Quoted from Talldave So, is part of the challenge making the historical event which hadn’t taken place known to the reader without referencing it? Because if we don’t directly acknowledge what didn’t happen in the script, how do our readers know which alternate reality we are in? I mean, unless we just make our title “Hitler Doesn’t Lose the War.”

Depending on the cataclysm you want to avoid, it might as easy as referring to JFK’s re-election... or the Chandra Levy case on September 12, 2001... or Madam President in 2017...

There's another aspect I think writers need to be careful of with this challenge -  assuming if one event didn't happen, then it never will.

For example, If someone tried to imply the telephone was never invented because Alexander Graham Bell didn t have the accident which lead to him cracking the problem, well sorry I don't buy it. However, if you came up with an alternate person/way of inventing this or a differenr type of telephone then I'd be more inclined.

Quoted from MarkRenshaw There's another aspect I think writers need to be careful of with this challenge -  assuming if one event didn't happen, then it never will. For example, If someone tried to imply the telephone was never invented because Alexander Graham Bell didn t have the accident which lead to him cracking the problem, well sorry I don't buy it. However, if you came up with an alternate person/way of inventing this or a differenr type of telephone then I'd be more inclined.

Yeah, that's a big issue. In particular with the telephone as so many other scientists were chasing it too. If not Bell then it would certainly have been one of the others. This really narrows the field down to the main plots in these types of stories. If JFK wasn't shot then the world would have stayed exactly the same, they'd have found another way to get rid of him, discredit him in some way, or just kill him on a different day.

If Jesus wasn't born? Then the Romans would have made up a different name instead, maybe even Bryan... but that's already been done, in a way.

Aside from the obvious, the rest are just not interesting enough or world-changing enough to write about.

There will be at least 3 scripts about Bruce Jenner staying... Bruce Jenner, and how that alters the entire Kardashian world - which of course affects us all.  Right?  

Quoted from Jeremiah Johnson There will be at least 3 scripts about Bruce Jenner staying... Bruce Jenner, and how that alters the entire Kardashian world - which of course affects us all.  Right?

I was figuring about seventeen President Hillary Clinton scripts.

So Blondie, the budget is open I'm guessing? And we can do a comedy if we want too which is cool.

Also, does the script have to be a story within a story? Or just a vignette of life in this alternate history?

Quoted from FrankM I was figuring about seventeen President Hillary Clinton scripts.

I did consider a Trump/Hillary idea, but I have finally decided on a (different) major historical event. I don't wanna give too much away. I need breaks from the Trump drama, take it in moderation until he's finally impeached. I decided to stay in the realm of politics, though.

P.S. Neptune Nazis sounds like quite the classic B movie. Let me know if they ever make it.  

Quoted from stevie So Blondie, the budget is open I'm guessing? And we can do a comedy if we want too which is cool. Also, does the script have to be a story within a story? Or just a vignette of life in this alternate history?

Budget and genre are open. And, you're just writing a script like any other script.

Sadly, I foresee lots of very poor scripts this time around.

Parameters are so wide open, once the "world changing event that didn't happen" is revealed.  And, I also foresee lots of very similar themes.

We'll see.  Best of luck to everyone who enters!

Quoted from Shakey Out of interest, what does "No pissers, please" mean?

"no pissers" or "no pisstakes" simply means to take the challenge seriously.  IOW, please don't purposely write a bad script.  

Also, please (and you know who I'm looking at) don't use the terms 'pisstake' in a review.  If someone truly believes I've let a 'pisstake' in, then message me and I'll review it.

- Don

So, just a point of clarity -- can the script be about perhaps what happened to cause the change the course of history?  Or does it have to be AFTER the event occurred (or didn't occur)?  Obviously it's two different stories, one of which might be much more interesting than the other.

Gary

Quoted from Mr. Blonde Exactly. One event turned out differently and it has to be a major world event.

Back to the idea board for me.I was thinking of an "historic" crime/mystery, but it wasn't a world event, Damn.

On the other hand...an idea sparked. But is it a "world event"?
Can't it be something that is an historic event that could "change" the world if changed?

I really. want to roll on my thoughts. I PM you on it Blonde.

Quoted from Gary in Houston So, just a point of clarity -- can the script be about perhaps what happened to cause the change the course of history? Gary

No. Your story must not be about the change, but a different story set after the change has happened.

So I've come up with a lovely fat juicy big event which would have had major consequences that I've researched and come up with an alternate timeline.

Now I'm completely stumped as to what story to tell in this new reality lol! Luckily there's 'time' yet in this challenge, but if I keep on drawing a blank I may have to come up with the different events until something clicks.

As a history teacher, well let's just say I'm in.