On Nov. 17, 2019, a 55-year-old person from Hubei province, China, may have been the first person to contract COVID-19.  

In the intervening time, the world has changed for a lot of people. There are a lot of stories.

This month's theme is The Journal of the Plague Year - stories real or imagined inspired by the current pandemic.

The genre is open. Ideally, your script could easily be filmed under your current circumstances - limited actors, sets, props, or effects.

Rules of participation are:

1) You must read and review on the discussion board, at least five of the scripts submitted. You are welcome to read and review more.

2) You must be a member of the discussion board. You can register when you submit your script.


Submit your two to six page script, anonymously to simplyscripts.com/owc by midnight, March 15th.

If you have any questions about the challenge, post them here.

---

The nitty-gritty

Write a 2 to 6 page (not including the title page) properly formatted, short script.

By submitting your script, you are committing to reading and reviewing on the discussion board five (5) submitted scripts for each script you submit.

Theme: "A Journal of the Plague Year"
Genre: Open
Challenge: Stories inspired by the 2020 Pandemic
Optional Challenge: Can realistically be filmed with limited actors and sets, e.g., a house, an apartment, a farm, a back yard

Submit your script anonymously to SimplyScripts.com/OWC

There will be a review page emailed to you for you to score the scripts you read. Please only give scores to scripts that you have read. Please do not rate scripts in your review.

Schedule:

Friday 5/8 - Theme and Genre release
Friday 5/15 - Scripts due 11:59 pm edt
Saturday 5/16 - Noon edt Scripts Posted
Friday 5/22 - Writers Choice votes due

This isn't a contest - it's a challenge. There are no official prizes.

You may submit more than one script but it's better to write one GREAT script than two or three mediocre ones. You may also have a writing partner.

You can revise your script as many times as you wish up until the deadline.

Do not put your real name on your script; this is an anonymous challenge. However, please use your real name when submitting your script.

After the challenge closes you can either have your script removed or resubmit your script with your name on it.

Participants must read and comment/review in the discussion board at least five other scripts submitted.

Please put ©2020 on your title page.

Great Don... so we’re going to be reading 30 some scripts about people wearing PPE’s trying to have sex on the beach without getting arrested??? I’ll try to come up with something more creative…

So Don, is this meant to read: March OWC, like some retro thing?

2-6 pages makes reading multiple entries a lot easier.  

Quoted from LC So Don, is this meant to read: March OWC, like some retro thing? 2-6 pages makes reading multiple entries a lot easier.

I’ve corrected that error.

Don

Awesome challenge, Don. Already got the wheels spinning.  

By the way, this challenge is very similar to the Quarantine Film Challenge. - https://filmfreeway.com/Quaran.....FFbgXgG1ZghlWN88du3o

Great challenge to rev up some ideas.

Will try my best.

Best of luck to all.

I'm in. Literally I'm in lockdown and I'm also in for this challenge.  

BTW on the blurb it says entries should be in by March 15th.

Quoted from MarkRenshaw I'm in. Literally I'm in lockdown and I'm also in for this challenge.   BTW on the blurb it says entries should be in by March 15th.

Thanks, Mark.  Fixed that, too.  

Quoted from Zack Awesome challenge, Don. Already got the wheels spinning.   By the way, this challenge is very similar to the Quarantine Film Challenge. - https://filmfreeway.com/Quaran.....FFbgXgG1ZghlWN88du3o

Actually ...

I think their challenge was inspired by The Journal of the Plague Year thread that Dustin started and I took over.

(Tho this was all inspired by Defoe's The Journal of the Plague Year.

But it's cool.  In this challenge I'm looking for really broad interpretations of 'inspired' and 'impacted'.  

- Don

Quoted from MarkRenshaw BTW on the blurb it says entries should be in by March 15th.

Ah, yes, March 15th. I remember March 15th... such a simpler time...

AJR

So does the script need to be ABOUT the pandemic? Or can it be an unrelated story that just so happens to take place during the 2020 pandemic?

Don't think I'll make this one, lost almost a day already because I didn't check the boards until now and I'm back on shift on Monday.
Might try something as it's only a few pages but we'll see.
Good luck to everyone who does enter though.

Wow... I do love the page count. Makes reading a bunch of scripts much more doable for me. May come up with something for this.

