There's arguments in every OWC, I really don't know why, but there is. This is supposed to be fun and a challenge to help writers be creative under constrained conditions.

Pia - thanks for running this. I love taking part in these, even when my script is ripped to shreds, and I do appreciate anyone who takes the time and effort to run one of these.

I can't say I've worked hard as in physically hard, lol. It's time consuming though to try to keep up with all the posts, answer PMs and that sort of thing. Then hear that Jeff thinks I should read and comment on all the scripts too in one week's time, just pissed me off. I didn't feel bad. I was angry. But, fear not, Jeff and I have argued many many times. Not here, but on Skype or even on the phone. I'm sure we will again. One thing I know about Jeff is that he will not change his mind. Ever!

So, it's all good. I'll straighten him out next time we talk.  

There's that Pia spirit.

Nothin's ever gonna keep you down, you're the best... around. =)

Hi all. I participated in the challenge so will be reading and sharing my thoughts on the scripts entered. Got a week off work so no excuses, just wanted to get a couple of days fishing in while the weather was good. Turns out I should have just stayed home but oh well.

I've already read a few but will get through the bulk of them in the next couple of days. Good luck to all. Hadn't written anything in a while and this challenge really spurred me on to do so so thanks for that.

hi all

These OWC's are free - let us remember, or they disappear

So, why don't we say what we do enjoy, or are surprised by, or...importantly, what we have learnt?

i feel we owe it to Pia  (thank you Pia and Don) to express what we get out of these OWC, once our (inc mine) ego's have calmed down from the inevitable tough stuff

it goes beyond what we think of the scripts.

may i lead...

* not judging a script by the writing alone - i feel bad about this one because i do, but i have just enjoyed a script with real potential, that one for reason or another, i didn't ignore just because it was dense. i am pleased i did

* simple can be beautiful - my scripts always struggle with too many complications - a script in this OWC has reminded me on simplicity - thank you for that

i could do others, but i wanted to hear other writers experiences, like how you reacted etc

we are writers after all

anybody?

Hey Reefie, lad,

Obvious thanks to Don and Pia, as per usual, you guys rock. I’ll go next.

The OWC’s that have gone before have undoubtably helped my work in so many different ways. The reviewing is where I get most of my formatting tips from, as for whatever reason I seem good at coming up with ideas, and used to be bad at getting them down on the page and across to the reader. The variety is so vast across the pieces that you pick up different bits on how to treat works especially related to genre, as we all have our little favourite areas and don’t necessarily know how to move into other spots.

On that note, being forced out of your comfort zone and made to write in genres you don’t like/have no experience with, this is absolutely critical to learning. I know this is an open genre this time, but some of the past challenges where we’ve been forced away from comedy (my fave) are where I’ve learned the most.

The final thing, the feedback. You obviously grow a thick skin reading some of the comments (I work in architecture so had to get one of those anyway), but there’s always some brilliant comments that enhance your work. Recently folk like a Chris Bodily doing his deep dive stuff really help on nitpicking and spotting things you were never going to, and others have really altered the way I approach a blank page at the start of something.

The OWC’s have basically been essential to my learning, and have given me the confidence to push on and bring ideas beyond the short form. Long may they continue.

Cam x

I enjoy the OWC's very much!

I do not enjoy the fact that so many choose to enter and read none or a few, and then feel they still can vote (how could 1 seriously vote after reading 4 or 5 out of 30 scripts?).

The feedback to me is of a huge varying degree of very good to downright horrible, and those that continually praise very poor scripts is a complete head scratcher to me...I honestly just don't get it.

My heartfelt thanks always go out to The Don and whoever runs one of these, as I know what it takes to be the Mod, watch out for fights, etc, and Don posting all these so fast is downright amazing.

Another thing I just don't understand is how some peeps continually get so prissy and upset about negative feedback...or not meeting the challenge parameters.  IMO, it's very easy to know when you've written a good script or a real clunker, and if it's the latter, do you really want peeps blowing smoke up your arse?  Why?  I don't get it.

Quoted from Reef Dreamer hi all These OWC's are free - let us remember, or they disappear So, why don't we say what we do enjoy, or are surprised by, or...importantly, what we have learnt? i feel we owe it to Pia  (thank you Pia and Don) to express what we get out of these OWC, once our (inc mine) ego's have calmed down from the inevitable tough stuff it goes beyond what we think of the scripts. may i lead... * not judging a script by the writing alone - i feel bad about this one because i do, but i have just enjoyed a script with real potential, that one for reason or another, i didn't ignore just because it was dense. i am pleased i did * simple can be beautiful - my scripts always struggle with too many complications - a script in this OWC has reminded me on simplicity - thank you for that i could do others, but i wanted to hear other writers experiences, like how you reacted etc we are writers after all anybody?

