THE SEVEN WEEK CHALLENGE 2009

THE CHALLENGE: To plan, write and finish a full-length feature in the next seven weeks, ready to submit on December 21st

THE THEME: Christmas

What else could it really be, given the timing?

This year’s big ‘Christmas’ releases are Avatar, Sherlock Holmes, New Moon, 2012, The Lovely Bones...only one big film, yet another version of A Christmas Carol (this time CGI, 3D and starring Jim Carrey), is overtly Christmassy. There just don’t seem to be that many Christmas movies anymore, and if there are, they’re often not very good. They’re just not out there...until now. Because you, yes YOU, are going to fill that void.

THE OPTIONS
You have three options of what to write, all connected to the ‘Christmas’ theme, OR the fourth, ‘free-for-all’ option.

A): THE ‘TRADITIONAL’ CHRISTMAS MOVIE
Think of the classic, beloved Christmas movies: The Snowman, Nightmare before Christmas, It’s a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street, White Christmas, Christmas Carol, The Santa Clause, Home Alone...notice a trend? That’s right, none of them are from the last fifteen years. Coincidence? Perhaps, but probably not. Simply put, they don’t make ‘em like they used to. But fear not - that’s all about to change, and you’re the one who’s going to change it.

Throw yourself into the tradition of Christmas movies, and try and write one of your own. It can be as realistic or as fantastical as you like; whether Santa himself turns up, or whether it’s just the story of normal people being transformed and uplifted by the magic of the season is up you. Set it when and where you like; all that matters is that you craft a classic tale that people will want to put on and enjoy at Christmas, year after year, one that warms the cockles of your heart and fills you with a feeling of goodwill to all men.

Or...if that all sounds a bit mushy to you, why not try options B or C?

B): THE ‘ALTERNATIVE’ CHRISTMAS MOVIE
Who says Christmas movies have to be all about cute kids and festive cheer? Not me, and not you, neither. It may be set at Christmas, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it has to be merry. As someone pointed out, Die Hard is a Christmas movie!

Whether it’s the gripping story of two hard-boiled LA detectives hunting down a psychotic serial killer called Rudolph (who has a abnormal nose and whose killings follow the Twelve Days of Christmas), the hilarious tale of a gang of high school kids who accidentally transport themselves back to the birth of Christ, an epic sci-fi about an approaching alien mother-ship that will arrive on Christmas Day, a creature feature about enraged reindeer or vengeful turkeys, or a gruesome slasher starring Jolly Old Saint Nic’s evil, resentful assistant, Black Peter, as long as it’s set at Christmas, it counts.  Whether the festive season is just a backdrop or an important part of the story, it’s your choice. Let your imagination run wild, pick any genre or subject material you want, and see what you come up with!

C): THE ‘SPOOF’ CHRISTMAS MOVIE
It’s there to be made, really. Slightly silly genre expectations, a host of well-known stories and characters...just because so many of these spoof movies suck doesn’t mean yours has to. Remember, Scary Movie was actually pretty good. Who says Xmas Movie can’t be even better? After all, even if it’s a stinking pile of poo, these movies always seem to do good business!

D) THE ‘WHATEVER YOU WANT’ MOVIE
This is for the rebels among you, the ones who don’t take no orders from nobody. Or, perhaps for those of you who just hate Christmas.

Disregard everything above, and follow wherever the Muse leads you. Write about whatever you want, just do it in 6 weeks. Remember - if you fail, you can't use the theme as an excuse!

THE RULES (AND SOME ADMIN STUFF)
Pretty straightforward, really:

• The script must be feature length (90-120 pages), and in standard screenplay format
• In options A, B and C, the main body of the plot must take place during the Christmas season
• The plot must be original (i.e. not based on something you don’t have the rights to)
• Completed scripts must be submitted by no later than December 21st
• Scripts should be uploaded to http://www.simplyscripts.com/submit_your_script.html  - make sure you mention in the comments section that your submission is an entry to the Seven Week Challenge
• There won't be any iScripts

And that’s it. The rest, my friends, is up to you. This really isn’t a competition; if we succeed, we really all are winners. This year, try and give yourself a Christmas present you’ll actually be happy to have: the heart-warming, life-affirming knowledge that you’ve completed your very own, original feature.

