The July 2017 OWC Scripts

The July OWC scripts:

* I will move the "DQ'd" scripts off and post them after the Challenge is over.

In A Pinch by Sebastian the Crab - Short, Drama - A woman returning home to take over her family's legacy finds it's much harder than she ever imagined. 11 pages - pdf, format

Don't Look by 0 - Short, Horror - On the way home from her night shift at work, a young woman experiences deer, car troubles, a farmhouse, a mother with terminal cancer, her anti-social daughter, and a terrifying revelation that shocks her to the core… 10 pages - pdf, format

Did Everyone Pay Their Dues by 0 - Short, Drama - Members of a legendary rock band visit the site of their most infamous concert.   12 pages - pdf, format

The Daughter of Gore by Gorden Lewis - Short, Horror - A woman trying to start over in life just can't get away from the sins of her infamous dad. 12 pages - pdf, format

Dream by some dude with a wicked haircut - Short, Mystery, Thriller - John Reaper, a hired assassin sent to the land of the rising sun is tasked with killing a mark, but he's not alone, he has the company of his alternate personality with him, a foul mouthed sadist that loves to kill. 11 pages - pdf, format

Mountain City by 0 - Short, Drama - After the tragic death of his mother, a city boy is forced to live with his estranged father in the hills of Tennessee. 9 pages - pdf, format

Junkyard by Sylvester Ritter - Short, Thriller, Black Comedy - After a police officer chases a young black man into a junkyard, the simple pot bust gets very messy. (Warning: extremely offensive language throughout) 12 pages - pdf, format

A Deathly Shade of Blue by Salman Rushdie - Short, Thriller - A refugee discovers that England is just like home. 9 pages - pdf, format

The First Step by Lord Nelson - Short, Drama - With her marriage hanging on by a thread, a tired wife struggles with the limits of just how much she can take.  10 pages - pdf, format

White Icing In Blackwater Creek by Anonymous - Short, Drama - A teenage beauty hangs onto childhood memories in an effort to adjust to the truth of devastation caused by wildfires in her hometown. She leaves for a change of scenery and It takes a Native Indian to turn her sadness around, but the truth, in the end, she may never learn. 12 pages - pdf, format

Life Through Death by 0 - Short, Thriller - When a desperate attempt to rescue the leader of a resistance fails, she chooses to live through death. 11 pages - pdf, format

Take 2 by Anonymous X - Short, Comedy - A salesman tries to sell a device from out of the past that has no use today. 9 pages - pdf, format

Mama Bear by 8252017MEC - Short, Drama - When two young women marry and adopt a baby the haters gather like vultures. However, they fail to take into account the love the women have for each other and the innate ferocious defensiveness of a Mama Bear.  10 pages - pdf, format

The Probe by Maheetma Trausasnake - Short, Romance, Comedy - After enduring unspeakable torment at his new job, a nerdy guy finds revenge - and love - may have just crawled in his bedroom window. 12 pages - pdf, format

The Atom and Eve by Also Blank - Short, Drama - A woman travels through a strange and dangerous land to reach her final resting place. 12 pages - pdf, format

The Hangman With No Name by Cook - Short, Thriller, Drama - A man awakens handcuffed in a mysterious room. Though no recollection of how he got there, a masked duo wrongly interrogates him.  9 pages - pdf, format

The Last Wish by 0 - Short, Drama - A Clown tries to talk Death into letting him die in his own home 10 pages - pdf, format

Red on Yellow by Sir Vival - Short, Dramedy - Two Amazonian tribesmen encounter a mysterious beast destroying their forest. - pdf, format

Plight by blank - Short, Drama - Alone, a young boy struggles with a massive storm on the Mediterranean Sea, but his real fight awaits him onshore. 10 pages - pdf, format

Don't Talk To Strangers by your name here - Short, Thriller - Don't walk the streets alone. 9 pages - pdf, format

Shalom, Naziboy by 0 - Short, Thriller - The granddaughter of a Holocaust victim sends a quirky merc to the apartment of a German neo-Nazi, the grandson of her ancestor's murderer, to abduct him for a talk on a Jewish cemetery. 11 pages - pdf, format

Good job, everyone! I look very forward to see what you all came up with.

Will read a couple now - its early Sunday morn here in Oz - then have a busy day till this arve where I will read the rest

Folks,

Tomorrow I'll start posting the '*' to indicate if the writer has written at least one review of an OWC script.

- Don

Through more than half - going to take a break to get a readjustment. For me, far too many did not meet the Stranger in a Strange land theme so I'm thinking maybe it's just me being an arse.

Good night's sleep and fresh eyes and will re-examine some of the ones I have already read.

Quoted from eldave1

It's not you, Dave...I agree 100% and am kinda bummed peeps couldn't just take a rather simple challenge and run with it.

Being a stranger in a strange land is a bit subjective. What may seem normal to most people could be a strange place for another. For example, me walking into a nail salon. A strange place could be also be interpreted as a state of mind, circumstances or set of conditions. I've only read a few so far but I can see how all of them fit the theme so far. You have to expect the writers to push at those boundaries as much as they can so I'm expecting some rather loose interpretations this contest which I'm ok with. As long as there is an attempt to run with the premise.

IMO the limit on the number of people took out many of the better ideas.  How do you effectively show the isolation of a character.

Just for ex, showing 3 kids playing ball with a 4th being left out isn't nearly as effective as showing an entire class.  There are many more ideas that were crippled by the limit.

Even the idea of having a single room with 4 people isn't as effective as no limit.

It wasn't as bad as when I had to write a femme fatale without any men, but the rules didn't work well at all.  It'd be like writing a horror story where no one can die or be scared of dying.

Oh I won't be able to read anything till Mon but will read many if not all by Fri.  When do we need to be done with reviews?

Dan

Quoted from eldave1

Yeh I've got that feel too. I've let a couple away with it as they were borderline, but I guess it's down to reader discretion.

Also, spotted that Windows script seems to have gone. Didn't mean to annoy the author with my review, but it didn't meet the page count and I couldn't see the obvious stranger in a strange land requirement being met. Shame they didn't keep it in as it wasn't a terrible script, just didn't meet the parameters required.

I enjoyed reading what everyone else came up with. Sometimes I feel like I'm being too harsh with my reviews though, especially since I almost always pick up on formatting/grammar issues. But I guess that's just the perfectionist in me. I take screenwriting very seriously, as I'm sure everyone else does as well, otherwise why would we be here?... And I study a lot on the subject, and when I read, "not so great", scripts, it kind of gets to me... I try to be as nice as I can though, and I only try to help out. If ever anyone thinks I am rude, I apologize. I don't think I am, but I'm just saying - in case...

With that being said, I enjoyed this challenge, it was my first ever OWC. However, I am so bummed and disappointed because my ending was rushed/forced, and I didn't have a choice. I was writing my script on writerduet.com (the free version) and literally the night before this was due, pop up blocks on the website kept interfering and would not allow me to continue the script... And I was at the very end of it. The day it was due, I was busy and had no access to a laptop... until about an hour or so before the deadline was due, that's when I hurried up, got back on, and pounded the rest of it out. Ugh. Such disappointment.

Oh well enough of my rambling. Like I said I just enjoyed the challenge and it was good practice, and I'm glad I still entered, rather than not at all. And congratulations to everyone else who entered as well.

I look forward to the next challenge(s) and whatever else comes our way. :)

Quoted from CameronD

B.... You have to expect the writers to push at those boundaries as much as they can so I'm expecting some rather loose interpretations this contest which I'm ok with. As long as there is an attempt to run with the premise.

