Welcome to the August (Where'd that come from?) 2016 One Week Challenge:

This is a 'real world' One Week Challenge.  You've received no warning and you have one week to write a script based upon the requirements given.

Topic: Trapped in a Taxi Cab^*
Genre: Open (no porn)
Budget: Low

^*Can be a car for hire, e.g., Lyft or Uber or Limo


You have seven days to write a screenplay of up to ten (10) pages. The screenplay must be properly formatted and in PDF format. The scripts are due on Friday, August 12th at 11:59PM EST and must be submitted to: SimplyScripts.com/owc

There will be a Writer's Choice wherein the participants (and only the participants) will be asked to select the three scripts he or she likes the best.

Timeline:
August 5th at 10:00PM EST - Theme and Genre announced.
August 12th at 11:59PM EST - Scripts are due.
August 26th at 5:00PM EST - Names and writer's choice revealed.

The Gist:
Up to 10 pages max. Properly formatted & saved as a PDF file.  This isn't a contest. There are no prizes.  Free to submit.  One entry per person (if you can sneak a second one by me, you are more than welcome to try).

You can revise your script as many times as you wish up until 11:59PM EST on August 12th, however try not to submit until you're absolutely sure you're submitting something you're proud to submit.

Participants are strongly encouraged to read and comment/review on the scripts submitted.

Do not put your real name on your script. However, please use your real name when submitting your script. (After the challenge closes you can either have your script removed or resubmit with your script with your name on it.

Please put (c) 2016. This work may not be used for any purpose without the expressed written permission of the author on the bottom of your title page.

Cool.  Maybe I will actually submit one on time this time!

Now I don't care who you are, that's funny right there!

Well, at least I'll win the Writer's Choice if I'm the only entrant!!!

Cool - wasn't expecting that but it gives me the chance to write something before I go on hols

Thanks Don, much appreciated

Thanks Don!

The Idea
She is here


Well, she's not just yet but I'm so happy that started rhyming all of the sudden. Hopefully she visits...

Perfect excuse for Jeff not to enter again. After all, he hasn't been in a taxi in 20 years, how's he supposed to know what even happens in one of those things? It's not like it's just a car.

I'm not usually one that asks questions but:

Does the entire script have to take place in the Taxi?

Or does the being trapped in a taxi have to be a key part?

Better check the ideas bank...

Quoted from Scar Tissue Films I'm not usually one that asks questions but: Does the entire script have to take place in the Taxi? Or does the being trapped in a taxi have to be a key part?

No, the entire script does not have to take place in the taxi.  With regard to being trapped in a taxi as having a key part, I'm going to leave that up to you. I think it should play a significant role.

- Don

When you say trapped in a taxi, do you mean trapped like in a car jam (heavy traffic) or do you mean like they can't get out of the taxi?  

Well it says 'trapped in a taxi cab'... it's up to you to translate that as you see fit.

Quoted from DanC When you say trapped in a taxi, do you mean trapped like in a car jam (heavy traffic) or do you mean like they can't get out of the taxi?

What Dustin said.

I leave the interpretation up to you.

- Don

Hmm... Open genre? Maybe...

~Zack~

I wonder if a tuk tuk is taking it too far. Good challenge this one, interested to see the variations on what appears to be a reasonably tight brief

Quoted from Cameron I wonder if a tuk tuk is taking it too far. Good challenge this one, interested to see the variations on what appears to be a reasonably tight brief

As a vehicle for hire, yes a tuk-tuk would be permitted

Trust me, EVIL things can happen in taxi cabs...  

I think I will do this one. I had intended to do the one in April, but didn't. And I just finished writing a pilot, so this is perfect timing. Well, except for the fact that I'm on vacation.

Lols, cheers Don. Here's to the birthing of "Dude Where's My Tuk Tuk" then!

How low budget does it need to be?

~Zack~

Just write a story that stands a chance of being produced. The OP is clear. There is only one stipulation and that is that the story be about being trapped in a taxi cab. We're free to interpret that in any way we wish.

Haven't seen too many tuk tuks you can get trapped in. Can you get trapped in a rickshaw?
Anyway . . .
Okay. I'll give it a shot.

