I have a feeling Don winces when I post these. Especially now when he's busy with his "javascript" conversion.  

I'm really really busy, but every three months or so, I get a real urge to write an OWC short. I just LOVE them and I always have. What do you all think?

This might be jarring to some, at least those who know me. Can we have comedy, please?  

Word. Might give it an honest try this time around if the theme isn't lame. I did swear off of comedy though and haven't written a short in two years. Perhaps I can hit that sweet spot of shitty and unfunny. I would at least be doing well by the ABW (always be writing) mantra.

I'm not very funny unless I'm standing naked in front of the mirror.  I'll never get any better unless I try.  Or put some clothes on.  Sure, sounds fun.

Ha Pia... great April fool joke... see you can do funny

I'll play.

The only reason I write these days. I'll do my best to take part when it happens

But Reef, there's always the shopping lists, and the large note I sometimes have to leave in the kitchen that says 'No, I wasn't serious, I will be back in about twenty minutes as the dog will no doubt chew my foot off if I don't take him out now....

Personally, what? I mean I usually am writing something. Plodding away at it. Some of them get good, and some don't. These days I find coming up with an idea worth pursuing the hard part. I know, or at least am pretty sure, I can write a script. It's what I write about that's become the hard part.

Sometimes an OWC will appeal, if I can come up with a decent  idea in time. What I won't do now is submit one I think is erm, alright or not bad. It gotta be good. Very. I need a mug. I mean that mug. Not some sucker I can beat at pool.

R

Quoted from James McClung Perhaps I can hit that sweet spot of shitty and unfunny. I would at least be doing well by the ABW (always be writing) mantra.

I found that pretty funny. I'm serious.

R

I had a lot of fun with this in January, so I'd love to do it again in April! I'm just glad it's April and not May, because I am so busy in May. And comedy, yes please! But even if it isn't, I'll probably put something together. I'd probably write a terrible horror, but I'd try!

I still haven't finished the other OWC - I'm working on it though.

I do crave funny though! Comedy, yes. It's the hardest by the way.

God, I'm up to my eyeballs at the moment. Still checking in here every now and then though, and now I see this?

How could I not take part? It's my duty to let you guys tear into me

Comedy would be nice..

Oh, wait. Is it April fool joke? There's not going to be an OWC?

Comedy would be a nice change of pace -

Quoted from khamanna Oh, wait. Is it April fool joke? There's not going to be an OWC?

I seriously doubt it. That Durst AC/DC thing was vaguely amusing. To those who aren't big fans it was plausible, at least at first glance.

I think joking about starting an OWC soon as a prank would go down as well as Led Zeppelin. Erm, I mean balloon, a lead balloon. I was in no way implying members (oh dear), of previously mentioned rock band were really good at errm, oh no.

My delete key is broken and the arrows have stopped working. I can only keep typing or stop. Hmm, I think I'll leave it there. Probably best for everyone. I think I'd better ring a erm.

I've said too much already.

R

Had an idea for a future 6 week challenge: we pick a Hollywood movie that was spoilt by a shit script and rewrite it properly

Stevie,

I think in the past we've done the 6 or 7WC in the summer. I'm easing into short story writing myself, but if anyone is interested in trying to get a feature challenge going, go right ahead.  

Quoted from stevie Had an idea for a future 6 week challenge: we pick a Hollywood movie that was spoilt by a shit script and rewrite it properly

Aren't there too many too choose from?

From Stevie: "Had an idea for a future 6 week challenge: we pick a Hollywood movie that was spoilt by a shit script and rewrite it properly"

Oooo, Eldave's right.  That'd be a major fun project.  Though, thanks to IP issues, not too sellable.  Still, fun.  

I'd be in for a short

Quoted from stevie Had an idea for a future 6 week challenge: we pick a Hollywood movie that was spoilt by a shit script and rewrite it properly

I'll participate if this is the theme.

Pia,

I'm not ignoring you.

- Don

Quoted from Don Pia, I'm not ignoring you. - Don

I wish more people said that to me. It's not my fault I find it difficult to shut up occasionally.

Hey! Where are you going? I was talking to you. Don't run. Awww.

