ones with fangs.
By the final act, Dorothy has carved out her own path, realizing that the family she’s found in this oddball mix of humans and creatures of the night is worth more than any fleeting taste of fame. Her Hollywood dream has changed — she still wants to be on screen, but now she knows exactly who she is off-screen too.
"I’m ready for my close-up." – Sunset Boulevard (1950)
Structure
HollyWEIRD! began life as an original graphic novel concept, but the scale of the story and its ensemble cast made it an ideal candidate for adaptation to other mediums. It evolved into a novel outline before transforming into this screenplay, with many of the original story beats streamlined or shown in montage to suit film pacing.
Set in 1990s Hollywood, the story makes use of real locations like The Frolic Room, Musso & Franks, Chateau Marmont, Rodeo Drive, and The Rainbow to ground the supernatural hijinks in a recognizable world. Its DNA blends supernatural-comedy traditions (The Munsters, Beetlejuice, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, What We Do in the Shadows) with fast-paced ensemble comedy (30 Rock, The Golden Girls, Clue). Inspirations also include The Lost Boys, True Blood, classic Universal monster films, and Hollywood classics like Sunset Boulevard and Singin’ in the Rain. The result is a supernatural comedy that’s equal parts absurd, heartfelt, and steeped in film history.
"This is the stuff that dreams are made of." – The Maltese Falcon (1941)
Tone & Style
Visually, HollyWEIRD! bursts with vibrant, saturated color — a modern Technicolor tribute to Hollywood’s golden age. Every frame celebrates cinematic glamour while juxtaposing it with the grit of back-alley auditions and late-night diners. The tone balances affectionate satire with earnest character moments; we laugh both with and at Hollywood’s excesses but never lose sight of the dreamers who keep it alive.
Shifting the story from its original 1960s setting to the 1990s allows for playful nostalgia: the fashion, the music, the analog tech, and the cultural turning points like the dawn of CGI. This setting also subtly echoes modern debates about technology replacing artistry, drawing a parallel between early computer effects and today’s AI anxieties. Packed with Easter eggs for cinephiles and genre fans, the film invites audiences to spot nods to the classics — much like Spielberg, Lynch, Waters, and Burton have done in their own work.
"I am serious. And don’t call me Shirley." – Airplane! (1980)
Genre
HollyWEIRD! is a supernatural comedy with horror elements — a blend that lets audiences laugh at the monsters while questioning who the real villains are. Is it the centuries-old vampire Benjamin, who drinks only from willing donors? Or the predatory billionaire human who tries to exploit Zoe?
Dorothy’s optimism and ability to see past appearances tie the comedy and horror together. The monsters are often more honest about who they are than the so-called “normal” Hollywood players, creating a story where the line between human and inhuman is deliciously blurred.
"We are the weirdos, mister." - The Craft (1996)
About the Characters
Dorothy Gumm
Optimistic, earnest, and relentlessly determined, Dorothy is the heart of the story. She charms even the most jaded person she meets with her sincerity and wholesomeness. A cross between Elle Woods (Legally Blonde) and Buffy Summers (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) with the of cheerful disposition of Shirley Temple in the body of Kelly Bundy (Married... with Children). Dorothy has more positivity in her pint-sized frame than an army of Ted Lassos.
Possible casting: Sabrina Carpenter, Kiernan Shipka, Florence Pugh, Sydney Sweeney.
Zoe Baker
Smart, stylish, and sharp-witted, Zoe is Dorothy’s best friend, model, and would-be manager. With the grit of Pam Grier, the stunning good looks of Halle Berry and the modern fashion sense of Aaliyah, Zoe charges ahead in life and gets what she wants. What she really wants is to be more than just a pretty face in a business that only appreciates the superficial. Zoe also doubles as the audience’s surrogate – expressing the realistic concerns that any normal person would have after finding out that their bestie is hanging out with a vampire.
Possible casting: Keke Palmer, Yara Shahidi, Doechii, Amandla Stenberg.
Benjamin Davis
A charming but vain movie star/vampire; equal parts Johnny Depp and Bela Lugosi. His deep backstory spans decades and continents. He’s been everywhere and done everything from being a WWII hero, to a swinging jazz musician and even as a masked wrestler in Mexico. Now he is the hottest actor in town, an Oscar winner and harboring a secret lifestyle as a bloodsucker.
Possible casting: Jon Hamm, Paul Rudd, Henry Cavill, Jensen Ackles
Elsa Strom
A self-assured special effects artist with rock star elegance and an eccentric flirt tied to Hollywood’s supernatural elite. Elsa family’s roots go deep into the history of Beverly Hills’s old money, but she’s no nepo baby. She forged her own path into moviemaking with the skills of a surgeon and the artistic eye of Oscar-winner Ve Neill. The only thing that could derail her focus is a libido that does not discriminate.
Possible casting: Aubrey Plaza, Jenny Slate, Sarah Sherman, Anna Kendrick.