I kind of view it polar opposite of this. I don't expect writers to push at these boundaries as much as they can (i.e., ostensibly to to fit something into the parameter). Instead, I expect the opposite. i.e., Writers pushing their imagination as much as they can to come up with something that fits into the boundaries. Otherwise - why not just have open challenges?

Quoted from Tyler King

Haven't seen anything from you that I would classified as rude.

Ok good. Like I said I didn't think I was either but I know I can come across that way to some people sometimes without realizing it. ;D

Quoted from eldave1

Agreed 1000000000000000000000000%!!!!!!!

Okay - done (it helps being retired :)

There were three on the top of my list - going to take another run through the others to see if I missed a gem somewhere. I did enjoy the varied themes.

Page count and character count are easy to observe. I'd say that anyone who didn't observe the parameters here could be punished (not saying he/she should)
But I agree with those who say that the "fish out of water" requirement it is subjective. I might see a fish out of water when the others do not and vice versa.

Oh, wow. Sandra is back! I saw her review one of the scripts. Welcome back, Sandra!

Quite a blood bath this OWC, lots of DQ's.

I read them all but one. Planning to be done with that one tonight. Still have to leave feedback on about 9 or more. I have my thoughts down on a piece of paper, so I'll do that.
I found plenty of exciting scripts. A lot of recommends and considers or excellents and very goods - whatever the grading system is this time around. So overall, I enjoyed the OWC and had fun participating.

Dont see the asterixes. Maybe everyone who's in read at least one after all - good then.

I arrived too late to enter, but I'll read every entry anyway. Doesn't seem too many entries this time around, perhaps that is due to the DQs?

I'm pretty certain there's only one that's been removed so far (The Window), because of the page count being down, could be wrong but I haven't noticed any others going AWOL.

Quoted from Cameron

I'm pretty certain there's only one that's been removed so far (The Window), because of the page count being down, could be wrong but I haven't noticed any others going AWOL.

I think there was at least one other that Don didn't post due to a breach in the parameters.

Okay, I'm done.

As per usual a good variety of work on show, some good, some ugly but nothing too bad.

As so many of these appear to crossover the line of not meeting the initial rules, what's the best way to go about marking these? If it's the usual voting method do we just downgrade one position if there's a rule break?

Not trying to formalise this but just looking for a decent way of voting which doesn't decimate the competition.

There's been two DQ's from what's been posted - it's been 23 scripts initially. And I'm thinking got to be at least one that's not been accepted.

Quoted from Cameron

I'm not sure what to do, Cam. I am shocked that so few actually met the simple parameters. I'm sure each write will tell us how their work met the challenge, but IMO, very few rally seemed to try.

Quoted from Dreamscale

I'm not sure what to do, Cam. I am shocked that so few actually met the simple parameters. I'm sure each write will tell us how their work met the challenge, but IMO, very few rally seemed to try.

Mine did. It's not always the destination. Sometimes it's the journey. ;)

I noticed just two that fit the challenge perfectly.

The other ones are not fish out of the water but are something related. In either one of them, you have a character that's been misplaced - he either needs to get home or be somewhere else. He's not a fish out of water per se. But he/she/it shouldn't be where he's at the moment. Doesn't that count?

I said that would be a huge issue, and while I haven't read that many entries, yet, so far, none have met the fish out of water.  Even my entry barely met it IMO.

The parameters were in contrast to the desired effect.  You can't have that few characters and have a fish out of water in a coherent fashion.

I have a ton more to read, but, so far, I stand by that statement.  As I said elsewhere, it wasn't as bad as being saddled with Femme Fatale without the ability to use men, but, it was a real issue...

Dan

Quoted from khamanna

Hey Kham,

The way I judged a fish out of water was a character in a completely foreign/unfamiliar situation/location. To not supposed to be somewhere in a moment could be trespassing, which isn't really the same thing.

I could be wrong (think I'm right though), the term basically indicates complete lack of comfort in an unfamiliar situation or location. Am I right?? May have to go through all my comments again if that falls over!!!

Quoted from Cameron

The way I judged a fish out of water was a character in a completely foreign/unfamiliar situation/location. To not supposed to be somewhere in a moment could be trespassing, which isn't really the same thing.

Might be the right thing to do. But see, "foreign and unfamiliar" turns out to be subjective. See the comments for some. I apologize to the writer of Red on Yellow, but for the sake of this talk I have to bring it to this - just read the comments on it, especially the last ones. The opinions on whether it falls under the criteria are widely dispersed. (and to moderators - feel free to scratch if anything)

Some scripts have been disqualified, so if the scripts are listed, I take it they meet the parameters enough to be judged.

Quoted from DustinBowcot

Some scripts have been disqualified, so if the scripts are listed, I take it they meet the parameters enough to be judged.

Well, all the scripts were not read in their entirety prior to posting.

As it turns out, the theme seems to be something that most just didn't get, decided not to adhere to it (as happens in every OWC), or is a grey area that is up to how peeps read into it.

Quoted from Cameron

Yes, this is what I was after, Cam.

Quoted from Dreamscale

Yes, this is what I was after, Cam.

That's a relief, thought I was losing the plot. Think I'll stick to the one grade down for every rule break that occurs, probably a reasonable way of going about things.

"a character in a completely foreign/unfamiliar situation/location."

It's hard to do this with a 4 character limit. That was the wall I kept running into.

I finally had an idea, and even opened Final Draft and gave it a title, Carnival at the End of the World...but then I ran into the next wall of everything having to be completely real. The limitations just didn't mesh well.

I suppose the subjectivity of how people presented their take on the theme will be a matter of argument. There is always the case of what you have in your head versus what people do with that idea, so I have been approaching every read with the idea that everyone interpreted the idea somehow, and so presented that interpretation somewhere in the text. It's like the difference between your vision of a story as a writer and someone else's as a finished product. Same thing, but they didn't see it the way you did. I think one of the most interesting things about the OWC has always been the individual interpretations of the same idea.

I confess that I had the "Stranger In A Strange Land" phrase stuck in my head more than "fish out of water," and so mine adheres to the former idea more than the latter. An unintentional oversight on my part that I noticed later.

Of the ones I've read, there was only one that really didn't appear to even come close to the theme. Most of the others hit it somewhere or at least tried to.

EDIT: And another thing, what the heck is that screenwriting program (it's got to be one of them) that is bold facing crap in the scripts? Whatever setting that is, you all need to turn it off. That is incredibly distracting while trying to read these. Seriously, make it go away.

I've missed a couple reads, but mostly done, and enjoyed these -- having the different genres was nice.

Lots of strong writing on display to appreciate and learn from, but nothing that seems ready-made for production, like there sometimes is in these challenges. My favourites were the dramas, which were mostly quite expensive for what they were.

I thought the majority of them had a pretty obvious "fish out of water" theme. There were obviously a couple -- In A Pinch, Plight, Mountain City -- that took "fish out of water" as the central premise and conflict of the story, which I gather is what was expected. But it's not like all the rest ignored the requirement.

The Atom and Eve has Eve in a former home made strange by disaster. Red on Yellow has a modern logger in Kawahiva territory. Shalom, Naziboy has a German neo-Nazi in a Jewish cemetery in the States. Dream has an assassin sent to a foreign country. And so on.

Ok, after reaching the end of the scripts (and I commented on my own so no one can figure out which is mine), I do have a comment regarding the page count. I know the 9 page minimum was intended to root out the pisser scripts, and I have no doubt that it did, but it made everything longer.

I read 21 scripts which boast a minimum of 189 pages. Most were more pushing us close to the 210-220 mark. A fair number of these were actually longer than they needed to be. The writers padded their original idea to push the count up past the minimum, which is a good skill to have, but when you commit to going back and reading every one, you're left with 5 pages of really good, four pages of fluff, and an ending that you wish happened four pages ago.