R

Quoted from stevie Had an idea for a future 6 week challenge: we pick a Hollywood movie that was spoilt by a shit script and rewrite it properly

This is a super cool idea. Maybe part of the challenge is rewriting the script in such a way that there are no IP issues -- for example: Fantastic Four was terrible, write a good original script about scientists whose bodies are transformed/mutated when they discover an alternate universe. Or: The Last Witch Hunter was terrible, write a good original script about someone who hunts witches.

It could be write your own version of the scripts concept.

Tomorrow? Are we having one tomorrow??

Kham, I doubt it will happen tomorrow. Don tends to create a bit more build up than that.

Re this time around - I think a 1 page challenge might be a novelty. Be easy on the eye as well.   Lots of producers these days seem to gravitate towards micro-shorts.

I always thought a Twilight Zone type challenge would be interesting too.

Just throwing it out there. I don't even know if I'll be available for this one.

One page short is something we've never done here. Comedies and one pagers - never done, am I right?

There has never been a one page challenge. However, there used to be no minimum page limit so many people often submitted one or two page scripts. Usually something stitched together at the last minute.

Me personally, I wouldn't be excited about one page comedy scripts. Those tend to be just a joke, not stories. Writing a one page story is a lot harder than writing a one page joke, IMO.

I agree on the one page jokes. They are just jokes in script form and it's a no brainer to write them. Better be either comedy or one pager. I'd choose comedy out of two, but it's not my call in anyway)

Oops apologies guys! My suggestion was sorta tongue in cheek paying out on the recent glut of Hollywood blockbusters that had lame scripts but I'm glad that people thought it was a good idea lol.

Naturally looking forward to a comedy OWC but happy to go with whatever Don has planned!

Pia/Kham,

I  wouldn't fancy a comedy one-pager either. I think that might result in quite a few not well thought out lacklustre skits.

I read a one page horror of yours, Pia, years ago (pretty sure it was you?) about a young woman, in her bedroom,  recounting her mother's warning/advice (a fanatical  Piper Laurie type I.e., Carrie) about the big bad world out there. Final image, if memory serves, was a close up of Mum's decapitated head. That's more in line with the kind of one-page I imagined.

Libby! Yes, I forgot all about that one! It was from a MP comp. Can't remember the title right now and don't know if I still have it posted here.

For those not familiar with MP, I'll mention this here since it might give some of you ideas for SS.  Movie Poet, as it was called did a monthly comp. Usually for five page shorts. We were given a genre and a theme or item. One month every year, the assignment would be for a 1 page script. Not sure if I remember correctly, but I think genre and theme were open those. One month would also be for loglines only. The top ten or fifteen of those advanced to the next level, which was to write the first ten pages of the feature the logline was for. The finalists in that comp, moved on for another month later in the year where ten features competed. December was always devoted to short films that had been produced out of MP scripts. I had films in that comp several times. It was a lot of fun  

I might have messed up the order of how the comps went, but it was something like this.

JAN: Regular 5 page script
FEB: Logline
MAR: Regular 5 page script
APR: Regular 5 page script
MAY: First 10 pages of the features
JUN: Regular 5 page script
JUL: 1 Page script, open
AUG: Regular 5 page script
SEP: Horror, 5 page script. These would be read in OCT:
OCT: The ten features.
NOV: Regular 5 page script
DEC: Short films made from MP scripts

PS: I miss MP. Don better not close down SS!!!!!  

I'm down for a comedy OWC.

Let's get it on!!

So much of comedy depends on how the line is delivered by the actor. Many of my favorite lines  don't look like much on paper.

It's not easy to write funny.

I agree Stumpzian... my comedies don't look like much at all on paper!

Quoted from AnthonyCawood I agree Stumpzian... my comedies don't look like much at all on paper!

Hmm. Have you tried writing them on the walls down the shops? I find this usually raises a titter, and sometimes even a laugh.

Might depends on trousers and how good you are at bending. I usually also bring my runners, no, they are shoes. Just in case.

Now, I'm off to see who titters I can lift down at the park. Yes, I will also bring a marker pen, in case anyone who isn't a policeman recognises me.

