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I like the setup of this, and I like the repetition you use to montage your way through her seeing the woman everywhere. Nice cinematic touch there. It's all very obvious, at least to me, and that created a sense of anticipation because I expected that outcome. When it comes, I like that she steps off the curb right in front of Ben (you monster!), but I felt a little let down by the simple reveal ending of her in the crowd. It makes the Death-like entity's purpose to cause her death and nothing more, no reaping or ferrying off to the afterlife, just off you pop and job done. There's no payoff in that.
Ben's reactions to her obsession didn't feel real. He said and did the obvious things but given how long this went on for it didn't feel genuine for how much he's supposed to care about her. You did touch on the fact that they had just started getting serious, I just would have liked to feel it a bit more because even though she killed herself right in front of him and that's traumatic, I feel like he'll be just fine, he wasn't super into her. So okay, it is a love story but they aren't really in love.
What I'm struggling with is which of the deadly sins this is supposed to be. Pride? Not really. It's not greed or lust or gluttony or sloth. Envy? No hint of that. Obsession isn't one of them.
The writing is good, the visuals are great, the pace is excellent. A little more oomph in that ending and more feeling from Ben would make this considerably better.
You held my attention with the story, but it was a little obscure for my taste.
So, the self-portraits of the MAN in your opening are the key to what happens to Dana. How the haunting transferred to her though, I'm not sure. Probably an artistic wave-length thing.
She continues to stare at the portraits. In a way, they’re almost haunting... I think what you mean to write is that they are haunting. I think sometimes writers have a habit of writing 'almost' or 'like', or 'in a way' when they mean exactly that definitively.
She continues to stare at the portraits, mesmerised by their haunting quality. That line, like that, would make me feel it straight off without skirting the issue.
I like the concept here of death haunting her. Some things remain unexplained, but the vibe was good.
I do think the love story needed amplifying. Ben attempts to console her. That's way too passive imho. Make this powerful. If she's dying in front him he wouldn't be this calm. He'd be beside himself, yelling for help, asking someone to call 911 while he cradles her in his lap, for example. Up the emotions.
And, I wasn't sure of the sin.
An engrossing read with some nice cinematic touches.
I think the writing is pretty good, the pacing was good, and so we're the visuals. I'm not sure if these two were in love or what their love story was. I'm not sure which sin you were going for either. I almost felt like this one was written earlier for like a Night Gallery-ish or Twilight Zone-ish series. ??? I did enjoy the read, but I don't think you met the challenge. Cindy
Award winning screenwriter Available screenplays TINA DARLING - 114 page Comedy ONLY OSCAR KNOWS - 99 page Horror A SONG IN MY HEART - 94 page Drama HALLOWEEN GAMES - 105 page Drama
Overall, I actually loved it. Straight to the point and visual enough to see what was happening. You know, I've always thought you had a great knack for evoking atmosphere. It stands out in your script, and it plays out very well. I absolutely agree with Libby - that the love story needs amplifying, or have Ben show more emotion at the end, but outside that, don't really have anything to add. Sorry for the lame ass feedback. The setup is great. Mood and atmosphere is great. It was a delight to read. Um, I wonder if you wanted the ending to come as a surprise or not. Just asking, coz It was very evident early on who the other woman was. Not that it mattered I don't think. Anywaz, great job writer. Best of Irish luck!
The headline for me with this entry - I was engrossed. Number one rule for any story in my book - engage your reader, and you definitely achieved that for me.
There's an effective chilling pace to this, and I'm a big fan of the creepy - Just like Zack said, reminded me of that scary old stalker woman from "It Follows".
Guessing it was ambiguous to whether there was supernatural at play here or just Dana's mental health declining. That works for me.
Just not sure about the love story or the sin, but overall really enjoyed this read.
I liked this one. I read through the other comments and I don't really have anything to add. My only suggestion would be to trim a little around the middle.
Like others, I don't think the love story was really there. Sure, Dana and Ben are in the early stages of a relationship, but it wasn't exactly a love story. The sin I'm not 100% sure of. Still though, I liked the writing and the story. Kept my attention. I love good mysteries.
I liked the setup with the dead man portraits in the opening. It gave me a sense of where the story was going right around the midpoint. However, you just gave us more of the same thing over and over. Fried eggs can't be a signature dish of a chef. She kept seeing the mysterious woman over and over and over. Yes, we got a reveal that she looked like Dana but that was it. It flatlined after that. We knew where we were heading and thus the story died. Make it so we keep guessing. Keep us engaged. Always watch the heartbeat of your story. Keep it alive.
Hello, I really liked the writing, very clean and easy to follow, you know what you're doing that's for sure.
I don't know if this is a love story, just because two people are in love it doesn't mean it's a love story, I don't really see the theme of a sin on display either. Was it jealously from the BF because she was more into painting?
The haunting was the major part of this story, I wish you could've written in a cause or a reason for the haunting. Did she get haunted because she was a painter in a cursed art gallery?
I have to say, your use of visuals were outstanding and you painted a great picture (pun intended), I just wish there was more substance.
Anyways, good effort but in my opinion I don't think this script fit the challenge. All the best and good luck.