Thanks Don!!

I have the germ of an idea

Be careful of those germs, Dave.  

Quoted from Zack So does the script need to be ABOUT the pandemic? Or can it be an unrelated story that just so happens to take place during the 2020 pandemic?

No Doesn’t have to be about the pandemic and yes, it can something  that happens to take place during the pandemic.

Don

Quoted from LC Be careful of those germs, Dave.

Quoted from Don No Doesn’t have to be about the pandemic and yes, it can something  that happens to take place during the pandemic. Don

Confused with the above answer.

That would seem to be any story then. It just needs to take place somewhere between December 2019 and today. i.e., as opposed to:

Quoted Text This month's theme is The Journal of the Plague Year - stories real or imagined inspired by the current pandemic.

i.e., isn't this supposed to be pandemic related??

Quoted from eldave1 Confused with the above answer. That would seem to be any story then. It just needs to take place somewhere between December 2019 and today. i.e., as opposed to: i.e., isn't this supposed to be pandemic related??

I'm pretty sure Don meant that it doesn't have to be (but can be) a story based on people dealing directly with the pandemic (I.e., doctors, nurses, people in nursing homes),but that their lives are somehow affected by the pandemic (isolation, loneliness, dying, etc.).  Anyone who just turns in a story completely unrelated to the pandemic in some way would definitely get called out by me or would affect my scoring of the story.

I expect to see a lot of drama around death and dying.  Hope there's some variety, some humor, even the completely unexpected.  I'm sure Zack may even have a horror script all lined up.  Will be interesting to see what we get.

Dave,

Gary explained it much better than I was able to.  It does have to be related to the pandemic, but not directly related, e.g., because we are all wearing masks, because there are more animals in neighborhoods, because we aren't monitoring something we normally monitor because someone died due to COVID-19.

Don

Quoted from Don Dave, Gary explained it much better than I was able to.  It does have to be related to the pandemic, but not directly related, e.g., because we are all wearing masks, because there are more animals in neighborhoods, because we aren't monitoring something we normally monitor because someone died due to COVID-19. Don

Got it

I'll be in. But, I'm waiting for Dave's germ to spread... 'cause so far I don't have much.

Plenty of time though. 2-6 pages is a great length. Only need an idea and a couple of hours.

Next time you need to sneeze, Dave, turn towards Kansas. Please.

Quoted from PKCardinal I'll be in. But, I'm waiting for Dave's germ to spread... 'cause so far I don't have much. Plenty of time though. 2-6 pages is a great length. Only need an idea and a couple of hours. Next time you need to sneeze, Dave, turn towards Kansas. Please.

Will do.

I just submitted one. That was quick -

Quoted from PKCardinal I'll be in. But, I'm waiting for Dave's germ to spread... 'cause so far I don't have much. ... Next time you need to sneeze, Dave, turn towards Kansas. Please.

Love it!

Quoted from Gary in Houston I'm sure Zack may even have a horror script all lined up.  Will be interesting to see what we get.

No promises, but I'm gonna try my best to get something in.

So far I've had ZERO good ideas. Interested to see what others come up with.

I usually have ideas, but nothing this time. I keep thinking about it. So, alone at home. Just sitting there. Maybe calling someone. But who... and why. Better just sit, in silence. Maybe saw something. Leave a hole. Repair the hole. Or look I'm going somewhere with it.

Submitted mine.

I have something of an idea. Will start writing and hope it reveals itself as something better.

Hmmm...just saw this. Crap. Four days left...Not feeling good about this.

Quoted from PKCardinal I have something of an idea. Will start writing and hope it reveals itself as something better.

Well... that went nowhere.

Starting over with a new idea.

Damn!  Where have I been since Friday?

Oh yeah, we had 4 grand kids over, the oldest being 13, and I've been cooking, serving, cleaning, and entertaining all weekend.

I'll do my best to get something in.  Luckily, it's a wide open challenge, so that makes things much easier on a 4 day time limit.

OK, now I need to think about this.  Maybe some alcohol will help...

Trying to think outside the box for this one. Still got nothing. If anyone is looking for a potential co-writer, send me a PM.

Dammit! There have been so many great conspiracy theories in the 'Journal of the plague' but there's no way to search them except to read through all 1,031 posts. I can't go on memory since I can't remember what I had for breakfast anymore. I think Jeff has the right idea...maybe a drink would help.

