Paramount gets humorous with horror for Serial Killer Days

Aspiring writers, take note.

During a trip to the local Barnes & Noble, Mark Carter picked up a book from the bargain bin. It was a satirical novel from 1996 written by David Prill and titled, “Serial Killer Days”. Carter opened the book and immediately became glued to each page. The book had a rather odd premise about a town that celebrates the annual arrival of a serial killer, which includes a huge parade. He had to have the rights so he tracked Pill down in Minnesota. To give himself a bit more pull he reeled in THANK YOU FOR SMOKING co-producer Dan Dubiecki. They transcribed the novel into a screenplay then went studio presenting. If you’re curious about Carter’s credentials, he made an award-winning short called THE BALLAD OF ROGER MEAD.

Seven years later, Carter pitched the idea to Paramount who decided to give it a shot. Paramount described the film’s tone to that of SCREAM or DISTURBIA. Carter is writing another draft and might helm the film. Carter said this about the project, “I hope to deliver the expected genre conventions but do it in an idiosyncratic, richly layered and unexpected world. There will also be lots of blood.”

Book Synopsis:

“David Prill mocks society’s love for big-name criminals with a story about a small town in Minnesota where an annual visit (and murder) by a serial killer has become a hilarious tourist attraction–complete with floats in a “Parade of Fear,” fake blood running in the streets, inflatable weapons hanging from lamp posts, and a contest to choose the new “Scream Queen.” Also, it’s an effective coming-of-age portrait of a teen named Debbie Sue, who is charmingly distressed about her inability to be frightened.”