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First time I've ever read/reviewed all the scripts in one sitting, so kudos to Don for putting together a challenge that was such a breeze to read through.
I know the parameters were a bit confusing at first and I know some folks have written visual elements into their scripts (myself included) but in each one the focus has been on people having conversations through a device which is the core parameter. I also believe most of the visual elements would work with sound effects with just a bit of a tweak to the action and dialogue.
I won't be downgrading anyone for visual elements, it will be based on the story, characters and original spins as usual. There are a lot of solid entries this time around, you guys are talented bitches!
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I won't be downgrading anyone for visual elements, it will be based on the story, characters and original spins as usual.
I'll have to disagree as the challenge (to me) was purely audio. If I thought I could get away with slipping in a visual or three, it may have made my choices of storytelling different.
This is not to change anyone's interpretation in scoring but it will factor into mine.
All told, some pretty fantastic entries and everyone should feel proud. You gotta love a challenge that puts us out of our comfort zone.
Normally I would agree with you and say the rules are the rules, but Dom specifically requested we don't penalise those with visual elements - "Despite the confusion over my "Bullet-Proof Perfect Challenge Theme" every script received met the challenge as I wrote it (badly). Some scripts did a little better job being entirely non-visual, HOWEVER I will not (and you should not) penalize those scripts that had visual elements. Also, some used a radio script format and some used traditional screenplay format. Both worked really well. I hope that everyone can review and score based on the merits of the stories as they are told and not get hung up on the formatting. "
Everyone votes as they please, but I think it would be unfortunate someone gets points deducted because they wrote a script with visual elements or wrote a radio formatted script, as I've seen a few comments about not liking the format of the few scripts who have chosen this Radio layout.
For more of my scripts, stories, produced movies and the ocassional blog, check out my new website. CLICK
Woah they were super quick to read - quickie challenges should be the norm.
I too will be marking down some entries that rely too heavily on visuals. It's not to punish them, but more to reward those who found creative ways to get the audio element across effectively.
Well done everyone on entering, some real fun reads in there
I agree with Matt/John, if part of the challenge was to create a script that was entirely (or almost entirely) audio then those where little or no attempt has been made should be reflected in the scores.
I'm not DQing anyone for it but part of any challenge is to meet the stated criteria, if it's not somehow captured in the scores then why have criteria?
And I do accept that a good sound engineer could take any of these scripts and make them audio only (apart from the text one)... but that can be said of anything script we write, this challenge was to intentionally write something that was audio first.
I agree with Matt/John, if part of the challenge was to create a script that was entirely (or almost entirely) audio then those where little or no attempt has been made should be reflected in the scores.
I'm not DQing anyone for it but part of any challenge is to meet the stated criteria, if it's not somehow captured in the scores then why have criteria?
And I do accept that a good sound engineer could take any of these scripts and make them audio only (apart from the text one)... but that can be said of anything script we write, this challenge was to intentionally write something that was audio first.
imho of course.
Now I agree with Matt/John/Anthony.
It is the very nature of the OWC. I had an idea that I loved - one that I will write later - BUT - couldn't pull it off without the visuals (it relied on some facial expressions and visual screenshots of a phone). So - I said eff it - got to come up with something else.
Not DQ ing anything - but I reward scripts that come closer to the challenge parameters vs ones that don't come close. The good news is that generally - at least for me - it wouldn't have made any difference in the outcome - not sure I ever ran across something that I thought was the best script that didn't meet the parameters.
Oddly missing from these visual scripts - NARRATORS. It didn't strike me a a device until I started reading - but there were so many visuals in some cases I thought - hmm, why didn't they just use a narrator -
NARRATOR (V.O)
Dave sat at his desk and ground his teeth as he contemplated how he should have used a Narrator in his story.
Normally I would agree with you and say the rules are the rules, but Dom specifically requested we don't penalise those with visual elements - "Despite the confusion over my "Bullet-Proof Perfect Challenge Theme" every script received met the challenge as I wrote it (badly). Some scripts did a little better job being entirely non-visual, HOWEVER I will not (and you should not) penalize those scripts that had visual elements. Also, some used a radio script format and some used traditional screenplay format. Both worked really well. I hope that everyone can review and score based on the merits of the stories as they are told and not get hung up on the formatting. "
Everyone votes as they please, but I think it would be unfortunate someone gets points deducted because they wrote a script with visual elements or wrote a radio formatted script, as I've seen a few comments about not liking the format of the few scripts who have chosen this Radio layout.
Not exactly what Don said.
Despite the confusion over my "Bullet-Proof Perfect Challenge Theme" every script received met the challenge as I wrote it (badly). Some scripts did a little better job being entirely non-visual, HOWEVER I will not penalize those scripts that had visual elements.
You added the - (and you should not). I know it was just an editorial comment on your part - but as quoted - it appears to be a Don instruction. Which it wasn't.
I do agree with you on format - to me - any and all were available to use - just needed to use effectively. And that will vary based on the reviewer to reviewer. I thought there were some very clever format alternatives in this one.
On the visuals - I generally forgave the opening intros a lot of folks used and just moved on. I was bothered by visuals that were needed for plot points or tone and thought they were outside the spirit of the challenge.
Finished my reviews of all the scripts. Thankful for the short pages! Makes for an easy review.
I think I'm on board with most people with how they're viewing the visual aspects of the challenge, and I take it in to account when scoring. I don't DQ anyone for having the visuals but I do give higher scores that met the challenge or maybe had just a small glitch in meeting the challenge.
People were really creative with this and I really appreciate Don making us stretch our brains! It's been awhile since I've written and finished something, so glad to be back in the saddle again, even if my effort was a bit of a stinker.
Some of my scripts:
Bounty (TV Pilot) -- Top 1% of discoverable screenplays on Coverfly I'll Be Seeing You (short) - OWC winner The Gambler (short) - OWC winner Skip (short) - filmed Country Road 12 (short) - filmed The Family Man (short) - filmed The Journeyers (feature) - optioned
Actually, a radio play is what I was gunning for, tho a radio play that could be filmed. Iow, a blind person experiencing the film would get the same enjoyment as a seeing person.
- Don
Seems pretty clear to me. What I'm looking for in these scripts is a real attempt to avoid any sort of visual storytelling. There are a few of the scripts that depend on visual storytelling, and while I won't be DQ'ing any of them, they will be marked down for not meeting the challenge.
Some really good scripts so far. Can't wait to read more.
Most of the scripts, at least that I’ve seen, that were heavy handed on visuals weren’t among the best anyway. So far. Any scripts that were too heavy on visuals I just stopped reading the action and focused on the dialogue instead.
The cream always rises to the top anyway. In my case, not so much...
Finished. Some very cool ideas and great reads. If I had to pick favorites, for me it'd probably be Goodbye and Kittens. But there's others in the mix I liked a lot too.
Finished. Some very cool ideas and great reads. If I had to pick favorites, for me it'd probably be Goodbye and Kittens. But there's others in the mix I liked a lot too.
Great challenge!
Yeah - I thought folks really came with the A game (sadly I came with a C game). THis was enjoyable.
I won't be downgrading anyone for visual elements, it will be based on the story, characters and original spins as usual. There are a lot of solid entries this time around, you guys are talented bitches!
Everyone has to make their own choices on this, but I know I could have written a better visual script than one that was simply audio, I reckon that's the case for almost every writer. The challenge was writing a non-visual script.
I think the best of the best audio scripts should only have to compete with each other.
Interested to see if you wrote one of the 'visual' scripts