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This was open to (and only advertized to) discussion board members.
All submitters, save one, are pretty active members of the discussion boards.
Please note: two scripts marked with an '*' are additional entries by writers who already submitted one script. (Yes, I forgot to set a limitation on the number of scripts).
Points of clarification. Not posting the schedule in the weeks prior to the announcement of the genre and theme was intentional. It was Phil suggestion to not pre-announce the schedule. We all knew that a OWC was coming up as there was a long discussion thread on it. I agreed that it brought a little more 'real world' immediacy to the challenge. Apologies to anyone who read more into the timing of the announcement.
Thanks to whoever suggested the 'minimum' page rule. I set the minimum at six pages in deference to Chris Messineo over at Movie Poet.
The idea from the genre came from a posting of Pia's in the "Ink Tip wants" thread. A company was looking for a 'low budget' action script.
The theme "It's on like Donkey Kong" was selected for a number of reasons, among them to make it clear that, yes, Virginia, there will be an OWC and to leave the interpretation broad enough we didn't get the same story over and over again. To the latter, I think that paid off in spades based on the scripts I have read thus far.
Thank you to everyone who submitted a script. I am enjoying reading them.
Don
No One Lives Forever by Josh Randall & James Braddock - Short, Action - An underappreciated U.S. Marshal picks up a fugitive, unaware that the criminal's henchmen are not far behind. 11 pages - pdf, format
Availability May Be Limited by Anonymous - Short, Action - When the latest video craze hits the shelves, two women find that limited supply - and unlimited demand - equal all-out war. 9 pages - pdf, format
Quarter by Cordell Walker - Short, Action - A new game's just a quarter at the arcade, but hot-shot vet cop John Segale's here for a real-life princess. 9 pages - pdf, format
Witch by Joshua McCord - Short, Action - Real magic is not something you learn. It is who you are. 10 pages - pdf, format
May The Best Man Win by Jake Fallon - Short, Action - Sometimes the best man wins in more ways than one. 8 pages - pdf, format
Her Cheating Husband by Jake Wilder - Short, Action - A well to do family's idyllic existence goes straight to Hell when infidelity rears its ugly head. 12 pages - pdf, format
Denied by Frank Shatter - Short, Action - A pre-teen's recount of his morning's Nerf gun exploits with his friend goes from bad worse as his mother questions him. 9 pages - pdf, format
Fuck Donkey Kong by Scott McCoy - Short, Action - Two college losers take a game of Mario Kart 64 a little too seriously. 9 pages - pdf, format
Heartless by Danny O'Brien - Short, Action - Jacks bad, Jacks mad, Jacks out for blood. 9 pages - pdf, format
Broken Teeth by Max Donigan - Short, Action - An argument between two dentists escalates beyond control. 11 pages - pdf, format
A Thief Next Door by Eddie Cusack - Short, Action - A thief overhears an abusive tirade from a father to his young son and attempts to rescue the boy. 7 pages - pdf, format
The Swordsmen by J.J. McQuade - Short, Action - Tuphlos, the teacher, must teach Filius, the student, how to become a great fighter. Their teaching is cut short when an unexpected visitor approaches. 12 pages - pdf, format
You Betcha by Diane Holechek - Short, Action - All of a sudden, Ritchie got old. And he's got a cough. And maybe he's got no game. 12 pages - pdf, format
Gen* by Sean Kane - Short, Action - A team of clones has achieved success with a secret project, but it may cost them their lives to keep it safe. 7 pages - pdf, format
Lumberjack* by John Shepherd - Short, Action - A gritty police detective is forced to square off against an opponent that knows too much. 12 pages - pdf, format
I read them all but it has been a very quiet challenge which I guess is what happens when it's only for people on the board. So now we know. It's also the start of the work week so more reads may come as the week progresses.
I agree with you, Greg, but IMO, it's still too quiet, even for that.
We had 15 entries from 13 different writers. We knew which entries were "double entries", or presumably, the 2nd of 2 entries from 1 writer. So, IMO, anyone who enters should really read and review all 13 "first" entries, and if that would be the case, each first entry would have at least 13 reviews, which is far from the case here.
I understand there's no set rule for this, but IMO, it only makes sense. And especially when there are so few entries.
It would also be nice if some of the Mods would read, review, and get more involved here, to build some interest.
I obviously don't know if any Mods submitted a script this go around, but I think Michael and Bert both reviewed 1 script only, and I haven't seen any other Mods around any OWC boards in ages.
Definitely not calling anyone out or trying to make a problem...it's just a suggestion that i feel would go a long way.
We'll see the actual details when writer's names are revealed. Hopefully, we don't have anyone who entered a script and didn't provide any feedback, but I doubt it.
I'm gonna start posting my reviews. I done read all 'em and made some (ahem) coherent notes that might actually be useful. You know I gotta purtty up each of them "RAY-STYLE!", so be patient.
Lettuce see... lettuce see... what were the criteria? Oh, yeah.
You must write a script (properly formatted) between 6 to 12 pages (no more, no less) in courier 12 point font.
Genre: Action (low budget)
Theme: Oh, it's on! It's on like Donkey Kong
Your low budget (no cgi, no trained animals) action script must takes it inspiration from the phrase, "It's on like Donkey Kong". You do not need to use the phrase in your script. You don't even have to mention the word "Donkey Kong". While you can have comic elements, this isn't a comedy and definitely not camp.
I didn't see much in there about lauding the format nazis, so I only gave that a token consideration.
Otherwise... well, whatever.
Opinions and cornholes: everyone's got 'em
Honestly, most of these were pretty good, even the ones that strayed a wee off from the criteria. Congratulations, everyone. Sincerely.
Damn...dude, this is hilarious. Absolutely loving your reviews. I think my favorite part is the list of necessary items...at times, you go down to the bare bones, like "pen", cigarette", lighter", "bananas", or my personal favorite, "false teeth".
And I'm being completely serious here, I hope you know. You have infused new life into this OWC, and it was seriously in need of it.
I think my favorite part is the list of necessary items...at times, you go down to the bare bones, like "pen", cigarette", lighter", "bananas", or my personal favorite, "false teeth".
Agreed on most of Dream's post, Ray, but especially this. It's always good to be reminded how the Art department reads a script.
Your budget estimates are also very reasonable. Very insightful and helpful reviews on the production end of things!