Welcome to Challenge 2 of the May Trifecta Challenge aka the Mini Writers' Tournament.

Please read the rules carefully.

(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 life gets in the way.

You have 72 hours to write a 1-4 page properly formatted script.

Your script must incorporate one of the following sets of genre, location, object -

Genre: Horror /Crime
Location: Train station
Object: Human body part

Genre: SciFi /Thriller
Location: Body of water
Object: Item of advanced or electronic technology

Genre: Comedy /Romantic Comedy
Location: Public Bathroom
Object: Urn of ashes

*NO mixing and matching of genres, items, locations.

Clarification re GENRE selection:

You can use either genre in the same set separately e.g. Horror or Crime.

Or, you can elect to write a genre blend.

You cannot however, combine for example, RomanticComedy with Horror, or SciFi with Comedy etc.


Budget: Preferably Low. 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

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.

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.


One entry per person.
No multiple entries

Time will be given to read and review scripts ( probably 48 hrs,) and then -

- The announcement of the third and final challenge will follow soon afterwards.

-  There will likely be some breathing space before the third and final challenge is announced.

All three challenges will be of varying page lengths but 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.

Happy pondering before Don puts the clock up.

Any questions, ask away!

Additional important information:

The LOCATION needs to be featured as the pivotal and major location of your script.

This is mainly to do with keeping your budget minimal.

That said, you could for example have a brief scene driving or walking to the location.

I'm going to borrow partly from James' prev Quickie challenge, re the requirements of the Object:

OBJECT REQUIREMENTS FURTHER EXPLAINED:

For the object, have it be visible... in the screenplay. It cannot be a character describing the object. It cannot be a painting of the object. It cannot be a hologram. It has to be the actual object we can see on screen.

LOCATION clarification below:

Definition of Body of Water :
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_of_water

Outside location.
Fish ponds and spa baths not advisable.

Oooh, interesting! One question, does it have to be 4 pages exact, or 4 pages or less?

1-4 pages is fine, Mark.

Assumed everyone would want the full count.

Quoted from LC 1-4 pages is fine, Mark. Assumed everyone would want the full count.

I'm going for a one-sentence script this time!

Ooh. Motivation strikes early. I’m bangin one out right now. A script, that is.

Damn, can I just rewrite Mind the Gap and toss in a foot?

So, 72 hours from 0600 AZ time...Monday morning for me.

You guys.  

Ha! I tossed up changing that location because of your prev entry, John (mind-reader) but thought nah, I'll leave it cause it's a nifty location.

P.S. The time starts when Don puts the clock up, I imagine. Like it did last time.

Decisions, decisions, decisions...

I'll just add a couple of clarifications myself, cause I won't be up too much longer.

'Item of advanced or electronic technology' can be now obsolete, or anything existing e.g. drones, lasers,, robots, the humble cell phone - anything really, but it can also be something of your own creation e.g. fictional or futuristic :

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fictional_technology

I think 'body of water' is self explanatory - it can be anything from an ocean to a dam, a lake, or even a swimming pool. Might draw the line at a puddle or kitchen sink.

Urn of Ashes - self explanatory.
Of course those ashes don't necessarily have to be human. And probably not of the cricket trophy variety.

Nice. Very interesting challenge, and should ensure some variety in the scripts, too.

Now to set a story in the public restroom of a train station by the river.

Nice variety. So many choices, can't decide...

Does the whole script have to take place at the location or just any part of it?

Quoted from FrankM Nice. Very interesting challenge, and should ensure some variety in the scripts, too. Now to set a story in the public restroom of a train station by the river.

And all in a one sentence script like Mark suggested.  

Quoted from LC I think 'body of water' is self explanatory - it can be anything from an ocean to a dam, a lake, or even a swimming pool. Might draw the line at a puddle or kitchen sink.

I was thinking a literal body of water (e.g., the Abyss) at first but that would kind of blow the budget out of the water. Pun intended.

Quoted from MarkItZero Does the whole script have to take place at the location or just any part of it?

The location needs to be featured as the pivotal and major location of your script.

This is mainly to do with keeping your budget minimal.

That said, you could for example have a brief scene driving or walking to the location.