Got an idea and a title - we'll see where that goes

Quoted from Don As a vehicle for hire, yes a tuk-tuk would be permitted

Wait, why would someone was an African warrior who uses clicking sounds instead of dialog?  It'd be hard to understand.

Oh, I bet that most don't (I didn't) know that it can also mean (in addition to the one that EVERYONE knows)

1.  To give the wrong gratuity in a foreign situation
2.  Open ended taxi in Thailand.


And I bet you're gonna get a lot of the sexual content tuk-tuk sort of stories.  No porn tho, right??

I wouldn't do porn even if I could, but, I don't necessarily want to read one too.  Although, truth be told, I've never read a porn script, I have no clue how detailed they are.  Now, I'm curious...

Dan

Quoted from Zack Hmm... Open genre? Maybe... ~Zack~

Open genre? Yes!  Write that Rom-Com, Zack!

Quoted from Zack How low budget does it need to be? ~Zack~

By "low budget" I meant that there isn't a big budget for this, but I didn't mean that it should be "low budget" as in 'campy' or poorly done.  As Dustin has pointed out, I'm looking for a script that can be produced on a small budget. I'm looking for a script that some sh*thole can take from the site, slap his/her name on and pass off as his/her own really easily.  

Quoted from Wes Can you get trapped in a rickshaw?

The seatbelt that you really didn't need, but your friend insisted you wear, can jam such that it doesn't release and you are in the middle of traffic and it is just a bad scene all around because the 'girl of your dreams' turns out to not be a 'girl' and man, I didn't need to be taken back there again.  Thanks Wes. You'd lose if this was a contest.  

Quoted from Hunter I think I will do this one. [...] except for the fact that I'm on vacation.

You get up five minutes earlier than everyone else and knock out two pages a day.  Vacation isn't an excuse for non-participation. And, points (which don't exist since this is an exercise and not a contest) will be deducted from your non-existant score since you are on vacation and exposed to more varied ideas and experiences than the rest of us drones hunched over our computers in our day jobs.  

Quoted from DanC No porn tho, right??

I've updated the the theme.

Lol Don! You deadset legend!

I'm hoping to give this a whirl. I was co-winner of the January 2014 OWC, which was one of the highlights of my writing life (which may suggest I haven't had much of a writing life!) but the script I did for that was also the last one I wrote!

I've been busy writing short stories since 2014 and it'll be interesting to see if I can get back on the screenwriting horse...

welcome simon, just remember to read the posted scripts as well. many seem to forget that.

for me I've had a day of thinking - not much has arisen, i seem to be out of the habit.

Anyway, eventually I've had an idea!! whoopee

what i love about the OWC is that we don't have time to think, well not much.

my idea isn't new, not radical, and may be obvious. so, to me, the real question i have, is can i make an ordinary idea sing?..as i don't write much these days probably not, but i appreciate the chance to try.

i love the OWC

Sweet! 2 comedy OWC's in a row!

Quoted from Don Open genre? Yes!  Write that Rom-Com, Zack!

You're on to me!

~Zack~

Just submitted a surprisingly solid first draft. When I read that it could be any vehicle for hire (taxi, limo, Lyft, Uber, tuk-tuk, bus, etc.), the plot came to me immediately.

Plot, characters, genre, everything fell into place. All I needed was a title. All taken care of.

Next thing is to do a few minor tweaks, nothing major.

Best of luck to everyone!

Finally got an idea this morning and I've run with it. Taken me two hours to write the initial draft. I have an entry and it's something that is easy to produce so I'm quite pleased. Just a bit of spit and polish... which I'll do right up until the deadline, and then I'll submit. Good luck to everyone else in achieving the same.

That infernal timer... it's mocking me!

Idea sorted, script started, no let's see how it turns out

I have an idea too, I just don't know about one thing...

It has a special effect.  I don't think it'd cost too much cash.  I mean, low budget can mean so many things.  In Hollywood, low budget is 25M.  In a small film school like UB, low budget might mean something like 750K.  

Some might even consider low to be less then 100K.  I mean, it takes at least 2K to shoot a movie.  When I shot my movie, and that was in 92, I spent over 2K (mostly on script copying and random things like food and stuff, lifeguard etc).  

It was the most fun I ever had, shot it for my thesis, but, then sadly, life got in the way of my dreams...

I guess that the old saying is true, you can take a person away from their dreams, but, only for a short time, then they return...