The challenge is officially open from the second this is posted. Happy writing!

{Don's edit - below are all the 7WC scripts}

The Orphans of Mansfield Hall (7WC) by Tom Pascal (tommyp) - Comedy, Drama, Children - When an orphanage gets taken over by a woman with no care for anyone but herself, the orphans must fight to get their old carer back, before the woman ruins Christmas day for everyone.  68 pages - pdf, format

The Magic of Letters - A Christmas Story (7WC) by Sandra E. Watson - Comedy - A funny grief counselor writes her own true story to help a grieving child; but she's not who she thinks or where she thinks. Her story is out of control and so is her fate as she goes completely virtual. 137 pages - pdf, format

Christmas Eve At St. Mary's (7WC) by P. Cook (me) - Horror, Slasher

Twas the night before Christmas and all through St Mary's,
Santa is horny so the women are wary,
a trio of nurses provide invasive care,
all witnessed by a young girl we're not sure is there.
  90 pages - pdf, format

A Hard Boiled Christmas (7WC) by T. Joseph Fraser (Blakkwolfe) - Drama - Ezra Merriman, a young safecracker, wants to go straight. But after his sweetheart is gunned down in a vicious attack, he decides to pull off the biggest heist of his career. 85 pages - pdf, format

The Prince of Coal (7WC) by Gary D. Rademan (grademan) - Comedy, Family, Animation - Santa loses his Christmas spirit and the responsibility falls on his assistant who screws up by finding a replacement who received coal every year for Christmas leading to a showdown between old Santa and new Santa on Christmas Eve (90 pages, PDF). - pdf, format

Headlong (7WC) by Steve McDonell (stevie) - Comedy - Two Aussie brothers take off on a leisurely drive across Arizona, enroute to their father's 50th birthday party. But the road trip becomes a crazy chase, as crims seek to retrieve hidden money in the boy's RV...   113 pages pdf - pdf, format

One Last Christmas (7WC) by Jon Barton (Jonnyboy) - Drama - Eddie, a grumpy, recently-deceased pensioner, is stuck in Limbo. His only hope of getting to Heaven is to help an unhappy child enjoy the festive season. There’s just one problem: Eddie hates Christmas…85 pages - pdf, format

Just got back from WI with my parents.  Haven't written a word, but I've got alot of it worked out in my brain.  Got to get started tomorrow...hopefully...o at least this week, as we're down to 3 weeks now.

I'll get it done.

What about everyone else?

How many finished scripts are we expecting in 3 weeks?

Quoted from Dreamscale How many finished scripts are we expecting in 3 weeks?

I will have at least one. Not 100 about the drama...

OK, then we'll have...

1)  Pia
2)  Balt
3)  Jeffrey

Who else is going to make it????????

that's it????

I feel intimidated now.  

Yeah, right!  Funny, Pia.

I am writing out of my element this time, and hope it works like I think it will.  No horror for a change.  Should be interesting.

I can say with 99% confidence mine will be done by the deadline. I'm 60 pages in, with maybe 30 to go. Then I just have to fix some things, change some other things and Bob's ya uncle.

Tentative title: Only At Christmas.

This will change after the challenge as i plan to set it differently. Will see how it goes.

Im 35 pages into mine. Havent had time to write the past few days with work but it will be done by the deadline. Ive been rewriting the storyline and reworking it to give it a more original feel, since it could of clashed with other features already made. I feel this is a decent fresh idea and hasnt been done yet... Well I hope not haha

Yeah, I'll have something to submit. Hopefully I'll have to time to make sure it's not a first draft, too. It won't be a lean, word-perfect masterpiece, but with luck I'll have caught most of the typos! I'm currently working out the exact 'how, what, where and whens' of Act Three.

