My name is Rudi O’Meara. And I’m an award-winning action/horror screenwriter working in both the feature world and on projects for television. My writing has been recognized by ScreenCraft, Script Pipeline, Austin Film Festival, Shore Scripts, Page, The Black List, Filmmatic, The Red List, Launch Pad, Vail Film Festival, and Final Draft Big Break. And while I’m not a comedy specialist, even my scarier stuff tends to be pretty funny—or so I’m told.

I’ve been a storyteller basically as long as I can remember—much to my family’s chagrin. My wife (who’s my first and most important reader) often wishes I didn’t have quite so much to say. In general, my writing tends to feature flawed characters struggling to redefine themselves (and their tribe) in order to survive. And I see genre as a tool for exploring taboo subjects in unexpected and arresting ways. Oh, and I love it when my characters start using their words all on their own.

Accolades & Recognition

  • ScreenCraft True Story & Public Domain Competition 2024 - The Escapist

    Table Read My Screenplay Spring 2004 - Turn, Turn, Turn

    Table Read My Screenplay Spring 2024 - Rejuvenation

    Emerging Screenwriters Drama Competition 2024 - The Escapist

    Emerging Screenwriters Comedy Competition 2024 - Amends

    WeScreenplay Feature Lab 2024 - The Escapist

    Outstanding Screenplays Feature Competition 2024 - The Escapist

    Stage 32 Feature Screenwriting Fellowship 2024 - The Escapist

    Writers X Writers Screenplay Competition 2023 - The Escapist

    Writers X Writers Screenplay Competition 2023 - Rejuvenation

    Emerging Screenwriters Screenplay Competition 2023 - Turn, Turn, Turn

    ScreenCraft Horror Competition 2023 - Seed

    Vail Film Festival Screenplay Competition 2023 - Amends

    ScreenCraft TV Pilot Competition 2023 - Control-Alt-Delete

    Shore Scripts TV Pilot Contest 2023 - Amends

    ScreenCraft Action & Adventure Screenwriting Competition 2023 - The 10th

    Creative Screenwriting Magazine Pilot Competition 2023 - Amends

    Page International Screenwriting Competition 2023 - Escape Velocity

    ScreenCraft Feature Competition 2023 - Escape Velocity

    ScreenCraft Sci-Fi & Fantasy Screenwriting Competition 2023 - Omnilingual

    Emerging Screenwriters Action & Adventure Competition 2023 - The 10th

    Outstanding Screenplays Feature Competition 2023 - Merit

    Outstanding Screenplays TV Pilot Competition 2023 - Midnight at the Caravelle

    Outstanding Screenplays TV Pilot Competition 2023 - The Untimely Demise of that Awful David Schwartzman

    ScreenCraft Screenwriting Fellowship 2023 - Merit

    ScreenCraft Screenwriting Fellowship 2023 - Midnight at the Caravelle

    Emerging Screenwriters Sci-Fi & Fantasy Competition 2023 - Omnilingual

    Emerging Screenwriters Drama Competition 2023 - The 10th

    ScreenCraft Family Screenplay Competition 2023 - The Unanticipated Emancipation of Zebulon Pierce

    Creative Screenwriting Unique Voices Competition 2023 - The 10th

    The Great American Screenplay Competition 2023 - The 10th

    ScreenCraft Horror Competition 2022 - Rejuvenation

    Shore Scripts Feature Contest 2022 - Don’t Go There

    Stage 32 Search for New Blood Screenwriting Contest 2022 - Don’t Go There

    Vail Film Festival Screenplay Competition 2022 - The 10th

    ScreenCraft Screenwriting Fellowship 2022 - Independence Pass

    ScreenCraft Drama Competition 2022 - The Unanticipated Emancipation of Zebulon Pierce

    ScreenCraft Drama Competition 2022 - Merit

    ScreenCraft Feature Competition 2022 - The Unanticipated Emancipation of Zebulon Pierce

