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Yes, you can use any methods you want to clarify the story for the reader. As I've learned over the years, sometimes, you are actually better off beating people over the head with information than going the subtle route.
My script is going to start with Mark Wahlberg landing on Earth, only to find it is ruled by Whales. Then everyone will know the event I've changed is that Whales just learned how to breath air and took over the planet instead of apes.
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My script is going to start with Mark Wahlberg landing on Earth, only to find it is ruled by Whales. Then everyone will know the event I've changed is that Whales just learned how to breath air and took over the planet instead of apes.
Whales do breathe air. So do all fish, come to that, they just filter it through their gills by stripping the air molecules from the water.
Also, if we believe evo theory, the earliest ancestor of the whale walked on land. So they went the other way as some animals choose to do.
It's likely that if humans didn't evolve, that every other creature would still be exactly where it is now in terms of intelligence. If anything it would be the other way around - monkey see, monkey do. They learn from us.
I think with some stories, the event change won't be obvious, but I agree with what was said earlier by someone else, if we can't guess the event then I don't think that should be an automatic point deduction. If Jesus wasn't crucified on the cross and the story was set now for example. Sure, it may be obvious that this story is set in a world where a different religion (or no religion) exists, but how would the reader know this was because of an event didn't happen two thousand years ago?
However, I know you writers and I know myself. I suspect we'll all be working hard to put some obvious and not-so obvious clues in the script as to the event in question!
Can't enter this one - but:
Not sure why this is an issue - why wouldn't peeps just put it in the logline. e.g.,
- In a world where Jesus was never born... - In a world where no cure for small pox was discovered.... - In the United States, where abortion is still illegal....
etc.
I actually think most of the debates are going to focus in two areas:
- Does the event that did not happen really meet the criteria of a major event? - Does the event not happening really means that it never would. e.g., If Edison was never born would we really never have discovered the light bulb?
I think this challenge is so open that a lot of people are going to discount scripts based on IF THEY MEET THE CHALLENGE or not and everyone is going to have different opinions. Why can't we have a challenge that is simple with given location, genre, maybe an object or a character and a page limit of 5-7???????
My script is going to start with Mark Wahlberg landing on Earth, only to find it is ruled by Whales. Then everyone will know the event I've changed is that Whales just learned how to breath air and took over the planet instead of apes.
Except - it has to be an event that didn't happen - not one that did. But it would be a whale of a story otherwise.
I've no issue with the challenge itself or working the 'non-event' into the story. I'm struggling with the page length. Be prepared for a lot of fluff.
I'm with Dena on a page count. I'm having trouble to come up with a good story that fits the limit. I guess there's not enough story in mine but it would be good for a short short.
I've no issue with the challenge itself or working the 'non-event' into the story. I'm struggling with the page length. Be prepared for a lot of fluff.
I would just like to say, as seems to be a growing consensus, that while the validity of the alternate reality should be looked at in terms of “realism”, it should not be judged in terms of “likeliness”. Every script is essentially a personal opinion of the butterfly effect, how much does history change when certain events are altered?
So, if someone has worked out that no civil war between north and south would lead to a rebellion in the south between races and that would transform America into an ally of the Germans during WWII then it’s like alright I may not agree, but it could happen I GUESS.
If the same situation is looked at, and the script ends up in the year 2200 and jellyfish rule the world it’s like well that doesn’t make a lot of sense contextually. I guess it’s just up to the readers to be more alert at connecting the dots, especially because someone is going to pick a historical event that isn’t common knowledge and everyone is going to get confused and hate the script.
I'm interested in reading animation, horror, sci fy, suspense, fantasy, and anything that is good. I enjoy writing the same. Looking to team with anyone!