R

LOL - I'll have to try that one, not sure on would allow it for an OWC though

Quoted from Grandma Bear JAN: Regular 5 page script FEB: Logline MAR: Regular 5 page script APR: Regular 5 page script MAY: First 10 pages of the features JUN: Regular 5 page script JUL: 1 Page script, open AUG: Regular 5 page script SEP: Horror, 5 page script. These would be read in OCT: OCT: The ten features. NOV: Regular 5 page script DEC: Short films made from MP scripts PS: I miss MP. Don better not close down SS!!!!!

You had it pretty close, Pia. I miss the contests sometimes. I got so bored after reviewing all of the scripts once, that I sat down to figure out the grading algorithm. Lol.

Jan - Logline.
Feb - 5 Page.
Mar - 5 Page.
Apr - First 10.
May - 5 Page
Jun - 10 Page
Jul - 5 Page
Aug - Feature.
Sep - 5 Page.
Oct - 5 Page.
Nov - Short Film.
Dec - Open 5 Page.

That would be the worst if SS went down, too. Still, everything comes to an end at some point. It just doesn't have to be for a while. =)

What? Who wants to shut down SS? Guys, April 1st is over!

Pia, Sean - wow, you remember the requirements that used to correspond to months.. how's that possible?

I'm with Equinox - please don't give him ideas about shutting down the SS. We just survived the MP shut down, this one - I don't know how much one can take.

Quoted from khamanna Pia, Sean - wow, you remember the requirements that used to correspond to months.. how's that possible? I'm with Equinox - please don't give him ideas about shutting down the SS. We just survived the MP shut down, this one - I don't know how much one can take.

I was there from the start of MP so maybe 8 years or so. I might be old, but some things sort of stays with me.  

No one is suggesting anything about SS going away. If it did, Bert and I would be out of a job. Kicking cans down the road.  

Quoted from Grandma Bear If it did, Bert and I would be out of a job. Kicking cans down the road.

Or, just selling/optioning more and more scripts... Whatever comes first. Lol. =)

Quoted Text I  wouldn't fancy a comedy one-pager either. I think that might result in quite a few not well thought out lacklustre skits.

Concur - most of the scripts would have to start with either "Knock-knock" or - "A priest and a Rabbi walk into a bar."

I'd like to do a 6 page challenge limited to discussion board members.  Consideration will be given to the suggestions thus far.  

Anyone interested in running this one?  I may be a little busy in the near future.    PM me.  
(Note I may reject some volunteers only because I'd rather you participate because I like what you write.).

Don

But if we have a comedy challenge, how will all the people complain about the pissers?  

Gary

Is comedy the one where people die terrible deaths and are tortured?  I'm good at that one...



Dan

Quoted from DanC Is comedy the one where people die terrible deaths and are tortured?  I'm good at that one... Dan

Dark comedy, or horror-comedy, or satire.

I'm just finishing up my final year of college and really have an itch to write something now.

A 6 pager for forum regulars sounds good. Comedy would be a challenge too.

Well, not for me. I'm hilarious.

Quoted from DanC Is comedy the one where people die terrible deaths and are tortured?  I'm good at that one... Dan

Sorry to disappoint you Dan, Evil Genesis doesn't qualify - it's too long

Quoted from Gary But if we have a comedy challenge, how will all the people complain about the pissers?

The million dollar question Gary
As an advocate for comedy writers in the OWC's for many years I look forward to the reviews as much as the scripts.

Feel free to copy and paste the following review for all entries.

It's a pisser, I'm out.  

Quoted from stevie Had an idea for a future 6 week challenge: we pick a Hollywood movie that was spoilt by a shit script and rewrite it properly

The flaws in this line of thinking are that

• - all film is subjective what is 'bad' to one is a gem to another;
  
• - we don't know how good (or bad) the original script was that was sold and pitched
  
• - during the course of development, one too many cooks fought over the kitchen (so to speak)
  
• - professionals may not like what they are paid to write, but they write it to get paid.
  
• It was a great script, it had great talent to make it, but it became a dirty bastard when it came out of the editing room
  

The issue of IPs also came up.
But it got me thinking...

How 'bout something that is in public domain?
Like say, Robin Hood?
Dr. Jekyll & Mister Hyde
Dorian Gray
Sinbad the Sailor

I'd really love to try a period script some time. Would that be something for an OWC?

Quoted from Equinox I'd really love to try a period script some time. Would that be something for an OWC?