Dan

Just go for it Dan, it won't be a big issue, sure others will have similar in their script...

Quoted from AnthonyCawood Just go for it Dan, it won't be a big issue, sure others will have similar in their script...

agreed. it will take peoples attention off my flying taxi  

And my dragon pulled rickshaw

I don't have an idea so it'll be pretty idealess story as I'm writing it.  just started, threw in a few characters, let them talk, lets see if something happens to them... if anything.
I know they must get stuck in that thing.

Can't say more as I pretty much gave away mine already.

By the way if you have a flying taxi - it could be pretty much a flying carpet cab. And you are stuck on it automatically if it flies off with you on it.
I'm not writing about flying carpet taxi. Mine is idealess like I said.

This is not fair. I only found out about it now. You guys should give us the option to sign up for a newsletter or something that will email us as soon as the theme is announced. Good luck everyone and thanks Mods for giving us another contest this month.

Still 4 days to go realx - get writing, doesn't even have a min page count so you can submit a micro-short...

I'm out. I've hit something of a stride on an especially difficult project that I haven't given nearly enough attention to for some time. Sometimes it's best to take a break and work on something else like the OWC, but this is unfortunately not one of those times; another script would be just yet another distraction in a sequence of many that makes it harder to get back in the long game at the end of the day.

I did however come up with a dozen or so scenarios, albeit not fully formed ideas, within the first twenty minutes of the challenge, which was fun in and of itself and rare for me when it comes to the OWC. Funny someone should make a joke about porn; I actually even considered for a second writing a porn script as a troll (the joke being that the format was all copacetic and the script could legitimately be produced as porn, as opposed to your garden variety pisstake which isn't meant to be anything). Of course, it didn't take long to think better of this. Otherwise, I was able to interpret "trapped" in a variety of ways, but didn't come up with anything that made me feel like I had to enter.

I can understand that. Hitting a stride and being on that super productive streak where pages just fly by is a rarity, least for me. Gotta use it on a feature. But maybe the stride will end and you can jump in at the last minute. Not that I'm rooting for that. Think I just jinxed it.

Quoted from James McClung I'm out. I've hit something of a stride on an especially difficult project that I haven't given nearly enough attention to for some time. Sometimes it's best to take a break and work on something else like the OWC, but this is unfortunately not one of those times; another script would be just yet another distraction in a sequence of many that makes it harder to get back in the long game at the end of the day. I did however come up with a dozen or so scenarios, albeit not fully formed ideas, within the first twenty minutes of the challenge, which was fun in and of itself and rare for me when it comes to the OWC. Funny someone should make a joke about porn; I actually even considered for a second writing a porn script as a troll (the joke being that the format was all copacetic and the script could legitimately be produced as porn, as opposed to your garden variety pisstake which isn't meant to be anything). Of course, it didn't take long to think better of this. Otherwise, I was able to interpret "trapped" in a variety of ways, but didn't come up with anything that made me feel like I had to enter.

Open theme bro so comedy in any form is good to go

I found out about this one yesterday and decided to  give it a go.
I wrote it today. I'll read over it again in a couple days, fix what I can, then submit it.

I love the OWC and all the different stories.

Cindy

Quoted from MarkItZero I can understand that. Hitting a stride and being on that super productive streak where pages just fly by is a rarity, least for me. Gotta use it on a feature. But maybe the stride will end and you can jump in at the last minute. Not that I'm rooting for that. Think I just jinxed it.

The pages are definitely not flying by, but progress is progress. For the record, I wouldn't rule out jumping in at the last minute, but wouldn't do so at the expense of the other script.

Quoted from stevie Open theme bro so comedy in any form is good to go

Quoted from Don Genre: Open (no porn)

Wouldn't be much fun having revealed it here first anyway. As above, perhaps I might jump in at the last minute with something else.

Just submitted by second draft. Since my first draft was (to my surprise) so solid, simple, and read well, draft 2 was no sweat.

There doesn't seem to be much to improve on or polish, at the moment, but I'll weigh that judgment before the deadline. But right now, I'm satisfied.

It's great to have an excuse to give Trelby a real test drive.

Can't wait to read everyone's scripts.