My first draft came out to around 6 pages with two characters, mostly action, and minimal dialogue. To pad it out, I added two characters and some babbling. I squeezed a few more pages out of the deal, but I'm not sure I made it better as a result. I also wrote it in two hours while procrastinating on what I should have been writing, but that's another matter entirely.

Hence, my opinion is to either not use a minimum page count or make it considerably lower for whoever does the next one. It will make for tighter scripts, and if someone drops a pisser in there, it's usually a one or two pager anyway, so no time lost ... unlike a couple of stinkers which left us reading 10 pages of schlock in this one.

Quoted from George Willson

I hear what you're saying, George and apparently, you are not alone in not liking the minimum page length requirement.

As stated earlier, this minimum was not meant to have peps pad their 4, 5, or 6 page scripts - it was meant for peeps to come up with a 9-12 page script that has 9 to 12 pages of material.

It's kind like what's happening in the VOD/DTV movie realm - "movies" are being produced with a runtime of 80 minutes or so, including pre and post credits and titles, and even at that pathetic short runtime, they're padded. Bottom line is they shouldn't be made period, because there's not enough material for a movie. As in THE WHOLE FUCKING CONCEPT SUCKS and never should have been made.

I'm sure the OWC will not have a minimum page count and peeps can go back to their 5 page shorts.

I think George has the right idea on page count. A friend was going to submit to this, but there was no dialog, and and her action-only script came out to only 6 pages.

Quoted from Dreamscale

Well, I'm with you on having actual material as opposed to padding. I also accept that I should have reconsidered my approach when I found what I ended up with.

Beyond that, however, it would just be a lot quicker to read them all if they could be a bit shorter. So my thought was more directed to the speed of reading the whole as opposed to simple individual length.

Page count is b/s anyway. A director can turn a 5-page script into a 10-minute film and a 10-page script into a 5-minute film.

Tbh, I don't even remember there being that many short shorts in the last OWC, certainly only a couple being at 6 pages. As I said in one review it only seems to be an issue when it's given as part of the initial brief, then everyone seems to feel pressure and it hanging at the back of their head, plus I'm sure we've had a minimum page limit without the fuss before.

Wasn't that much of an issue in my opinion. Write to the requirements, and bring other bits in if short, not to pad but rather another angle just take your story that little bit further. Simples!

Quoted from DustinBowcot

Page count is b/s anyway. A director can turn a 5-page script into a 10-minute film and a 10-page script into a 5-minute film.

Yes they can, but the better question is probably should they do that? IMO, no, they should not.

Quoted from Dreamscale

Yes they can, but the better question is probably should they do that? IMO, no, they should not.

You're not a director... are you? You're not qualified to say what they should and shouldn't do because you don't have much of an idea how they work.

Not to bring in MoviePoet here all the time, but that site was intended so that writers and producers/directors could come to one place. Come to one place for what? That much sought after 5 page short... Many festivals don't want longer than 5 minutes and it's also about the right length for something that can be shot over a weekend, which most indie films are.

MP lasted eight years running monthly contests for free with 5 page or less shorts. There were about 40 entries every month! So, even if Jeff despises the 5 page shorts, there's definitely a market out there for those. :)

Quoted from DustinBowcot

You're not a director... are you? You're not qualified to say what they should and shouldn't do because you don't have much of an idea how they work.

No, Dustin, I am not a Director.

But, based on the way the vast majority of movies turn out (and I've seen a literal shitload), I feel I am qualified to say that Directors are not qualified to change up a well written script...and if they don't have a well written script to start with, they shouldn't be trying to make a film in the first place.

It really starts with the Producers who think they know a Hell of alot more than they actually do. It is they who screw things up the worst. And, I do know that for a fact.

Quoted from Dreamscale

But, based on the way the vast majority of movies turn out (and I've seen a literal shitload), I feel I am qualified to say that Directors are not qualified to change up a well-written script.

You're completely wrong.

Quoted from Dreamscale

It really starts with the Producers who think they know a Hell of a lot more than they actually do. It is they who screw things up the worst. And, I do know that for a fact.

I know this too, having had recent experience of it. In this case, an executive producer. Luckily, however, despite my feeling that the beginning of the story was ruined, the director made what we had left of the scene completely work. Some directors are real artists, good at what they do and have every ability to change a well-written script and make it even better.

Quoted from DustinBowcot

Some directors are real artists, good at what they do and have every ability to change a well-written script and make it even better.

Sure, some are, but many others are not.

Some screenwriters are amazing, but most are not. In fact, most really suck arse.

Quoted from DustinBowcot

Page count is b/s anyway. A director can turn a 5-page script into a 10-minute film and a 10-page script into a 5-minute film.

I had a director turn a 22 page script into a feature film. Ugh. :)

Sorry I didn't get in on this one. Maybe next time... just a busy week for me. I would like to have a 5 page count limit next time... :) Just throwing it out there.

Quoted from Pale Yellow

I had a director turn a 22 page script into a feature film. Ugh. :)

There are limits even for the best directors. I doubt there are many that could turn a 22-page script into a feature without being decent writers themselves.

It seems everyone is expecting a perfectly polished, ready to film script from a OWC. That's the rare case, usually they are rough drafts that sometimes would make much better stories with a bit more flexibility than the OWC restrictions impose on them. But that's what I love about the OWC, it's a starting point, it forces you to come up with something creative to fit the restrictions, and at the end of it you have a short you can rewrite however you like into something that could be filmed or shopped, and the comments here help with that process.

Quoted from DustinBowcot

There are limits even for the best directors. I doubt there are many that could turn a 22-page script into a feature without being decent writers themselves.

Agreed to a certain extent...

As I said above, this is exactly the problem "these days". Peeps come up with a nice "little" idea and make a short. Then along comes some dumbass with money and wants to make more money, so he turns the short into a feature, markets the nice little idea plot, and pads the thing with horseshit, releases it, makes a killing, and leaves the audience pissing all over themselves.

Perfect Example is 2016's "Lights Out", which somehow received positive word of mouth, somehow grossed $150 Million on a $5 Million budget, but was so obviously nothing more than a short idea.

I just pisses me off when shit like this makes a killing and is so stupid.

Quoted from Dreamscale

But then again, I guess in the Producer's eyes, this was pure gold, and turned into pure gold.

I just hate it when crap gets produced and then makes a ton of money.

Quoted from Dreamscale

I just hate it when crap gets produced and then makes a ton of money.

I believe the official terminology for that is "lightning in a bottle." Right idea in the right hands at the right time. Boom!

I would love to have my crap turned into gold! Or even some lesser metal.

I always think that if a movie makes a lot of money then it's rather good than bad no matter what my personal opinion of it really is.
I don't get many good movies, some I'm even ashamed to admit. Inception for example - I'm not a fan of it. But it must be a good movie if it appeals to many and made quite a buck because of that.

Quoted from khamanna

I always think that if a movie makes a lot of money then it's rather good than bad no matter what my personal opinion of it really is.

Not true...not true at all.

here's a great example...

The Devil Inside - 2012. WWBO - $102 Million. Production Budget - $1 Million.Rotten Tomatoes rating - 6%.

This is widely viewed as one the worst movies ever in recent history, yet it made a literal killing.

Bottom line - movie goers are dumb suckers.

Quoted from Dreamscale

The Devil Inside - 2012. WWBO - $102 Million. Production Budget - $1 Million.Rotten Tomatoes rating - 6%.