    ScreenCraft Animation Competition 2022 - Home

  • WeScreenplay Feature Lab 2024 - The Escapist

    ScreenCraft Virtual Pitch Competition, 2024 - The Escapist

    Outstanding Screenplays Feature Competition 2023 - The Escapist

    Writers X Writers Screenplay Competition 2023 - The Escapist

    Writers X Writers Screenplay Competition 2023 - Rejuvenation

    Outstanding Screenplays TV Pilot Competition 2023 - Amends

    Vail Film Festival Screenplay Competition 2023 - Amends

    ScreenCraft Virtual Pitch Competition, 2023 - Rejuvenation

    Shore Scripts TV Pilot Contest 2023 - Amends

    Page International Screenwriting Competition 2023 - Escape Velocity

    Emerging Screenwriters Action & Adventure Competition 2023 - The 10th

    Outstanding Screenplays Feature Competition 2023 - Merit

    Outstanding Screenplays TV Pilot Competition 2023 - Midnight at the Caravelle

    Emerging Screenwriters Sci-Fi & Fantasy Competition 2023 - Omnilingual

    Los Angles International Screenplay Awards Winter 2023 - The 10th

    ScreenCraft Virtual Pitch Spring 2023 - Don’t Go There

    Filmmatic Horror Screenplay Awards Season 7 - Don’t Go There

    ScreenCraft Horror Screenplay Competition 2023 - Rejuvenation

    Fade In Awards True Story Competition 2022 - The 10th

    Final Draft Big Break 2022 - The 10th

    WeScreenplay TV Contest 2022 - The Untimely Demise of that Awful David Schwartzman

    ScreenCraft Film Fund Fall 2022 - Midnight at the Caravelle

    ScreenCraft Virtual Pitch Fall 2022 - Midnight at the Caravelle

    Stage 32 Television Drama Writing Contest 2022 - Midnight at the Caravelle

    Filmmatic TV Pilot Awards Season 7 - The Untimely Demise of that Awful David Schwartzman

    Los Angeles International Screenplay Awards Fall 2022 - Midnight at the Caravelle

    Los Angeles International Screenplay Awards Fall 2022 - The 10th

    Outstanding Screenplays Feature Competition 2021 - The 10th

  • Writers X Writers Competition 2023 - The Escapist

    Outstanding Screenplays Pilot Competition 2023 - Amends

    Script Pipeline Pitch Competition 2023 - Rejuvenation

    Top 25 Feature Finalist Roadmap Writers Jumpstart Competition 2023 - The Escapist

    Vail Film Festival Screenplay Competition 2023 - Amends

    ScreenCraft Virtual Pitch Competition 2023 - Rejuvenation

    Shore Scripts TV Pilot Contest 2023 - Amends

    ISA Fast Track Fellowship Top 50 2023 - The 10th

    ScreenCraft Horror Screenplay Competition 2023 - Rejuvenation

    Outstanding Screenplays Feature Competition 2021 - The 10th

  • Austin Film Festival 2023 - Merit

    Austin Film Festival 2023 - Midnight at the Caravelle

    ISA Fast Track Fellowship Fall 2023 - The 10th

    Launch Pad Pilot Competition 2023 - Amends

    Launch Pad Pilot Competition 2023 - Midnight at the Caravelle

    Launch Pad Feature Competition 10th Annual - Home

    Austin Film Festival 2022 - The 10th

    Austin Film Festival 2022 - The Unanticipated Emancipation of Zebulon Pierce

    Launch Pad Feature Competition 9th Annual - Broken Stones

  • Coverfly Pitch Week Spring 2024 - Rejuvenation

    The Grey List 2023 - The Escapist

    Coverfly Pitch Week Fall 2023 - The Escapist

    The Original Bureau 2023 - The Escapist

    Coverfly Pitch Week Spring 2023 - Midnight at the Caravelle

    The Stunt List 2023 - Hans Gruber

    Horrorigins Film Fest 2023 - Rejuvenation

  • Filmmatic Fifth Annual Pitch Now Screenplay Competition - Amends

  • Top 1% 30 Minute Comedy - Amends

    Top 1% 60 Minute Drama - Midnight at the Caravelle

    Top 1% Pitch - Rejuvenation

    Top 1% Horror Feature Pitch - Rejuvenation

    Top 1% - Amends

    Top 1% - The Escapist

    Top 2% - The 10th

    Top 2% - Rejuvenation (Pitch)

