Welcome to the May Trifecta Challenge aka the Mini Writers' Tournament
.
Please read the rules carefully. *Especially the one marked with an asterisk below.

Challenge 1

You have 48 hrs to write a 1 - 2 page script.

Genre: Horror, Thriller, SciFi

Your story must have a twist, or shock, or sting in the tail.

Budget: Preferably Low. Contained location, minimal characters. Aim for easy and cheap to produce with minimal SFX.

No Nos:
No writing pairs - sole writers only.
No pisstakes.

Submit your entry here:
https://www.simplyscripts.com/unpro_short_exercise.html

One entry per person.

No multiple entries.


As the challenge title implies, there will be three short challenges in relative quick succession.

An amount of time will be given to read and review scripts - approx 48 hours for the first challenge, and then:

- The announcement of the second challenge will follow, read and review, and then -
- There will likely be some breathing space before The third and final challenge is announced.

Though all three challenges will be of varying page lengths they will all be short page counts to enable ease of reading/reviewing.

Stay tuned for ongoing announcements and to keep up with deadlines.

The deadline/countdown clock will be posted at the start of each challenge.

Scripts due for Round 1:

Sydney, Australia
AEST (UTC +10)
Wed, 12 May 2021
9:00 am


New York, NY, USA* (rest of U.S.A)
EDT (UTC -4)
Tue, 11 May 2021
7:00 pm

London, United Kingdom* (rest of Europe)
BST (UTC +1)
Wed, 12 May 2021
12:00 midn


TBC, cause I might be announcing slightly early...
And I gotta get my maths right.


*Please note:
Failing to enter one of the three rounds will result in automatic disqualification.

Extra Info:


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

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

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

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

(Don's rule)
Participants must read and comment/review in the discussion board at least 10 other scripts submitted or your work will be removed (no harm, no foul. I understand that live gets in the way.

Please put ©2021 on your title page.

Any questions about the challenge, post them here.

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.

48 hours, damn no pressure at all!

Great challenge, Libby!

So plain and simple, this is what you want... that couldn't be more clear.

Quoted Text Genre: Horror, Thriller, SciFi Your story must have a twist, or shock, or sting in the tail. Budget: Preferably Low. Contained location, minimal characters. Aim for easy and cheap to produce with minimal SFX.

1 - 2 page only for the first, and right up your alley, Warren, so you should get this done in a couple of hours.  

Quoted from Warren So plain and simple, this is what you want... that couldn't be more clear.

Yep, spot on.

Hhhhmmmmm.
It’s just coming up to midnight here in Bonnie. I’m working tomorrow (Monday - Friday) 8hrs per day from 0700 - 1500.
Minus family time and before i go to bed it leaves me roughly six hrs in total to get something written before deadline.
Is that possible? Of course it is, the quality of my stories isn’t that great that I can’t hammer out some dreadful guff in that time.
Count me in
Great wee challenge.

The tail would be the end right? Apologies if that's a dumb question.

Good on you, Owen!

This might very well be the hardest challenge for some...
Or the easiest, depending.

Got the wheels spinning already! Great challenge, Libby.

Heads up... Mine is gonna be gross.

Quoted from MarkD The tail would be the end right? Apologies if that's a dumb question.

Yep, generally. As long as you surprise /shock/ give us something we weren't expecting, you'll be good.

Quoted from Zack Got the wheels spinning already! Great challenge, Libby. Heads up... Mine is gonna be gross.

I expect no less from you, Zack.  

Quoted from Zack Heads up... Mine is gonna be gross.

Challenge accepted  

I have a fully formed idea, not sure I can get it into 1 or 2 pages but it's what I'm settled on so I will make it work.

Calling Andrea, Marnie, Kham, and all the other brave and super talented SS girls - come on, show these guys up!
I know Pia is a bit flat-chat, but you never know.

Okay, Libby, i'll ask the stupid question.  Is a "sting in the tail" Aussie slang for something?

Nice!

Gazza, nope I don't think Aussies can take credit for this one.
The mother country as is often the case can take credit.  

Oxford Dictionary def:

Sting in the tail -
...an unexpected, typically unpleasant or problematic end to something.