The person I really want to hear from is Tommy. He'd better not be dropping out on us!

Well that's better!  Now we have...

1)  Pia
2)  Balt
3)  Jeffrey
4)  Steverino
5)  Muse
6)  JonnyBoy

Half way there, people...NICE!!!!!

I hope to get a few pages written this week...damn...I sure better!

I'm going to enter this for the heck of it. If anything, for practice.


Planning usually takes a while so I'm going to totally improv this and see where it takes me. It'll probably be a Christmas horror/supernatural.

Still in...at 25 pages and moving forward.

Sounds like we're up to 8, now.  Sweet!!!

Wow! I've got something! I'm not worried about page count, I'm worried about organizing it. And yes! I have something!

Sandra

Go for it Sandra!  I know you can do it.

Quoted from mcornetto Go for it Sandra!  I know you can do it.

Thank you, Michael.

I'm just going to try my best. That's the goal. And write from the heart: To entertain, to inspire and to teach. That's the goal.

Sandra

Johnny, I'm at 23 pages... but I'm really not sure I can finish it. I am trying, I am just liking my story less and less as I write it.

I'm not going to give up though.

At this stage I think I will aim for 75 pages.. which is a bit short, but I don't think I can get 90. See what happens.

Tommy,

Go back to the page where you started disliking it and rewrite it into a different direction.  

Quoted from Tommyp Johnny, I'm at 23 pages... but I'm really not sure I can finish it. I am trying, I am just liking my story less and less as I write it. I'm not going to give up though. At this stage I think I will aim for 75 pages.. which is a bit short, but I don't think I can get 90. See what happens.

Like I said Tommy, feel free to bounce it.

Sandra

C'mon Sandra! You can do it!!  

Quoted from Tommyp I'm really not sure I can finish it. I am trying, I am just liking my story less and less as I write it.

I hear you Tommy. I'm not liking mine either.  

You'll get through it Pia.  You're a trooper!

Thanks Michael!

I'll get through it. My only concern is posting a shitty first draft for everyone to see...  

No shitty first drafts allowed!

Here's my progress report...

Zero pages written...still...

Quoted from Dreamscale No shitty first drafts allowed! Here's my progress report... Zero pages written...still...

After another randomly deleted file, we're on the same page, Phil.

Once again, I'm going to try and re-write it. Getting really sick of my files deleting though.

-Sean

Dreamscale = Jeff, Mr Blonde.

Jeff, YOU'RE a shitty first draft motherfucker.

I just wrote the last 8 pages in two hours. Now just need to fill in the middle.

Thanks guys, support it good! Made me sit down and write.

Quoted from Tommyp Dreamscale = Jeff, Mr Blonde. Jeff, YOU'RE a shitty first draft motherfucker. I just wrote the last 8 pages in two hours. Now just need to fill in the middle. Thanks guys, support it good! Made me sit down and write.

Really? I swear Dreamscale was Phil. Off to find Phil!

EDIT: Oh, Dogglebe = Phil. Damn it!

In other news, I just found this news article that's sure to help me in the future, "Dyslexia for cure found." Off to practice it! =)

P.S. Sorry, Jeff. =(

Quoted from Mr. Blonde Really? I swear Dreamscale was Phil. Off to find Phil!

I'm not sure why but I find this hysterically funny.

Tommy!  What up, brother? Long time...no hear.

What do you mean, I'm a shitty first drafter?  My first draft will be basically a finished product!  AYYYEEEEE!!!!

I'll get it going.  I've got it worked out through page 40 or so, so...once I start the writing process, I should get up to page 40 or so in a couple days.  That's the plan, at least.

How are those loveable orphans doing?  Tear jerking stuff?  Uplifting?  Funny?  Hopefully, all of the above!

