Welcome to the '22 Summer Quickie Challenge!  

Your challenge is to write a 3-6 page properly formatted screenplay depicting some sort of global(or natural) disaster. Open genre. Here's the catch... This story must be told from a found footage perspective.

You've got until 8/6, Midnight EDT to submit your scripts! Get on it, people!

No pistakes. One script per writer, though I'm not opposed to writers teaming up.

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 all the scripts submitted or your work will be removed (no harm, no foul. I understand that life gets in the way).

Please put (c)2022 on your title page.

Submit your script here - http://simplyscripts.com/owc

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.

So not a quickie? A whole 7 days? Hmmm... I'll have to check my schedule.

I'm in!

Why does it feel as though I've just been gauntlet-slapped? Only chickens run away from a challenge, right? I've never written found-footage before, but I have the weekend off. Why not?

Found footage is generally frowned upon by people who look remarkably like me, but I'll have a think and see if I can come up with something!

I haven't done a challenge in a long time, and I am busy as he!!, but I am going to do this one. Simply Scripts became part of my life 11 years ago. And through it I made many friends, 2 of them which are now among my best friends. Don has always been a gentleman throughout the many wars that are inevitable in any forum. He's always been there to support any member, from the more promising writers to the schleps like me. He asks nothing in return, but a little support isn't too much to ask. Heck, I might even make a little video to promote it online. Wish I had a better-looking mug to do it than mine. If anyone wants so film it, you can send to me, I'll edit it.

I'm also willing to help mentor any new member that's a complete newb to screenwriting. I'll do so by sending them to Jeff!

Quoted from JEStaats So not a quickie? A whole 7 days? Hmmm... I'll have to check my schedule. I'm in!

Quick-ish. You've got plenty of time to write. But, the short page length of the scripts should result in quick and easy reads.

I'm currently involved in something huge that I've been dying to tell everyone about but I don't want to curse it and I'm also under an NDA so I can't!

The reason I mention it here is something has come up and I've got a paid gig with a one week deadline, the exact same week of this challenge. So I can't take part in this OWC as I've got a OWC!

I hope I get to tell you all mote about it someday, but sadly I'm out of this one. Best of luck to all who enter!

Quoted from leitskev I haven't done a challenge in a long time, and I am busy as he!!, but I am going to do this one. Simply Scripts became part of my life 11 years ago. And through it I made many friends, 2 of them which are now among my best friends. Don has always been a gentleman throughout the many wars that are inevitable in any forum. He's always been there to support any member, from the more promising writers to the schleps like me. He asks nothing in return, but a little support isn't too much to ask. Heck, I might even make a little video to promote it online. Wish I had a better-looking mug to do it than mine. If anyone wants so film it, you can send to me, I'll edit it. I'm also willing to help mentor any new member that's a complete newb to screenwriting. I'll do so by sending them to Jeff!

Hey Kev!

It's been a minute.  You've always been friendly and helpful to me.   Glad you're staying busy.   Good luck with the challenge!

Quoted from leitskev I haven't done a challenge in a long time, and I am busy as he!!, but I am going to do this one. Simply Scripts became part of my life 11 years ago. And through it I made many friends, 2 of them which are now among my best friends. Don has always been a gentleman throughout the many wars that are inevitable in any forum. He's always been there to support any member, from the more promising writers to the schleps like me. He asks nothing in return, but a little support isn't too much to ask. Heck, I might even make a little video to promote it online. Wish I had a better-looking mug to do it than mine. If anyone wants so film it, you can send to me, I'll edit it. I'm also willing to help mentor any new member that's a complete newb to screenwriting. I'll do so by sending them to Jeff!

Kevin,

That's lovely to say.  I'm glad the site has been of use to you.  You have contributed hugely to this place.

- Don

Perfect day for an announcement. My family, who are never not noisy (and often disruptively so), are annoyingly being present/busy/cleaning. I certainly don't have the peace of mind for the job this time. Besides, I already have a found footage pseudo-doc type horror script in the pipeline. (It's Chupacabra. Remember that one?)