Hmm, this is very weird. But I checked it out on imdb - it made well over the budget and the rating is low at the same time. Just ill.

Yes, I have to agree that a lot of money is wasted on hyped crap these days. I don't think it's a case of movie goers being suckers but more having no other choice but to take what they are given.

There's not enough pride taken in creating a great product, minds are geared toward doing just enough to trick money out of pockets.

Quoted from DustinBowcot

There's not enough pride taken in creating a great product, minds are geared toward doing just enough to trick money out of pockets.

We agree. This is exactly what I was trying to say!

Quoted from khamanna

Red and Yellow was perfectly okay by me in terms of parameter - the strange land was the Amazon Jungle and the stranger was the bulldozer dude. I know he did not technically enter the jungle - but it was front and center in the story.

Fortunately, although I thought there were a ton some that bordered on DQ and some that were even't close to the parameters - none of them made my list of recommends based on the story/writing anyway - so know angst for me - I'll just rate them all.

It comes down to the moneymen. Even a director's hands can be tied by an executive. If they pull their funding the whole project goes down. The exec doesn't want to lose his money, so he checks over the script, passes it around his friends and business associates, 'guys that have made similar films' they give their 'valuable' opinion, exec gets scared and orders changes. Even with days to go before filming starts.

If it was just down to the artists, we'd have lots more great films today.

Quoted from Dreamscale

The minimum page count is a valid challenge parameter IMO. Basically, it's telling the write have a story that is complex enough that it takes at least 9 pages to tell. That being said, lining up with George's point, it does make for tougher reading.

Overall I thought the requirements were fine - they are suppose to present a challenge. They are not suppose to serve as a tool for someone to squeeze and idea they already have - or even a script for that matter - into the challenge parameters. I thought these were tight, clear and doable.

Quoted from eldave1

Same for me - it's one of the obvious ones - a foreigner in a foreign land. But I noticed that not everyone thinks the same (re: the comments there) and that's why I'm saying that we read into the parameters differently.

[quote
If it was just down to the artists, we'd have lots more great films today. [/quote]

True that.

I often thought that the reason there are a million wannabe screenwriters, myself included, A lot of films today are total shit from a writing perspective. One of the reasons that there are a million wannabe script writers - it's like, if that's the crap that's being bought - hell, I can write that. What they don't see is how the industry can turn quality scripts into total garbage.

Quoted from eldave1

[quote
If it was just down to the artists, we'd have lots more great films today.

True that.

I often thought that the reason there are a million wannabe screenwriters, myself included, A lot of films today are total shit from a writing perspective. One of the reasons that there are a million wannabe script writers - it's like, if that's the crap that's being bought - hell, I can write that. What they don't see is how the industry can turn quality scripts into total garbage.
[/quote]

Gotch ya.

A big problem is that all the great films have been made. Same with music

Quoted from stevie

A big problem is that all the great films have been made. Same with music

I totally disagree with this. However, I do think that "Hollywood" is not driven by great stories nowadays, but rather giving the audience an experience by dazzling us with the visuals. At least that's how I see it.

Another thing, now this won't go over well with writers, but I do believe that most writers, myself included way back, believe that their scripts are way better than they really are. I remember Robert McKee saying that everyone is looking for a great story. I believe that.

From my own experience, I was so excited to get a few features made. They were all complete crap. I blamed the filmmakers at first, but as time went on, I realized that the problems started with my crappy scripts. Hard truth. :)

Quoted from Dreamscale

Lights out is one of the best horror films I've seen in years. Genuinely creepy.

Sundance has confirmed the average length of the shorts submitted to them is 12 minutes. If it is under 10 minutes it has almost double the chance of being included in the program.  Anything that goes over 15 minutes must be especially impressive in order to beat out other films that could play in that time.

I've been submitting my films to festivals for nearly three years now and the above seems to be true for a lot of festivals. In my experience as well, the most likely changes to your script when being produced is the run time reduces because of the production's limited resources. So a 16 page script for example, becomes a 12 minute movie.

It's always best to not hold back and write more as it's easier to trim than it is to fatten up. Fattening up usually involves improvisation and quite often not by the writer, which can be disastrous.

So really, I'm not sure about this 5 page script limit folks are asking for. That might be ideal for students but if you want to get producers who are looking to take films into festivals interested, you need to be ready to give them something a bit meatier, while still keeping the budgets low.

As a side note, I know a couple of directors and some producers who do look at these OWC's and are quite often frustrated by the lack of micro-budget scripts that we write! Food for thought there!

The page-length restrictions on this OWC were, in my opinion, a great real world scenario that helps writers work under very specific instructions.  I just wish I'd taken part in this one lol!

-Mark

Quoted from MarkRenshaw

,
As a side note, I know a couple of directors and some producers who do look at these OWC's and are quite often frustrated by the lack of micro-budget scripts that we write! Food for thought there!

I suppose it's down to who you're writing for. I've just been writing for me, myself and I on these OWC's, a release from the daily grind, not really been that fussed about actually getting something made. It is nice to know they do check in though, and I see a lot of comments about getting things made so I guess folk do go into these with genuine aspirations of production.

I know someone got picked up off the last one, are there any other stories I've missed that were produced? I'd be interested to see their work, and the level aimed at in terms of set pieces and cost requirements.

Also, just spotted it, why's Dream got an "(nr)" after its title now on the main thread? Probably a well established OWC thing but I'm a bit confused by it

Quoted from MarkRenshaw

I hear you, but Sundance material is usually not what comes out of OWCs. Sundance shorts are usually well funded and are really really good short films. Mostly what we get here at SS are indie filmmakers and they tend to prefer short films. Like I said earlier, MP ran exclusively 5 page script competitions for eight years, because that is a very sought after short film length. If you like longer, go for it. Personally, I prefer when the OWC is 6-12 pages. 9 as a minimum, is too high, IMO. :)

Also, anyone can rewrite their scripts into anything they want after the OWC is over. Rarely are the scripts ready after just the first drafts posted here.

Quoted from Cameron

Also, just spotted it, why's Dream got an "(nr)" after its title now on the main thread? Probably a well established OWC thing but I'm a bit confused by it

So far, that's the only writer not to have read at least 3 entries.

Quoted from Cameron

I'd be interested to see their work, and the level aimed at in terms of set pieces and cost requirements.

Pia produced Bert's OWC entry "Them That's Dead".
Here's the link to that OWC:
http://www.simplyscripts.net/cgi-bin/Blah/Blah.pl?b-feb2011/

I wouldn't refer to that one as one of the OWCs that got produced. Although, it was originally an OWC entry, I didn't make it until years afterwards. Not to mention it was produced and directed by a complete amateur! ;D

Actually, one other script from that OWC is in the production stage, I think. The one that Rick chose for production.

Cheers ladies and gentlemen, makes sense now. Will check out the link too when I find some WiFi nearby that works

Quoted from Grandma Bear

I used Sundance as an example as it's the big one everyone goes for, but I've found (just based on my own personal experience of course) this is pretty much the average that a lot of the independent festival circuit favor. The 'magic 9 minutes' seems to be the current runtime to aim for but it fluctuates slightly from year to year and festival to festival.

Personally I think a 6-12 page OWC is great and gives a lot of scope for everyone. I do think the occasional tighter parameter challenge is nice to throw out now and again though. After all, it's supposed to be a challenge.

Another vote for 6 to 12 pages from me.

It's nice as a reader, too, to have that variation between bigger and smaller shorts.

Quoted from Scar Tissue Films

Lights out is one of the best horror films I've seen in years. Genuinely creepy.

Rick, you have got to be kidding me! How many times have you seen it? If the answer is once, I recommend you watch again and see how paper thin this thing is.