    Top 3% - Rejuvenation

    Top 5% - Escape Velocity

    Top 5% - Midnight at the Caravelle

    Top 5% - The Untimely Demise of that Awful David Schwartzman

    Top 7% - Don’t Go There

    Top 9% - Merit

    Top 10% - The Unanticipated Emancipation of Zebulon Pierce

  • Drama Feature - The Escapist

    Comedy - Amends

    Television 30 Min - Amends

    Comedy Television 30 Min - Amends

    Comedy Television 60 Min - Control-Alt-Delete

    Horror - Rejuvenation (Pitch)

    Horror Feature - Rejuvenation

    Action - The 10th

    Action Feature - The 10th

    Adventure - Independence Pass

    Adventure Feature - Independence Pass

    Western - The Unanticipated Emancipation of Zebulon Pierce

    Thriller Television 60 Min - The Untimely Demise of that Awful David Schwartzman

    Thriller Television 60 Min - Midnight at the Caravelle

    Comedy Television 60 Min - Message the Shooter

  • Top 1% Black List Recommended Writer

    The 10th (8+)

    The Escapist (8+)

    Escape Velocity (7+)

    Rejuvenation (7+)

    Merit (7+)

    Don’t Go There (7+)

    The Untimely Demise of that Awful David Schwartzman (7+)

    Midnight at the Caravelle (7+)

    The Unanticipated Emancipation of Zebulon Pierce (7+)

  • Top 15% 2022 - The 10th

    Top 20% 2021 - Broken Stones

 

The Escapist


The Escapist” is a work of dark grace. Just when you thought it wasn’t possible to do anything new with the WWII subgenre, this author presents a phantasmagoric combination of pastiche, desire, brutality, and—in every sense—romance. The originality on display here is outstanding, and the fantasy sequences are truly beautiful.
— The Black List

In a bid to survive WWII without firing a shot, a naive, young, jazz-obsessed musician joins the Musikkorps Leibstandarte-SS (Hitler’s elite personal orchestra) and soon finds himself thrust into some of the fiercest fighting of the war.

 
 

Amends


We wanted to reach out immediately and let you know that “Amends” is our Pitch Now Season 5 Overall Winner! We loved the script FYI. It’s a fun read, a viable concept, and just a very cool project that we’re all excited to get behind.
— Scott Prestin, Executive Editor, Filmmatic

While in rehab, a washed-up 90s sitcom star finds out he’s dying of cancer and—together with his agent—decides to break out and mend fences with everyone he’s ever wronged (to varying degrees of failure).

 
 

The 10th


This is a really great spin on a classic. It feels like it’s chasing Hemingway in the Alps: a simple story about combat, about loss, set against a kind of mythically foggy, white background. It’s a movie that we haven’t quite seen in the WWII genre. The setting is so rich, and has so many striking images that lend a sort of lyrical quality to the action. One could see a director really sinking their teeth into this.
— The Black List

Two headstrong young mountaineers (one American, one Austrian) find themselves playing an unexpectedly pivotal role in the first high-stakes WWII mission of the US 10th Mountain Division—America’s first alpine infantry unit.

 
 

Rejuvenation


The writer of “Rejuvenation” has an immensely strong handling of genre, bringing both comedy and horror in equal measure to create an original story with as many scares as laughs. This works well to put the biting satire of the story at front and center without taking away from compelling characters and a conflict heavy plot.
— ScreenCraft

When three middle-aged women find out their husbands are cheating on them, they head to a remote spa to undergo a controversial anti-aging regimen—and find themselves being hunted down by their younger, hotter, millennial clones.

 
 

Merit


Merit” is a really fun, smart, well-written dark comedy in the vein of “Lucky Logan” meets “Moonrise Kingdom”. The main trio of petty criminals are great characters. The contrast between the jaded adults and the kids is a great dynamic—and the turn to have Ray and Kelly eventually become their stand-in parents in a way is a great conclusion. This is the script of a talented writer and, as a whole, it’s a project that feels like it has legs. This reader can easily imagine that it could eventually be produced.
— The Black List

A charming (if unlucky) band of low-level drug dealers pose as Boy Scout troop leaders to steal a shipment of cocaine from a Mexican drug cartel and smuggle it into 1970s Aspen, Colorado. Think: “Drugstore Cowboy” meets “The Bad News Bears”.

