Unfavorable reviews also might be due to rushing towards the end.

But I agree with Pia - you better give a few a careful read and say something concrete rather than rush through all of them just for the sake of reading all.
And then, who needs numerous reviews saying the same thing - at this point if I see a script gathered a lot of negative reviews I don't step in with the same thing.

About the challenge - I thought the location was to be set entirely inside an elevator, so at the beginning I was sure that neither of the scripts (minus 2 or 3) met the parameters. Only then I gave the instructions another read. Silly me.

Tough challenge by the way.

I participated in these challenges in another life and the quality of the writing, IMO, has gone up quite a bit! I really didn't care for the elevator instructions at first, I thought the scripts would all be too similar, but I was mistaken. A lot of very imaginative efforts on display. In general it's been impressive and even the few scripts that have been chores to read have had strong concepts.

Wonka promised a lot of sex and death. Plenty of the latter, only one example of the former that I've seen so far, and I've read over 20.

A lot of people seem to be really bugging about the parameters. Some even seem to really expect that every story take place completely on an elevator. I think with 36 scripts it's better to allow a little freedom to create. The parameters said, I think, "on or next to an elevator". To me, if the central action of the story is on the elevator, and the other scenes are near the elevator, such as the lobby or the hallway, whatever room contains the elevator, that's fine. 36 scripts is a lot to read, I'd rather allow a little freedom for the sake of getting more creative stories.

Quoted from SteveDiablo Great idea. Yes, I think I will go with that, I'm never gonna be able to read every single script posted. I might if I just give "YES" or "NO" comments, like I have been doing, but what good is that to anyone? I will try and just set a few aside and try to write a decent review on them. It is a challenge in itself to read these things when you just don't have that much time. I did notice a lot of scripts posted felt very similar in style, not quite a screenplay style I'm fond of , but a style the majority seem to prefer which is interesting. Another note: Maybe I am taking this a bit too seriously. It's a fun challenge that I think is awesome. Why try to act like I'm Ebert and Roeper?   At the same time, I don't think I can offer that much help, I'm not an experienced writer and when I read the posts above what I've said, it just bangs that home even more. I don't even know what half of you are talking about... I'll try my best, but I feel a bit silly trying to tell someone how to write a script when I'm not on that level.

Steve,
Just because you might not know as much as they do about formatting, set up or whatever doesn't mean you don't have valuable insight to offer.  You might be good at dialog, or spotting weak plot points, or punctuation or something else like that.  Everyone has something to offer, even if that is just something mundane.  If you catch a typo that others missed, you've done a great favor for them.

Don't discount yourself.  Knowledge comes with time, effort always matters.
Dan  

Quoted from Grandma Bear No one said you have to read all of them. I'm contemplating reading only two or maybe three quarters of them, but trying to give better feedback. Feedback with some suggestions on how to improve the script. Not just a "I hated/loved this. Good job."

Pia
I hope you will read mine.

Dan

Quoted from khamanna Unfavorable reviews also might be due to rushing towards the end. But I agree with Pia - you better give a few a careful read and say something concrete rather than rush through all of them just for the sake of reading all. And then, who needs numerous reviews saying the same thing - at this point if I see a script gathered a lot of negative reviews I don't step in with the same thing. About the challenge - I thought the location was to be set entirely inside an elevator, so at the beginning I was sure that neither of the scripts (minus 2 or 3) met the parameters. Only then I gave the instructions another read. Silly me. Tough challenge by the way.

Agreed,
     It was a tough challenge and I admit that I didn't fully "get" it.  I didn't come up with a great story.
I wish we could have another story challenge.  Like now.

I reviewed many of the scripts pretty early on, and I don't look at mine, so, that way, I don't get influenced by any comments on mine.  And I got slammed, but, I think it is up to each of us to act like a professional and accept it.  

Look at it this way, I'd rather hear it from you guys then send it out and have a professional toss it for the same reasons that were listed on here.

