Avatar of Timothy Shireman

Timothy Shireman

Specialty

Vivid world-building filled with complex characters & engaging dialogue

Bio
There are some who call me: Tim. A pre-WGA scribe who hails from a far-off, desolate wasteland known as New Jersey. After decades living in Atlanta, my Philly roots are now sunk deep in the Georgia clay. Having spent 20 years as a graphic designer and production artist, I decided to try something completely different and took up screenwriting. Making the creative jump has been a challenging yet rewarding transition. With a renewed sense of artistic freedom, I've dedicated myself to learning the craft of storytelling. A serious genre fanatic, I was raised by the Horror section of Blockbuster. My cinematic pedigree and irreverent sense of humor give my work a unique sensibility. I hope to expand my creative skillset, showcase my writing, and possibly begin a new career.
Emerging writer (some credits)
Atlanta, GA
Available Now
horror, comedy, crime
Instagram

Some of my Scripts

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Shock Collar

An underachieving pet sitter suspects his client's neighbor is a serial killer and must solve the case himself or risk becoming the next victim.

An underachieving pet sitter suspects his client's neighbor is a serial killer and must solve the case himself or risk becoming the next victim.

Audience Emotional Journey
Writing Craft Metrics

UNIQUE SELLING POINT

The unique fusion of pet-sitting comedy with suburban serial killer thriller creates a fresh take on both genres. The protagonist's genuine connection with animals contrasts sharply with the killer's methodical violence, while the affluent suburban setting provides both social commentary and an unusual backdrop for a crime story. The script's ability to balance genuine warmth (human-animal bonds) with genuine menace (the Zip Tie Killer) creates a distinctive tone that could appeal to fans of both character-driven comedy and suspenseful thrillers.

STANDOUT FEATURES

  • Unique Hook: The juxtaposition of a light-hearted pet-sitting job against the backdrop of a serial killer's reign of terror.
  • Major Twist: The revelation of the killer's identity and their connection to the main characters, adding depth to the narrative.
  • Distinctive Setting: The contrast between the affluent gated community and the mobile home park, highlighting class differences.

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Invasive Species

To keep a biological weapon out of enemy hands, Capt. Zach Burton will need a planeload of guts, gadgets, and maybe a Gizmo.

To keep a biological weapon out of enemy hands, Capt. Zach Burton will need a planeload of guts, gadgets, and maybe a Gizmo.

Audience Emotional Journey
Writing Craft Metrics

UNIQUE SELLING POINT

A unique blend of historical WWII adventure with supernatural mystery elements, combining the ensemble dynamics of 'Band of Brothers' with the creature-feature intrigue of 'The X-Files.' The script's strongest selling point is its mysterious creature that appears to possess supernatural abilities, creating immediate questions about its origin, purpose, and connection to larger mythological elements hinted at throughout the pilot.

STANDOUT FEATURES

  • Unique Hook: The mysterious cargo and its implications for the war effort create intrigue.
  • Distinctive Setting: The combination of jungle warfare and aerial combat provides a visually dynamic backdrop.
  • Character Dynamics: The interplay between humor and tension among the crew enhances character development.

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The Admiral

An ambitious young musician chasing a record deal in the 90's finds himself immersed in a seedy underworld of sex, drugs, and violence when he takes a job as a strip-club bouncer in America's Most Dangerous City.

An ambitious young musician chasing a record deal in the 90's finds himself immersed in a seedy underworld of sex, drugs, and violence when he takes a job as a strip-club bouncer in America's Most Dangerous City.

Audience Emotional Journey
Writing Craft Metrics

UNIQUE SELLING POINT

The script's unique selling proposition is its authentic, insider look at 1990s Camden's strip club underworld combined with a rock musician's coming-of-age story. It offers a rarely-seen portrait of a specific time, place, and subculture with genuine street-level authenticity. The blend of crime drama with music industry aspirations creates a fresh angle on both genres, while the true-story basis adds credibility and depth.

STANDOUT FEATURES

  • Unique Hook: The juxtaposition of a vibrant nightlife scene with the harsh realities of urban decay and drug culture.
  • Major Twist: Vin's accidental ingestion of heroin instead of cocaine, leading to significant personal consequences.
  • Distinctive Setting: The Admiral Lounge serves as a microcosm of Camden's nightlife, filled with colorful characters and dark undertones.

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ASPEN GROVE

In 1845 Montana, a dangerous mountain man crosses paths with a Native American family and escapes justice for his crimes, only to face ravenous skinwalkers and the legendary Wendigo.

In 1845 Montana, a dangerous mountain man crosses paths with a Native American family and escapes justice for his crimes, only to face ravenous skinwalkers and the legendary Wendigo.