The concept is creepy, but it does not a feature horror film make.

Quoted from Dreamscale

Rick, you have got to be kidding me! How many times have you seen it? If the answer is once, I recommend you watch again and see how paper think this thing is.

The concept is creepy, but it does not a feature horror film make.

I watched it once. Like I watch 99% of films.

It was creepy from scene one and continued to be throughout.

That's what a horror film should do and the vast majority don't get close. The story was thin... But that's not a massively important in a horror flick if it can creep you out.

I wish there were a lot more horror films that had the power to creep out this jaded viewer. ;)

Well, I must say I'm really sorry that Dream is nr. It's a good story, would have made my recommend and now I don't even know what to do about it. 3 reviews is not that much and the writer shouldn't have neglected the request.
3 reviews! Man...

Quoted from khamanna

Don't speak ill of the dead. :'(

I think I finally done. Bring on the voting!

Good to see so many of you reading and reviewing.  It's a top notch turnout for that.

In terms of the actual scripts, I'm not thrilled, sorry to say, as so many did everything possible to sidestep the actual challenge.

There are some good entries, though.  There is some strong writing on display.  Very few are what I would deem "terrible", and this may be the first time I'm saying that.

So, all in all, a good OWC, IMO.  I really wish I could have entered.  Next time...next time for sure.

Good on you for running one, Jeff. These OWC entries keep getting better in quality all the time. 8)

Yes, kudos to you, Jeff. I didn't seem to have any issues with the parameters and just ran with it. You ruled this OWC and it was what it was. I didn't think for a moment that you would cave.

The restrictions were surprisingly challenging for this one. I think we all agree the stranger in a strange land theme with a four character limit looks good on paper but is very limiting in practice. That's the beauty of the OWC though, it forces us to dig deep and get creative. I also felt many entries sidestepped the theme, but it was still there in the interpretation and still influenced the stories.

I'm happy I came back in time to be a part of this. The entries have run the gamut, but they are almost all quality scripts given the limitations of the challenge and time. It's evident the writers here just keep getting better.

You gave us a tough nut to crack, Jeff, but it's been a terrific OWC. Great job with it!

Thanks Jeff for doing this, but I think the quality was average at best.

The fish out of water or stranger living in a strange place with a maximum of 4 people were diametrically opposed parameters in my opinion.  Judging how so many, including myself either missed the mark,  didn't try, or tried but failed, shows that my concerns were correct.

I had 2 ideas and I struggled with both if they met the parameters.

Even in these stories, I didn't think the parameters were met.  You wanted realism so how could a person singlehandedly run a boat or a child survive that storm?

How could someone be in a busy park, or country, or bar with nobody around and no reason as to why??

IMO, the parameters really hurt the realism of most stories.  Factor in that you also wanted locations that the writer knew well.

If I may make a suggestion for anyone doing any writing for us to take part in, show some examples of what is, and isn't OK.  Especially for such difficult parameters.  Quite a few voiced their concerns.

I think back to the first one I did.  Low budget on or in or around an elevator.  Those made sense together.

Or the interpretation of stuck in a cab.  Or write horror with cannibals or monsters.

Just my 2 cents, but I sensed the confusion right away.

Dan

Quoted from DanC

I think back to the first one I did. Low budget on or in or around an elevator. Those made sense together.

Or the interpretation of stuck in a cab. Or write horror with cannibals or monsters.
Dan

Take a direct veto from me, Dan :-) I hated those parameters. Served so many boring one-sided, cheap and generic stories with few exceptions.

As much as I like the host of this one, I think many have misunderstood his interpretation. Me too.

Just look at the Red On Yellow take. Two tribesmen experience their "supposed" isolated hunting ground became an actual deforestation spot.

The third character, a woodworker from the first world, finds out his deforestation site is actually part of a tribe's hunting ground.

The characters personal experience at this place and what they find there is so massively contrary to what they originally believed it to be, their familiar everyday spot. Nope, they are in completely strange land from their view.

It's very intelligent how nothing is what it seems for both character groups; and the topic couldn't be hit much better the way I saw the challenge…

Sure, some as usual go in with a sledgehammer and interpret all possible against each and every writer but you find the truth in the undertone as usual.

I've read the half yet and saw everyone went their way, and saying they haven't tried, is just an unreasoned assumption.

The general badmouthing about this challenge isn't needed. I don't like that. We all done our best and you cannot expect more.

I can see a character out of his element in each entry except for one.
But I'm not downgrading for this, I'm sure the writer got some explanation for that just like I have for mine.

I'm not sure about an entry that went over the character limit though. (I guess we all are mean in some way :) )

It's been a pretty decent challenge. I do think that the parameters are enforced a little too strictly though. The parameters should encourage inspiration and not stifle the writer in any way. The fact that a writer has come up with a story, possibly one that may sell in the future, is enough.

Quoted from DustinBowcot

I actually agree with this and have always thought this. It's better for the writer AND the reader.

Quoted from leitskev

I actually agree with this and have always thought this. It's better for the writer AND the reader.

But guys, do you not think the one week challenge should be...challenging? Is this the one week challenge or the one week creativity exercise?

If it's easy or the parameters are there just for guidance only, how are writers going to learn how to write within parameters or attempt things out of their comfort zone?

For example (this is based on a couple of screenwriting adverts I saw recently on a 'scripts wanted' website)

'Seeking scripts w/ lead role for black male actor in his mid to late 30's. Scripts with Haitian male lead will also be considered. I am looking for great vehicles with social conscience as the theme. 10 pages ideally, minimal locations. Scripts will be made and come to life!'

Now that's challenging!

Even if the parameter is 'low budget' and this is adhered to, this one stipulation is great practice for the majority of script requests out there.

I thought the parameters were just fine. They were clear and presented a creative challenge. That being said, not all OWCs are for everyone.

I did not participate in the Fairy Tale OWC because the parameters were not by cup of tea - fine. Same for one of the Halloween OWCs because I suck at horror. Okay by me - not all OWCs are for everyone. Even though I have got questions on whether my script met the guidelines for this one (which it did damn it!!! :) , I thought the restrictions were absolutely fine. We have had to write scripts that take place in an elevator, in a Taxi, etc, - how is this anymore narrow?

Writing within parameters when you're being paid is far easier than doing so on spec.

Totally agree, Dave. It's a challenge, not an 'everybody gets a trophy' exercise. Believe me, I've been dragged across the coals so many times and have wanted to quit just as many. I feel the I'm a better writer for taking up the challenges.

Good to hear all this, everyone.

I understand why some or many do not like tight parameters...I don't either, which is why I really tried to have this pretty open ended. I am very much against things like - "must include a wheelchair, must be set in a room, etc.

The way I looked at this challenge, the 4 character max wasn't an issue at all, nor did it butt heads with the theme, but it seems like most or all didn't view it the same way, which is fine and cool.

Sorry not been around much, but then again I didn't enter.

If anybody wants a read give me a PM

Hope it's been a good one

But, the problem is that it did butt heads.

When we think of a fish out of water or a stranger in a strange land, whit images invoke the strongest emotions?

A person sitting alone in a cafeteria.
A person with no one to play with on a playground.
A person who isn't invited to be part of something.

There are dozens more.  And none of them were  doable due to the 4 person limit.

So people had to concoct extraordinary reasons why there were only 4 people.  Many times it didn't feel real and harmed the suspension of disbelief for me.  Also, instead of showing how someone was alone, we had to just tell it instead.

Again, any of the parameters by themselves is fine, just not in conjunction.  A few of us got saddled with femme fatale without any men which breaks the genre IMO.

