Zack Ford is hoping to scare audiences with his spec script The Watcher, which recently sold. The psychological thriller is about a newly engaged couple who move to an apartment in New York City, however the fiancée soon feels that she is being watched by someone in an adjacent building.

The script ended up on Kailey Marsh’s BloodList in 2016, and then became optioned by Lost City before finally landing at Spooky Pictures, the label formed by producers Roy Lee and Steven Schneider.

While the script might’ve taken four years and three options to finally find a home, Ford said the writing of the original draft only took four days to complete.

In terms of his writing process, Ford said he resists for as long as he can before opening up Final Draft — “until I’ve made sure I’ve spent enough time plotting and structuring my story on scrap paper,” he said.

He added, “It's so much more fun to write when you have the road map because once you open Final Draft, you can still take unexpected detours to roadside attractions, even if you have the broad strokes plotted out. I test my plot to make sure it's going to work before I invest too much time writing scenes.”

Ford said with this particular script he set out to make sure every plot point and every scene would work in a commercial way. He admitted his favorite part of the process was selling it.

“Not just for the obvious reasons, but because I was validated that I could put my finger on the pulse of the industry, direct my craft toward that always moving target, and succeed,” he said.

“So my favorite part was demonstrating to myself that it is possible to find that intersection point of originality and commercialism and succeed.”

According to Ford, he’s written close to 100 specs since he was 12 years old, and finishes about five specs every year. Still, very few sell, he said.

“The industry is a moving target and always changing,” Ford said.

“Because there is such a cornucopia of available media and channels these days, I've learned to focus on taking an idea that is clear and simple and stands out, and then I do everything I can to execute that idea in terms of plot and structure and character.”

His biggest lesson from Hollywood is the realization of how small an industry it is.

“Everyone knows everyone, and everyone will remember you. So when you’re sending a spec out, make sure that everything about it is the best it can be; from the high peaks of structure and plot, down to the details of format,” he said.

“Even the specs I haven't sold still opened doors for me when I sent them out because I've spent literally decades honing my craft.”

As for what’s next for Ford, The Watcher was scheduled for an April 2020 shoot, but has been postponed due to COVID-19. He said the production is regrouping and could still shoot this year. Additionally, Ford’s spec Jeremy has Kevin Greutert (Saw) attached to direct, and he’s also working on an animated series that he hopes to bring out soon.

His advice for aspiring screenwriters is pretty simple: “If you keep writing clear, original ideas with diamond-cut plots and structures, you will succeed.”