Jeff, I meant you as a person is a first draft... now I think about it, that doesn't even make sense!

What up? Just about to head to work, then get on the beer with the boys. Then talk to some ladies.

Yeah, start writing!

Man, once you have finished reading my script, you will want to adopt a child. No joke. I will have to put a warning at the start of it...

Quoted from Dreamscale Well that's better!  Now we have... 1)  Pia 2)  Balt 3)  Jeffrey 4)  Steverino 5)  Muse 6)  JonnyBoy Half way there, people...NICE!!!!! I hope to get a few pages written this week...damn...I sure better!

Steverino...that's a newie, never been called that before.

Think I prefer 'prick'.

Um, up to 70 pages now. It may be longer than i thought. Some of the dialogue is getting out of hand (as mine does).
But there's action plenty, so maybe no one will notice!    Go for it everyone!

Quoted from Grandma Bear Thanks Michael! I'll get through it. My only concern is posting a shitty first draft for everyone to see...

I feel the same way, aval, it's too bad, we couldn't experience the same joy we did when we first learned to color. Maybe we can? If we can, then stick man script or not, we will be happy.

Cling to the effort; not the outcome,

Sandra

Quoted from stevie Steverino...that's a newie, never been called that before.

I have.  Lots of times.  Maybe it's an American thing.  

Quoted from Mr. Blonde After another randomly deleted file, we're on the same page, Phil. Once again, I'm going to try and re-write it. Getting really sick of my files deleting though. -Sean

You know, for all it's alleged 'faults', I've never had that problem with Celtx.

Feel like I really just tempted fate there...I'm gonna go make a back-up!

You know what, Stevie?  I agree...Prick!

Gonna try and get started today, as I'll be busy tomorrow and Friday.  Let's see if we can start this beast.

When does this get done?  I'm excited to read these!

12/21 is the submission deadline.

page 60, but I have a feeling the ending will be tough.

Hopefully I will have a first draft by this weekend.

Quoted from Grandma Bear page 60, but I have a feeling the ending will be tough. Hopefully I will have a first draft by this weekend.

You'll have to have it done by 4 pm on Sat so you can fully enjoy the butt whoopin' that Tebow is going to lay on 'Bama...

I hear you. My husband is already stressed out about it!

Zero pages still, zero effort today.  Pitiful!!!!!

Quoted from Dreamscale Zero pages still, zero effort today.  Pitiful!!!!!

I know you're going to whip something up in the last couple of days!  

I hope...maybe I need to feel the crunch nowadays.  I don't know.  I had all day today and I just couldn't get in teh mood at all.  I'm upset with myself.  I'll do it...somehow.

This thread actually helps...sure hope we don't get deleted!!!!!!!!

Keep at it, everyone!!!!!

Get writing Jeff!  I know you can do it.  Pump out that feature and leave the maintenance of the thread to the moderators.

Quoted from Dreamscale I hope...maybe I need to feel the crunch nowadays.  I don't know.  I had all day today and I just couldn't get in teh mood at all.  I'm upset with myself.  I'll do it...somehow. This thread actually helps...sure hope we don't get deleted!!!!!!!! Keep at it, everyone!!!!!

Don't feel bad about how much you have written or not.

From my perspective, I'm working solely on structural aspects, defining and redefining.

Time is running out for this pre-phase, but I'm letting the clock tick and working this irregardless.

Everyone works differently and so the challenge is to find one's own "method". Eventually, we all internalize "something" and my intuition tells me that "something" is often a bit of a different equation for everyone, but it all equals out in the end, as in:

5+6=11

7+4=11

9+2=11

3+8=11

2+9=11

10+1=11

...and we draw these equations, but they're all the same in their outcome.

As I work in "aerial view", I have difficulty, but this difficulty drives me forward despite it all.

Together my dearl Simplycripters,

Sandra

Since part of the inspiration for this challenge was the fact that I felt no new original 'Christmassy' films were really around at the moment, it is worth mentioning that there is one out here in the UK, and I saw it last night.

