Source
r/channelzero•
NickAntosca

I am Nick Antosca – creator, executive producer, and showrunner of Channel Zero: The Dream Door. AMA!

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Hey Reddit. I’m Nick Antosca, creator and executive producer for SYFY’s Channel Zero: The Dream Door. This season is inspired by Charlotte Bywater's Creepypasta story about a hidden door that appears in a cellar. The full season is now available online here: https://www.syfy.com/channelzerothedreamdoor/videos/watch-channel-zero-the-dream-door

My Proof Photo: https://twitter.com/ChannelZeroSYFY/status/1057663488930275328

I’m here to answer any and all fan questions - ask me anything.

UPDATE: Thank you all for your questions and for watching CHANNEL ZERO: THE DREAM DOOR! I gotta get back to work, so I'll try to check in later. Catch the season finale tonight on SYFY!

Posted Oct 31, 2018, 4:47 PM UTC · edited

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Sanlear•

Hello. How is it looking so far for another season of Channel Zero?

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NickAntoscaOP•

I haven't heard anything yet. I'd love to do more. The critical response has been great. The linear ratings are low. But so is the budget. Who knows? I know what we'd like to do for the next two seasons.

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Sanlear•

I’ll keep my fingers crossed that we’ll see more seasons. Thank you!

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wdalphin•

I've found it's harder to keep up with each new season of Channel Zero because the name keeps changing to reflect the new season's name, and as a result my DVR doesn't automatically start recording. I didn't even know Dream Door was out until I started seeing reviews of it at it's conclusion. If they just called it Channel Zero each time instead of changing the name, it'd be easier on us lazy asses who rely on our DVR to let us know when new episodes of our favorite series are out.

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Brightlywound89•

I sure hope so. It just keeps getting better every season!

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Jasperdarktails•

I would love my story the oak tree retirement home to be adapted, is there a submission site?

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DickVonPounDatSnatch•

Hello Nick, I just heard the news and while I'm sure you're very busy looking for new avenues to possibly continue this show,(Netflix/Prime maybe?) I was wondering if there was ever a time in this show's development that an anthology format similar to Twilight Zone or Crypt Keeper was considered? And if so, what were some of the thought processes behind choosing the season long format? (Since these are technically short stories with little source material).

If you get the chance to answer, and see this I also want to say thank you for all the scares and disturbing imagery. This was definitely a wonderful and ambitious project and I look forward to whatever the future holds both for you and your wonderful staff.

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allanjcqt•

Hey, still no news? Started watching season 4 tonight and it's GREAT

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jessica_e87•

Hi Nick! I really enjoyed this season, especially Pretzel Jack! My question is, did you go into it knowing you'd have a talented contortionist to play this character, or did the character change as you started casting?

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NickAntoscaOP•

We had the idea of Dream Door while we were shooting S4, and we knew it was going to be based on Charlotte Bywater's story. Then we were on set working with Troy James who played a nightmarish hallucination in S3, and I was like 'Are you busy next spring??' because I was like oh shit we should make the guy that comes out of the basement door not just a clown but a contortionist clown. So we wrote Pretzel Jack with Troy in mind.

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Vangidion•

There was a lot of talk of Syfy "rushing this season out the door", and what implications that could have for the future of the show. Have syfy and yourself spoken about future seasons yet?

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NickAntoscaOP•

Yes! The creative execs at Syfy love the show and are very supportive of our plans. They are proud of what we've done. A renewal is a matter of number crunching and programming needs higher up and that decision will come at some point soon I would expect.

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Boots336•

I hope they never stop renewing !!!

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blooodreina•

:( so devastated

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NickAntoscaOP•

Thank you all for your questions and for watching CHANNEL ZERO: THE DREAM DOOR! I gotta get back to work, so I'll try to check in later. Catch the season finale tonight on SYFY!

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itchybitchybitch•

Hi Nick! Can you recommend some books to read? I love your stories and I would like to read something that made you feel strongly: horrified, moved, disgusted. Like 3 to 5 books would be perfect. I'm an aspiring writer and I have a solid block now, reading really helps me and I think you have a really great taste.

Will your books be republished? Kinda hard to get my hands on them now.

Have you seen the new Suspiria or are you planning to see it?

