In 2014, Kevin Richmond aspired to create a short story script that was a combination of uninspired horror films but featured original unexpected elements. After completing an original draft outline , entitled "Dead End" , Richmond offered first time writer , Dustin Chandler an opportunity to write professionally to flesh out the short story for a formal rough draft. Ultimately uninspired with elements of the traditional formula and structure of the rough draft , Richmond brought in screen writer Kemper Sease to revamp the story. Two years later , Sease turned in a stripped down, newly restructured , practically rewritten feature-length screenplay that would ultimately be titled "Epiphany Road".