I like the challenge because it gets me to write shorts - something I don't favor. Left to my own devices, I would have never written one.  I now have 14 regular length shorts, two animated shorts and three,  one page shorts in the coffer. All but two of those scripts were a direct  result of OWCs.

It provides a lesson in subjectivity. One peep will hate a script, another one will love it. Both of their opinions will be valid.

I learn stuff.

Quoted from Dreamscale I enjoy the OWC's very much! The feedback to me is of a huge varying degree of very good to downright horrible, and those that continually praise very poor scripts is a complete head scratcher to me...I honestly just don't get it.

Jeff - got to remember that peeps have different perspectives on quality. There were scripts I loved that others hated and vice versa.  Sure the same was true for you.

We all have different senses of story and we all have different standards for screenwriting. e.g., you strongly dislike unfilmables and asides.  I think they can play a very important part in story telling, etc. etc.  So where you would see a problem, I would see a gem -  and vice versa.  The differences in opinion on scripts as not a failure of a one reviewer over another - there just differences.

I super love the OWCs. This is where it all started for me. Not only are they FREE but we get so much GREAT feedback and I have sold both shorts and features that were find right here on this site. One of the features I begun here for a 7WC.

I think sometimes we put so much into things like grammar and peoples' writing styles and sometimes we forego story... missing a really great story in the process of discounting someone's work.

I think that the feedback that is most helpful to me... is what could make the story BETTER ... does this feel like part of a BIGGER project. Most of my shorts nowadays are trial runs for possible features I'd like to write in the future... the comments I have gotten thru these owcs.. has directly effected which stories I go on to turn into features and which ones live in my heart .. and in SS forever more.

I love this challenge. I look forward to reading the rest of the entries. Tomorrow is a great reading day for me ... so hope to knock about ten out!

Love the short page count. Love the no dialogue. Love the challenge because it makes us get out of our box!

GREAT job to Pia and to Don on putting this challenge together. I really appreciate both of you!

Quoted from eldave1 I like the challenge because it gets me to write shorts - something I don't favor. Left to my own devices, I would have never written one.  I now have 14 regular length shorts, two animated shorts and three,  one page shorts in the coffer. All but two of those scripts were a direct  result of OWCs. It provides a lesson in subjectivity. One peep will hate a script, another one will love it. Both of their opinions will be valid. I learn stuff.

Dave, you're going to get 2 quotes and responses here!  

I agree with you 100%!  I only write shorts for OWC's, and I'm very happy I have, as all but maybe 2, I really enjoy, for different reasons (yes, BIG OLD PISSERS included!).

Without the OWC, I would never write a short.  I did write a 20 page shortish once for a series, many years ago, and I love that one too, and it was the OWC's that helped me write that.

OK, I have burgers I have to grill, so you'll have to wait for my reply to your next quote, but I'll say up front, I hear ya, brother!

Quoted from Dreamscale I did write a 20 page shortish once for a series

You're not going all the way back to Soulshadows, are you?

Quoted from Mr. Blonde You're not going all the way back to Soulshadows, are you?

I LOVED the Soulshadows series!!!

Now with Jordan sort of maybe back'ish...  

I love these OWC's and always have. Giving me a theme, some constraints and a deadline is the best way to get me to work. Left to my own devices, allowed to just come up with 'anything' and I'm lost, staring at a blank page. These really inspire me.

I also like to come up with different things, something new that may not have been tried before. The frustrating thing when you try something different is you get a lot of 'I don't get it' or "I don't think others will get it" type responses.  I think maybe this is one reason we see so many similar movies and TV shows. Writers inevitably give up trying something new or different and write the familiar, make it simpler so that the folks who read it 'get it' and give it the green light.

These OWC's allow me to try something different and to attempt to balance new/different with getting the reader to understand it - as I agree, it is a fine balance between art and writing lean, easy to read visual scripts. Sometimes in the OWC I will succeed and most will get it, sometimes I utterly fail like I have in this one. However, each is a priceless learning experience and helps me to grow as a creative storyteller as well as a writer.

Some cool feedback there

I also like the ‘out of our comfort zone’ challenges. An early one for me was a Gothic horror - didn’t even know it existed.

I pretty much gave up writing for the past two years, which shows, so it is things like this that help me dust down the creative grey cells. I really enjoyed the writing and working through a story.

The feedback can always be a bit hit or miss, mine included, especially when later at night (apologies to those who got those reviews) but put together you can get a lot out of it, especially when you have a script that be taken further.

If the annual Halloween OWC is run I will endeavour to take part.