This one, or at least the basic idea of this one, has been floating around here for a few months, and I think it's time to nail it down and get it going, since despite the determined ojections of some of our members I remain convinced that it's a GOOD idea.

So here it is: I think we should actually do a challenge where we commit to writing a full length feature in a set period of time. However, I propose we give ourselves slightly longer than one month; I propose we make it six weeks. Which is why I'm giving this the incredibly catchy name of 'The 6WC',

I know there's a OWC coming up (I won't be taking part, because if I don't finish the feature I've been working on since May in the next month I'm probably going to throw myself in the Thames), and I don't want to clash with that, so my suggestion is that the 6WC would start on November 2nd and run for the next six weeks, with scripts being posted on December 21st (for consumption over the holiday period).

I'm just putting the idea out there, really. I have a very broad theme that I want to suggest, since it's the next thing I want to write and given the timing and the fact that we've been talking about it for ages, I think it's something we could all do together. If no-one shows interest then I'll go ahead and write it all on my lonesome, but I think actually DOING this (and George has shown it's possible) could be a tremendously rewarding challenge, particularly for those of you/us who've never finished a feature before!

Thoughts?

I'm in. Timing is good as gives me time to finish the feature I am working on currently.

I'd be interested in taking part.

Are you suggesting the same sort of system as the OWC - a genre and theme announced?

I have a topic in mind. It's incredibly broad, though. No necessary elements, no 'you have to include this', no real genre requirements. The idea is that we'd be working to a loose brief, aiming to write a certain type of film (actually, there'd be two options, although they'd be linked). We could spend a week discussing good examples of the type of film we're trying to write, and why they worked, as we prepare to write one ourselves.

They're options I think people would enjoy writing, and I do actually think there's a gap in the market for at least one of them.

If this happens the genre and theme would have to be quite broad.

EDIT: Beat my to it Jon.

I would suggest the announcement of a genre and theme as the purpose of such a challenge as this is to emulate someone shooting you an email out of no where and asking if you could write something for them. And by writing something, they usually give you the genre and subject matter. I've gotten four such requests and I never get to pick what I'm writing about.

If you want a suggestion for a topic, I still get an Inktip email that contains script requests. These requests are usually in the form of a genre and idea. They're equally specific and unspecific, and there's no predicting what they'll ask for. Sometimes, it's really out there and you wonder if anyone would have a script like that.

I also figured once that if I actually got a killer idea from their request, I could write it and submit it to them, even if it took a couple of weeks. Sometimes the same request crops up more than once indicating that they're having trouble fulfilling what they're looking for.

My two cents.

EDIT: I was beaten too. I take too long to write sometimes... Probably the number of words I use.

Neither of you are a match for my ninja fingas!

Ste, Murphy, that's great. I think the timing will work out nicely, too. My feature HAS to be finished by then. Surely.

And for Tommy and George:

The idea here isn't that you're told what to write. The idea is that I say 'here's the kind of script we want, now try and write one'. The discussion about similar films will be important, too, I think. By looking at recurring themes/plot points in prominent examples of that type of film, our own creativity will be piqued.

The idea I have is really the script I want to write next, partly because I feel no-one is really producing good movies of this type at the moment. If everyone hates it (once it's announced) and decides to not take part because of it (or goes off and forms another challenge), that's okay because I'll go ahead and write mine anyway. Just want to see if anyone else wants to come along for the ride.

Why not just say the type of script you're thinking of now, so we have more time to discuss it?

I would say because that will spoil the fun, but since he already has it in mind, it's hard to say how that would work out. Then again, you would want to be broad with it since you might not want a half dozen features with the same plot. I mean, are we doing summer blockbusters?

No, but you're on the right lines. I highly doubt that any two scripts would have the same plot. The theme is broad, believe me. Also, there'll be two options, which are linked. One'll be the one that I was actually initially looking to write, but then there'll be an 'alternate' one for people who want to try that.

I don't really want to reveal it now because November 2nd is a whole month away and I'm anxious not to interfere with the upcoming OWC. The idea was to say 'I'm proposing we actually do this', and for people to have a look and show interest. No-one has to commit to anything at this point.

Quoted from George Willson I would suggest the announcement of a genre and theme as the purpose of such a challenge as this is to emulate someone shooting you an email out of no where and asking if you could write something for them. And by writing something, they usually give you the genre and subject matter. I've gotten four such requests and I never get to pick what I'm writing about. If you want a suggestion for a topic, I still get an Inktip email that contains script requests. These requests are usually in the form of a genre and idea. They're equally specific and unspecific, and there's no predicting what they'll ask for. Sometimes, it's really out there and you wonder if anyone would have a script like that. I also figured once that if I actually got a killer idea from their request, I could write it and submit it to them, even if it took a couple of weeks. Sometimes the same request crops up more than once indicating that they're having trouble fulfilling what they're looking for. My two cents. EDIT: I was beaten too. I take too long to write sometimes... Probably the number of words I use.

George, I would love to hear of any requests like this. I struggle so hard to come up with a decent idea and yet whenever I get an idea from somewhere else I seem to have inspiration shitting all over me.

I have resorted to adapting a novel just to finally finish a feature.

Best of luck with this everyone.

Will be travelling when, and if, this happens, so will look forward to the end product.

Andrew

I'd be interested - obviously, it depends on the theme announced, but if it is something I think I can work with, then I would certainly like to have a go. I haven't written a feature in 10 years, but am determined to write one before end of year, and if by November have failed to start one, this might be just what I need to get me started.

And, thinking about this, November is both the anniversary of my last feature in 1999, and my first original one in 1989!

I'd be interested in this too.  I do have concerns too, like George, about all the scripts being similar, and who wants to read 'x' number of scripts about the same thing.  Also I wonder how many will get read?  Will everyone who takes part agree to read at least one or two others, I know this happened for a OWC a while back.

I'd love to do this. A feature is really what I need to do.

I also plan on doing the 2-week thing, if it's something I feel I can do.

But, if possible, I'd like to know the topic as soon as possible, because a feature would takee me longer than 6 weeks. Lol.