Quoted from Dreamscale Damn!  Where have I been since Friday? Oh yeah, we had 4 grand kids over, the oldest being 13, and I've been cooking, serving, cleaning, and entertaining all weekend. I'll do my best to get something in.  Luckily, it's a wide open challenge, so that makes things much easier on a 4 day time limit. OK, now I need to think about this.  Maybe some alcohol will help...

Jeff, alcohol won't cure the virus. I think you were thinking about Lysol.

Quoted from JEStaats Dammit! There have been so many great conspiracy theories in the 'Journal of the plague' but there's no way to search them except to read through all 1,031 posts. I can't go on memory since I can't remember what I had for breakfast anymore. I think Jeff has the right idea...maybe a drink would help.

I'll summarize.

Bill Gates, conspiring with the WHO and Communist China, developed 5G in order to implant us with devices that will connect our minds to the internet.

OR something like that.

You forgot to mention that Obama knew about it all along and didn't do anything because he's a communist as well.  I mean, it's all there in Hillary's emails.

Quoted from Gary in Houston You forgot to mention that Obama knew about it all along and didn't do anything because he's a communist as well.  I mean, it's all there in Hillary's emails.

Yes. Oversight on my part

I just came across the post today.
I have zero interest in COVID 19 scripts, and I already have a few "seclusion" and/or quarantine type scripts.

That said, I have a funky idea.
Just...popped in the brain, but then I realized
my heart's just not in it.

Hopefully the sun will shine tomorrow.
Hopefully my new masks with the snakeskin patterns will arrive in the mail. I'm tired of the paper ones. I keep sneezing in them.

Quoted from eldave1 Jeff, alcohol won't cure the virus. I think you were thinking about Lysol.

FUN FACTS
Alcohol in Cough Syrup and other Over-the-Counter Medicines
Medication ---% Alcohol
Hall's            22.0
Jiffy                    56.5
Night Relief      25.0
Nyquil            25.0

I don't know about anyone else, but I load up.
Don't cough or sneeze for hours.
I

Where has this thread been for the last four days? Why am I just know finding it? I know I wouldn't have time to complete a script in only three days.

Finished a first draft. Was not entirely unhappy with it, but it’s missing something. Need to obsess over it now for four days and still wind up turning in the first draft.

Quoted from ChrisBodily Where has this thread been for the last four days? Why am I just know finding it? I know I wouldn't have time to complete a script in only three days.

It's all part of the conspiracy.  

- Don

gosh, a OWC.

and a cool idea, with simple page limit. good idea.

I've been at home eight weeks, surely I've got to have a go at this, even if a bit late.

its probably just me, but I haven't been much of a writer for a while . And it seems harder to get fired up than it once did. I was able to join in in October,  but I just don't seem to remember how to write these bloody things. Practice makes perfect, as they say.

hell, worth a go. thanks don

must be the option of a devil porn script within this, somehow  

Quoted from Reef Dreamer must be the option of a devil porn script within this, somehow

Dang it. Scratch that idea.

Quoted from JEStaats Dang it. Scratch that idea.

Listen, if we could do 25 scripts about bobblehead dolls, I don't think a couple of devil porn scripts will hurt anyone.

Not looking good for me.

Teri's Mom was released from the hospital yesterday, but not doing great, by any means.

Trouble with my job, as in things could get very hairy very soon for me, so I'm scrambling, making sure I'll be covered if something goes down.

No ideas on this challenge and doubtful I can even really try to get something together.

I will read and comment, as always. Good luck to all who enter.

Jeff -
- Best to Teri's Mom.
- Prepare for the worst and hope for the best (good luck)
- As always, we look forward to your comments!

Quoted from JEStaats Jeff - - Best to Teri's Mom. - Prepare for the worst and hope for the best (good luck) - As always, we look forward to your comments!

Thanks, man. but be careful what you look forward to.  

Quoted from Dreamscale Not looking good for me. Teri's Mom was released from the hospital yesterday, but not doing great, by any means. Trouble with my job, as in things could get very hairy very soon for me, so I'm scrambling, making sure I'll be covered if something goes down. No ideas on this challenge and doubtful I can even really try to get something together. I will read and comment, as always. Good luck to all who enter.