Quoted from DanC I have an idea too, I just don't know about one thing... It has a special effect.  I don't think it'd cost too much cash.  I mean, low budget can mean so many things.  In Hollywood, low budget is 25M.  In a small film school like UB, low budget might mean something like 750K.   Some might even consider low to be less then 100K.  I mean, it takes at least 2K to shoot a movie.  When I shot my movie, and that was in 92, I spent over 2K (mostly on script copying and random things like food and stuff, lifeguard etc).   Dan

Not much help perhaps, but for comparison the UK's effects heavy "Doctor Who" costs around 1 million pounds (about 1.2 million dollars) PER EPISODE. So it may depend on where you're making it...

I finally got started! And I'm actually kind of linking these characters and this idea; more already than I did for the other OWC I participated in.

Originally, I was thinking of putting a Ross and Rachel type of couple and have them bicker, but I didn't think that would be much fun. I like my idea I have now a lot better.

Quoted from ChrisBodily Just submitted by second draft. Since my first draft was (to my surprise) so solid, simple, and read well, draft 2 was no sweat. .

Hey Chris, great going - you already have an entry!

Don asked to try to submit the best draft though. I guess it's not easy to monitor all the entries. Just letting know, no pressure or anything))

Quoted from khamanna Don asked to try to submit the best draft though.

You can resubmit any script until the deadline.You are right though, everyone should submit the best draft they can write in the amount of time allowed. Makes it easier and more fun for those who read too.  

Pia, here's what I'm talking about - from Don's top post:

Quoted from Don You can revise your script as many times as you wish up until 11:59PM EST on August 12th, however try not to submit until you're absolutely sure you're submitting something you're proud to submit.

I think he doesn't want to see us submit, then resubmit multiple times. In know I've been guilty of that in the past )

The stuck in a taxi thing is what we're writing?  Really?  Oh man...just got back from WI and I find this?

Not happy...not happy at all!  ARGH!!!!

Quoted from Dreamscale The stuck in a taxi thing is what we're writing?  Really?  Oh man...just got back from WI and I find this? Not happy...not happy at all!  ARGH!!!!

Not sure what the issue is - how much different is it than stuck in an elevator?

He hasn't been in a taxi in 20 years. He's forgotten what happens in them.

Quoted from Dreamscale The stuck in a taxi thing is what we're writing?  Really?  Oh man...just got back from WI and I find this? Not happy...not happy at all!  ARGH!!!!

Lasttime I took a cab, we almost ran over a huge monkey, then we stopped at a banana plantation and visited with the driver's girlfriend. We all had some rum at 10am and then we went to the beach. Lots of ideas come out of my story idea factory just from that trip.  

Quoted from Dreamscale The stuck in a taxi thing is what we're writing?  Really?  Oh man...just got back from WI and I find this? Not happy...not happy at all!  ARGH!!!!

Have to agree. Somebody pitched the idea (he or she must've had a story in mind) and now that's the topic.

I have a premise incubating. Don't know if I'll do it.

I almost finished my idealess story. It's hard to write with no idea in mind! But it was fun to try that as well.

Quoted from eldave1 Not sure what the issue is - how much different is it than stuck in an elevator?

No different, really.  That, in itself, is the issue.

30+ script all set in some sort of taxi/car/whatever.  mark my words, when the scripts are posted, you'll see the problem.  Reading through these will be very difficult, as they'll all, for the most part, be the same thing.

We'll have a few killer cab drivers, a few killer cab riders, a few whacko out there ones, a few romantic/sex/taxicab confession ones, etc.

Using an exact or limited setting for an OWC does not make for good reads.

Just being honest.

But it does make for an easy to produce script and that's the point. I can see a few of these actually getting produced... including my own. Thank you, simplyscripts!

Quoted from Stumpzian Have to agree. Somebody pitched the idea (he or she must've had a story in mind) and now that's the topic. I have a premise incubating. Don't know if I'll do it.

Close, but no.  Based upon someone's experience.  

I'm looking for a quick win.  It is summer, this isn't widely advertised, and I have given no real notice it was coming, so there should not be a lot of entries. I'm looking to see if someone can make the best out of the premise.

The intent is that a potential filmmaker sees the simple premise with a simple set requirement and feels that he or she can easily film the script.

- Don

Jeff - you're excused.