It was called Nativity!, and it starred Martin Freeman (Tim from the original The Office) and Ashley Jensen (Maggie from Extras). It's about Mr. Maddens, a former actor who now teaches at a state primary school in Coventry. Every year his school and the posh private school up the road compete for a five-star review of their Christmas production in the local paper - every year the state school loses. This year, Mr. Maddens in put in charge of directing the Nativity. He is reluctant at first, but while out buying a Christmas tree for the school he bumps into his rival (and former acting classmate), the director of the private school's play, Irritated by the other teacher's cockiness, Mr. Maddens tells him that not only is the state school's play going to be extraordinary, but his ex-girlfriend, now a producer in Hollywood, is coming to see it and is considering turning it into a film. This lie makes its way back to the school, and suddenly Mr. Maddens finds the entire situation getting rapidly out of hand...

It wasn't fantastic, and I definitely wouldn't expect it to do anything (or perhaps even be released) over the US. But it was fun, and definitely Christmassy, and had the theme of 'unhappy character made happy' that all good Christmas films have. I enjoyed it, and it further stimulated my enthusiasm to write one of those movies for myself.

So yeah. Nativity! Proof that these movies DO still, just about,  exist. However, not enough of them do. I'm convinced there is still a gap in the market for good, festive fare. Let us be the ones to fill it!

So this morning I woke up with an idea, not a big idea but an idea...3 weeks too late!  Given the fact that I usually write about a page an hour, things are looking grim.  I bailed a few weeks ago but now I'm wondering....wondering if I could do it?

Of course you can! And if you don't complete it in time, at least you'll be well on your way to a brand new feature. Do it.

Do it!

Well I've wrote 12 pages in an hour, which is lightning quick for me.  I've never written anything that quick!  Obviously it's rough and I'm not sure I've got a whole story yet but hey it's a start.  Now I've got to keep it up.  If I can reproduce that sort of speed I should do it, although I'm aware if I were to submit a first draft I might get crucified by a few here lol.

Quoted from alffy Well I've wrote 12 pages in an hour, which is lightning quick for me.  I've never written anything that quick!  Obviously it's rough and I'm not sure I've got a whole story yet but hey it's a start.  Now I've got to keep it up.  If I can reproduce that sort of speed I should do it, although I'm aware if I were to submit a first draft I might get crucified by a few here lol.

Getting it finished is the difficult part. After that, it's just proo-freading and smoothing. =)

You can do it, Alffy. =)

Quoted from alffy I'm aware if I were to submit a first draft I might get crucified by a few here lol.

Except for Balt, we will all be crucified for our first drafts, but I hope those who will read will take that into consideration.

So go ahead. Stamp one out.  

Alffy,

If you get a firm grasp on the story first, you'll be surprised on how fast you can write it.

Quoted from Grandma Bear We will all be crucified for our first drafts, but I hope those who will read will take that into consideration. So go ahead. Stamp one out.

Keep moving forward without fear of failure- there is no fail;

This is a learning exercise for most of us, and it's definitely something you learn by doing...

Most of us have figured out how to write shorts reasonably well (which is, admittedly, a matter of opinion), and that was through a lot of trial and error.

The same learning curve should be expected when applied to a feature length project.

So let's Git R' Done.

40 pages so far... This is gettin quite hard now lol

So I've finished the day with 16 pages.  Whether or not they're any good, I'm not sure.  I'm kind of making it up as I go, which is never a good thing lol.  I only have a basic idea of where I'm going so I'm not expecting anything fantastic.  It's a Christmas story but an adult one I guess, kind of strange.  Working title of 'Mr Benn saves Christmas'.

Detailed progress update: I'm on page 44. Eddie has been shown the child he has to make happy, been given the rules, and left to get on with it. I've also written the final 8 pages, so really that's 52 pages in the bag. Act 1 needs a couple of pages trimming off of it, but I'll get to that if I have time before the deadline. Just about 40 pages to go!