Cambridge:
If something, such as a story or joke, has a sting in the/its tail, it has a surprising or unpleasant part that only becomes clear at the end.

Quoted from Warren Challenge accepted

Oh, God. What have I started!? Bring your barf bags, people!  

Short and sweet, not much room to set up a good twist but that's the challenge, isn't it?

Quoted from Gary in Houston Okay, Libby, i'll ask the stupid question.  Is a "sting in the tail" Aussie slang for something?

Gazza, nope I don't think Aussies can take credit for this one.
The mother country as is often the case can.  

Oxford Dictionary def:

Sting in the tail -
...an unexpected, typically unpleasant or problematic end to something.

Cambridge:
If something, such as a story or joke, has a sting in the/its tail, it has a surprising or unpleasant part that only becomes clear at the end.

Just think of when you're watching a Horror, or equivalent Thriller, ScFi, and something entirely unexpected, horrifying or shocking happens. Maybe it appears with a happy ending but then there's a big unforeseen catch at the end.

Just wow us, frighten us etc., with your story. You'll be right.
Oh, and there are no stupid questions.

I'll try and post up a link to some 1 - 2 min short Horrors with Max impactsoonish.

Quoted from ReneC Short and sweet, not much room to set up a good twist but that's the challenge, isn't it?

Rene, just think about making an impression on your audience.  

http://www.tasteofcinema.com/2015/the-10-best-one-minute-films-of-the-past-decade/
https://filmschoolrejects.com/10-fantastic-short-films-that-are-only-a-minute-long-75d42a8e00dd/

I hope these are all under 2 mins.
Haven't checked them all.
Maybe different genres, but still inspiring.

One of my favourites:

Bedfellows

https://youtu.be/WQvGmMVBYMw

And this one, slightly longer, and was made into a feature film:
https://youtu.be/FUQhNGEu2KA

You can all do it!
Btw, I'm glad I tacked on the option of another page. Was tossing up a one-pager.

Are we allowed to write multiple entries?

Wow, your ideas must be flooding in, Zack.

Up to Don, I think.
He often says if you can get more than one last him...

Watched "Bedfellows".  Holy #*$@#

Quoted from Gary in Houston Watched "Bedfellows".  Holy #*$@#

Yep, it's great isn't it.   And such a simple idea really.

Bedfellows...whoa.

I'm in.

Quoted from LC Wow, your ideas must be flooding in, Zack.

Got all sorts of nasty stuff spinning around in my noggin.  

Can't wait to see what everyone else brings to the table.

Quoted from LC I'll try and post up a link to some 1 - 2 min short Horrors with Max impactsoonish.

To confirm though it's horror, thriller or sci-fi?

Quoted from LC Wow, your ideas must be flooding in, Zack. Up to Don, I think. He often says if you can get more than one last him...

Personally think it's better to only have one entry per writer.

I have my first draft written

Quoted from Warren To confirm though it's horror, thriller or sci-fi?

Correct.

Quoted from Warren Personally think it's better to only have one entry per writer.

You're probably right. I was just curious.

Got one page down.  

Sounds good Libby! Too bad I can�t do 1-2 pagers(
But good luck people!

Is it 3 or none btw?

Quoted from khamanna Sounds good Libby! Too bad I can�t do 1-2 pagers( But good luck people! Is it 3 or none btw?

Give it a go, Kham. You might surprise yourself.
.
3 rounds.
Automatic disqualification if any round missed.

Quoted from khamanna Sounds good Libby! Too bad I can�t do 1-2 pagers( But good luck people! Is it 3 or none btw?

Get something in, Kham!

First draft is done.

I blame Libby for this monstrosity that I'm about to unleash upon all of you. I'm super excited to read the scripts!

Quoted from LC As the challenge title implies, there will be three short challenges in relative quick succession.

Will there be an overall Writer's Choice for the cumulative scores from the three challenges or just one per challenge?

EDIT:

That was probably a stupid question, just read the brief again and this is called the Mini Writer's Tournament (or MWT as I will refer to it now or is it the MTC?), so that probably answers my question.

Quoted from Zack First draft is done. I blame Libby for this monstrosity that I'm about to unleash upon all of you. I'm super excited to read the scripts!

