TAMPA, Fla. — If you are terrified, then Sean Donahue has done his job.

“I love horror movies because I like scaring people to death,” explained the horror filmmaker and festival organizer.

For a decade, the Ruskin resident has bathed in the gore and the glow of horror movie making, along with organizing the Tampa Bay Screams Horror Convention.

In 2020, there was no festival, no movie screenings or poster signings or gore souvenirs or dressing up like the blood-spattered victim of many a “murdery” movie.

But this year, with safety protocols in place, this frightening fest is coming back for a 5^th time (instead of the sixth time) on Friday, March 19th and Saturday, March 20th.

"This year we've had our highest level of presales that we've ever had for any of the five years. So that tells me that a lot of people are just itching to do something," Donahue said. 

While the festival was a loss in 2020, Donahue saw an increase in movie and merch purchases — and his work output doubled.

“We usually only make about one film a year through my company Gatorblade Films. Last year we were able to make two, and that was due to the fact that we had less people per cast and crew,” explained Donahue. “So that freed up some money, which allowed us to make two movies, both of which have been successful.”

Also, Donahue has enjoyed spending more time at home with his three-legged rescue dog Chewie.

For the past year Virginia has been talking people in the Tampa Bay area about their Life in the Time of Coronavirus. For more of these stories, check them out here!