Anytime you can challenge yourself to become better is worth it, but conditions that oppose each other really put the writer in a bad spot.  Jeff, even you said how many failed to meet the parameters.  IMO, that was the reason why.

I freely admit mine was awful.  Dave, I am not ragging on anyone else's story, I certainly don't have any right to, especially with the crap I turned in.  Honestly, I am shocked people haven't hated on it as much as I did.

Dan

Quoted from JEStaats

Dead on

Before I started writing I thought that low budget was one of the parameters. Something doable, easy to film I mean. But then I saw that very few of those are easy to film and checked the top post. Don't know where this came from - I was sure we need to write something budget friendly. Must be all the talk and answers to questions that tripped me.
Didn't any of you think the same?

Quoted from khamanna

The guidelines were:

Quoted Text

Budget – Open, but limited to real-life existing structures and creations.

Maybe you conflated "real-life" with low budget???

That should be it, Dave, thanks.

So, when do we start guessing who wrote what?

Low budget was mentioned later on.

It's generally a good idea to keep the budget in mind in regard to shorts. However, that's only if you haven't had any made yet. Once you have, then go all out and write whatever you want. It's surprising what can be picked up. My latest short had a budget of £15k which is pretty huge by UK standards, some are attempting features with less.

For me, after failing to come up with a compelling low budget story and running out of time, I threw budget out the window and just focused on a story that fit the challenge. I came into this wanting to write something I could ultimately shoot but something had to give for the parameters or I wouldn't have written anything, so I chose to relax my budget constraints.

Quoted from DanC

I don't agree, Dan.

I accept it made the challenge harder, in particular it made it harder to show that the person was in a strange place, but there are still many, many stories to tell within the parameters.

Simply put, all you have to do is pick a character... Choose any nationality or any occupation, then stick them in an unusual place, most probably having to deal with the opposite of what they are.

An American atheist invited to meet a weird religious hermit in the Himalayas.
An american creationist invited by a reclusive scientist to witness the evolution of life.
The modern man forced to live in the wilderness.

You could go on indefinitely.

Quoted from DustinBowcot

I'm guessing that you wrote something low budget :)

Quoted from Scar Tissue Films

Funny you should mention these - my first concept was in fact an American atheist accidentally locked in St. Peter's Cathedral.

Quoted from eldave1

I'm guessing that you wrote something low budget :)

My account was reopened just as the scripts were being listed, so too late to enter. Budget is something I generally keep in mind though with every script I write.

Quoted from eldave1

I'm guessing that you wrote something low budget :)

I'm guessing you wrote something called The Atom and Eve, Dave. Cause that one had "talking" wolves. On the other hand it could be Cam. Or Alex. Okay, I'll keep this entry to the three of you.

Quoted from Scar Tissue Films

Exactly! These types of scenarios are exactly what I was hoping for and expecting.

Remember, I made it very clear that animals and creatures were both allowed and would not count against the character count.

Think movies like...

The Descent
47 Meters Down
The Abyss
The Cave
Ravenous
Crocodile Dundee
Pretty Woman
Stripes
Private Benjamin
Starman
The Jerk
City Slickers
24 Hours

Obviously, with only 9-12 pages and 4 characters, any of these examples would have to be paired down, but that was exactly what i was after.

I honestly don't see the problem.

Quoted from Scar Tissue Films

I would agree, except you forgot that the story had to take place in a real world setting that we were familiar with. So, unless you are familiar with the wilderness, or been to the Himalayan mountains, which I haven't, and watching life again isn't something currently real nor has anyone been there, so I stand by my opinion.

All we could do is tell why the character was a fish out of water or a castoff.

Dan

And let us not forget about Racing Stripes, or even Soccer Dog, or maybe its sequel, Soccer Dog - European Adventure

It's unclear to me why some would mark a few of these entries as not fitting within the parameters though.
I don't know if we can talk about the entries - here we always could as I remember.
I'm surprised to see something like "not fitting the theme" for the Shalom Naziboy for example. It's about a Nazi robot, how stranger a character can get?

Quoted from DanC

Dan, my friend, not true.

I said very clearly that the setting was key and should be somewhere the writer was familiar with or research should be done.

I don't know if you read my last OWC entry, Perseverance, but I set in a very little known, very exotic locale that I (and few others) have ever been to. But I did a ton of research on the area, including studying various maps, reading reviews, etc. It came off very realistic, I think, and I wrote as descriptively and visually as I could, because I wanted my readers to really be able to see this place.

If you chose to set your script in a cave, under water, in the mountains, in a foreign land, all the info you need is readily available, if not through Google searches, youtube, or the like, what about movies based in these locales?

As I always say, either write about what you know, or do the research so you do know. When you don't, it's so obvious to any astute reader.

Quoted from khamanna

It's unclear to me why some would mark a few of these entries as not fitting within the parameters though.

I don't know if we can talk about the entries - here we always could as I remember.
I'm surprised to see something like "not fitting the theme" for the Shalom Naziboy for example. It's about a Nazi robot, how stranger a character can get?

You can talk about them here, Khamanna.

Your example isn't a very good one, IMO, First of all, there were no robots in that script. Secondly, even if you remove the VR concept revealed at the very end, it was a simple kidnapping that caused the Neo Nazi to be in a place he was not familiar with.

IMO, kidnapping someone, does not a fish out of water, make.

Quoted from Reef Dreamer

Sorry not been around much, but then again I didn't enter.

If anybody wants a read give me a PM

Hope it's been a good one

Just to repeat, if lost in the other debate

Ta

I just wanna know who wrote A Deathly Shade of Blue.

Quoted from Dreamscale

First of all, there were no robots in that script. Secondly, even if you remove the VR concept revealed at the very end, it was a simple kidnapping that caused the Neo Nazi to be in a place he was not familiar with.

This makes me believe the Nazi boy was an AI:
ELISE "I'm just wondering if the AI of the Nazi... I mean he's pretty limited almost unreal?"
I'm probably wrong then but that's how I read the reveal.

Quoted from MarkItZero

I just wanna know who wrote A Deathly Shade of Blue.

Must be Sandra.

Quoted from khamanna

This makes me believe the Nazi boy was an AI:
ELISE "I'm just wondering if the AI of the Nazi... I mean he's pretty limited almost unreal?"

I'm probably wrong then but that's how I read the reveal.

The entire thing was a Virtual Reality game. The Nazi kid was a creation of the game and yes, had AI, but nothing in this was "real" at all.

Quoted from khamanna

Must be Sandra.

NO WAY! Sandra just reviewed it and did not seem to be very happy about it.

I assumed Dustin wrote it, but he says he didn't enter and his review on it wasn't very flattering, but still, I wouldn't be surprised at all if he turns out to be the writer.

Quoted from Dreamscale

I was joking about Sandra writing that. If she's in hers could be White Icing in Blackwater Creek

Dustin's could be Junkyard.

Quoted from khamanna

I was joking about Sandra writing that. If she's in hers could be White Icing in Blackwater Creek

Dustin's could be Junkyard.

Yes...both good guesses!

So, we're guessing now?

I thought maybe George wrote Junkyard.

At the same time the theme was announced I had the blinding flash of inspiration for a short based on a book I had just read. I wouldn't have had time to write that and try and think of one of the challenge so I sorta cheated and went with my idea. I did stick to the 4 char max (and some people thought I tweaked the reality of my story to fit that but there's a perfectly good explanation anyway) It was interesting to read some reviews that actually tried to look for the 'fish out of water' theme in mine and found one lol.