I'm going to borrow partly from your prev Quickie challenge, James,  re the requirements of the Object:

OBJECT REQUIREMENTS FURTHER EXPLAINED:

For the object, have it be visible... in the screenplay. It cannot be a character describing the object. It cannot be a painting of the object. It cannot be a hologram. It has to be the actual object we can see it on screen.[/i]

Thanks, James.  

Does that clear that part up?

But a hologram is an item of technology

Quoted from FrankM But a hologram is an item of technology

There's one in every bunch.  

Quoted from LC Does that clear that part up?

Crystal clear, thanks.

Technically, even a stone knife is an item of technology. Any tool is technology.

Maybe it should be advanced technology? Or at least electronic? Or is the sky really the limit?

Quoted from FrankM But a hologram is an item of technology

Ha!   That'll teach me to watch what I quote.  Okay, smartie-pants, if you were to select that specific object in your SciFi script,, a hologram would be allowed, but only if it features prominently. It cannot be just referred to etc.

Quoted from LC Ha!   That'll teach me to watch what I quote.  Okay, smartie-pants, if you were to select that specific object in your SciFi script,, a hologram would be allowed, but only if it features prominently. It cannot be just referred to etc.

"Obi-wan Kenobi, you're my only hope."

Quoted from ReneC Technically, even a stone knife is an item of technology. Any tool is technology. Maybe it should be advanced technology? Or at least electronic? Or is the sky really the limit?

Done. Thanks, Rene.  
Will edit on the main page requirement to 'item of advanced or electronic technology'.

I think most questions are covered? I hope so...

Hitting the hay in a few mins. After 1am here.

Save any more for later.  

Is it too early to say I have a first draft done?

Quoted from SAC Is it too early to say I have a first draft done?

Nice. I have off today! Have to work Sat, Sun, Mon so I'd better hurry and get inspired!! Good thing I'm stuck home with no freakin gas in my car...and no gas anywhere around. LOL

Quoted from SAC Is it too early to say I have a first draft done?

They say you should never, ever go with your first ideas, but Steve has the first draft done before they can finish that sentence.

Oh man this is tough - I'm guessing no one is going to be doing a Pursuer chase where the talbes turn so I might do another one just to be unique.

Man chases Woman around a pond but she is actually holding a shrinking ray, zaps him and kicks him into the pond where he is eaten by a prize-winning Koi.... that's my idea so if you could all refrain from doing anything similar that would be great

There goes THAT idea down the tubes.

Quoted from MarkRenshaw They say you should never, ever go with your first ideas, but Steve has the first draft done before they can finish that sentence.

Right. I’m like — hold my Diet Coke, mother f’er.

Stupid question time...

I get the object and the location, but for the genre selections is it either or for the two, so horror or crime or does it need to be both, so a crime horror?

Quoted from Warren Stupid question time... I get the object and the location, but for the genre selections is it either or for the two, so horror or crime or does it need to be both, so a crime horror?

Good question. I was thinking the same thing.

Quoted from Warren Stupid question time... I get the object and the location, but for the genre selections is it either or for the two, so horror or crime or does it need to be both, so a crime horror?

That is a good question.
I assumed it was pick one (as there is no point combining comedy with Romcom as you know, there's already comedy in romcom)
So if it is combined, I gotta start again lol

Warren and Zack, I was originally giving you the option of choosing either genre, but if you think you blend both, go for it!

And what Matt said. Also, Matt, you don't have to start again.

I'll qualify on the main page - you can use either genre of the same set -

You can elect to write a blend of Crime Horror or a Horror on its own, or a Crime on its own.

You cannot however, combine for example, RomanticComedy with Horror, or SciFi with Comedy etc.

Does this clear this up?

Quoted from Matthew Taylor That is a good question. I assumed it was pick one (as there is no point combining comedy with Romcom as you know, there's already comedy in romcom) So if it is combined, I gotta start again lol

Yeah this...

"One of the following sets of genre" as opposed to one of the genres

And the fact they rom com already has com is what was confusing me.

Thanks, Libby, much happier with one genre.

Quoted from Warren Yeah this... "One of the following sets of genre" as opposed to one of the genres And the fact they rom com already has com is what was confusing me. Thanks, Libby, much happier with one genre.

Wait...so no sci-fi horror???

Sorry, C'thulu, maybe the next one will be cosmic horror.

