The draw is complete and the two chosen sub-genres are monster and cannibal. Pick one or both of the sub-genres, it's up to you.

The Scarefest Script Club 2WC is officially underway. The clock is ticking people. Get writing!

Writers have until the midnight eastern time on the 22nd to finish a 10-15 page first draft. Writers are strongly encouraged to take part in group discussions throughout the week.

Genre- Horror
Sub Genre- Monster and/or Cannibal

Page Length- 10 to 15 pages.

Screenplays are to be properly formatted and submitted in a PDF file.

Submission is free.

Please submit your screenplays at SimplyScripts.com/OWC

Good luck to everyone and have fun! I can't wait to see what you guys come up with. ;)

~Zack~

define monster?

Quoted from Female Gaze define monster?

Frankenstein, Werewolfs, Vampires... Hell, monster is a broad term. I'd consider Jeepers Creepers a monster movie. As long as your script has a monster in it, you're golden. ;D

~Zack~

so aliens are cool?

So we don't  each get allocated a sub genre from the list? And there s no criteria either? Will skip this, Zach. Sorry to waste your time!

Quoted from Female Gaze so aliens are cool?

Yes, I'd consider an alien to be a monster.

~Zack~

This might seem dumb but do you consider ghosts, Mr Hyde, Godzilla, psychological aspects like the ID(think Forbidden Planet), and robots?

I have  my idea, just making sure for my peeps.
Thanks again for doing this, Zach

Dan

Quoted from stevie So we don't  each get allocated a sub genre from the list? And there s no criteria either? Will skip this, Zach. Sorry to waste your time!

Sorry to let you down, Stevie.  

~Zack~

Quoted from DanC This might seem dumb but do you consider ghosts, Mr Hyde, Godzilla, psychological aspects like the ID(think Forbidden Planet), and robots? I have  my idea, just making sure for my peeps. Thanks again for doing this, Zach Dan

It's not a dumb question. But it may get a dumb answer.

Ghosts, no. Ms Hyde and Godzilla, yes. Robots would be science -fiction horror. I don't know what the ID are, sorry. :P

~Zack~

Hey all good Zack. I want to try and get started on an old feature rewrite to get my mojo back!  Good luck with the challenge and I will read as many as I can

I think Dan means the ID as in Freud, ego, super-ego type stuff...

oh, i see. for some reason i thought we were going to be allocated individual genres - not sure why i though that.

monster or canibal

not my thing but i won't rule it out for now.

the way I'm going to approach this is to consider this an entry for the script shadow competition. it's unlikely to get there but thats the target.

for that i will need it to be focused, low budget, and ideally something unique with a strong theme - easy peasy!!

not promising an entry but will give it some thought

ta

Does the script shadow thing have to be low budget?

That's not a good draw at all, and my fears for this challenge are now realized.

"Monster" is too generic, as peeps are already asking redonkulous questions about if this or that is a monster.

"Cannibal" is the opposite of monster, in that it's too specific, and every single script will revolve around the same plot points, maybe even setting.

ARGH!!!!

As always, the ideal is to try an tease out a unique story.

A fresh twist on an old idea.


Tough, but doable.

Quoted from Scar Tissue Films Does the script shadow thing have to be low budget?

I think so, especially as it will be made.

Of course what is a low budget is open to debate and something can look good but be cheap - I'm sure you know well more than me on this

I'm certainly looking to enter low budget, simple location type scripts.

Others may take a different route.

Quoted from Dreamscale That's not a good draw at all, and my fears for this challenge are now realized. "Monster" is too generic, as peeps are already asking redonkulous questions about if this or that is a monster. "Cannibal" is the opposite of monster, in that it's too specific, and every single script will revolve around the same plot points, maybe even setting. ARGH!!!!

It's definitely a tough draw, but that is what makes it a challenge. :P You guys can do it.

~Zack~

Quoted from Dreamscale That's not a good draw at all, and my fears for this challenge are now realized. "Monster" is too generic, as peeps are already asking redonkulous questions about if this or that is a monster. "Cannibal" is the opposite of monster, in that it's too specific, and every single script will revolve around the same plot points, maybe even setting. ARGH!!!!

Well, I was just clarifying....some people don't consider monsters the same way...like I would consider 'humans' to be monsters. So what I was asking was are we talking about traditional monsters or not?