​

#PretzelJackDeservedBetter

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NickAntoscaOP•

Thomas Ligotti -- Teatro Grottesco

Waterland - Graham Swift

Bacacay - Witold Gombrowicz

The Brutal Language of Love - Alicia Erian

Jesus' Son - Denis Johnson

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Probably my books are lost in the past. So it goes.

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I liked the new Suspiria even though I fell asleep for ten minutes in the middle

​

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TerrorDahveed•

Like the Slaughter House Five reference...so it goes

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throwaway5272•

That Swift book has a scene (you know the one) that just strikes me as so very Channel Zero-esque. And Ligotti's sensibility seems to permeate the series in a fresh, original way.

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itchybitchybitch•

Probably my books are lost in the past

As someone who was inspired AF by "The Girlfriend Game", I REFUSE TO BELIEVE IT

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ckhamburg•

Ah! Teatro Grottesco has some great imagery! :)

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cinemaniac9•

Would you ever think of moving the series to streaming if it doesn't pan out at Syfy?

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NickAntoscaOP•

Of course

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Rha3gar•

Huge fan of the show, thank you for taking the time to do an AMA! What advice would you give newer horror writers like myself, who’s dream job would be working in the film industry? Also, what are you most excited about in regards to the future of Channel Zero?

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NickAntoscaOP•

Read and watch a ton of great stuff, but when you do it, diagram how it works. Outline it so you understand the choices that went into it.

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Meditate, write down your dreams, make time to daydream and let ideas come out of left field.

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Move to LA if you want to work in TV.

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I'm excited for people to keep watching and discovering Channel Zero, on Shudder or anywhere else. Shudder has been really great for us. Also I'd love to do two more seasons!

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​

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angelnorelation•

nick, it has been years. years since i last slept. years that i’ve been thinking about that time i was with my honey and the phone rang and i answered it. years since that fateful day the voice on the other end said, “wut r u doing wit my daughter?” years since i told my honey about the call and my honey said “my dad is ded.” nick, please, i am begging you, tell me!!! please tell me!!!!!!!! THEN WHO WAS PHONE?????????????????!!!!!!???????? ok anyway thanks for everything and taking a chance on me or whatever, hail satan, etc.

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NickAntoscaOP•

How many times have I told you: Season 5.

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angelnorelation•

you’re dead to me

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Nickbotic•

Mr. Antosca! How do you determine which stories you’re going to adapt from NoSleep? Do you just pick the ones you like? I’ve talked to all the cast members from this season and they have nothing but good things to say about you and the show, and I just want to thank you for making actual, legitimate horror for TV.

Hill House was great, but this season of Channel Zero was something truly special. I write horror for a living, as I’ve mentioned in my more-than-likely obnoxious tweets to you, and I just wanted to say again that I’d love to work with you and create some more truly scary content.

Anyways, keep up the awesome work! Thank you again.

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NickAntoscaOP•

Thanks so much! There's no formula but we look for stories that are simple and high-concept but contain a theme or idea we can explore more elaborately. The more holistic answer is we just read a bunch of them and see what inspires us and is producible on our budget!

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Nickbotic•

Do you look elsewhere for content, or do you just stick with NoSleep?

Thank you for your response!!

nickbotic.com

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NickAntoscaOP•

Anything that is casually considered a creepypasta is fair game as far as I'm concerned. Candle Cove started in a short story collection, after all.

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[deleted]•

[deleted]

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ethanfr0me•

Hey Nick!

Love the show, a real class act compared to a lot of horror shows currently- I also feel like your show is forcing those sloppier horror shows to really clean up their act, so thanks for that!

Quick question: Do you have any intention on connecting seasons between one another? Season 2 and 4 seemed very related so I'm curious/excited if that is the case. It'd be nice to see the origins to the No-End House or something along those lines.

Any hints on what's coming next for the show!? (e.g. plot for season 5 ;) )

Thanks again!!

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NickAntoscaOP•

My feeling is they all take place in the same world. Behind the surface reality in this particular world there's this other space where memory and emotion and biology all blend together.

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FriendLee93•

Hi Nick, loved the new season

Where did the idea for the Crayola Crew come from?>! Also was there ever a version of the ending where Pretzel Jack was around to help take care of the baby?!<

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NickAntoscaOP•

There actually was such a version!