I disagree with Dustin in that our opinions don't matter.  I think each opinion offers something.  Whether or not you accept that opinion is up to you.  The dumbest comment could unlock something you never saw within your script.  A different way to look at your characters could set your idea apart.  So, you should at least be willing to listen, or else why are you here?

Dan

Quoted from DanC Pia I hope you will read mine.

I have no idea which one is yours and don't tell me!!  

There were a lot more entries than I would've thought. Hard to guess who wrote what. I only know four of the writers, but I ain't telling! As far as my own scripts goes, I will admit to have taken many liberties in the writing style, but I did it only to see how Jeff would react.

Quoted from Grandma Bear I have no idea which one is yours and don't tell me!!   There were a lot more entries than I would've thought. Hard to guess who wrote what. I only know four of the writers, but I ain't telling! As far as my own scripts goes, I will admit to have taken many liberties in the writing style, but I did it only to see how Jeff would react.

How is your story doing?  Are people enjoying it?  Did I give it a good review?  I have read all 36 entries.  Some I loved, some I liked, some I hated.  

I didn't love mine, but, I thought it was a bit better then some said.  Yes, there are huge mistakes, but, I thought it had some potential...

Quoted from DanC How is your story doing?  Are people enjoying it?  Did I give it a good review?  I have read all 36 entries.  Some I loved, some I liked, some I hated.

Jeff couldn't finish mine. How about that?  

I would say my feedback have been lukewarm. I won't get another mug, but that's okay. I wrote mine with the idea of maybe filming it myself.

Quoted from Grandma Bear As far as my own scripts goes, I will admit to have taken many liberties in the writing style, but I did it only to see how Jeff would react.

And, it went exactly as expected. Ahem. Lol. =)

P.S. Don't you mean "script", Pia? =)

Read all 36? That's impressive.
It's not your first OWC, right, Dan? Just asking.

My script was liked by some, hated by others.

I needed to take that hit tho because I ain't gonna improve otherwise. I only had like 2 days to write my piece and I pissed through it mostly.

I'm already thinking about the next OWC, I'm gonna use the whole week for that when it rolls around. Til then, I'll work on a few shorts.

All in all, I got the bad ideas off my chest.

Quoted from Grandma Bear I will admit to have taken many liberties in the writing style, but I did it only to see how Jeff would react.

Oh, Pia, you're killing me here.  Sorry, if I wasn't nice on yours.

You didn't even read mine!!!!

I’m through most of them, will finish the rest tomorrow.

A really inventive and mixed bunch. Great stuff and I’m going to struggle to pick one clear winner. I’ve got around 5 I love to bits (and I am jealous of)and quite a few more that show loads of potential.

With mine I got the usual mix of love/hate and everything in-between. I did note that Dreamscale read the whole thing, which is a first for me. He has bailed after about 2 pages in everything I’ve written up to now, so I must be improving…or he was in a charitable mood lol.

Despite this I am happy with what I wrote, even though some didn’t like it or get it at all. I only had two nights spare, focused on the premise of shoestring and in or around an elevator and gave it my best shot. If I had more time and could have opened up my imagination without fear of budget, I’m sure it would have been better, or far worse; one of the two anyway.

Thanks to everyone who entered and everyone who took the time to read/review each story; especially those who were polite enough to read the whole script.

-Mark

Quoted from MarkRenshaw I did note that Dreamscale read the whole thing, which is a first for me. He has bailed after about 2 pages in everything I’ve written up to now, so I must be improving…or he was in a charitable mood lol. -Mark

See how nice I can be?  

I am almost done as well - a few "lift" to go.

What I like best about the OWC is the challenge it presents to just effing write. Can't tell you how many times I have ignored the keyboard for days under the excuse of writer's block. The OWC is a good lesson in - hoist your pants up and start banging some stuff out - edit/review - keep going. Long winded way of saying the exercise of writing has it's own rewards and the OWC is a great gym to exercise in.