It sucks. I wish I could just write anymore. But every waking moment has to be plagued by noise. It's a fate worse than death.

And found footage isn't a genre I'm necessarily enthused with. A few work, but most don't.

Zack, I was looking at your clues last night, specifically at the 6th.
Thought, hmm, maybe cloning was a part of this - The 6th Day - Arnie.  ;

Okay, I've always looked at found footage like it's a bit hard.
Guess I'll look at Cloverfield and The Blair Witch re formatting.
Anyone else got any other examples, maybe Short versions?

Regardless of the global disaster scenario, Is this open genre?

I wrote a found footage once. Just write it from the camera's POV, but let characters turn to speak to the camera every now and then if you want to. Easiest is to just state at the beginning that it is CAMERA POV.

INT. DON'S HOUSE - BEDROOM - NIGHT

A dark room. Don sleeps in the bed.
LIBBY turns to the camera. Whispers.

    LIBBY
You really think it's a good
idea to set off these fireworks
in here?

    ZACK (O.S)
Yes. Don loves a good scare.

    LIBBY
Okay.

Zack reaches out, hands Libby a lighter.

  

Quoted from Grandma Bear I wrote a found footage once. Just write it from the camera's POV, but let characters turn to speak to the camera every now and then if you want to. Easiest is to just state at the beginning that it is CAMERA POV. INT. DON'S HOUSE - BEDROOM - NIGHT A dark room. Don sleeps in the bed. LIBBY turns to the camera. Whispers.     LIBBY You really think it's a good idea to set off these fireworks in here?     ZACK (O.S) Yes. Don loves a good scare.     LIBBY Okay. Zack reaches out, hands Libby a lighter.

Had me laughing out loud, Pia.


Thank you.

Open genre, Libby.

Pia nailed it. Put a CAMERA POV in the scene header and make it clear that we are watching someone's recorded footage.

This story must be told from a found footage perspective.
depicting some sort of global(or natural) disaster

I did this EXACT thing back for a 2020 script challenge. I'm such an innovator!

Away on family holiday, so may skip this one.

Quoted from AnthonyCawood Away on family holiday, so may skip this one.

What!
You could write this one in your sleep, Ants.
Using being away as an excuse? Come on now!  

I attempted "found footage" twice before, although one of them used a security camera which had an unbroken shot but "automatically" moves in a pan left to right  It involved mummies.  

The other was set during a hurricane. With werewolves.

i'm not a huge fan of ff, usually because in ff, there's always the scene where folks goof off or tell dumb jokes, tell the camera guy "to get out of my face" stuff like that. The characters are wafer thin (or come across as such) and annoying in ff.. If there's stuff I don't like, I avoid those tropes in my work.

I'm on the fence.

I said 'may' Libby

The found-footage aspect IS the challenge. It's tough, but you all are a clever lot. I've got faith in ya'.

Sounds interesting and also challenging! I'll attempt this if any idea strikes.

Hey fam , can anyone explain to me the found footage part I need to get started.

Quoted from Mbako Hey fam , can anyone explain to me the found footage part I need to get started.

You never heard of found footage movies before like Blair Witch Project, Cloverfield etc?

Basically it's footage like videotape or digital recordings discovered after a major event and you view the footage to discover what happened.

Mark nailed it.

Quoted from Mbako Hey fam , can anyone explain to me the found footage part I need to get started.

Welcome to the Challenge, Mbako, and to Simply Scripts.
Zack might pipe up, but in the meantime...

Found Footage:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Found_footage_(film_technique)#:~:text=Found%20footage%20is%20a%20cinematic,time%2C%20off%2Dcamera%20commentary.

https://gideonsway.wordpress.com/2016/09/27/wanna-write-a-found-footage-film-that-works/

Famous found footage screenplays you can read.

Cloverfield script. Click on the 'read the script' link.
https://www.scriptslug.com/script/cloverfield-2008

Chronicle
https://www.scriptslug.com/script/chronicle-2012

https://www.indiewire.com/gallery/best-found-footage-movies/willow-creek-2/

Do not put your real name on your script, but feel free to use a pseudonym - make one up, or be anon.
This is an anonymous challenge.

