David Tenenbaum has had the good fortune of having a script he co-wrote get not just one, but two recognitions this year. Tenenbaum and Jeff Bassetti have been recognized for their screenplay, After School, by the Cannes Screenplay Contest 2019 and the Crimson Screen Horror Festival.
“Placing in these contests is very exciting,” said Tenenbaum, an adjunct professor of English. “I have been writing films for eight years, and this is by far the most success I’ve had with a script.”
Though Tenenbaum did not win the award in his category, the Cannes Screenplay Content is a global competition that seeks to discover and recognize the world's best new screenwriters. His recognition as a finalist speaks to the quality of the writing among his peers worldwide.
After School is a horror film about a boy who's tormented by his peers and pretends to take his own life by blowing himself up inside his school (on camera). Shortly after his supposed suicide, rumors begin spreading that his ghost is haunting his high school. The jocks who had bullied him decide to assuage their own guilt by spending a night in the school hunting his ghost. The protagonist then begins killing off his unsuspecting tormentors one by one.
After School was also chosen as an official selection in the Crimson Screen Horror Festival held in Charleston, South Carolina. It showcases the best independent horror films from all over the globe and spotlights South Carolina produced films and filmmakers. The festival, which took place May 24-26, screened and recognized all types of horror feature films, short films, and screenplays. All movies featured in the festival also competed for a "CRIMMY" award that included the Best Feature, Best Short, Best Director and Best Actor categories.
Tenenbaum, who teaches Communication Skills 101 and 102 as well as Speech, is expected to offer a Screenwriting course in the upcoming academic year. His experiences can help NSU undergraduates navigate the filmmaking industry. “I would want my students to know,” said Tenenbaum, “how dynamically the market for African American filmmakers in this genre, and many others as well, has expanded. For NSU students interested in a career in this area, the sky’s the limit!”