So if I hadn't of read this certain book the week before, I wouldn't have written this new script - which I poured a lot of heart and effort into; it was nearly 3 pages over 12 when I finished so had to scrimp and cut for an hour. And I probably wouldn't have been able to think of a decent one to strictly fit the challenge so mightn't have entered.

End result is I got off my arse for a change - hadn't done any writing since the last challenge - and ended with one of my best shorts I've written.

Quoted from stevie

End result is I got off my arse for a change - hadn't done any writing since the last challenge - and ended with one of my best shorts I've written.

Red on Yellow must be yours then. But wait, no, JEStaats wrote that. So, yours is Did Everyone Pay Their Dues.

I wonder why you didn't end the title with a question mark though.

(this is so much fun, I can do it all day)

Quoted from khamanna

(this is so much fun, I can do it all day)

That's great! I used to think that was the most fun part to. It's also easier to do when there are not 30 or 40 entries. :)

Quoted from Grandma Bear

That's great! I used to think that was the most fun part to. It's also easier to do when there are not 30 or 40 entries. :)

I guess that Pia wrote Dream.

Quoted from Grandma Bear

That's great! I used to think that was the most fun part to. It's also easier to do when there are not 30 or 40 entries. :)

10-15 entries really made the difference for me. Too bad you're out or we would do it together!)

Quoted from Dreamscale

I guess that Pia wrote Dream.

I didn't enter, Jeff and I'm sorry about as I like to try to support the OWCs.

Mine ended up way too short. It was about a Khardashian wannabe woman, perfectly groomed and dressed, who wakes up in the middle of Ocala National forest where some bored hunters who can't wait for hunting season to start create their own hunt. A spoiled, narcissistic, consumerism addicted waste of a human, in their eyes.

She has to figure out how to get out of the forest using orienteering skills, which she has none, while the hunters hunt her. We never see the hunters because one of the rules is the woman cannot see the hunters or the hunter will be out of the game. That was mine.

I read five, but only commented on three, I think.

Quoted from Grandma Bear

I didn't enter, Jeff and I'm sorry about as I like to try to support the OWCs..

I know. I was kidding.

Okay - ratings are in. Another OWC in the bucket

Any guesses on what I wrote or anyone else??

Hey, why don't we ever get a list of names who entered so that we can try to guess names to stories.

I almost didn't submit and then almost took it down, especially after the first 2 reviews, but choose to keep it up.

I'm norn proud of it, but, I tried to turn a movie idea into this OWC.

I do think the story could be interesting, but, I need to stop monologging stuff.

Dan

Mama Bear it is, Dan!

Momma Bear seems to have been written by a strong, independent female. I can't see a man expecting us to sympathise with the protags' plight.

I think Cam wrote, Probe.

I got Dustin down for Deathly Shade of Blue.

I agree on the Probe.

And I'm taking The Atom and Eve from Dave and giving it to Alex. He loves wolves.

Quoted from DustinBowcot

I think Cam wrote, Probe.

I genuinely 100% wish I could claim that work of utter genius, but alas it wasn't mine. Really interested to know who it was though.

When do we get the voting slips?

Dustin for Deathly Shade and Sandra for White Icing -- that's all I've got.

Quoted from Cameron

I genuinely 100% wish I could claim that work of utter genius, but alas it wasn't mine. Really interested to know who it was though.

When do we get the voting slips?

I got a feeling it might be Dustin's actually.

Don't think I know the author of the Deadly Shade.

We received the voting link via email. Don gave us till August 4th

I'm pretty certain I know which one belongs to Dave, not going to reveal why and which one, but I'm near 100% it's Dave.

Quoted from Cameron

I'm pretty certain I know which one belongs to Dave, not going to reveal why and which one, but I'm near 100% it's Dave.

Well, that's easy - to say smthing like this. I can do it. I know everyones entry 100percent but not revealing.

Yeah, easy!

I can't believe we have to wait until August 4th! Let's get our votes in and get an early count.

I didn't enter. I didn't even know there was an OWC. I took part in the reads though because they are anonymous and my bias doesn't get in the way.

I'm competing, along with two of my sons, at the British Chess Championships in Wales from the 29th to 5th Aug and we apparently have Wifi, but just in case it's sporadic or weak, then congrats to the winner!

I'm not sure who I'd pick to win, I think there were three scripts that I'd give a recommend to but I can't remember the titles. Well, A Deathly Shade of Blue is a little difficult to forget. I'll have a look through and put in a customary recommend and consider list if I get some more time later.

Quoted from DanC

Any guesses on what I wrote or anyone else??Dan

My bet for you, Dan, is "Daughter of Gore", as the origin material seems to be up your tree.

I think Sandra wrote White Icing

I'm pretty sure which one Stevie wrote, after he PM'd me some info.

Some others I know, but can't reveal.

Quoted from khamanna

Well, that's easy - to say smthing like this. I can do it. I know everyones entry 100percent but not revealing.

Yeah, easy!

Hahaha, yep I know all and so does everyone else!! Nah, there's just a little nugget hidden amongst one of them that makes me think it's Dave, only time will tell, when's vote o'clock?

Quoted from Reef Dreamer

Sorry not been around much, but then again I didn't enter.

If anybody wants a read give me a PM<

Hope it's been a good one

Final offer...almost

I have only read a few but being an outsider this time has been enjoyable In terms of reading without motive

Anybody wishes a read, let me know.

This OWC I'm thinking of doing this since I fully participated and read them all (and anyone can join if you find it fun)

Most memorable character - Mother Wrench from Don't Listen To Strangers
Best setting - Shalom Naziboy was different to the rest
Most atmospheric - got to be Plight
Most memorable prob - whatever that thing was from Take 2

Now, this has nothing to do with my liking the scripts in its entirety. And these are not necessarily my most favorite scripts - in fact, I selected a few others for my favs, but I know you get the point.

Quoted from DustinBowcot

Good luck with the tourney

Alright, this is a wrap up:

The most agonizing on all counts: A Deathly Shade of Blue

The one that painted strong pictures in my mind: The Atom & Eve (I noted as the Chernoble one)

Memorable & Good Storytelling: In a Pinch

Memorable & Good Storytelling: Don't Look - (Abandoned Farmhouse one)

Memorable & Good Storytelling: Dream - (Hired Assasin vs self/Death)

Memorable & Good Storytelling: The Last Wish ) Clown at death's door

The Last Wish was a strong contender, but for me, it needed toning down. See my review. A bit too sappy.

Memorable and Rings True - Positive Ending: That First Step - Abusive Relationship -

Memorable and Timely with all the refugee stuff in the news - Plight

Mountain City could have been good except that a Social Worker wouldn't drop off a 14 year old kid to live in those rusty type conditions. There's good potential though with this one.

Take Two took a dive for me when it went on too long and lost its momentum, but I liked the concept.

My favourites:

Don't Look

That First Step

In A Pinch

Sandra

Don,

How can I get the link to vote?

Quoted from Michael

Don,

How can I get the link to vote?

Did you enter a script? Only the writers entering will get a vote email. :)

Quoted from Michael

Don,

How can I get the link to vote?

The link was emailed to all the writers yesterday afternoon. Check your email.

Don

Hi, Yes I entered a script. I think I must have accidentally deleted the email. Sorry 'bout that.

Ahhhh, voting mystery solved. For some reason my Gmail account had shifted all Simplyscripts emails to the spam folder, just found a load of them there.

Gmail users beware

Quoted from Cameron

Ahhhh, voting mystery solved. For some reason my Gmail account had shifted all Simplyscripts emails to the spam folder, just found a load of them there.

Gmail users beware

About a year ago I used a do it yourself mailing program and sent a newletter to an ancient mailing list. Gmail labeled me as a spammer. Took about eight months to unravel that. So, yes. That could happen.

