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With all due respect for Lewis Carrol. Wasn't quite what I expected. The super power thing doesn't really come to the fore until the end, and I'm not sure it qualifies. Decently written.
Not sure about the superhero aspect but is was a decent read. (not sure why people can't get to the end of a 6 page script?)
The problem I had was that it didn't stand out enough. The super power, which wasn't really, came right at the end and so everything before it was build up. A superhero script/story should be about the powers and this wasn't.
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This was more of an alien visitation comedy than a superhero laugher. Bu the real problem is the way in which the story meandered up until the gag we all expected at the end. Nigel could have received his powers by page 2, and then spent the rest of his time either discovering or exploiting his abilities. Oh, and Nigel never actually cheated death, did he?
The first part of the story I didn't like. The alien thing about had me running off to a bar. Her name is Alice? Says who? The most important element in the invasion setup is that wrist device Alice was wearing. Maybe she leaves it behind and Nigel wears it.
Now if Nigel had gone from the crash site to his bedroom, I would have thrown up. that bar scene, for me, was needed. I wanted to hear those locals joke around with Nigel. But I thought there should have been a payoff in the bar. Maybe things happen after Nigel leaves. Kind of a precursor to what's awaiting him at home.
I see potential here. Could have offered more humor, but I liked the direction it travels. It didn't quite arrive, as written, but a solid rewrite would be appreciated. Nice job.
I'm with others on the superhero issue. This one barely squeaks by in that department. That segues into another issue of why you didn't skip the bar and go straight to Nigel's house. You could've developed the superhero angle more there (obviously that's where it has to happen), and all the foreshadowing of Nigel's wife at the bar is wasted because by the time you get home, you barely have time for a payoff.
The idea of creating a language out of words made up by Lewis Carroll is funny, but more so because Jabberwocky only has so many of them and most of the poem is in English anyway. Not a very flexible language, it seems, especially if you're sinking one of the few words you've got on yet another lame dick reference (why are there so many of these in this OWC?). Also had a hard time figuring out where this is supposed to be set. The beginning felt like rural USA, but getting into the second half, some references suggested the UK. UK writer trying to write rural USA? We'll see.
Anyway, this was okay. Not funny, but weird. Almost like a reverse of Earth Girls are Easy but with less sex. I'll take it... except the less sex, I suppose.
To me, your script reads like an adventure story driven by mystery, suspense, questions (what fireball—what spaceship—what awaits him at home) with humorous sidelines only. It also misses completely the superhero angle.
But I definitely respect if that's what you found for the challenge, then so be it. The bar scene was far too long. In general, I think I found the second half of the script not so good. Overall, I still liked the tone of the story as it was.
It was okay for me. The writing is pretty good - only a couple of missing periods and grammar errors. Clean, actually pretty entertaining with a fun payoff at the end. The superhero part was pretty much non-existent. I guess he can transform average women into sexy women? Or just his wife? Not clear there, but still a good effort here.
Verdict: Consider
Gary
Some of my scripts:
Bounty (TV Pilot) -- Top 1% of discoverable screenplays on Coverfly I'll Be Seeing You (short) - OWC winner The Gambler (short) - OWC winner Skip (short) - filmed Country Road 12 (short) - filmed The Family Man (short) - filmed The Journeyers (feature) - optioned
Pretty good story. More humorous in tone than joke filled. Not sure if the last line is funny enough to really be the pay-off. I’ll have to mull this one over. It’s a decent story set-up/payoff-wise, but underwhelming overall.
This was pretty middle of the road for me. Honestly, I didn't find the overall arc to be very humorous let alone entertaining. Writing seemed good enough. Sorry to say this, but this one is just...forgettable.
The premise is very funny and so is some of the dialog. Actually I found a lot of dialog funny and laughed at his conversation with the alien woman. The ending is funny too.
I think his wife, her bitching and all should be in the set up. We don't know anything about her and the ending creeps up unexpected that way. I know it's not supposed to be predictable, but bitchy wife won't give away anything.
It was an easy read, not many characters. You could get rid of either man or a woman in a bar scene if the director asks. I noticed long scene heading "clearing around..." or something - just say clearing and that would be enough I think.
Nothing really different to add. This was written well for the most part but the superhero aspect was virtually non-existent. Ending seemed a bit rushed, if it were reworked this short could be pretty solid.