I don't want to start writing one thing only for everyone to go...no a deranged elephant isn't a monster......

Quoted from Zack It's definitely a tough draw, but that is what makes it a challenge. :P You guys can do it. ~Zack~

Yeah, but as I said, the 2 sub genres do not go hand in hand at all, meaning, it's one or the other.

The "monster" genre is simple, as there are really a limitless supply of monsters, but it's also so open, peeps may say, "that's not a monster".

Quoted from Female Gaze Well, I was just clarifying....some people don't consider monsters the same way...like I would consider 'humans' to be monsters. So what I was asking was are we talking about traditional monsters or not? I don't want to start writing one thing only for everyone to go...no a deranged elephant isn't a monster......

Yeah, agreed, and that's the problem here.

But, IMO, "monster" refers to almost anything, but I wouldn't include regular old psychos (humans" to be monsters in this regard.

A giant alligator?  Sure.

Some creature that is unknown?  Sure.

The usual breed of monsters, like werewolves or the like?  Yep.

Aliens?  Tough call, but the "alien" in the Alien movies are definitely monsters!

While I'm in- I couldnt help but notice...
are we submitting under an alias or our actual names?

Quoted from DarrenJamesSeeley While I'm in- I couldnt help but notice... are we submitting under an alias or our actual names?

Your actual names.

~Zack~

Yeah Aliens are a tough one for sure, in the realm of monsters.

I would assume if an alien arrives from a crashed meteor and starts eating people, it's a monster.  If it arrives on a ship and starts laser blasting people, it's sci-fi.

Quoted from Digitaldecayfilms I would assume if an alien arrives from a crashed meteor and starts eating people, it's a monster.  If it arrives on a ship and starts laser blasting people, it's sci-fi.

This.

~Zack~

Quoted from Dreamscale Yeah, but as I said, the 2 sub genres do not go hand in hand at all, meaning, it's one or the other.

I could combine them. ;D

~Zack~

Yah that's what i was thinking.

The same for cannibalism. its not just human eating human. It can be creature eating creature.

I think this challenge just may call for me going "back to the cabin".

Elijah, the hermit cannibal may make a return appearance!!   ;D ;D ;D

I  am having issues narrowing it down to 1 choice.  Since this isn't anonymous, I'd like some advice.  
I have so main choices.  

Monster vs monster.

An ID type creature

A supernatural creature decides to destroy the entire life of the person who imprisoned it years ago.

I have others, but IMO those are the best.

Thanks
Dan

I like one and three.

Quoted from DanC A supernatural creature decides to destroy the entire life of the person who imprisoned it years ago.

This one sounds promising to me. :)

~Zack~

I've been busy archiving IMDb posts to an alternative board, so I've been super busy. And I just now saw this.

Monster and/or cannibal. I'll see what I can do with it. I've got a seed of an idea: What if a literal monster became President? It would be a unique enough twist.

I already know this could be a bit out of my comfort zone, but I'll roll with it. Better than nothing, I suppose.

Scratch that, I have a better idea, one I can theoretically do justice within two weeks. I'm switching to cannibal. A food critic uncovers the dark truth about a burger joint that has never gotten a bad review... Or else. Works for me.

A group of mismatched individuals, joined by a similar birthmark, are invited to a plush meat connoisseur's get-together.

Dunno. It's got Howling 5 written all over it, but this is my initial idea, haha.

Quoted from ChrisBodily Scratch that, I have a better idea, one I can theoretically do justice within two weeks. I'm switching to cannibal. A food critic uncovers the dark truth about a burger joint that has never gotten a bad review... Or else. Works for me.

Sounds awesome. Lol. Run with it.  :)

~Zack~

Quoted from Scoob A group of mismatched individuals, joined by a similar birthmark, are invited to a plush meat connoisseur's get-together.

This has the potential for some good, campy fun. Curious where you take it.

~Zack~

Not able to play this time.

I will try and read and give feedback.

I haven't had much time and am travelling tomorrow but I suppose as the genres aren't my type of thing my focus has been weaker.

If I was going to look at something I had the idea of a disturbed ex alcoholic (sounds fun I know) seeing his AA meeting devoured by themselves as metaphor for how a drug can consume its host.