Don't contribute one and don't waste your time reading/commenting on any this time round, take a well deserved break... you can come fresh at the next one when the premise might be more to your liking.

Quoted from Dreamscale The stuck in a taxi thing is what we're writing?  Really?  Oh man...just got back from WI and I find this? Not happy...not happy at all!  ARGH!!!!

Yeah, I agree on both of your comments. And I also see a massive phone call attack on the horizon - think I'll just read those who stay short and don't make it a ten minute epos, if any.

The best short films I see here build on conflict. Here the location directs the way. Why OWCs no time go into a character based theme of "today", about the "here and now" puzzles me. Writers should go into society's debates too and not always lurk in up in the sky fiction or scripts bound to location.

Quoted from Don Close, but no.  Based upon someone's experience.   I'm looking for a quick win.  It is summer, this isn't widely advertised, and I have given no real notice it was coming, so there should not be a lot of entries. I'm looking to see if someone can make the best out of the premise. The intent is that a potential filmmaker sees the simple premise with a simple set requirement and feels that he or she can easily film the script. - Don

thats good to me.

I'm sure we will see a decent variety despite the challenge.

i only write these days with the chance of having something filmed so its just up my street

Quoted from Dreamscale No different, really.  That, in itself, is the issue. 30+ script all set in some sort of taxi/car/whatever.  mark my words, when the scripts are posted, you'll see the problem.  Reading through these will be very difficult, as they'll all, for the most part, be the same thing. We'll have a few killer cab drivers, a few killer cab riders, a few whacko out there ones, a few romantic/sex/taxicab confession ones, etc. Using an exact or limited setting for an OWC does not make for good reads. Just being honest.

Bunnyman in a cab is original  

Quoted from PrussianMosby Writers should go into society's debates too and not always lurk in up in the sky fiction or scripts bound to location.

I like to think that I do... but this is an OWC. We get a brief week to come up with an idea and run with it. It's fun. It's a good exercise. A lot of scripts that start out in the OWC end up being produced, win awards... turned into features.

Stop complaining and get on with it. Turn the premise on its head if you want to. There's still plenty of time.

I agree in a sense that it's a 'challenge'. Meaning, based on the premise at hand, can you come up with a script in the time allotted? If the theme already fits your idea of what constitutes an interesting script... then it's not really challenging you in that sense.

That being said, my primary drive for any OWC is to try and come up with a (new) strange character, absurd concept, or demented ideology that fits within the theme. Outside of that, I just try to have fun with it and not get too serious. Unless it's the Halloween OWC, that f*cker's for real...

Quoted from Gum Unless it's the Halloween OWC, that f*cker's for real...

I might bring the sweets for the October OWC. Think for this one I'm gonna find a pen pal and force these filmmakers to open up their wallets a bit.

Quoted from oJOHNNYoNUTSo I so might like to be called "sweets" for the October OWC. Think for this one I'm gonna find a pal to jab a pen in my ear and force these filmmakers to unzip their pants a bit.

Wow, John. Just wow.

Quoted from oJOHNNYoNUTSo I so might like to be called "sweets" for the October OWC. Think for this one I'm gonna find a pal to jab a pen in my ear and force these filmmakers to unzip their pants a bit.

Don said no porn.

Quoted from Dreamscale No different, really.  That, in itself, is the issue. 30+ script all set in some sort of taxi/car/whatever.  mark my words, when the scripts are posted, you'll see the problem.  Reading through these will be very difficult, as they'll all, for the most part, be the same thing. We'll have a few killer cab drivers, a few killer cab riders, a few whacko out there ones, a few romantic/sex/taxicab confession ones, etc. Using an exact or limited setting for an OWC does not make for good reads. Just being honest.

Misunderstood - I thought you referencing writing difficulty - not reading difficulty

Quoted from PrussianMosby The best short films I see here build on conflict. Here the location directs the way. Why OWCs no time go into a character based theme of "today", about the "here and now" puzzles me. Writers should go into society's debates too and not always lurk in up in the sky fiction or scripts bound to location.

Alex, pm me your thoughts on an OWC theme. Let's see if we can get them incorporated into a future challenge.

-Don

I have an idea that would be a lot of fun.  Actually 3 of them.

1.  Have a poll for everything that gets voted on by us.  We pick genre, theme, idea (for the idea, we could take write ins for a day or 2, then vote on them).  Let us do the picking.

