Quoted from James McClung I just took a look at the submission form and basically answered my own question. So I'll just rephrase it. Say you submitted a straight horror or straight sci-fi script. Would the genre show up as such in the script thread or will they all be labeled as "horror, supernatural thriller, fantasy or science fiction?" After seeing the form, I guess it doesn't really matter but I'm curious nevertheless.

I actually was going to give you an elaborate I don't know, but I just looked at the submission form and I understand what you are asking.   I can't answer it though because Don does the posting but I'll ask him.  

I don't think the genre matters. I imagine they will all end up under "February, 2010 One Week Challenge " in the shorts section.

Naturally. I just figured more specific genres would make browsing scripts a little more informative. Although I suppose the loglines should give an idea.

Quoted from James McClung Naturally. I just figured more specific genres would make browsing scripts a little more informative. Although I suppose the loglines should give an idea.

I've added a box for genre on the submission form.

Don

I had planned to rant more about the specifics of this challenge. But i can't be bothered. I might do two scripts - one without constraints and one with.

I still feel our imaginations have been stunted somewhat by the machima thing. To someone, the phrase 'the dark' might be a mysterious portal in the black depths of the Pacifc Ocean. So they can't write about that because of the animation's limits?

I still think there should be two sections for submissions - one for peeple who just want to write about The Dark in any form they choose, and another for those who are interested in the animation bit.

Not trying to cause a shit fight; i just wanted to have my say.

And a third section for scripts involving the Beatles!

I want to get this straight. We are to write an 8 to 12 page script under the genre of horror or the other themes you mentioned. With the scripts, we should write using only the props availible to the designer who would be making the anamated movie.

Right?

Shawn.....><

I can understand that you feel your freedom is limited by having specific production guidelines - that makes sense.  That would be true of pretty much any real writing assignment.  There are always limitations whether it be budget, location, or cast.  This is no different.

However, if you feel your imagination is limited then you are wrong.  Think of things like Dr Who which went very far on very little.  Granted, today, it looks kind of silly but at the time it was pretty cool stuff and certainly they didn't let the limitations get in the way of their imagination.  The box you put your imagination in is your own creation - break out of it.

Quoted from Ledbetter I want to get this straight. We are to write an 8 to 12 page script under the genre of horror or the other themes you mentioned. With the scripts, we should write using only the props availible to the designer who would be making the anamated movie. Right? Shawn.....><

Close enough.

C'mon people you can do it. I already wrote mine today.  

one more question if I may. Any limit to the level or style of horror? Are we talking twilight zone or house of a thousand corpses? Is it open to anything in between?

Shawn.....><

Blood spattering effects is not something Moviestorm easily does.  Besides reacting to a gunshot or fist fight there really isn't any violence you can do between characters.  You can, imply these things though.  And sometimes, through clever camera placement and editing, you can make it seem like other things are happening.

For example, I  don't know if you've seen the first episode of Computer Girl but I use these techniques a lot in that episode.    

So you can imply whatever type of horror you want, it just might not be able to be shown.  

The point here is that you don't want to have to imply too much in one video so while it is okay to use this technique once or twice you want to avoid it if you can.

You know, the last thing I expected to see when I looked at this thread today is a bunch of complaints about production restrictions. Productions have lots of different sorts of limits, and they're all unique based on whatever that production is. Here's the dead as I see it. IF YOU WANT TO, you can write a short that will fit within the production constraints and it might be selected to be produced machinima style. Or you can write whatever the hell you want to and let someone else do it some other time. Seriously, no one is making you do anything.

Personally, I do find parameters and constraints to spark my imagination because I am forced to find a different way to do something. The way I would approach this challenge is to write the script with the parameters in the back of your head. You know they're there, but you're not putting a lot of stock in them. Then review them to find out if there is something in there that might be outside what is possible. If necessary, rewrite creatively.

Again, I really didn't expect a production opportunity to cause so much fuss. Seems that some people feel like the world should revolve around them... It don't work like that. Welcome to the movie biz.

Michael, thanks for being so gracious in answering all the questions about this. I'm sure it has helped (some people) a lot.

What if you don't care about your script being made into one of those little movies? Is it alright to follow the genre and theme without constraint?

~Zack~

Quoted from Zack What if you don't care about your script being made into one of those little movies?

That's kinda condescending...

I actually think this is a really good idea - it means we're approaching the writing in a much more grounded, less abstract way, and there's the real promise of some form of visual production at the end! Bring it on, I say.

I too am slightly unsure about what can or can't be shown on a Moviestorm video (although I used to play The Movies a lot, which I think utilises the same technology?), although having visited the site it does seem that all you really need to bear in mind is that this is micro-budget, rather than animated. The film Grace on that site is pretty fantastic - it's very atmospheric, genuinely moving, and really reminded me of Moon. Reccomend that one to anybody questioning what this technology can do.

And as for the theme, there are just two words that you should keep in mind while writing: Stephen King.