Quoted from Zack Mark nailed it.

Ah, there he is.
Well, I added a few links.

Appreciate it, Libby.

Found footage is a cinematic technique in which all or a substantial part of the work is presented as if it were discovered film or video recordings. - via Google

Quoted from LC Welcome to the Challenge, Mbako, and to Simply Scripts. Zack might like up, but in the meantime... Found Footage: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Found_footage_(film_technique)#:~:text=Found%20footage%20is%20a%20cinematic,time%2C%20off%2Dcamera%20commentary. https://gideonsway.wordpress.com/2016/09/27/wanna-write-a-found-footage-film-that-works/ Famous found footage screenplays you can read. Cloverfield script. Click on the 'read the script' link. https://www.scriptslug.com/script/cloverfield-2008 Chronicle https://www.scriptslug.com/script/chronicle-2012 https://www.indiewire.com/gallery/best-found-footage-movies/willow-creek-2/ Do not put your real name on your script, but feel free to use a pseudonym - make one up, or be anon. This is an anonymous challenge.

Thank you for the help much appreciated

I still don't have my final draft. My hardrive failed and fdr is gone with it. I have it somewhere on the disk and have to download it to me laptop. But out for this one and too bad. It's a great one.
Go Zack! And all who participates.

I have something. I scrapped the one I wrote yesterday and fired a new one off in under three hours. I'll be working all week with some long commutes so I'm not sure how much revision it will get but I'll try to find time somewhere.

It's a relief because at one point, I almost gave up. Especially falling asleep while three pages into the first one yesterday.

Quoted from Storey_Matters I have something. I scrapped the one I wrote yesterday and fired a new one off in under three hours. I'll be working all week with some long commutes so I'm not sure how much revision it will get but I'll try to find time somewhere.

I'm looking forward to seeing what you bring to the table.

This is like a homecoming! I saw the email and I had to get in! I couldn't remember my old password. I'm on a new laptop, well semi-new, so I had to make a whole new account to get back here! This place is like a second home! I gotta get in on this one too. I'm stuck home with the Vid (round II) so while I'm recovering .. why not?! I need the mental exercise!!!

Thanks Don and Z for the challenge!!

Don is there a unicorn emoji on this thing?

Yay I'm back with my old ID!! Thanks Don!!!

Welcome back, Dena!!  
P.S. I hope you're not ailing too much from round 2 of the nasty.

Quoted from khamanna I still don't have my final draft. My hardrive failed and fdr is gone with it. I have it somewhere on the disk and have to download it to me laptop. But out for this one and too bad. It's a great one. Go Zack! And all who participates.

Aww, Kham.  
Use Celtx or Trelby.

Zack, clarification on global natural disaster: I would think flood, fire, hurricane, earthquake etc. Are we also including pandemic?

Anything else that qualifies?
Can it be smaller scale for example?

Otherwise things like hauntings, ghost stories, zombies, etc.(often the norm) don't qualify, right?

I use software called Kit Scenarist. Totally free and has everything you need.

Quoted from LC Zack, clarification on global natural disaster: I would think flood, fire, hurricane, earthquake etc. Are we also including pandemic? Anything else that qualifies? Can it be smaller scale for example? Otherwise things like hauntings, ghost stories, zombies, etc.(often the norm) don't qualify, right?

Quoted from Zack Your challenge is to write a 3-6 page properly formatted screenplay depicting some sort of global(or natural) disaster.

Key here is Global OR Natural Disaster.

Quoted from Grandma Bear Key here is Global OR Natural Disaster.

That's Pia, basically saying: duh, dumb-arse.  

Quoted from Grandma Bear Key here is Global OR Natural Disaster.

FUUUUUUUUUUUUUDGE! Time to start over. Like I told my daughter when she started reading years ago "Don't skip words, don't add words." You're killing me, Zack! I don't know why I read SUPER-natural when I first read this.

Or...could it be super-natural?! Hmm? What do ya say there, old buddy, old pal? You're naturally super. Come on. Throw me a bone.