2.  Have the most expensive idea in the shortest amount of pages that tells a complete story.  

3.  Pick 4 random things (or have us pick) that have NOTHING in common and we have to create a cohesive story based on them.  I actually got that idea from those mage wars shows on sci-fi.  Kinda a cool idea.

I mean, imagine the variety of the plots if we had to include some random goodies like:
bathroom, pluto, air and Godzilla.

Or Paintings, Judo, Martha's Vineyard, Nuclear fission.

Yeah, I'm not having much luck with an idea.  I do have an idea, but, it's pretty bad and way out of my comfort zone.

Quoted from PrussianMosby Yeah, I agree on both of your comments. And I also see a massive phone call attack on the horizon - think I'll just read those who stay short and don't make it a ten minute epos, if any. The best short films I see here build on conflict. Here the location directs the way. Why OWCs no time go into a character based theme of "today", about the "here and now" puzzles me. Writers should go into society's debates too and not always lurk in up in the sky fiction or scripts bound to location.

The topic of the OWC in no way stops someone from writing realistic drama. Do it, if you want.

The one problem is that in the rush to read them all, slow moving dramas will often get called "boring" and be largely ignored.

However, that is usually the case in real life as well, outside of festivals. The bias on here towards genre stories mirrors the bias towards speculative stories in the real world.

Personally I hate films/stories that are essentially lectures about real world problems. I, like most people, watch films to escape from the drudgery of the real world.

Once you've seen one film about an issue..homosexuality, slavery, poverty, racism etc etc...you've seen them all. The only thing that changes is their location.

The trick with sociopolitical drama is to make it entertaining. Include it without focusing on it. Then we get accused of cheapening it, but it's better than the vomit-inducing heavily opinionated other option.

Quoted from Scar Tissue Films However, that is usually the case in real life as well, outside of festivals. The bias on here towards genre stories mirrors the bias towards speculative stories in the real world. Personally I hate films/stories that are essentially lectures about real world problems. I, like most people, watch films to escape from the drudgery of the real world. Once you've seen one film about an issue..homosexuality, slavery, poverty, racism etc etc...you've seen them all. The only thing that changes is their location.

Your comment makes me shake. I completely disagree. Entertainment can work differently.

What you write about films reads like: let's buy a ticket for Batman vs Spiderman 4, munch some snickers, and forget stuff in a second. Escapism fulfilled.

But, there is no escape from life. Relaxation and pleasure you only get through confrontation and beauty.

It screams from between the lines of your comment that you have given up on that. But sorry, then go to the subcontracted labor, watch mindless stuff and mow the lawn. There'll be a Bud in the fridge tomorrow.

There are different movies that have the power to follow you to the parking lot of the cinema and into your life. To get across message and meaning is just the hardest stuff. It's where people move each other, reflect, and find real escape.

The topic allows you to write about absolutely any subject you wish, in absolutely any genre. How much leeway do you need?

You can have a pro-abortionist vs abortion argument
Donald Trump vs Hilary Clinton trapped in the same cab
Black vs White
Human trafficker vs former slave
Liberal vs right winger
Transexual vs Muslim Cleric
Homosexual vs Homophobe
Alien vs Human

You can take the most extreme philosophy and write about it, or the most cutting edge scientific theory.

Absolutely anything. Just write about whatever issue troubles you the most deeply.

I just probably won't care,  because I've seen them all a trillion times already. Just as you complain about Batman vs Superman 4...I've already seen "I'm a gay in [insert location here], and it's really hard" at least a hundred times. I've seen a thousand films about human slavery. It still exists. Nothing will change that, until we completely change the economic system.

Anyone who actually gives a shit about the state of the world probably shouldn't spend a single second wasting their time making/writing films. They'd be better off doing charity work, working for the UN, or starting some fair trade business.

Quoted from Scar Tissue Films Just as you complain about Batman vs Superman 4...I've already seen "I'm a gay in [insert location here], and it's really hard" at least a hundred times.

You do realise how this reads?

Quoted from DustinBowcot You do realise how this reads?

I do.  

Rick,

I don't know if this isn't floating too much into politics, however, it seems when it is about world politics or humanity's problems you end up at this point

Quoted from Scar Tissue Films until we completely change the economic system.