I thought of having these AA meetings descend into these violent episodes only to be figments of his imagination but with us left unsure whether the last one was real - blood on his hands etc

All the best

Cannibal? Hell I could re-submit my very first Scarefest script 'Meat Pies' lol.

Hoping to get one written but as usual time just slips away and I've not even started yet!

I haven't started yet, either.

I am 10 pages in.  I had to cut out a lot from the movie idea so that I could fit the story in the page limit.  Sadly, one of the biggest strengths of the story, the paranoia, had to go.

Imagine the Thing or the Hidden without all the paranoia.
I hope I can do my idea justice.

Dan

PS. Will we be able to list it before the deadline?  

Quoted from DanC PS. Will we be able to list it before the deadline?

Do you mean submit the script? yes, you can submit before the deadline.

~Zack~

Sound's cool. Looking forward to great Scripts.
I think I'm going to participate too :D

Best Greets

The StOryTelleR

I just saw this. Is this for someone who is wanting to film or is this just another parameter challenge similar to the OWC?

I would like a clarification on one of the rules.  Is the 15 page limit up to 15 or is 15 and a half pages OK?  I'm over a bit and want to know how much to cut.
Thanks
Dan

In a 15 page script, half a page should be easy to cut just but rewording and deleting a few sentences. I recently trimmed an adaptation down from 140 pages to 101. That was tough!

Unfortunately 15 pages is the maximum, Dan. :(

Like Pia said, cutting it down a bit shouldn't be too difficult.

~Zack~

Dan, go back and cut out any "hangers". Words at the end of dialogue or actions blocks that take up an entire line by themselves. That should be an easy way to cut out half a page or more.

Quoted from CameronD Dan, go back and cut out any "hangers". Words at the end of dialogue or actions blocks that take up an entire line by themselves. That should be an easy way to cut out half a page or more.

Ah, so 'widows' and 'orphans' are now being called 'hangers'.  ;D

Would a clinger be better?

All I can say is my script "may" be trash, but it sure is fun to write!

Quoted from CameronD Would a clinger be better?

I admit, I've been preoccupied with rescuing IMDb posts, the most vital/historical/important/special/informative/interesting ones. The board closed about two hours ago. Nobody had to balls to tell me that they were headquartered in the UK; it's already February 20 on the other side of the Atlantic. Way to troll an American.  :'(

Now I'm freed up to finish the last two pages of my script. Pretty good so far.

Quoted from ChrisBodily I admit, I've been preoccupied with rescuing IMDb posts, the most vital/historical/important/special/informative/interesting ones. The board closed about two hours ago.

Done deal is closing their forum too. What's up?

Quoted from Grandma Bear Done deal is closing their forum too. What's up?

Studios didn't like people telling the truth about their shitty films.

They prefer it so they can pay to have artificially high ratings for their films, and no one can tell the truth.

I have a few more questions:

1.  Can you submit more than one entry?
2.  Can you submit a different story other than the one you submitted after week 1 (say it either sucked so bad or was so awesome that you wanted a new idea.)
3.  What are the rules for a Cannibal genre?  I did some checking around and they all pretty much just list cannibal movies.

So, I get that cannibal means something eating its own species.  So, if a mouse eats another mouse, it's a cannibal.  But, are there any rules?  I mean, isn't every zombie flick a cannibal movie, at least in theory?  

So, am I wrong in assuming that a movie like Jaws isn't a cannibal movie because it's about a shark eating humans, not humans eating humans?  So, therefore, an alien eating humans isn't a cannibal movie, even if the whole movie is about how they love humans, like in that classic twilight zone episode "To Serve Man?"  

How much "cannibal" stuff needs to be in the story for it to be considered a cannibal movie?  Silence of the Lambs has tons of cannibal overtones and he bites the face off of that one dude and wears the face of another cop.  Is that "cannibal enough?"  

Likewise, can a movie about cannibals (but showing no actual feeding) be a cannibal movie?

So, in the "let's hear another terrible joke from Dan" - here goes:

These 2 cannibals caught and killed a clown.  As they are chowing him down, one cannibal looks to the other and asks:
"Hey, does this taste funny to you?"

Yep, I'll show myself out the door.