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FriendLee93•

My heart is even more broken now :(

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Bob_Mosses•

Congrats on another great season of Channel Zero. I love how this show always seems so much darker than anything else on television. Can you tell us some of your favorite horror movies/shows/or directors that inspire your work or inspired this particular season?

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NickAntoscaOP•

Thanks!

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DePalma

Cronenberg

Hitchcock

Lynch

Ligotti

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Bob_Mosses•

Excellent taste! Thanks for the answer. Looking forward on what’s to come from you Nick.

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pirpirpir•

Nick, your writing is so impressive. You've done such an excellent job adapting these creepypastas and eking out a full season for each one! I've only seen the first two seasons but it's some of the most original storytelling I've ever seen.

Keep up being awesome!! Thank you for your work.

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NickAntoscaOP•

Thanks for watching! Glad you're enjoying it

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WaserRobthorn•

Any chance of a US blu ray release of the seasons? Would love a Scream Factory box set in the future.

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NickAntoscaOP•

*head explodes*.

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I would love for the show to be on Blu Ray... that's not up to me though...

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that1one1dude•

I love the show. But why ARE ratings low? Why dont more people know about and love this show as much as I do??

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NickAntoscaOP•

I dunno! We are weird show and I could see it not appealing to lots of people. As a low budget show we also don't get much advertising. I can't complain too much. I love making the show and I'm happy it's reached as many people as it has.

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Miro167•

It's the obvious question I guess, but what are the chances of more seasons?

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NickAntoscaOP•

Feel free to tell Syfy if you want more!

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t10al•

What was the most challenging thing to pull off with The Dream Door?

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NickAntoscaOP•

Honestly, the most challenging is always making a composed, cinematic show on our budget and schedule. It's pretty insane. Evan Katz and the crew and cast did an amazing job this time... it really just depends on everyone being incredibly prepared. There's no time for the kinds of hiccups and crazy shit that happens all the time on film sets. We just have to plan and prepare meticulously. It's still a mad dash but it's worked well for us so far.

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t10al•

It’s worked incredibly well! This is definitely my favourite horror show and possibly my favourite show when it comes to cinematography. Every season manages to create such an intense and gripping atmosphere and story. Thank you so much for Channel Zero!

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Amber4481•

Are the teeth monster and meat servant friends?

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NickAntoscaOP•

I never thought about it but actually, they totally could be. I bet both are pretty lonely.

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Amber4481•

I feel bad for the monsters.

Thanks for the great shows. I look forward to every new episode.

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kosthasequel•

Because of your question, Chitters and the meat monster are best friends now in my fanon.

Chitters is what I call the teeth monster.

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lookatmynipples•

Don’t remember every question I’ve wanted to ask but I know the ones that’ve been on my mind! I’ve seen a few deleted/changed scenes throughout the seasons, why were these changes/deletions made, or even how were these supposed to affect the story. In the first No-End House sneak peak after season one, there’s a scene where Margot opens her eyes just to reappear in Room One. Also the scene where the group, minus Margot, come across the water hose kill, seem to be closer to it compared to the final cut. In the first sneak peak for Butcher’s Block, the first set of stairs she climbs in the Peach’s mansion contains buffalo statues instead of the final fly statues, and the camera angles also differ in the final version. I really liked the high front angle showing Alice’s face while she climbs in the sneak peak.

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NickAntoscaOP•

You are a close watcher. I'm impressed. In many of those cases, teasers are assembled by the marketing department using dailies or rough cuts, not finished episodes. So sometimes they're using a take that's different from the take we end up using in the final cuts. In the case of the buffalo statues, I believe we were told that we might have to get legal clearances to use those statues (since they're works of art by an artist) and I just liked the idea of big flies there instead.

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moviebuffoon32•

What can you tell us about next year's film "Antlers" or the short story that inspired it, "The Quiet Boy"? Without divulging too much, obviously, I'm curious what influenced or inspired it.

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NickAntoscaOP•

It's based on my mom!

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She's an elementary school teacher in a rural town. So every year she'd see all these complicated lives and stories pass through her classroom. It's a window. The story is about a teacher who realizes one of her students has something heartbreaking and scary going on at home.

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The story is going to be published in Guernica early next year I think. Years ago it was accepted by McSweeney's and then they went on hiatus for a couple years or something and never published. But during that time I wrote a script based on it with Henry Chaisson and we sold it to Fox.

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It's shooting right now...

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