Quoted from Ryan1 From Mr. Blonde: Up to and including 6 pages (nobody's going to come after you if it's less, but try to keep it to 6, max).

Again, I'm not going to huff and puff about it if I read someone went up to 8 or 10 pages. What am I gonna say, "I'm out by page seven"  

Page count is something I'll be fairly hot on too. I don't mind half a page, but anything more and it's unfair. I'll read it and comment, but it will get a pass.

Quoted from SAC Can't say I understand why people would be okay if it goes longer. Rules are clearly stated, and I think it  gives a writer an unfair advantage if he/she is allowed to go over the max. As Dan said, he wished he could've had two more pages. Well, if I was allowed two more pages maybe mine could've been better, as well. That's the whole challenge, though. Get it done in the pages allotted. Anyone over that limit gets a pass from me. No reason the folks who actually followed the rules should have to abide by those who didn't.

Since when do the participants follow all the rules  
So in other words, let's say you like a script but you find out they went over by half a page?
I'm sure there might be a few.

When I'm reading, reviewing and filling in the Writer's Choice form I'll definitely be taking page count into consideration.

My biggest challenge was fitting my entry into the six page limit. If it was eight pages it would have been a stronger entry for sure. It's a challenge. The six pages is part of the challenge.

Not saying I won't read, but it'll be a factor when I'm reviewing.

Quoted from DarrenJamesSeeley Since when do the participants follow all the rules   So in other words, let's say you like a script but you find out they went over by half a page? I'm sure there might be a few.

Half a page I won't squawk about, no. But 2, 3? I do have a problem with that.

Mine went over by a full page but I whittled it down. Even a half page I feel would have made it better. Just my opinion. But it's down to six. I feel peeps would be looking cross-eyed at it if it went over the limit. Not that they won't be looking cross-eyed at it anyway.  

My October OWC was 12 pages instead of 10. I messed up because in the past it has usually been a 12 page limit. This resulted in most people refusing to read the script. I don't blame them. I didn't follow the clearly stated rules...

I wanted to say 2 things:

1.  I think the page limit is important.  I am unhappy because 6 pages is barely enough time to set up a story, and a comedy on top of that is even harder.  Sure, you can do 1 or 2 page scripts, look at that Impact 50 limit of 2 pages.  

But, the quality of the story really gets hurt when you cut so much out.  The original story came in at 13 pages, so, I knew I had to cut a lot.  And I did.  When I got it to 8 pages, I really took a hard look.  7 pages was a killer.  Then I got it to 6 and a half.  I was gonna leave it there, b/c in theory, it didn't go over 6 pages, it wasn't a full 7, but, I thought I'd get dinged and didn't want that to be a problem too.

I barely got it to 6, but, as some others have said, their quality suffered too.  IF people like the cut version, I might do a longer version that I had in my mind.  I really have no idea if anyone will like it or not.  I have a feeling some will find it unfocused.  Trying to cram too much into those precious 6 pages.


So, who entered?  I entered 1 story.  


2.  I have said for weeks that this site is more like a family site for those who contribute a lot.  And the love for Mark during his tragedy only proves my point.  Mark, all of us know there aren't words right now.  But, dude, you aren't alone.  I think I can speak for every regular person on here who already has said something, but, you are in our thoughts and prayers bud.

This site reminds me of one of my fav series, Faceoff.  It's a Syfy show about make-up artists for movies.  A bunch of people vie for the 100K first prize and a new car and a whole makeup kit and lots of exposure for Hollywood to see.

Most reality shows are full of back-stabbers and just horrible people.  I have yet to see that on Faceoff.  It's amazing how kind each of these people are.  They are all fierce, yet, never cross that line.  They all want the prize, but, never ever mislead.  That's respect.

Once in the semi-finals, a person was doing something that someone else saw right away wouldn't work.  He told that person.  And that person saw he was right and changed their approach.  I was shocked b/c both the person who said something and the one who accepted it as truth knew that the bond they create on the show trumps money.

Another time was when this guy who had helped everyone out for the whole year got hurt late in the competition.  He had sliced his hand open and had to go to the ER.  His masks were still in the molds.  He knew he'd never have enough time to finish and his time on the show would end.  Only, that didn't happen.  Oh no.  The others, took time from their own tasks and cleaned out his molds and got them ready for him.  When he got back, he was sad.  But, when he saw that, everyone started crying.  The show of sportsmanship was overwhelming.

I see that a lot on here.  Lets face it, we all want to sell that monster script for a million.  We also all know that they could choose someone else's script on here.  And there are only so many people buying scripts.  

Yet, that doesn't stop anyone on here from helping people get better.  Some criticism can be harsh.  But, that doesn't mean it isn't right.  This site has helped me get better.

One person recently read a script of mine and couldn't believe how much better I've gotten since I joined.  I listed to what everyone on here said.

Yes, you can't please everyone, but, man, the sportsmanship on this site is amazing and like a family.  A family I'm proud to be a part of.

And Mark, your family stands with you!!

Sincerely,
Dan

I'm in this go round, and yes page count worried me too. At one point I looked at my script and said, "Yeah, I can get it under 7 pages... if I take out all the jokes." Not only is creating a superhero in six pages hard, but comedy often requires extra beats that a straight forward delivery wouldn't need. At the end of the day I lucked out and was left with some room to work.

PS Sorry to here what you're going through, Mark. Hopefully, at the very least, the contest can be a good way to get your mind off it for a bit.

Quoted from EWall433 I looked at my script and said, "Yeah, I can get it under 7 pages... if I take out all the jokes." Not only is creating a superhero in six pages hard, but comedy often requires extra beats that a straight forward delivery wouldn't need.

...yet, people did it every month for years at MoviePoet.  


Good Luck all who entered.

Those from MP are a bit more disciplined. It wasnt as hard for me to trim it.

Oddly enough I think 4 pages or less would've been easier for me to get my head around because I would've been thinking along the lines of just a very short comedy bit. 6 pages is starting to get into the space you need for an honest to God story. I suppose it's the difference between a 3 act beginning/middle/end vs one scene with a simple set-up/payoff. If it were only 4 pages, I wouldn't have attempted the story I went with, because it clearly wouldn't fit. But at 6 pages I could just fit in, or so I thought.

At least, those were the issues playing through my head. Everyone's got their own challenges.

Well said Dan, though can't comment on the Faceoff but, not seen it.

Personally I've grown as a writer and I put a lot of that down to the selfless help I've received from the SS family.

Thanks all!

Like I said, guys, if it's over, it's not the end of the world (in my eyes. Probably because I didn't set the limit). However, it will get sorted out in the comments and you can always re-upload your original vision when the contest is over, if you'd like. After all, this is only for fun. It doesn't need to be a trying, stressful experience. It's just for fun and to test our skills. That's all. =)

So, even though I finished my first draft the first day, I was not able to submit in time due to my crazy job (which is why I wanted to enter the first draft, even though the story itself sucked).  I would like to know if I can still read and comment on the scripts as if I was actually participating?

Thanks.  Maybe I'll be able to get into the next one!