sounds like you should be writing a horror movie.
that's exactly the kind of response i was looking for.
although i agree with your views on new threats and using things that aren't usually thought of as horrifying, i'm trying to keep this as simple and conventional as possible (to appeal to the broadest audience), and my goal is to stretch the boundaries of the traditional horror film without adding too many elements to it. let me explain:
i love horror movies. i always have. what bugs me is that there are so many made that should be good, but aren't. and it drives me nuts that people can't take this simple formula, inject something fresh into it, and make a good scary movie. usually it's a bad script shot by a director who has no idea how to build suspense or pull an OK performance out of a bad actor. i'm writing this movie because i want to prove that, if a filmmaker knows what he/she is doing, a straight up horror flick can actually be good.
i'm also writing a short film about an artist who goes insane, and everyone i know thinks i should scrap the idea because it's a big fat cliche. and they're right, but have you ever seen it done well? please, give me an example.
anyway, thanks for the input, and i might take you up on that IM offer.