I remain confident. Whether what I've written is anything other than garbage, time will tell.

Progress report...ZERO!  SHIT!!!!!

It's fine, Jeff. It's fine. Deep breaths...we're here to help.

Do you have any ideas in mind? Any kind of starting point?

He has most of it in his head.

I'm sure Jeff will get it written before the date, he works very well under pressure.

I'm starting to sound like his Mum! "He's always been a good boy.... when he's sober.... he's never sober though..."

32 pages for me... gonna try and crank out 10 today.

Thanks guys!  Tommy...yes, I need another Mum!  Just spent a week with her...very nice.

Yes, Tommy is correct.  I do have it pretty much written out in my pea brain...at least the first 40-55 pages.  Just haven't been in teh writing mode lately, and I'm now doing some hidious painting during the day...and heavy drinking when I get home.  Maybe this weekend?  We'll see.

I can still do it, if I get that motivation.

Correction...I will still do it and I will motivate myself.

How are those orphans doing, Tommy?

Quoted from Dreamscale Thanks guys!  Tommy...yes, I need another Mum!  Just spent a week with her...very nice. Yes, Tommy is correct.  I do have it pretty much written out in my pea brain...at least the first 40-55 pages.  Just haven't been in teh writing mode lately, and I'm now doing some hidious painting during the day...and heavy drinking when I get home.  Maybe this weekend?  We'll see. I can still do it, if I get that motivation. Correction...I will still do it and I will motivate myself. How are those orphans doing, Tommy?

I've learned not to wait for motivation, Jeff. I think that you are actually doing better than what you imagine. If you have a lot worked out in your head, that just indicates "the way" you tend to work. It doesn't mean you have zero. It means that it's concealed as of yet.

Today, I began writing the actual script from a loose outline I had developed. And it was going well, but we've had a cold snap here weather wise and was feeling chilled and so I decided I would go and do some thinking in the bathtub. Wow!!! Who knew that a bathtub would be that helpful. I too was writing solid in my head and came out with something I was thrilled with.

For me, my difficulty I feel with this particular script will not be, "Will I have enough material?" But "Will I have enough space for the material.

That's the part I might have to work with. Why do I get myself into such binds? You know what? I've got the same problem with this script as Thief has. Too many bloody characters, but I feel I have a better handle on things than I ever would have because I've internalized certain aspects and might be able to deal better this time around.

The truth is, I won't know for sure until I write the 100 pages. Hopefully, I can keep the page count down to that.

What I'm going to do is try and go back and forth between structural work and writing work and keep coming back to "big picture" aspects.

I'm sure I'll meet with several revelations along the way.

My advice Jeff, is to just try something new-- anything, and maybe it will help unstick you if you feel stuck.

Sandra

Am only a few pages from the end!

Just wanted to say a couple of things: my script is set near Christmas but there's bugger all refs to xmas. That, coupled with the fact i don't want to have to worry about Arizonz's harsh winter weather, means i'm gonna change the time of year. It won't affect the story or anything but i didn't want the weather to interfere, like it would have.

I went to the Grand Canyon in March of '97; it was still below freezing at night then, but sunny and warm in the day. I was gonna do this anyway, after the deadline but conferred with Tommy about it today, and he agreedto change it all now.

Spewing though - found the perfect title!!  My 6 year old daughter suggested 'Runaway Christmas". From the mouths of babes...
But i can't use it now.

Anyway, just wanted to pre-warn everyone.  Good luck all!!!

I'm at 70 pages. Not sure I want everyone to read it though. It's sort of borderline...dark territory, if you know what I mean.  .

If I finish the first draft this weekend, I might try to give the drama a go as well. I need a good title for that one though.  

Pia, how about "Giant Erect Cock"?  You like that title?

no Jeff, that sucks...

Quoted from Grandma Bear no Jeff, that sucks...

Yes, it does.