Clifford “Buzzy” Bukowski
Buzzy is a homeless ex–child star, channeling the Zen-like attitude of Jeff Bridges’ “The Dude” with a touch of Macaulay Culkin by way of Tommy Chong. This Hollywood native grew up in the business and partied with everyone from Jim Morrison to Charles Manson. While his days as an actor are far behind him, he doles out bits of wisdom to Dorothy and Zoe from behind a cloud of nature’s medicine.
Possible casting: Jack Black, Johnny Knoxville, Will Ferrell, John C. Reilly.
Ronald Kino
With his tough guy demeanor, stoic, literal-minded Ronald has been typecast as the heavy or a non-speaking extra for over a decade in the business. While he appears to be a blank slate on the outside, he has a deep passion for cinema and is an avid movie memorabilia collector with a near encyclopedic knowledge of moviemaking.
Possible casting: John Cena, Terry Crews, Alan Ritchson, Dave Bautista.
Stanley
Like Harvey Keitel’s “The Wolf” (Pulp Fiction) with the campiness and sharp wit of Buddy Cole (The Kids in the Hall), wrapped up in a Vincent Price-esque package, this sardonic single-named fixer brokers discreet deals between his human and supernatural clients. Stanley may not have a last name, but he does have the means to get anything for anyone for the right price.
Possible casting: Steve Buscemi, Christoph Waltz, John Waters, Giancarlo Esposito.
The Surfer Dude
Chill, oblivious, and happy to sell his blood to vampires for a few bucks. A lover of cool waves, warm rays and tasty vibes – a spiritual successor of Jeff Spicoli (Fast Times at Ridgemont High) and Silent Bob (Clerks). Dude? Dude!
Possible casting: Evan Peters, Jacob Elordi, Gavin Casalegno.
Marty Lee
After being struck by lightening, frustrated screenwriter Marty Lee finds that his new scripts inspired by visions are of no interest to the major studios who instead ask to churn out formulaic rom coms. While professionally successful, he feels that his work has grown stagnant. Could his one of his rejected scripts deemed "too out there" be the project that launches the acting career of his friend and occasional bartender Dorothy?
Possible casting: Randall Park, Jimmy O. Yang, Ke Huy Quan, Paul Sun-Hyung Lee.
The Countess Carmilla
Probably the most confident person you’ll ever meet. The over-the-top drag performer went from lip-syncing at brunches for bachelorette parties to hosting the top-rated late night horror-show that no creature of the night dares to miss. Part Elvira and part RuPaul, she is quick with a sassy comeback or a double entendre to make you howl.
Possible casting: Bob the Drag Queen, Latrice Royale, RuPaul, Shea Couleé.
“What’s the matter? Afraid you might like it?" – Fright Night (1985)
Potential of the Project
HollyWEIRD! has the potential to build a passionate fanbase across multiple demographics — comedy fans, supernatural/horror lovers, and pop culture enthusiasts. Merchandise possibilities include Funko Pop! figures, retro-style posters, enamel pins, apparel, and even a spin-off animated series exploring side characters’ misadventures. Cast interviews could generate viral content, especially with younger actors reacting to ’90s tech and trends (“What’s a rotary phone?”). The world is expansive enough for sequels, streaming spin-offs, and tie-in novels, making it a versatile IP with strong franchise potential.
"Such an audience needs something stronger than a pretty little love story. So, why shouldn't I write of monsters?" - Bride of Frankenstein (1935)
Word of Mouth
Market research has yielded extremely positive feedback from every reader who has read the HollyWEIRD! screenplay. Some highlight responses are "Bloody good work!", "I couldn't put the script down." and "It's really good."
“Listen to them. Children of the night. What music they make." – Dracula (1931)
The Soundtrack
The soundtrack is a character in itself — a ’90s mixtape that captures the era’s energy while enhancing the film’s humor and heart. Films like Pulp Fiction, Dazed and Confused, and Baby Driver, or the TV show Supernatural, the music choices will be both scene-setting and story-enriching. Tracks will be limited to songs released before mid-1992, woven into dialogue and set pieces for authenticity.
Imagine Dorothy strutting down Hollywood Boulevard to Doris Day’s version of “Hooray for Hollywood” with an ear-to-ear smile on her face, or a chaotic chase scored to Judas Priest’s “Living After Midnight.” A pop-star lead like Sabrina Carpenter could record a ’90s cover for the end credits, bridging nostalgia for older audiences with fresh appeal for younger viewers. The result: a soundtrack that audiences will want to own — and that will live on in playlists long after the credits roll.
Trailer mockup
About the Author
Originally from the United States and now based in Australia, Brian Richard brings a diverse creative background to his work as a writer and visual artist. He initiated and helped develop the acclaimed Batman Meets Godzilla graphic novel project, adapted from William Dozier’s original script, and has also created the viral art series The #FatKidProject (under his “MonkeyMan” pseudonym). A former musician and radio professional in New Orleans, Brian now blends his entertainment marketing expertise with a lifelong passion for pop culture to produce bold, original concepts across mediums.
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