Sorry to hear that, Jeff. Keeping my fingers crossed

Hang in there Jeff, mate

Hope everything works out for you, Jeff. Stay positive.

Not sure if I'm gonna get anything in for this OWC, but I'll read and review as many as I can.

This could not have come at a worse time for me. I've just got way too much on my plate unfortunately. Hopefully by the next one I'll be good to go.

Good luck to all who get something across the line.

I'm torn.
I'm not entering, but part of me wants e to tell you of that funky germ of...I mean that funky spark of an idea I had. The other half of me doesn't want to, because I'm curious if any of the peeps were on the same wavelength as me. I doubt that, but you never know.


The following objects are horded in a cottage : kleenex, toilet paper, paper towels, and a whole lot of hand soap. HUNDREDS OF THEM as far as the eye can see, a maze of of boxes and paper rolls.,

A mob of safe distancers with pitchforks and gas masks surround the cottage.

The Occupant of the cottage smears butter on his toast.
His open fridge reveals buckets of butter, his pantry full of rye bread.

"No justice! No Peace!" the crowd outside chants.
"what do you want!?" shouts the lone Occupant.
"We want your Kleenex!  Your toilet paper!" the mob cries out.
"You little snots are full of shit!" shouts the occupant.

The leader of the mob, WALLACE steps forward in defiance.
""They may take away our lives, but they'll never take our freedom!"



and that's all I had.  One page long. Instant DQ.
sorry about that.
That's all I had. Sorry.

Something happened to us, sigh. I started writing but stopped. I guess all that sitting at home gets to you.

Quoted from DarrenJamesSeeley I'm torn. I'm not entering, but part of me wants e to tell you of that funky germ of...I mean that funky spark of an idea I had. The other half of me doesn't want to, because I'm curious if any of the peeps were on the same wavelength as me. I doubt that, but you never know. The following objects are horded in a cottage : kleenex, toilet paper, paper towels, and a whole lot of hand soap. HUNDREDS OF THEM as far as the eye can see, a maze of of boxes and paper rolls., A mob of safe distancers with pitchforks and gas masks surround the cottage. The Occupant of the cottage smears butter on his toast. His open fridge reveals buckets of butter, his pantry full of rye bread. "No justice! No Peace!" the crowd outside chants. "what do you want!?" shouts the lone Occupant. "We want your Kleenex!  Your toilet paper!" the mob cries out. "You little snots are full of shit!" shouts the occupant. The leader of the mob, WALLACE steps forward in defiance. ""They may take away our lives, but they'll never take our freedom!" and that's all I had.  One page long. Instant DQ. sorry about that. That's all I had. Sorry.

I think this could go "viral"

Quoted from khamanna Something happened to us, sigh. I started writing but stopped. I guess all that sitting at home gets to you.

What happened. Kham?

Quoted from eldave1 What happened. Kham?

I mean that many signed off and couldn't write for this one. It's a fun challenge otherwise, but people seemingly just couldn't. I know I can't, and I usually do.

Quoted from khamanna I mean that many signed off and couldn't write for this one. It's a fun challenge otherwise, but people seemingly just couldn't. I know I can't, and I usually do.

Got it - just wanted to make sure ya didn't come down with anything

Quoted from eldave1 Got it - just wanted to make sure ya didn't come down with anything

Oh, thank you Dave. I haven't)

Hi Kham

I hope you enter.

I have a draft and should be able to throw a script into the mix.

I also have this weird idea of trying to do two - except I have no idea on the second.

Its the beer talking

PS I've been at home a while ....

Have a go, Kham. Being creative is the best medicine against pandemics.

I have at least ten ideas for this. I've just been too mega busy lately. If I write something, it will be something slapped together tomorrow evening. Just like the old days!  

Been busy working on a script for what is hopefully my next feature film, but I did slap something together pretty quickly. And I mean quickly. But I thought there was only 5 hours left! It looks like another day was added to the deadline, though I'm not sure if I would've had the time to work on it tomorrow, anyway.

I never participated in any challenges on here despite lingering around for almost 15 years, so this should be fun. I'm really looking forward to reading some scripts!