Quoted from LC Aww, Kham.   Use Celtx or Trelby.

Exactly.

Use Word if you have to... I'm sure we'd all accept a less than "properly formatted" script from you.

-Jordan

Quoted from LC Zack, clarification on global natural disaster: I would think flood, fire, hurricane, earthquake etc. Are we also including pandemic? Anything else that qualifies? Can it be smaller scale for example? Otherwise things like hauntings, ghost stories, zombies, etc.(often the norm) don't qualify, right?

Here's the definition I found for global disaster.

-- An occurrence causing widespread destruction and distress; a catastrophe.

It's pretty vague, in my opinion. So, go crazy with it. Have fun and write a cool script for everyone to read.

Quoted from JEStaats FUUUUUUUUUUUUUDGE! Time to start over. Like I told my daughter when she started reading years ago "Don't skip words, don't add words." You're killing me, Zack! I don't know why I read SUPER-natural when I first read this. Or...could it be super-natural?! Hmm? What do ya say there, old buddy, old pal? You're naturally super. Come on. Throw me a bone.

Here's your bone, Sir. I see no reason why a global disaster couldn't be viewed as supernatural.   Go nuts.  

Quoted from LC Aww, Kham.   Use Celtx or Trelby.

I agree. I couldn't recommend Trelby enough. It proved to be a lifesaver when I switched from "classic" desktop Celtx. Trelby has pretty much everything you need for free. Good luck, Kham.

Quoted from Storey_Matters I use software called Kit Scenarist. Totally free and has everything you need.

Oh it’s Russian. I know that one -  It doesn’t work on my machine.

Thanks guys. I’ll try to come up with something if an idea visits.

I'm feeling super better...  so hopefully tomorrow my brain will come up with some sort of idea. I always tend to over think these things lol...

This will be fun!

Only about 83 hours left! You peeps feeling the heat yet?

Back in the UK, jet lag permitting I hope to get something in

Quoted from Zack Only about 83 hours left! You peeps feeling the heat yet?

I have my outline done.

Now all I need to do is all that writing stuff to get it on paper.

And then all that rewriting to make sure it's not a piece of crap!

The struggle is real.

Quoted from Nomad I have my outline done. Now all I need to do is all that writing stuff to get it on paper. And then all that rewriting to make sure it's not a piece of crap! The struggle is real.

It wouldn't be fun if it were easy.  

Submitted, the hard part is done. Now the really hard part begins - patiently awaiting the verbal bitch slapping cause I don’t know none too much ‘bout writing these found-footage thingy’s.

Quoted from AnthonyCawood Back in the UK, jet lag permitting I hope to get something in

Oh, it was a proper holiday? Not just metal-detecting at a campsite?  

Wow, great Idea Zack! I am looking forward to some pretty amazing scripts! Good luck to everybody  

Quoted from PedroS Wow, great Idea Zack! I am looking forward to some pretty amazing scripts! Good luck to everybody

There's still enough time for you to get in on this!

31 hours to go! How are all you writers doing?

Quoted from Zack 31 hours to go! How are all you writers doing?

Oh, thank the Gods! For some reason I thought scripts were due tonight. There I go again, adding and skipping words. I still have a chance!

No, Libby proper holiday on West Coast USA, first since the pesky pandemic... now need a holiday to recover (and some time to get some metal detecting in )

Quoted from AnthonyCawood No, Libby proper holiday on West Coast USA, first since the pesky pandemic... now need a holiday to recover (and some time to get some metal detecting in )

Okay, you got me there, Ant. That was a proper holiday! Especially when you need a holiday to recover.  

So, have an idea finally... 13 hours left, thank god it's a short page count challenge!

Quoted from AnthonyCawood So, have an idea finally... 13 hours left, thank god it's a short page count challenge!

13 hours is more than enough time. Hammer something out, Dude!

I will do Zack

7 hours to go!

Submitted, with 4 hours to spare!

Quoted from AnthonyCawood Submitted, with 4 hours to spare!

Nice! Can't wait to see what you've come up with!