Audience Emotional Journey
Writing Craft Metrics

UNIQUE SELLING POINT

ASPEN GROVE distinguishes itself by blending historical western authenticity with supernatural horror through the lens of Native American folklore. Unlike typical monster movies, it uses the Wendigo legend as a metaphor for colonial greed and cultural destruction, creating a morally complex narrative where the supernatural entity serves as both monster and divine justice. The dual-timeline structure (1845/2005) creates thematic resonance across centuries, showing how the same destructive patterns repeat. This script offers a fresh perspective by centering Native American characters as complex protagonists rather than stereotypes, while delivering genuine horror set against authentic historical backdrop.

STANDOUT FEATURES

  • Unique Hook: The integration of supernatural horror with historical and cultural themes, creating a rich narrative tapestry.
  • Plot Twist: Geoff's transformation into a supernatural entity after his death, blending horror with themes of redemption.
  • Distinctive Setting: The juxtaposition of the Montana wilderness and Crow culture, providing a visually stunning backdrop.

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BAD FOODIE

In the year 2000, a wasted celebrity flirts with disaster while filming the tv pilot that could save his career, and bites off more than he can chew when a televised food fight with his nemesis gets personal.

In the year 2000, a wasted celebrity flirts with disaster while filming the tv pilot that could save his career, and bites off more than he can chew when a televised food fight with his nemesis gets personal.

Audience Emotional Journey
Writing Craft Metrics

UNIQUE SELLING POINT

A fearless, maximalist send-up of food television that blends Zucker–Abrams–Zucker cutaway gags, Tarantino-esque riffing, and a live-event finale into a singular, midnight-movie cocktail—then lands a sincere tribute to Anthony Bourdain. It offers a rare combination of industry satire, hard-R comedy, and heartfelt commentary on representation and exploitation in food media, anchored by the unlikely friendship between a train-wreck host and an idealistic Black producer.

STANDOUT FEATURES

  • Unique Hook: The chaotic blend of culinary competition with absurd humor and drug-fueled antics.
  • Major Twist: The revelation of Alton Brown's extreme measures to sabotage Guidry, including explosive culinary creations.
  • Innovative Ideas: The use of food as a weapon and the comedic portrayal of celebrity chefs in exaggerated scenarios.

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BAD FOODIE Part 1

A cynical TV foodie and his idealistic producer shoot a pilot at a Montana cafe, exposing the absurdities of food television—only to land a series pickup and a live cook-off that threatens to reveal the host’s biggest secret: he can’t cook.

A cynical TV foodie and his idealistic producer shoot a pilot at a Montana cafe, exposing the absurdities of food television—only to land a series pickup and a live cook-off that threatens to reveal the host’s biggest secret: he can’t cook.

Audience Emotional Journey
Writing Craft Metrics

UNIQUE SELLING POINT

A gonzo, pop-culture-surfing satire of food television that fuses Family Guy-style cutaway audacity with Network-level media critique, culminating in a cliffhanger that reframes the entire enterprise. It leverages the audience’s familiarity with celebrity chefs and travel-eating formats to deliver both laughs and pointed commentary on cultural commodification, all anchored by the oil-and-water chemistry between a chaotic host and his idealistic producer. For fans of Kitchen Confidential, The Thick of It, and Barry, it promises a stylized, self-aware takedown of fame, food media, and American mythmaking.

STANDOUT FEATURES

  • Unique Hook: A chef struggling with substance abuse while trying to maintain a cooking show, blending comedy with serious themes.
  • Cultural Commentary: The screenplay addresses cultural insensitivity and stereotypes in a humorous yet critical manner.
  • Character Dynamics: The contrasting personalities of Guidry and FJ create engaging and humorous interactions.

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Backgrounders

Pilot: During an eventful first day on set as a film extra, a teacher has a brush with celebrity and unwittingly plays a pivotal role during an on-set crisis.

Pilot: During an eventful first day on set as a film extra, a teacher has a brush with celebrity and unwittingly plays a pivotal role during an on-set crisis.

Audience Emotional Journey
Writing Craft Metrics

UNIQUE SELLING POINT

A comedic series that reframes the chaos of a film set through the eyes of background actors, leveraging insider authenticity and meta-fictional playfulness. The cold-open fake-out (mob hit turned movie scene), earpiece chatter, call-sheet intrigue, and ‘networking-as-weapon’ theme give it a fresh lens versus familiar workplace comedies. It appeals to viewers who love 30 Rock, Extras, and The Bear-adjacent behind-the-scenes specificity—offering both the scrappy hustle of the unseen workforce and a tantalizing stinger that suggests a bigger, possibly criminal, world just off-camera.

STANDOUT FEATURES

  • Unique Hook: The screenplay's setting within a film production environment provides a fresh perspective on the behind-the-scenes chaos of filmmaking.
  • Plot Twist: The revelation that a character thought to be dead is actually alive, adding humor and surprise to the narrative.
  • Distinctive Setting: The film set designed as a funeral home creates a unique backdrop for the comedic and dramatic events.