Quoted from ReneC Wait...so no sci-fi horror??? Sorry, C'thulu, maybe the next one will be cosmic horror.

Do the best you can with the genre allocations in the different sets.

We all know this lot can be mighty specific about whether something follows the brief.

I'm drawing an absolute blank on this one...

You've stumped me, Libby.

Something has come to me.  It is NOT nice.

Round 1 was just me warming up.

Quoted from Zack Something has come to me.  It is NOT nice. Round 1 was just a warm-up for me.

Speaking of not nice, sorry I trashed your naked guy pedo script. If I’d have known it was you, Id’ve been cool with that!  

Quoted from Warren I'm drawing an absolute blank on this one... You've stumped me, Libby.

Warren, something will come to you, I'm sure.

For those of you who are sticklers for the rules, I've made a couple of clarifications on the challenge announcement page, (in blue) and am going to add another re a specific LOCATION.

I want to at least have everyone on the same page, so to speak.

Any other questions, fire away.
As we like to say, there are no stupid questions.

Quoted from SAC Speaking of not nice, sorry I trashed your naked guy pedo script. If I�d have known it was you, Id�ve been cool with that!

Lol. It's all good, man! I appreciate the honesty. Love that you give me a pass though! I'll take it.

Quoted from Matthew Taylor Oh man this is tough - I'm guessing no one is going to be doing a Pursuer chase where the talbes turn so I might do another one just to be unique. Man chases Woman around a pond but she is actually holding a shrinking ray, zaps him and kicks him into the pond where he is eaten by a prize-winning Koi.... that's my idea so if you could all refrain from doing anything similar that would be great

Titled:

DON'T BE KOI WITH ME

And like that I have a seed of an idea, not sure it will work on the page but it's all I've got to work with so far.

Quoted from LC As we like to say, there are no stupid questions.

I'll pick up that gauntlet:

Can I have someone else write mine?

Quoted from eldave1 Titled: DON'T BE KOI WITH ME

  

Quoted from eldave1 Titled: DON'T BE KOI WITH ME

Haha! Classic Dave.

Now speaking of ponds - the definition of a certain LOCATION - Body of Water is here:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_of_water

If you choose to write your location as an outdoor Spabath, or Koi pond,  your entry may well be laughed at.

Do people have any other questions re the Urn of ashes, or what defines a public bathroom etc?

Quoted from eldave1 I'll pick up that gauntlet: Can I have someone else write mine?

Ha! I think you'll manage just fine on your own, Dave.  

Okay - how long before we have a debate on whether or not something taking place on a train qualifies as a train station?

Quoted from eldave1 Okay - how long before we have a debate on whether or not something taking place on a train qualifies as a train station?

Make it stop at a station?

I really think we can be flexible on this.

On the train is find with me.
Plus...

Subway
Underground
Tunnel
Tube
Terminal

I'd even accept abandoned railway, or train compartment.
As long as everyone's in agreement with the general location vicinity I'm fine with it.

Set it in a Café at the train station would be pushing it.

Quoted from LC I really think we can be flexible on this. Subway Underground Tunnel Tube Terminal I'd even accept abandoned railway, or train compartment. As long as everyone's in agreement with the general location vicinity I'm fine with it. Set it in a Café at the train station would be pushing it.

So - it can be on a moving train as opposed to a train station?

Quoted from LC I really think we can be flexible on this. Subway Underground Tunnel Tube Terminal I'd even accept abandoned railway, or train compartment. As long as everyone's in agreement with the general location vicinity I'm fine with it. Set it in a Café at the train station would be pushing it.

Pretty open. I like it.

Quoted from eldave1 So - it can be on a moving train as opposed to a train station?

Hmm, I think filming on a moving train might be more difficult in terms of budget and logistics. Location better be static.
You could have a moving train fly past the actual station. And you can set it on a stationary train compartment, or in a tunnel at the station.

Hoping for a lot more variety this time, surely that will be the case with the mix of inclusions we've been given.

Quoted from mmmarnie Nice. I have off today! Have to work Sat, Sun, Mon so I'd better hurry and get inspired!! Good thing I'm stuck home with no freakin gas in my car...and no gas anywhere around. LOL

I hope you get inspired and get one past the line, Marnie!
I hope your gas shortage resolves itself too.  