Dan

Oh, I did get the story down to 15 pages.  It hurt.  I cut 3 pages.  But, that's not too bad.  For the last OWC, I had to cut 12.  

I probably should have gone with the short story idea I wrote.  That entire story was like 10 pages, so the script should be around the same.  But, this story was one of my favs growing up.  I saw this creature in a D&D setting and fell in love with its awesomeness.  

As must of you know, horror is my fav genre and it wasn't if I had an idea, it's what idea would I narrow it down to.  I could have submitted 15 and still had ideas left over.  

Thanks
Dan

Quoted from DanC I have a few more questions: 1.  Can you submit more than one entry? 2.  Can you submit a different story other than the one you submitted after week 1 (say it either sucked so bad or was so awesome that you wanted a new idea.) 3.  What are the rules for a Cannibal genre?  I did some checking around and they all pretty much just list cannibal movies.

1. One script per member.
2. No, the the story must be the same. The goal is to improve what you initially wrote.
3. Pretty basic. Species eating it's own species. I wouldn't count zombies. :P

~Zack~

Will y'all hate me if I write one tonight? :)

Dena c'mon, nobody could hate you.  

Quoted from Pale Yellow Will y'all hate me if I write one tonight? :)

Not at all. :)

~Zack~

Not sure if it was asked already. Are we submitting anonymously? Or do we have to own up to what we write? :)

I probably should have asked this before I wrote it, but is it alright if I used an existing character/universe and created something?

Just submitted mine. :)

Well, I plan on grinding this the next couple days in all my free time... but I'm prematurely apologizing in advance b/c I think I'm gonna stretch the genre restriction...  we'll see how this goes.

I legit haven't even started..........................I'm a bad, bad girl.

Quoted from Female Gaze I legit haven't even started..........................I'm a bad, bad girl.

Good girls are boring!

Quoted from Grandma Bear Good girls are boring!

So true!  :D

In my defense, I'm making a harry potter costume.....they're genie pants involved.

I'll start soon. :'(

GREAT :) I'm not alone in the 'haven't even started department" :) makes me feel a little better...now .... to do it tonight or outline tonight and write tomorrow night? I wish I wish I wish I didn't have to work full time... days are my best times for writing because it's the only time I have alone time in the house. :)

Quoted from Pale Yellow GREAT :) I'm not alone in the 'haven't even started department" :) makes me feel a little better...now .... to do it tonight or outline tonight and write tomorrow night? I wish I wish I wish I didn't have to work full time... days are my best times for writing because it's the only time I have alone time in the house. :)

Yes. I feel you on that one.

Quiet is a distant memory.

I hope you guys like this better than my !art few entries.  This is my favorite genre by far.  Not since I joined have I had a chance to do horror.

Since it isn't anonymous, does that mean that we can discuss it at anytime?

One thing I will add is that this is adapted from a feature length film that I had.  So to cut it down to approximately 15 pages meant that I had to make major sacrifices.  Then, I had to cut it again because it came in at just under 18 pages.

I wasn't sure how to do a few things, so I know that my technique might be off.  One thing to really suffer was the paranoia.  I just hope that I get the point across.

I think this could be a very effective movie idea in the right hands.  If anyone loves it enough that you want to help me write it and you'd get a great deal if it sells, let me know.  I have the ideas in my head, but, not the health.

Thanks
Dan

Quoted from DanC Since it isn't anonymous, does that mean that we can discuss it at anytime?

Yes! Discussion is a part of this challenge. ;D

~Zack~

Dan,

Might you have been able to take your original script and write up a little 15 page prologue? That would be pretty cool to do as a chance to expand upon your original ideas. I don't know how well a full length feature would fare if cut to a 15 page story. Could be rough.

Quoted from CameronD Dan, Might you have been able to take your original script and write up a little 15 page prologue? That would be pretty cool to do as a chance to expand upon your original ideas. I don't know how well a full length feature would fare if cut to a 15 page story. Could be rough.

I was thinking the same thing, but I'm giving Dan the benefit of the doubt.

~Zack~

Is this supposed to be a stand alone short when done? Or a short that could interest feature potential? I wrote three pages last night...will finish tonight. :) Before midnight I hope!

Quoted from Pale Yellow Is this supposed to be a stand alone short when done? Or a short that could interest feature potential?

