SCREENWRITING

Beyond producing, Spencer Ross is also a screenwriter of the following projects:

The Syndrome

What would happen if every world leader were suddenly turned into homicidal psychopaths for two hours during a NATO conference in Iceland? And then what would happen if the only person who could save everyone was the daughter of the President of the United States?

That’s “The Syndrome.” It’s “28 Days Later” meets “Air Force One” in the most high stakes political scenario ever with the least likely protagonist.

I had been following reports of the real-life Havana Syndrome for years, and it terrified me as someone who had worked in politics for a decade. It was ripe for super-sizing, so here it not only causes brain damage, but also temporarily turns people into murderous psychopaths. And in today’s dumpster fire political world, it didn’t seem like that much of a reach to have politicians ripping one another apart!

But, beyond the high concept, what’s it like to be the child of the most powerful person in the world? To have your identity defined not by you, but your parent? And then what happens when that relationship is flipped on its head, and the child is the only one who has the knowledge to help everyone survive? There was a lot to explore with that family dynamic that hopefully makes it relatable to every parent-child relationship.

Accolades:

  • Finalist, Palm Springs International Screenplay & Pitchdeck-Sizzle Reel-Trailer Contest
  • Official Selection, Los Angeles Film Awards
  • Quarter Finalist, New York Metropolitan Screenwriting Competition & Film Awards
  • Honorable Mention, 13Horror.com Film & Screenplay Contest

Screenplay available on The Blacklist here.

The Amenities

In the twilight of the Obama years, a newly engaged gay couple and their fractured family visit a house they unexpectedly inherited in rural Wyoming, only to discover it is haunted by fanatical religious ghosts who have laid a trap for them.

I love haunted house movies. But the characters in these movies so rarely share my worldview. It’s always a heterosexual family. So often, their first call is to the Catholic Church. I’m gay, and not especially religious. I’m fairly sure the Catholic Church is screening my call. So what does a haunted house movie look and feel like for families like mine?

And horror and being gay have never been more sympatico! Gay people are terrified. I remember the shock and joy I felt when gay marriage was legalized. We had finally won. I got married to my wonderful husband. Turns out, we got too comfortable. The battle is not over. It will never be over. What if one day my marriage isn’t legal? How do I channel that fear into a horror movie?

In short, what if “Get Out” and “The Conjuring” had a gay child?

Accolades:

  • Winner, Best Feature Script, 2026, Independent Horror Movie Awards
  • Finalist, Queer Screams Film Festival
  • Finalist, Palm Springs Diversity Screenplay Contest
  • Finalist, East Village New York Film Festival
  • Official Selection, Los Angeles International Screenplay Awards
  • Semi-Finalist, Los Angeles Film Awards
  • Semi-Finalist, San Francisco International Screenwriting Competition & Film Awards
  • Semi-Finalist, Los Angeles Crime and Horror Film Festival
  • Honorable Mention, 13Horror.com Film & Screenplay Contest
  • Honorable Mention, Frights! Camera! Action! Horror Screenplay Contest

Screenplay available on The Blacklist here.