And, I like dark scripts. I'd want to read it anyway, though. =)

Progress for yesterday = bugger all!  After a great start, I did sod all on Friday.  I really need to hit them keys today but...it's saturday, there's football on and I'm out on the lash tonight so...

I hear you alffy. I had a busy day or two and then my mojo got crushed by work. off for another 9~hour shift. I think Im going to have to incorporate another character to stretch it to its max 90pages. I only have 2 characters atm... but should be easy to do. my phone is my pc atm haha

The beat goes on.

Sandra

75 pages of....crud!

Wanna read it?

Yeah, Pia, I'll read it.

ZERO pages still.  Looks like it's going to come down to the wire for this kid.

Come on Jeff. I believe in you!

Watch some horror flix, read some horror scripts. You'll get in the mood!  

Quoted from Dreamscale Yeah, Pia, I'll read it. ZERO pages still.  Looks like it's going to come down to the wire for this kid.

yis sumhow now i only hav zerow pagis two and hoo nos wut hapined.

s e

Quoted from Grandma Bear 75 pages of....crud! Wanna read it?

I’ll read it. I’m not sure what this whole challenge is about and I haven’t kept up with this thread so I don’t know if I can get to it before it’s due but I’ll read it as soon as I can.


Breanne

Please don't!!!!!!!!

This is a challenge on how to write a feature fast. I don't want my first posted feature to be read by people that I would prefer to read something serious. Please!!!!!  

Yeah, that's part of the problem...I haven't seen any movies in over 2 weeks!  BUT...Pia, mine is not horror, so seeing a horro flick won't help.  Mine is serious Christmas...sad but heart warming.  Guess my heart isn't very warm right now...

Quoted from Grandma Bear Please don't!!!!!!!! This is a challenge on how to write a feature fast. I don't want my first posted feature to be read by people that I would prefer to read something serious. Please!!!!!

Truthfully, I don't care if mine gets read or not. My challenge is completely personal and if someone dares to read it, then they will pay the consequences and those consequences might be good depending on the roll of the dice.

At present, I'm working back and forth between the cards and writing through it.

In this process, I've come up with variations on the beginning and, if several years from now, it ever gets into production, I would wager to guess that the beginning would be changed yet again and the total tally for possible beginnings might wind up... who knows what number.

I have to say, that I am enjoying myself. I'm studying, doing psychic work, outline work, and actual writing-through-it work and that is so very critical I feel because it's a process like everything in life.

Most importantly, I'm where I want to be right now and I'm grateful for that.

Sandra

Another day yesterday and another 0 pages written. After my good start, I've definately faultered.  I better get something down todat or fear my script is doomed! lol.

Quoted from pia This is a challenge on how to write a feature fast. I don't want my first posted feature to be read by people that I would prefer to read something serious. Please!!!!!

I don't consider seven weeks to be fast! When I did write features, I could knock them out in about four weeks. And others here beat that easily. Don't confuse taking two years to write a screenplay with writing a good one, or seven weeks with writing a bad one.

And if I do ever actually produce anything for this challenge it will very definitely be a serious piece of work - anything else would be an insult to Jonny and the others taking part in this challenge.

Whether it would be any good is another matter, of course

I think I could knock a feature in 2 weeks if I was off work for 2 weeks but unfortunately I'm not so things are a lot slower.

I once stayed up 28 hours straight due to writing - I went to work for eight hours, got home, had dinner, wrote until the early hours, went back to work. The resultant script was not too bad - ironically, if anything it was over written!

If I produce anything for this challenge - and it is still my intention to do so, it will be written between now and the 21st - what's that, 16 days? - at most. It will be an interesting achievement if I can.

You're not alone, Niles.  I have ZERO pages written as well...still.  I'm beginning to worry that my heart isn't in this.  I like my concept for sure, and will eventually get to it, but I'm just not feeling it yet...maybe I need more pressure.  We'll see how this coming week goes.