That's completely up to you. Personally, I envision almost all of my shorts as potential feature material.

~Zack~

Submitted.

I have three pages done. Ugh. Not sure I'm going to make it yall.

Quoted from Pale Yellow I have three pages done. Ugh. Not sure I'm going to make it yall.

You can do it!

~Zack~

It is reading more like a 'first ten' to me. Ugh. On page 6 now though.

Ah, I know how that goes, Dena.

It's a two week challenge this one, so just get that first draft out and you'll have time and feedback to change things in the second.

Looking forward to reading btw. :)

Thanks Libby....typed FADE OUT... now to go read it .... dreading that :) haha ...first read through is always a chore!!! :) Looking forward to reading yours. I like what you did in that last OWC.

Gonna be honest I am working through this one and it will be a first draft.

SORRY A MILLION TIMES!

This week was crazy!

Dena, this time time around I'm just reading and hopefully providing some helpful feedback.

I always like the anon challenges but I think Zack's doing a good alt two weeker with names attached. It will be interesting to see the changes that will occur in the first and second drafts, and less brutal feedback... I imagine, anyway. :)

Ashlie, ditto. Rough first draft is what a few will be I reckon.

Damn!  I just saw this!

I have 49 minutes.

I can do this!

Quoted from LC Dena, this time time around I'm just reading and hopefully providing some helpful feedback. I always like the anon challenges but I think Zack's doing a good alt two weeker with names attached. It will be interesting to see the changes that will occur in the first and second drafts, and less brutal feedback... I imagine, anyway. :) Ashlie, ditto. Rough first draft is what a few will be I reckon.

Yeah, I am def happy about the second-week draft. Mines won't get read past the first page I think.

I'm so bad at horror.  :B

OH LORDY... this is total SHEET people and I'm apologizing right now. I'm about to turn it in. I want to do this as a feature so I found myself spending too much time on set up. Ugh. Oh well..it is what it is.

Two weeks... you mean we get to rewrite this thing?? :)

Dead brain tired right now...pounding 10 pages out tonight without an outline was omg torture for me. Out of writing shape right now!

Anyway .... it's done.

>:(

Looks like I' going to miss the deadline. Simply put, my script comes in at eight pages and that's by stretching it. It was a busy week for me, but I cranked it out...and Im' only seven and a half.

Anyway, my piece was this fella involved in a car accident during a blizzard. He is then hunted down by a Wendigo, who had killed and eaten his friends, trapping them in a set of old cabins miles away fro a ski lodge. He could share the same fate.

I'll most likely sub it in the horror shorts in a few weeks.
Best of luck to all.

Best luck to all who entered.  Do we have a total yet?  I hope to spend time with each script.

If there is one piece of generic advice is to make sure that the story makes sense after the last word.  In other words, especially in horror, the setup at the beginning has to make sense at the end.  I read a horror on here and the end completely contradicted the beginning.  It was a slasher about a teacher who felt that girls were nothing more than sperm deposits for his high school athletes.

And I've seen plenty of movies made that have the same fatal flaw.

Again, good luck.  May each of our stories bring us a lot of success and money.
Dan

I bailed.  Got two nice ideas for stories. Just ran out of time.

Damn it, I really wanted to submit this time. Congrats to everyone who made it.  ;D

BLB

Just curious when comedy/horror became one of the selected sub-genres?

The genre was monster or cannibal. No one said "no comedy allowed."

Quoted from Steven The genre was monster or cannibal. No one said "no comedy allowed."

Well, a comedy/horror is a completely different kettle of fish to a straight horror. Comedy/horror was one of the sub genres that Zack had as an option but it wasn't pulled out of the hat, was it?

Quoted from stevie Well, a comedy/horror is a completely different kettle of fish to a straight horror. Comedy/horror was one of the sub genres that Zack had as an option but it wasn't pulled out of the hat, was it?

I detect some sarcasm but I'm not sure. No, comedy-horror wasn't selected. But if the overall plot revolves around cannibalism or monsters, what's wrong with humor?

Would you call Shaun of The Dead a zombie movie or a comedy/horror? You can only pick one.

No sarcasm just asking the question, is all.

Shaun Of The Dead is a comedy/horror. Like Zombieland (which I didn't see). Another good example is An American Werewolf In London.

