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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
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?
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!
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The Seven Week Challenge 2009 - Now Posted
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