Quoted from Warren Hoping for a lot more variety this time, surely that will be the case with the mix of inclusions we've been given.

Lots of women being pursued by runaway trains maybe?

P.S. We read them all together. A lot of them, even the same types could be easily filmed.
I hope some of those 2 pagers get picked up.

Quoted from LC Lots of women being pursued by runaway trains maybe? P.S. We read them all together. A lot of them, even the same types could be easily filmed. I hope some of those 2 pagers get picked up.

For sure, many of the scripts would be a beginner/student filmmaker's ideal project.

Okay, back to square one. I've got Jack shit.

I have...something.

Goddamn this script is bad. I don't really have much time to do anything else with it so it will have to do.

Hmm Warren, often your 'bad' is someone else's pretty darned good, so we'll be the judge of that.

Or, you'll go back to square 1 again.  

I've seen a lot on the MTA here in NYC after midnight, might not even have to make anything up. Awesome! And the trains here suck so bad late night after bartending, this will give me a chance to vent!!

Quoted from LC Hmm Warren, often your 'bad' is someone else's pretty darned good, so we'll be the judge of that. Or, you'll go back to square 1 again.

No time to go back to square 1 unfortunately, but I have a finished, edited script that I'm sure will be universally loved  

That last bit is fake news.

I have an idea. Just need to flesh out the beginning, middle, end and then come up with a better idea.

Quoted from MarkRenshaw I have an idea. Just need to flesh out the beginning, middle, end and then come up with a better idea.

A very solid plan.

Quoted from eldave1 Titled: DON'T BE KOI WITH ME

Nailed it!

I have my idea, I've written most of it. I'm probably bending the rules too much and will get marked down but it's a script I want to write and one I will be keeping post challenge.

Them's fighting words. Well, no, not really, but...

I hope it's set in a public bathroom, Matt.

Nope. Don't tell me!

I really hope one of the guys or gal with comedic flair will give that one a go.  

I've written two pages and now it's like, how do I fit my idea in? Time for a bit of a rethink.

Omg. Had a small window to write something before I had to work 3 hard shifts, and I got nothing. It's the objects. Just couldn't come up with an idea that didn't sound ridiculous. Well...off to work.

Quoted from mmmarnie Omg. Had a small window to write something before I had to work 3 hard shifts, and I got nothing. It's the objects. Just couldn't come up with an idea that didn't sound ridiculous. Well...off to work.

I'm not falling for it, Marnie! I just know you wrote an absolute banger!  

Quoted from mmmarnie Omg. Had a small window to write something before I had to work 3 hard shifts, and I got nothing. It's the objects. Just couldn't come up with an idea that didn't sound ridiculous. Well...off to work.

If it’s ridiculous then just use the comedy option.

Or it’s all a head-fake because you don’t want us to guess who wrote the festival-winner.

I have nothing... and neither of my spares from round 1 fit so I can't even upcycle ;-(

Consulted my ideas database, out of 600 I have one that might kinda-sorta-maybe fit if I squint... may have to do if the muse doesn't strike in the next 24 hours!

Ugh. Had to work and now got relatives to deal with this weekend. Don't think I'm gonna pull this idea off in time... but if not I got a super easy back up I can finish no problem.

It's almost done, but now I'm worried it's boring. I hope I can fix that.

Quoted from AnthonyCawood I have nothing... and neither of my spares from round 1 fit so I can't even upcycle ;-( Consulted my ideas database, out of 600 I have one that might kinda-sorta-maybe fit if I squint... may have to do if the muse doesn't strike in the next 24 hours!

600!!! Wow, Anthony that's impressive. I maybe have 2 or 3 floating around my head at any time but nothing written down anywhere.

Quoted from Warren 600!!! Wow, Anthony that's impressive. I maybe have 2 or 3 floating around my head at any time but nothing written down anywhere.

I’m in the same boat, once I was able to use characters I was working on for something else, and even then the story to fit the parameters was made up whole cloth.

Okay - I am in and submitted.

I had this great idea about a laser beam coming out of a cell phone at sea. People are going to love it. I'm totally sure.

Quoted from eldave1 Okay - I am in and submitted. I had this great idea about a laser beam coming out of a cell phone at sea. People are going to love it. I'm totally sure.

Sounds like a hit to me