Quoted from stevie No sarcasm just asking the question, is all. Shaun Of The Dead is a comedy/horror. Like Zombieland (which I didn't see). Another good example is An American Werewolf In London.

I think that's where we differ. I'd call Shaun of The Dead a zombie movie with a lot of comedy. I guess the same could be said for Zombieland but I didn't really like that movie.

I do agree that there is a lot of comedy in each of the OWC scripts, including my own.

Imdb lists SOTD as comedy, horror.

It is basically a comedy with some horror gory bits in it

And one of the best zombie movies ever made.

Quoted from Steven And one of the best zombie movies ever made.

Huh?  Terrible, IMO.  Absolutely cringe worthy.

Wow, really? That's gotta be the first time I've heard that opinion. I've heard people say they didn't like the British humor, but the zombie aspect of it was fantastic.

Quoted from Steven Wow, really? That's gotta be the first time I've heard that opinion. I've heard people say they didn't like the British humor, but the zombie aspect of it was fantastic.

But it's British humor...that's what this movie is!  Comedy and horror do not go hand in hand.  You can have humor in horror and you can have horror in comedy, but the horror element goes out the window when it's played for laughs.

Quoted from Dreamscale But it's British humor...that's what this movie is!  Comedy and horror do not go hand in hand.  You can have humor in horror and you can have horror in comedy, but the horror element goes out the window when it's played for laughs.

I'm very interested in what you have to say about my OWC submission.

Quoted from Steven I'm very interested in what you have to say about my OWC submission.

Have you read my comments on the first 4 I've read?   ;D ;D ;D ;D  I'm worried...but hopefully optimistic!

Quoted from Dreamscale Have you read my comments on the first 4 I've read?   ;D ;D ;D ;D  I'm worried...but hopefully optimistic!

Yes! Which is why I'm pointing it out in the first place. I'm just hoping you've seen American Psycho and like/understand it. I wrote a piece of fan-fiction, but whatever.

Quoted from Steven Yes! Which is why I'm pointing it out in the first place. I'm just hoping you've seen American Psycho and like/understand it. I wrote a piece of fan-fiction, but whatever.

Yeah...of course I've seen it...several times, actually.  Do I "like it"?  No, not necessarily, but I do like certain aspects of it, and it's not done in a comedy type way.  You can call it black humor, I guess, but it's nasty and the graphic violence it portrays is not meant to be taken as a joke.

It's also based on the critically praised novel by Bret Easton Ellis...and that's pretty much why the movie became what it did.

So, you know, going into your script, everyone already knows exactly what to expect, and also has to realize that this is purely a work of fan fiction, and since it's only a short, well...uh...I'm not sure exactly how to tackle it.

But, of course, I'll give you my honest feedback.

Quoted from Dreamscale Yeah...of course I've seen it...several times, actually.  Do I "like it"?  No, not necessarily, but I do like certain aspects of it, and it's not done in a comedy type way.  You can call it black humor, I guess, but it's nasty and the graphic violence it portrays is not meant to be taken as a joke. It's also based on the critically praised novel by Bret Easton Ellis...and that's pretty much why the movie became what it did. So, you know, going into your script, everyone already knows exactly what to expect, and also has to realize that this is purely a work of fan fiction, and since it's only a short, well...uh...I'm not sure exactly how to tackle it. But, of course, I'll give you my honest feedback.

It's one of my favorite movies, and I've never attempted writing anything similar to that subject matter. I wanted to take Bateman's voice, which is pretty unique, and try my hand at it. I think I did a decent job, though it may be a little overwritten.

Quoted from Steven It's one of my favorite movies, and I've never attempted writing anything similar to that subject matter. I wanted to take Bateman's voice, which is pretty unique, and try my hand at it. I think I did a decent job, though it may be a little overwritten.

I am probably the only one who hasn't seen it. I wish I'd read this before I read your script! :)

Quoted from Pale Yellow I am probably the only one who hasn't seen it. I wish I'd read this before I read your script! :)

I've never seen it, so don't feel bad.  I read that the novel is controversial in many ways.

I think the writer went for the untrustworthy narrative on purpose due to that issue.  I think the writer know exactly if he really did those deeds.

Dan