Blame away!
I hope we get a good turnout then lots of people can blame me, or thank me when filmmakers bang down your doors for your excellent micro shorts. That'd be nice.

Quoted from LC Blame away! I hope we get a good turnout then lots of people can blame me, or thank me when filmmakers bang down your doors for your excellent micro shorts. That'd be nice.

People will be banging down my door, for sure.  

You gonna get something in, Libby?

Quoted from Warren Will there be an overall Writer's Choice for the cumulative scores from the three challenges or just one per challenge? EDIT: That was probably a stupid question, just read the brief again and this is called the Mini Writer's Tournament (or MWT as I will refer to it now or is it the MTC?), so that probably answers my question.

Overall MTC winner, yes, but not a stupid question. Winging a lot of this.

Quoted from Zack People will be banging down my door, for sure.   You gonna get something in, Libby?

Haha. I hope so, Zack.
Nah from me. I would have an unfair advantage unless I enter and count myself out of the voting. A possibility, but I doubt it.

Quoted from LC Haha. I hope so, Zack. Nah from me. I would have an unfair advantage unless I enter and count myself out of the voting. A possibility, but I doubt it.

Screw that! Go crazy and right something shocking!

Not saying I'm out yet but I've just looked at this so already lost quite a few hours and I'm slammed busy with work - I'll have a think.

Just checking... by 2 pages you actually mean 4... right?

Damn 2 pages is tough!

It's done though, had to butcher the hell out of it but it's as good as it's going to get.

Done, with 1 day, 12 to go, Warren?

You and Zack. Wow.
Two entries are coming in either way.

I did consider placing this challenge in the middle.

...

Mark, you can do it! Well, I'm hoping you will.
Btw, I told you to wait. I announced not long after you said you were going to bed.

I only have my lunchtime today to write anything - so if I can't get an idea down in that 1 hour then I am out - hopefully, I get an idea by then.

Great idea on the mini-tournament. Some tight deadlines so hopefully there are a few writers who make it to the end.

Sending powerful idea vibes your way, Matt.

Just seen this!

Correct me if I'm wrong, but cut-off is Tuesday @ 23.59 effectively, meaning about 30-odd hours?

Ignore me, there's a very helpful counter on the site.

Let's see. I'm going to try and do this.

Quoted from LC Sending powerful idea vibes your way, Matt.

Vibes gratefully received as I now have a great idea!  

The first draft is written, I just need to go through to spice up some of the action/descriptions and spell-check and then I'm done. Fingers crossed the kids go to bed on time and I might be able to do that later, if not then I will submit the vomit draft lol

Either way, I'm in

Sorry, I might be an idiot.

Are the submissions closed? I noticed when I went to submit one it said the May Challenge is over, yet the clock seems to still be going.

Oh well, maybe next time.

Quoted from Cacutshaw Sorry, I might be an idiot. Are the submissions closed? I noticed when I went to submit one it said the May Challenge is over, yet the clock seems to still be going. Oh well, maybe next time.

May challenge submissions are not closed - the countdown clock at the top shows how long left to submit an entry (above that is a link to submit your script)

By the sounds of it you clicked the normal "Submit your script" which says "Script submissions are closed for the May Challenge." - meaning that normal script submissions are closed until the May challenge is over

Thanks! I was right, I am an idiot!

Hopefully my script is better than my submitting skills.

I've just finished my effort.  Although it is ridiculous.  I'm thinking I should try to do another one.

I have something.

Now, to make it work.

Quoted from ReneC I have something. Now, to make it work.

Damn you!  I have something, and can't make it work.

I've just finished my second effort.  It's a bit long.  Not sure if I can submit these attempts.

I've absolutely nothing. That's never stopped me before...except for that one RomCom challenge, but who's counting.

Dave, Paul, James, you guys in this?

Quoted from LC Done, with 1 day, 12 to go, Warren? You and Zack. Wow. Two entries are coming in either way.

Yeah definitely in this one and will be for the whole challenge. I've very much got the writing bug again. Can't see the script doing very well, but it's nice just to be in the mix.

Also nice to have a day just to keep looking over the script and polish the turd as much as I can.