 
 

Escape Velocity


The script is a triumphant blend of heartwarming relationships and high-stakes adventure. The lovable characters, particularly Jonas and his feisty stepsister Maddie, steal the spotlight with their engaging dynamic and relatable growth. The script expertly weaves personal development with a gripping espionage plot, offering a unique and captivating narrative that keeps audiences both emotionally invested and on the edge of their seats. This tale is a celebration of resilience, family bonds, and the power of unexpected connections, making it a truly enjoyable and memorable cinematic experience.
— ScreenCraft

After the explosion of the Space Shuttle Challenger, a bookish teen and his foulmouthed new stepsister join his estranged father on a high-stakes road trip to stop a Soviet spy intent on sabotaging the US Space Program. Inspired by true events.

 
 

Midnight at the Caravelle


The script has the same snappiness and energy that viewers will see on the screen. It does a fantastic job bringing its settings to life on the page—heightening the tension throughout with clever, intriguing moments of antagonism. There’s certainly a conflict-rich concept at the core of this story.
— The Black List

An idealistic young intelligence officer finds himself slipping into a double life of espionage and crime after being tasked with infiltrating and taking down a smuggling ring in 1970 Saigon.

 
 

Don’t Go There


This is an extremely imaginative, unhinged, and funny sci-fi horror comedy never afraid to think outside the box and one-up its own insanity. The way it brings nuclear consequences, strange natural phenomena, zombies, vampires, mutations, and the recent pandemic all together into one cohesive story is truly impressive, and a lot of fun. “Don’t Go There” is hilarious, outrageous, and terrifying. It’s original at every step, and stands out for its sheer audacity.
— The Black List

Two female co-founders of a super hot tech start-up take a rival CEO up on his offer of some post-IPO R&R on his private island in the South Pacific. Turns out, all is not as it seems on the island—a former French nuclear test site.

 
 

The Untimely Demise of that Awful David Schwartzman


This is a very entertaining read, and the story offers a ton of exciting details throughout each act of the pilot. It’s masterful. It’s laugh out loud funny. It’s efficient in the action. It’s unique and it’s captivating. This script is very fun, and the writer has a consistent/powerful voice throughout.
— The Black List

Two young P.A.s find themselves ensnared in the convoluted mystery surrounding the death of legendary film producer, David Schwartzman. Think: “The Player” meets “The Big Lebowski” meets “Only Murders in the Building”.

 
 

Omnilingual


The breathless excitement of discovery in films like “Contact”, “The Martian”, and “Tomb Raider” is infused, in this script, with a dash of clever intellectualism redolent of films like “Arrival”—crafting a gripping and compelling sci-fi adventure that sustains its momentum and entertainment value all the way to its riveting final scenes. This script undeniably harbors potential on both the big screen and any number of premium streaming platforms.
— The Black List

Recruited to decipher the language of an ancient civilization recently discovered on Mars, an archaeologist and her ex-husband find themselves in a desperate race to expose a shocking truth about humanity’s place in the universe.

 
 

Seed


A pleasing horror/sci-fi hybrid, this script manages to pack in a lot of classical tropes, reconfiguring them into a real rollercoaster action adventure. The high concept is compelling from start to finish. And the additional element of paranoia (with shapeshifters) keep the pulses pounding. It’s about time somebody found way to use The Doomsday Seed Vault!
— ScreenCraft

An international team of scientists based at the Doomsday Seed Vault and World Data Archive on the remote Arctic island of Svalbard Norway find themselves attempting to repel a plant-based alien invasion.

 
 

Message the Shooter


Message the Shooter” is a fun adventure/thriller that imagines the life of a less-than-impressive negotiator in a situational assassin comedy. Quirky character films like “Catch Me If You Can” meets the action of “Homeland” and “24”, but with the darkly comedic tone of “The Flight Attendant” and a whole lot of guns. The writer has talent, creativity, and a strong voice that, with development, will be sure to reel audiences in.
— The Black List

A hot-tempered, hotshot ​FBI hostage negotiator gets tapped to take down an elite assassin on a killing spree targeting the world’s worst CEOs. Turns out, the shooter is actually her estranged father.