That would be bloody awful!  Bah dah bam!  There's the type of comedy I have.  I'll suck and the other Jeff will be out before page 1!!!  

Quoted from Jeremiah Johnson I'll suck and the other Jeff will be out before page 1!!!

Who's the other Jeff?

Wait, so if you volunteer, you can't enter?  I was strongly considering doing that, but, I thought that I could enter...

Dan

The drums are beating...Don't care what it is, just nice to have the challenge

Quoted from DustinBowcot Who's the other Jeff?

Oh, the horrors of Simplyscripts. This thread is getting scarier by the minute.

I’ve be up for a short OWC, I’ve been focusing mainly on prose this year, I need to write a new script!

Quoted from DustinBowcot Who's the other Jeff?

Dreamscale

Quoted from Equinox I'd really love to try a period script some time. Would that be something for an OWC?

Gee, I DID a "period" script during the last Halloween OWC.  (Kids: They're Up to All Sorts of Horror These Days.)  Let's just say - it didn't go over too well...  

Quoted from Jeremiah Johnson Dreamscale

No, the other Jeff. The only one I know is Dreamscale.

Quoted from DustinBowcot No, the other Jeff. The only one I know is Dreamscale.

Ah, that would be me!  

Quoted from Equinox Sorry to disappoint you Dan, Evil Genesis doesn't qualify - it's too long

Funny you should say that Thorsten.  The very first version of this story was, in fact, a comedy.  And the class was roaring.

It was a "this is the worst day of my life" kinda story.  Where it starts bad, and just gets worse.  

Then it hit me, this story isn't funny, it's damn scary.  There is such a fine line between horror and comedy.  I can recall watching Cable man (I think that was the story) with Jim Carrey.  He stalks this guy.  I found that to be more scary then funny.  The scene where the spider walks across his face had shivers going up and down my spine...

So, yes, Evil Genesis COULD be that story, just not the version you read.  I really should tackle that at some point and do a major rewrite.  I think I'm a better writer today then I was back then.  And I admit that the story would need major finances to do.  I might be better off writing something that won't cost 100M to make...

Dan

Let me ask everyone a question:

What if we all chipped in a bit more and we did these once a month?  And then once every six months, we did a full feature?  I'd love to do these more often, but, I know and respect that Don can only do so much.

So, if we all chipped in and helped out, we could do these more often...

Who's in and who knows what'd be involved to make this happen?

Dan

Quoted from Mr. Blonde You had it pretty close, Pia. I miss the contests sometimes. I got so bored after reviewing all of the scripts once, that I sat down to figure out the grading algorithm. Lol. Jan - Logline. Feb - 5 Page. Mar - 5 Page. Apr - First 10. May - 5 Page Jun - 10 Page Jul - 5 Page Aug - Feature. Sep - 5 Page. Oct - 5 Page. Nov - Short Film. Dec - Open 5 Page. That would be the worst if SS went down, too. Still, everything comes to an end at some point. It just doesn't have to be for a while. =)

Dan,
It looks like there is somewhat of a "schedule" already.  I want to participate more, but my stupid "working for a living" is getting in my way!  I'll try to get more involved here too.  I like that more are willing to participate, even though that puts my chances of "winning" (it's not a contest!) even less.  If only two or three submit, I'll at least get second or third!  

Quoted from DanC Let me ask everyone a question: What if we all chipped in a bit more and we did these once a month?  And then once every six months, we did a full feature?  I'd love to do these more often, but, I know and respect that Don can only do so much. So, if we all chipped in and helped out, we could do these more often... Who's in and who knows what'd be involved to make this happen? Dan

You can have too much of a good thing.

The way these come around makes everyone want to participate. If they were more regular, then they'd become the norm. Normal isn't as exciting, IMO.

Quoted from DustinBowcot You can have too much of a good thing. The way these come around makes everyone want to participate. If they were more regular, then they'd become the norm. Normal isn't as exciting, IMO.

I agree.

MP was completely different and sort of ran on auto pilot. At SS, Don has to do everything.

I think we'd get bored if it were monthly, as it is we get a nice build up in these threads, then the 'fun' of the challenge itself, then the guessing about who wrote what, and finally the scoring... seems pretty good

I need to man up and post the script I wrote for the last OWC - the game thing. I haven't finished back then, so haven't submitted to the OWC.