Wrote draft one. Review and revise tomorrow before submission.
This is a tougher challenge than I thought it would be.

Wow, it's actually within two pages in the first draft!

It's either grim or cheesy. I can't tell.

Quoted from Warren Dave, Paul, James, you guys in this?

Yep. Got an idea and some words on the page. It's... something.

Quoted from PKCardinal Yep. Got an idea and some words on the page. It's... something.

Excellent!

Libby, do you know when the scripts will be released for reading/reviewing?

I've been scanning flash horror stories all day in-between work for inspiration and there are loads out there, lots of them are decent reads, it's just the twist endings are all so similar or follow very predictable traits. It's tough to come up with something a bit different.

If I get time tomorrow I'll have a go.

Quoted from MarkRenshaw I've been scanning flash horror stories all day in-between work for inspiration and there are loads out there, lots of them are decent reads, it's just the twist endings are all so similar or follow very predictable traits. It's tough to come up with something a bit different.

Yeah totally agree, but every time I think I'm going to be reading 10 of the same ideas in an OWC people come up with the goods.

Quoted from MarkRenshaw I've been scanning flash horror stories all day in-between work for inspiration and there are loads out there, lots of them are decent reads, it's just the twist endings are all so similar or follow very predictable traits. It's tough to come up with something a bit different. If I get time tomorrow I'll have a go.

You mean the jump scare ghoul?
...

Okay, just under 24 hrs to go.
Great to see so much excitement over this.

No, John this is not a RomCom, so you'll be fine I'm sure.

Quoted from Cacutshaw Sorry, I might be an idiot. Are the submissions closed? I noticed when I went to submit one it said the May Challenge is over, yet the clock seems to still be going.Oh well, maybe next time.

If anyone's an idiot it'll be me, okay?  

The entry link is here: https://www.simplyscripts.com/unpro_short_exercise.html

Warren, good question, I will check with the Boss on when the scripts will drop.

Quoted from LC You mean the jump scare ghoul?

Funny because it true, it's a very used trope. Still, it can be very effective when used correctly.

I agree. It works a treat in Bedfellows.

Quoted from LC I agree. It works a treat in Bedfellows.

Bedfellows was actually what inspired me to write my first ever short, Lullaby. It follows the same pattern, a quick misdirect then a jump at the end (it's not very good). It was picked up 2 weeks after posting it here on SS and was filmed as Hush.

So Bedfellows actually has a special place for me, I feel like it's what really started it all.

Here's the old thread where I actually mention it as my inspiration, a blast from the past...

https://www.simplyscripts.net/cgi-bin/Blah/Blah.pl?b-short/m-1465738436/s-0/

2-pagers are the bane of my existence. Gotta slay that demon.

Quoted from MarkItZero 2-pagers are the bane of my existence. Gotta slay that demon.

Pia's suggestion was a one-pager.. I added another to be nice.

Lullaby was a goodie, Warren. Optioned twice too. I'll be looking forward to another nice macabre entry from you.

Anthony, you in?

Okay, not to pile on the pressure but 22 and a bit hours to go. Almost a whole day to get your masterpiece over the line.

Ya know. I was feeling good about my script as I was going to bed last night. Now I've got a dreadful feeling that I've completely missed the mark.  

Sean Elwood! Sean Chipman! James McClung! Get your asses in on this challenge!

Quoted from Zack Ya know. I was feeling good about my script as I was going to bed last night. Now I've got a dreadful feeling that I've completely missed the mark.   Sean Elwood! Sean Chipman! James McClung! Get your asses in on this challenge!

Other than the 2 page limit "the mark" is pretty wide open. I wouldn't worry too much.

Quoted from Warren Other than the 2 page limit "the mark" is pretty wide open. I wouldn't worry to much.

I always spend the final hours leading up to the deadline doubting my work.

Time will tell.

Quoted from Zack I always spend the final hours leading up to the deadline doubting my work. Time will tell.

It sure will.

As I said in the last challenge, by the time I have to submit I've read the script so many times that I've found hidden themes and subtext I never meant to put there and realize I've actually written a modern-day masterpiece...

Then the reviews come in and I come back down to earth