-- Michael

Quoted from spesh2k Been busy working on a script for what is hopefully my next feature film, but I did slap something together pretty quickly. And I mean quickly. But I thought there was only 5 hours left! It looks like another day was added to the deadline, though I'm not sure if I would've had the time to work on it tomorrow, anyway. I never participated in any challenges on here despite lingering around for almost 15 years, so this should be fun. I'm really looking forward to reading some scripts! -- Michael

Just recently started on a new feature myself. You'll find that the OWC's are a great writer's block tool.  I work on my feature for a bit - get bored with my own shit - pick up a few reads on the OWC - back to the feature. Rinse and repeat.

Good luck - they can be fun.

Quoted from spesh2k Been busy working on a script for what is hopefully my next feature film, but I did slap something together pretty quickly. And I mean quickly. But I thought there was only 5 hours left! It looks like another day was added to the deadline, though I'm not sure if I would've had the time to work on it tomorrow, anyway. I never participated in any challenges on here despite lingering around for almost 15 years, so this should be fun. I'm really looking forward to reading some scripts! -- Michael

Good for you, Michael! I'll be scanning the entries for horror.  

Quoted Text Good for you, Michael! I'll be scanning the entries for horror.

What makes you think it's gonna be under horror

Just look for the one that's very poorly written. I scrambled to get it done in between some other stuff I'm working on in order to make deadline. I had a very tight window to get this done... and I mean REALLY tight. I'm just happy to be involved somehow. I'm more so looking forward to reading some entries.

-- Michael

Wow, the calm before the storm.

I predict a big turnout.  

Well, I started writing today and just finished and submitted.
Reading them is not as fun when you're don't have anything in.

Quoted from khamanna Well, I started writing today and just finished and submitted. Reading them is not as fun when you're don't have anything in.

Good for you Kham!

Quoted from LC Wow, the calm before the storm. I predict a big turnout.

I agree — I’m thinking around 25 entries.  

Quoted from khamanna Well, I started writing today and just finished and submitted. Reading them is not as fun when you're don't have anything in.

That a go - kudos

I'm in. Not proud but I'm in.

Let the games begin!

Okay, sitting down now to write something. If you all shit on my script, I¨m gonna delete every single post of yours from now on!!!!! Muahahahaha!!!  

Oh, and I'm four beers in already...  

Quoted from JEStaats I'm in. Not proud but I'm in.

Doesn't that just perfectly sum up the OWC submission experience.

Quoted from Grandma Bear Oh, and I'm four beers in already...

Ugh I regret not having a beer while writing.

I'm debating jumping in. Not sure if I will, but with under three hours, this is the timeframe I used to wait for for five-pagers in the MP days. We'll see if inspiration strikes.

Good luck, Sean!

I'm doing the same.

Quoted from LC Good luck, Sean! I'm doing the same.

I don't have an ending. This is a problem.

Edit: Yes, I do. See you guys in two and a half hours.

I'm new here and I've submitted a script for this challenge. As my username implies, I'm not a professional. I'm just a guy who likes the screenwriting artform. I hope people like it.

Good for you, Casual!

Welcome to SS.

Remember to read as many entries as you can - minimum, five, Don stated.
Oh, and roll with the punches. Feedback in OWCs can be merciless.

Quoted from MarkD I'm new here and I've submitted a script for this challenge. As my username implies, I'm not a professional. I'm just a guy who likes the screenwriting artform. I hope people like it.

Hi and welcome) I'm not a professional screenwriter either. And most of the time my OWC scripts are not liked.
And like Libby said it's okay.
Just saying so you have time to prepare yourself. Then again yours might be a very good script. Just be ready for anything.

Submitted!!! My first in a loooong time!  

Quoted from Grandma Bear Submitted!!! My first in a loooong time!

Nice!

Out. I don't like the way the story's coming out. Good luck to everyone who enters.

Quoted from MarkD I'm new here and I've submitted a script for this challenge. As my username implies, I'm not a professional. I'm just a guy who likes the screenwriting artform. I hope people like it.

A few helpful tips for you.

1. Read and review other people's work, honestly. Respect is the most important currency anywhere and there isn't a person out there who wouldn't want to read and review your work if you did the same for them.

2. With their criticism, nobody is actively trying to attack you. It may feel that way from time to time, but it's not the case.

3. By itself, the criticism does nothing for you. What you do with it is what helps you grow as a writer.

Good luck and have fun. =)