Quoted from Reef Dreamer If I recall my favourite was the elevator scripts, where there simply wasn't one in a script. Not even close. Like at all... and it wasn't really hard to understand that challenge

Actually, there were 2 in that challenge that missed the mark; one used a cardboard box to represent an elevator, and the other used a locker. One passed, the other didn’t; which goes to show that the ‘Mob Rules’ during these challenges (regardless if it hits exactly within the parameters or not).

I think peeps ask a lot of questions simply to ensure their script won’t fail the challenge right out the gate. I’m scratching my head about this one as well; however, I think Pia alleviated any confusion by stating:

“as far as apocalypses go, it's all up to you. WWIII, Climate change, Pandemic, alien invasion... Whatever you can think of.”

Honestly, I wish this one didn't have Carson and the special reader because this topic is perfect for those B movies we all grew up with.  I know I spent 3 days trying to figure out the least crazy idea instead of just having fun.

And honestly, the idea I did choose, if I do it wrong could be terribly hokey.  

I think part of my problem is that I was raised on bad B,C,and even D movies.  And some of them, like say "a polish vampire in Burbank" I enjoyed a lot.

In my brain, Godzilla could be sleeping in my lake.  The neighbors could be vampiric werewolves.  The other neighbors could be serial killers.  Flying invisible brains could strangle me when I go to sleep.  Long forgotten gods could be talking to me in my sleep.  The mailman could secretly be a crazy scientist.

All of which leads to three things.
1.  Most of the ideas I loved don't work today.  Just like Scream elevated all slashers, people demand more from movies.  I don't think a movie like Tremors would work today and that's too bad.

2.  Yep I have a pretty fucked up brain.

3.  No, it isn't time for my meds yet!!!!!

Dan

I had an idea but no ending. Today I have an ending to it! So tomorrow, I'll write it down. I'm such a last minute writer!!

Dan, lately I started liking simple slashers too. Simple horrors if they have suspence and all then fine - I like them. You should write something like that, I wouldn't mind as long as it's a good read.

Quoted from DanC Honestly, I wish this one didn't have Carson and the special reader Dan

That's one of the main reasons I'm doing this one. Love trying to appease the SS readers, but having Carson and an outside reader have a look sort of ups the ante.  

Quoted from SAC That's one of the main reasons I'm doing this one. Love trying to appease the SS readers, but having Carson and an outside reader have a look sort of ups the ante.

Yes, I like this.

It's making me think way more about that logline  

Concept, and therefor logline, are a HUGE part in whether a script gets read. Often those things are more important that the execution of the script and story.

Dan, I don't think Carson, or anyone, is limiting what they like to studio budget movies. A good concept is a good concept, even if it's destined to low budget.

It's been quite some time since I entered an OWC. I think I'm coming back for this one. Still got three days to go. =)

If I write one it will be Thursday or Friday night. I'm always last minute. Sorry guys ... I should do better.

first draft done.

Hoot hoot I'm pretty happy with my work, win or not I think I got something good here!!

Just finished my third draft. It's really starting to come together. I'm not sure what else I can add, but I certainly surprise myself sometimes. I'll look it over and see what else I can tweak before submitting.

I think my biggest issue is I can't tell what is good and what is a pisser idea.  

I mean, if what I'm writing about really happened in the real world, I'd be terrified.  

But, others might see it as the biggest pisser idea they've ever seen, and that's saying a lot.

How do you tell what is a good idea vs what is a truly horrid idea?

I once told Carson that no idea was bad if it was executed correctly, but, I'm not sure I believe that anymore.  I mean, some of the greatest movies that were surely pisser-esque got made, such as "Attack of the Killer Tomatoes" or "A polish vampire in Burbank."  

While my idea isn't nearly as corny as that, I guess there is such a fine line between scary and corny.  How many movies try to be serious and fall flat.  How many movies try to be scary but fall flat?  

Hell, big budget movies have this happen too.  I saw a movie years ago called Cable Guy.  I honestly thought that movie was terrifying, but, others thought it was funny.  I mean, when he laid there silent and still enough for that spider to walk across his face, how could they be going for any other genre than really fucked up?  

I know this is a big opportunity for all of us.  I guess the unexpected weight of being terrible in Carson's and the mystery reader's eyes has me unsettled a bit.  

I need to take that next step and control my anxiety and not be afraid to succeed and fail.  

I've talked to a few writers who've made it and they always say "just write" and that's what I've been doing.  I have a lot of stories and I guess I'm lucky in that way...

Well, back to the story.  On the plus side, since I've done so much work with shorts, I've learned how to cut down the story and not have to cut 4 pages from a 15-page story.  

This story should be around 7-9 pages.  Pretty happy....

Dan

Dan, just treat it like any OWC. Don't let the mystery reader and the Carson factor intimidate you. Just write your story.

Quoted from DanC Honestly, I wish this one didn't have Carson and the special reader because this topic is perfect for those B movies we all grew up with.  I know I spent 3 days trying to figure out the least crazy idea instead of just having fun. And honestly, the idea I did choose, if I do it wrong could be terribly hokey.   I think part of my problem is that I was raised on bad B,C,and even D movies.  And some of them, like say "a polish vampire in Burbank" I enjoyed a lot. In my brain, Godzilla could be sleeping in my lake.  The neighbors could be vampiric werewolves.  The other neighbors could be serial killers.  Flying invisible brains could strangle me when I go to sleep.  Long forgotten gods could be talking to me in my sleep.  The mailman could secretly be a crazy scientist. All of which leads to three things. 1.  Most of the ideas I loved don't work today.  Just like Scream elevated all slashers, people demand more from movies.  I don't think a movie like Tremors would work today and that's too bad. 2.  Yep I have a pretty fucked up brain. 3.  No, it isn't time for my meds yet!!!!! Dan

All any great writer does it takes all the stories they've ever absorbed and re-tell them in a new way or puts a different spin on them. If you have all those B-Movie horrors running amok in your mind then use them, re-invent them. Make them not corny if that's what you want. Don't worry about what Carson or anyone else thinks, write what you want to write, the story you want to tell.

Then at the end, if it doesn't work at least you have been honest to yourself.

As for me, I had a good night. I'm up to 6 pages, got a title I like and the logline is coming together. I won't get any chance to work on it today but will hopefully get the first draft done Thursday. Loving it so far, the idea I have does seem a bit too big scope wise for just 12 pages but it will be a start and something I can work on further after the challenge.

I always tell myself one thing - people will read it and forget all about it in time. And that thought keeps me going.

Having said that, I might not write for this one after all. My daughter is a pianist, her first big solo performance is tomorrow, she's going to give a concert. And she's only in 10th grade, so if feels like I'm giving a concert and not her. Posters, invitations, arrangements - all is on me. So, I feel pretty overwhelmed today. Although I did start writing, have a Fade in and a page of my story down. But lets see. It all depends how tomorrow goes.

Good luck to all with it.