 
 

Turn, Turn, Turn


This is a wild sci-fi with well-written action sequences and vivid characters. There are strong elements of comedy that are presented throughout. And the action provides a strong sense of pace. The final act of the script has the potential to be quite exciting. And the quick switches between time periods, and the use of doors to frame these new worlds as the climax builds would be visually rich.
— WeScreenplay

A middle-aged couple on the verge of divorce discover a mysterious pocket watch inside the attic of their Haight-Ashbury Victorian and (together with their hippy-dippy parents) wind up tumbling backward in time to the Summer of Love and beyond.

 
 

Independence Pass


Spearheaded by young teenage narrator, Will, the cast of characters shines through in every scene of this script featuring a whip-smart, sarcastic and often outright hilarious collection of teenage would-be heroes whose perspectives and dynamics are as detailed, specific, and sharply-drawn as the offbeat world of 1970s Aspen that serves as their backdrop.
— The Black List

A ragtag pack of kids head up into the mountains above Aspen, Colorado in June 1977 searching for a long-lost silver artifact—and find themselves caught up in the manhunt for escaped serial killer, Ted Bundy. Based on actual events.

 
 

Broken Stones


This is an enjoyable script that blends history with heists in a way that feels surprisingly grounded. The central premise is quite eye-catching. Frank’s resolve to retrieve the family heirlooms that were taken from him is inspiring. It makes him an easy hero worth rooting for. The setting within this piece of writing is also a standout. It’s difficult to draw up any other comparable films or TV shows that take place after the fall of the Berlin Wall and that establish such direct connections with World War II.
— The Black List

Three generations of thieves (one retired, one reformed, and one recently released from prison) travel to 1990 East Berlin to steal a painting and uncut diamonds seized from their family by Nazis during WWII.

 
 

The Unanticipated Emancipation of Zebulon Pierce


Everything from the nitty-gritty details about everyday life of the time to the wistful, adventurous, surprisingly warm tone of the story feels great and serves to draw the audience into the deep, realistic, and (sometimes) comforting world of the story. The supporting cast of outlaws, true villains, and everyone in-between all have unique, compelling personalities that give them a lot of depth and character.
— The Black List

A young runaway searching for his father in the wilds of 1890s Colorado finds himself drawn to a life of crime after falling in with an oddball band of misfit bandits with exceptional diction and unimpeachable style.

 
 

Home


This script manages to address pressing issues like climate change and probable possibilities like AI sentience while also incorporating pop-culture references and lighthearted humour to create a well-rounded and unique script. This is a great story told in an even greater way. The script sets up the world seamlessly. And the dialogue stands out as one of its best features overall.
— WeScreenplay

A reclusive inventor and his menagerie of semi-autonomous household robots must band together to take down a malevolent AI intent on preventing the re-establishment of human life on Earth.

 
 

Constellation


This script demonstrates of the power of a really strong idea. It’s the kind of movie that you feel certain you should have read before, but you haven’t. And it’s clear that this writer knows they’re onto something good, judging from the cover alone. This could be either “Gravity” with different actors or something like “Ready Player One” in space.
— The Black List

It’s the year 2031. And an international team of D-list celebrities sign on to compete in the world’s first space-based reality TV game show—only to find themselves accidentally embroiled in a burgeoning hot war between the new superpowers in space: Russia and China.

 
 

Divided We Fall


This script is a really fun, well-executed spin on the format popularized by “The Twilight Zone” and pushed forward by “Black Mirror”. Its lead characters are sharp and relatable, their conflict is clear, and their relationship is rendered tenderly and humorously. The film is sneakily progressive in a confident, quiet way, and its use of science fiction to metaphorize the pitfalls of social media is adept as well. The lead parts are very castable too, and play off each other nicely.
— The Black List

A feuding pair of gay empty nesters on the verge of a divorce find themselves embroiled in what might be a Silicon Valley alien invasion.

 

So, there you go. That’s what I did instead of baking sourdough bread during COVID. And while I still have a ton to learn, I’ve really enjoyed the process of dreaming up scenarios, peopling them with colorful characters with actual needs, and then pushing myself to try to stick the landing in under 110 pages (yeah, I’m still working on that part). If you wanna know more about me, here’s a bit about my day job. And here’s my other, other side-hustle. Drop me a line if you have a spare second. Especially if you’re a manager on the hunt for an emerging screenwriter with a good eye.