Interview - Screenwriter Haley Biggins
Haley Biggins is the writer of thriller screenplay contest winning script, SAFE WORD, about
Chloe, a journalist in her senior year of college when she receives the opportunity of a lifetime to join a writer's workshop in Virginia. She packs up her bags and leaves New Jersey to start this new and exciting journey. Chloe thinks she lucked out by finding a guest house for her stay on a huge farmland, but she quickly learns there is nothing lucky about it.
After the competition win, we spoke with Haley about the story and the journey to this win.
How did you first become interested in a career in screenwriting?
At my core, I’ve always been a storyteller. Even as a kid, I was constantly creating little narratives, and the film world called to me early on. I manifested. During my final semester of college, I made the move to LA and began working hands-on in the film industry. That experience showed me the many roles involved in making a movie, but it was the storytelling itself that truly lit me up. The process of turning a single thought into an idea, and then into a story that moves people emotionally, is the most rewarding and electric part for me.
Who or what inspired you to write this particular story?
Nothing too wild inspired Safe Word, but I was deeply influenced by Gone Girl. I saw it in theaters four times! That tone, intensity, and emotional punch were all on my mind while writing. I actually come up with a lot of my best story ideas while I’m lying in bed trying to fall asleep. The concept for Safe Word hit me during one of those moments. I knew right away it had the potential to be something raw and compelling. I’m especially proud of how the script balances edge-of-your-seat suspense with a spotlight on domestic violence, raising awareness in a way that doesn’t compromise the thrill.
What movies or filmmakers would you consider your greatest influences as a screenwriter?
Definitely Scream, I Know What You Did Last Summer, and Gone Girl. I also love the comedic energy of Happy Madison films, and productions from Point Grey like Superbad and The Night Before. My second screenplay leans into that vibe. It’s a raunchy comedy called We The PPL, where Ben Franklin ends up in 2025 living as a millennial, while a modern burnout travels back to 1787. Think classic time-travel chaos with an educational twist. I’m constantly developing ideas across horror, drama, and comedy, genre diversity really excites me.
How much planning and outlining went into your process of writing this script?
Safe Word took about two years from initial concept to final draft. I spent the first year talking about it, and then finally forced myself to sit down and start outlining. I listed major scenes and plot points, then built the story around them, layering in character development, emotional beats, powerful transitions and tension. Once the outline was strong, I moved into scripting, which took another six months. After several rounds of revisions, I was proud to submit it to competitions. Since then, it’s won three awards and received four honorable mentions. I’m still torn between keeping it as a feature film or adapting it into a five-episode limited series—it has potential for both.
What advice would you give to aspiring screenwriters who are working their first script?
Just start. Open a document, or grab a pen, and get that idea down. The first step is always the hardest, but it’s also the most important. For a long time, I was my own biggest obstacle. I didn’t believe my stories would ever leave my friend group’s inboxes, let alone win awards. But I was wrong. The truth is, you’ll never know how much people might connect with your work until you let it out into the world. So take the leap because you never know where it could lead!
Congrats to Haley on her winning screenplay!