(this is just me talking to myself - I sometimes do, so why not to do it here)

Yeah, c'mon girl, man up.  

Seriously though. Kham, I talk to myself all the time. I think a lot of writers do, going over dialogue etc. These days it's good too, everybody looks like a bit of a loon, plenty of people appear as if they're yapping to themselves with phones, ear buds etc. Anyone passes you all you need to do is tack on a 'talk to you later' and you look just like the rest of them... If you even care.  

Quoted from LC These days it's good too, everybody looks like a bit of a loon,

Quoted from LC tack on a 'talk to you later' and you look just like the rest of them... If you even care.

High five to dat!!!

The main thing here is not to get into a fight)

Quoted from khamanna I need to man up and post the script I wrote for the last OWC - the game thing. I haven't finished back then, so haven't submitted to the OWC. (this is just me talking to myself - I sometimes do, so why not to do it here)

I drive about 300km twice a week and I talk to myself all the time, sometimes I watch my scripts or new story ideas as movies in my head. I guess that's some kind of outlining as well.

Quoted from Equinox I drive about 300km twice a week and I talk to myself all the time, sometimes I watch my scripts or new story ideas as movies in my head. I guess that's some kind of outlining as well.

Well, you just took talking to yourself to the whole other level!! I'll definitely try it.

ah, but will it start tomorrow night???

lets hope so, even if I'm away

Ladies and gents, the OWC theme will be announced tonight at 10PM EST. =)

Quoted from Mr. Blonde Ladies and gents, the OWC theme will be announced tonight at 10PM EST. =)

Bring it on  

Quoted from Mr. Blonde Ladies and gents, the OWC theme will be announced tonight at 10PM EST. =)

Thanks, your efforts are appreciated.

Oh, I can feel it coming. It's giving me the creeps.

Quoted from khamanna Oh, I can feel it coming. It's giving me the creeps.

Is this about the bumerang?

Quoted from DustinBowcot Thanks, your efforts are appreciated.

It's all Don. I'm just here to make sure you guys don't burn the place down. Lol. =)

With that said, you're very welcome.

Quoted from khamanna Oh, I can feel it coming. It's giving me the creeps.

Don't you trust me...? Lol. =)

Quoted from DustinBowcot Is this about the bumerang?

It has to be. All my women say similar things.

Personally I make sure there's adequate tissues. It helps.

Now, is this theme gonna be any good? No, I don't mean Breaking Bad. It would be stupid to bring it up.

I mean, is this OWC going to have a theme where the boomerang makes you erm... happy then hits you right in the arse. If so, bingo.

Now, I'm off down the museum. I must check exactly what the origin of the bumerang is, see which tribe favoured it, and find out which animals they took out from the rear.

R

Quoted from khamanna Oh, I can feel it coming. It's giving me the creeps.

It's giving me gas.

Stay away...


Dustin, congrats on your new child.  She looks very sweet.  I wish nothing but the best for her and may she be healthy above all else.

On a side note, does anyone find it scary that there is a baby Dustin running around now?  I find the thought of a female Dustin writing reverse cowgirl and calling herself SodOmy-lite.  Or something like that.  

Scary stuff my friend.  Scary stuff.  

Dan

Congrats from me as well, Dustin.

Maybe I'll join this one. If it's comedy, I'll pass but will try to read a few.

Thanks all... she's my fifth, but only girl. She's over two weeks old and still without a name. At the moment she's called Carmen, but my gf also likes Marnie and Marcy. Still a few weeks left yet to register her and it's true to form that we're taking our time.

Maybe in addition to the April OWC we could have a naming contest for Dustin's new girl (quite the cutie, BTW).

As a father of two daughters, I can only tell you now that you are in for a lot of fun and a lot of heartache.  And everything in between.

Quoted from DustinBowcot Thanks all... she's my fifth, but only girl. She's over two weeks old and still without a name. At the moment she's called Carmen, but my gf also likes Marnie and Marcy. Still a few weeks left yet to register her and it's true to form that we're taking our time.

Fifth.. .I couldn't get past two.

I hope everything settles down, but may be when you already have four boys, that's not so much an issue.

All the best