Quoted from Michael

Hi, Yes I entered a script. I think I must have accidentally deleted the email. Sorry 'bout that.

I'll pm you the link.

- Don

Quoted from Don

Where's the justice in this modern age? A high brow amateur screenwriting site's correspondence, flung in an electronic bin along side penile enlargement emails and Nigerian bank scams. Google still clearly needs to work on its algorithm a bit more.

Hang in there Don.

Cam,

I ordered that thing and fell for the Nigerian scam. ugh (Just between me and you) Neither work.

Khamanna,

My most memorable character was the (Greenhorn lady crabbing boat captain)

Most eerie scene for me was (When the lady from ("Don't Look") found the old lady dead and the eerie girl hanging by her neck, sent chills up my spine.

I voted, Thanks Don for the link again....

I also have GMAIL

Mike

Very good challenge, lots of fun, as they always are. I don't think I've ever seen this many dramas in an OWC. I think the challenge parameters helped make drama a logical choice. I actually started writing a drama for this, but I ended up with a comedy. Still, my original choice will see the light of day at some point. Think it would've been much stronger than what I did enter. Oh well. Great job all!

Michael, that actually got to be one of the spookiest moments I ever came across to in a screenplay.

Khamanna, it sure was, do we know who wrote what yet? I am new here trying to navigate the site.

Mike

Quoted from Michael

Khamanna, it sure was, do we know who wrote what yet? I am new here trying to navigate the site.

Mike

Michael, who wrote what has not been announced yet, so, just in case a friendly reminder that if there's one in a pile from you don't let us know just yet)
Tyler chose to disclose what he wrote but everyone else remains anonymous still.

Khamanna, ok cool. I was wondering if I missed it. Old and senile like I am, and very computer illiterate.

Tyler... Naughty you. You revealed yourself... lol.

The anonymity is supposed to add a bit of fun and fairness. Fairness as far as the voting goes, but there are no hard set rules about outing yourself. Some people do because they can't wait for the reveal to explain their script. The more honest feedback and votes you want, the more secret you need to be. ;)

Quoted from Grandma Bear

Ah crap! I didn't know, I'm sorry. I deleted my reply, so hopefully only a few saw it then. Whew... I really had no idea, lol, this was my first ever OWC.

Thank you for the info. Angry Bear.

I will stay anonymous as long as I can.

When mine gets revealed everyone is going to groan and roll their eyes. I can see it already.

Quoted from Michael

Thank you for the info. Angry Bear.

I will stay anonymous as long as I can.

When mine gets revealed everyone is going to groan and roll their eyes. I can see it already.

Trust me guys, it can't be worse than the pile of crap I turned in. Since this was your first OWC, be proud. Tyler, it's funny, but I thought your ghost story was a different urban legend. The one I thought it was the variation of was the person who picks up a hitchhiker only to find out they had died years ago.

Dan

Quoted from DanC

Ah yeah, haha, it does kind of seem more like that one, doesn't it? haha, I didn't even realize it. BTW, I'm still trying to figure out which one was yours... I want to guess Daughters of Gore but I'm pretty sure you commented on that, so that wouldn't have been it, unless you did it to throw people off lol either way, even if that WAS yours, while it wasn't my favorite, it wasn't a pile a crap either. Don't be so hard on yourself.

People often comment on their own to throw people off the scent... the guessing who wrote what is half the fun!

Shoot, then I oughta SLAM mine and deny that I even wrote it.
I was framed!!!

Sorry if it's been discussed/answered already -- but when will the winners/writers be revealed and announced?

I'm not totally sure but I think we have until August 4th to vote.

I'm pretty sure I read that somewhere.

Quoted from Michael

I'm not totally sure but I think we have until August 4th to vote.

I'm pretty sure I read that somewhere.

Gotcha. Well thanks for the heads up. :)

Has everyone read, commented, and voted?

If not, get to it, as the deadline approaches.

Thanks to all who played along.

Quoted from Dreamscale

Has everyone read, commented, and voted?

If not, get to it, as the deadline approaches.

Thanks to all who played along.

And thanks for the challenge.

Quoted from Dreamscale

Has everyone read, commented, and voted?

If not, get to it, as the deadline approaches.

Thanks to all who played along.

Thank you too, Jeff, for helping to make this possible.

I've got something real to work with that all started with... can't say just yet.

Sandra :)

Signed, sealed, and delivered.

Just quit being so harsh on me Jeff, my pea-brain can't take too much...

Quoted from Michael

Just quit being so harsh on me Jeff, my pea-brain can't take too much...

I'm sorry, brother. I don't mean to be harsh. Hopefully, whatever I said about yours will help you out going forward.

I'm looking very forward to seeing who wrote what and why and who the peeps liked the best.

It's been a long challenge! ;D ;D ;D

So you know,

I'll be absent for the next few days. I "could" have computer access cause there's a cell phone tower nearby and we used one of those nifty little wonder boxes before, but I'm not taking it for this little wink.

Looking forward to catching up when I get back.

Sandra

I voted. Thanks for the hard work Jeff. You have made me want to try an exercise someday.

Dan

Not sure if I can be online over the weekend.

It was a fun challenge and I felt the quality was quite high from my subjective view.

Good Job, Jeff, thanks for your commitment
and also thanks to Don of course.

Good job Jeff, Don, and everyone who entered.
So you all can see what I wrote.... Crap.
Hopefully next one I will hit the mark.

Hey Jeff lets go skiing, well on second thought Franz Klammer ran me over last time I went so maybe not the best idea,

Quoted from Michael

Hey Jeff lets go skiing, well on second thought Franz Klammer ran me over last time I went so maybe not the best idea,

I skied with Stein Erickson at Deer Valley years ago, before he died. I have a pic of us together - great guy who skied all his life, right up to his death.

Hope I can still ski when I hit my 70's.

Jeff, Michael and any other skiers out there - I've a short called "Cold Smoke" posted over on Script Revolution that you might find entertaining. It's a first hand retelling of an event when I was a ski patroller in the Wasatch.

Quoted from JEStaats

Sounds cool!

If anyone is interested in finding out how their script "scored", just send me a PM.

I'm not going to release these to the general public but I will tell you that scores ranged from 4.00 down to 1.71.

Thanks again to al who played along for a great OWC.

Jeff, still skiing at 70, that is awesome. I bet you guys had lots of fun. Are you pro?

I grew up in Northern Calif. we used to go to Nevada, I skied Heavenly Valley, Bear Valley, and Squa Valley.

Lots of valley's out there.

I love to ski also...
JesTATTS, I will read it. Sounds interesting.

Quoted from Michael

Jeff, still skiing at 70, that is awesome. I bet you guys had lots of fun. Are you pro?

Hopefully, you know I'm not in my 70's now....but...I hope I can still ski when I am in my 70's.

Stein was "the face" of Deer Valley, UT for many years. He would ski every single day, and stop for photos with peeps. When I say I skied with him, what I meant was that I skied alongside him and behind him for a run, then stopped for pics at the bottom.

I am far from a Pro skier, but back in the day...and even on some good days now...I could/can look pretty damned good.

Quoted from Michael

I grew up in Northern Calif. we used to go to Nevada, I skied Heavenly Valley, Bear Valley, and Squaw Valley.

Lots of valley's out there.

I love to ski also...

Yes, I've skied those valleys. Actually, I've skied almost all of the Western resorts worth skiing in CA, WA, OR, MT, CO, UT, and NM. Also skied Whistler/Blackcombe in BC and Lake Louise and Sunshine Village in AB, and several big name areas in Austria.

I LOVE TO SKI!!!!!!!!

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