More pressure Jeff, Jez there's only a couple of weeks to go.  I'm only 20 pages in and don't have a full plan yet but now I've started, I'm panicing I won't finish.  Maybe I'm panicing because it might be crap...that seems more likely lol.

I wish Jeff and Niles the best of luck if you take up the challenge.  Times a ticking.

I know, Alffy.  I hear each tick but I don't do anything about it.  Football today, so unlikely. Painting all day Monday and Tuesday, so that's not looking good either.

Hopefully motivation will kick in SOON!!!!!

I haven't written anything these past few days but I've got a day off tomorrow, maybe time for some writing? I know my finished script won't be anything close to the amazing standards, I wish I knew a script doctor lol

Look at it this way: it will be the best that ya can do in seven weeks while balancing the rest of life's responsibilities, y'know things like work, the kids, the dogs, the rabbit, the guinea pig...

30 pages...thus far, but moving along. Got to the point I wanted to be for the main thrust of the story. (He's ready to meet the girl that makes him question his life of crime, but not before taking on the biggest heist of his career...during Christmas time, of course)

Quoted from Muse32 I know my finished script won't be anything close to the amazing standards, I wish I knew a script doctor lol

That's why we post them here. It's scary to put up a first draft, but I know we all will get enough comments so we know what will need to be fixed in the re-writes.

I'm at page 75. The torture scene is over. It was fun to write...

I'm so close to the end!  I have the final scene written but th eone before that, the big finale, is proving difficult to nail. I know what it has to be but it comes out a bit dodgy.
But then there is an air of wackiness throughout the whole script.  Its up to 96 pages which i hadn't planeed, with maybe 10 to go. Then i have to change a bit of stuff in the first half.
I went to bed last night hoping to 'dream' some good stuff for it( one of my best sources of inspiration) . But it was a very warm night and the kids were restless. Put the a/c on at midnight but no thoughts of the script came.  Into it today then...

I have a title!!!           HEADLONG

Good luck all- keep at it.    And go the Niners!!

Well I've fallen short of my 30 page target for the weekend, only made it to page 22 but, 22 pages in 4 days isn't bad I suppose and at least I kind of know where I'm going now.

Pia, you're on page 75!  I can't imagine being that far, that's not good is it? lol.

I didn't say it was any good... In fact, I'm not even sure I like it.

If I start writing tomorrow, I figure I would need to produce an average of 7 pages a day in order to reach the 100 page target by the 21st.

Put like that, it sounds workable. 100 pages in two weeks is daunting - 7 pages a day isn't.

All I need now is an idea, a plot, a structure, a beginning, middle and end (but not necessarily in that order), some characters, and some dialogue.

It'll be a doddle!

IMHO, it's not the typing that takes time. It's the thinking. If you know the story and the characters then the writing is easy and fast... I admit that I do not really know my characters nor the story. I'm sort of just making stuff up as I go along. I know, I know. Not a good sign.  

Quoted from Grandma Bear IMHO, it's not the typing that takes time. It's the thinking. If you know the story and the characters then the writing is easy and fast... I admit that I do not really know my characters nor the story. I'm sort of just making stuff up as I go along. I know, I know. Not a good sign.

Pia, don't worry! I don't think it matters too much...the challenge of doing a script in 7 weeks is the main thing. As long as its readable, it'll be ok; they all will!

The feedback we get from it will help to improve the scripts, if needed. Someone who is neutral and hasn't been involved in the pressure of writing it, will point out new ideas and such. Then, we can do proper re-writes if needed and in the end, the scripts will turn out ok.
Would you have written this script off your own bat? Like all of us, probably not! ITS A BONUS!!

Cheers  stevie

Well I'm struggling now.  About 30 pages in and while I know ehere the stories going, I'm not sure how I'm going to get there?  I need to add a lot more story to the characters.  I just wrote page 26 and then figured it was the trigger for the final act!! Oops.  Now I need to go back and write the 2nd act lol.