Tons of people say that today, but what does that mean?
... a rhetorical question of course…
Anyway, reducing problems to such phrase when it comes to shove, stays a way of obey. I admit it's a good and safe position to handle life today, and from where one can easily let others who debate look, well, ... naive, preachy, inexperienced, having a good men attitude, ... with just blocking.

Regarding the challenge, we also could write about a conflict in family, holidays, neighborhood, drugs, whatever… character and conflict-based. But the topics are most times fiction of all kind and locations. I'd prefer to read personal stories of other writers, built on conflicts they know from their here and now – without morphing things into a taxi. And those don't have to be Good Men preachy things or politics. There's also culture.

Quoted from Scar Tissue Films Personally I hate films/stories that are essentially lectures about real world problems. I, like most people, watch films to escape from the drudgery of the real world.

Agree 100%. As soon as a movie, TV show or book starts to feel preachy or lecturing, I leave. I want to be entertained, amused, thrilled etc. I don't want to be reminded of all the crap in the world I read or see in the news or other information media every day.

Quoted from Scar Tissue Films I do.

At least you can tick the diversity box.

Quoted from PrussianMosby Yeah, I agree on both of your comments. And I also see a massive phone call attack on the horizon - think I'll just read those who stay short and don't make it a ten minute epos, if any. The best short films I see here build on conflict. Here the location directs the way. Why OWCs no time go into a character based theme of "today", about the "here and now" puzzles me. Writers should go into society's debates too and not always lurk in up in the sky fiction or scripts bound to location.

Still lost on why a setting in a taxi or an Uber precludes the exploration of themes related to today. You could put a transexual and a priest, a cop and a black man, a 1 percenter and a Occupy Wallstreet, etc etc in a taxi.  The location does not limit the theme

Quoted from PrussianMosby Rick, I don't know if this isn't floating too much into politics, however, it seems when it is about world politics or humanity's problems you end up at this point Tons of people say that today, but what does that mean? ... a rhetorical question of course… Anyway, reducing problems to such phrase when it comes to shove, stays a way of obey. I admit it's a good and safe position to handle life today, and from where one can easily let others who debate look, well, ... naive, preachy, inexperienced, having a good men attitude, ... with just blocking. Regarding the challenge, we also could write about a conflict in family, holidays, neighborhood, drugs, whatever… character and conflict-based. But the topics are most times fiction of all kind and locations. I'd prefer to read personal stories of other writers, built on conflicts they know from their here and now – without morphing things into a taxi. And those don't have to be Good Men preachy things or politics. There's also culture.

1. I don't want to get into a long political debate, but it means that nearly all of the problems in society are created by the world wide economic system that puts a price on every single thing in the world and creates an artificial system of scarcity whereby some have a lot of money and the vast majority have absolutely nothing...and they are mired in poverty and have to turn to crime, drugs or whatever as an escape.

People need money to live, and due to the system withholding money from the many, they have to resort to criminal, or even legal destructive behaviour.

The problem is exacerbated by a media/advertising that creates a culture of turbo consumerism meaning everyone believes they need material products to have self worth.

Environmental destruction, poverty, disease, drug abuse, inequality, anger, frustration, crime, human trafficking, piracy...All the issues we might care to talk about are a mere symptom of that fact.

If you want to solve those problems there is only one action to take: Try and change the entire world's economic system. You won't do it with a film. You can have a go...see Zeitgeist...but I was also there when that whole movement fell apart with infighting as always happens in fringe politics groups.

If your primary goal is to effect material change in the world, then screenwriting is not the best way to do it.

Technology, realistically is the only way.

2. The topic includes all of that, if you want, or they want. People don't generally write it because they find it boring.

There's a reason fantastical stuff sells the most in literature, comic form, film etc. The simple fact is everyone has familial conflicts, trouble with disease, money troubles etc. They have to live it every day...few people want to add to their own problems by being subjected to even more problems about people they don't know.

Besides the stories are as cliched as any genre flick:

People find it hard to get on due to differences in age, gender, sexuality, race, nationality and we have to learn to overcome such superficial differences.

Drugs can be fun, maybe even enlightening, but they are also a slippery slope.

People in different neighbourhoods have different ideas on how to live, there are some good things to be said about suburbia, some good thing about the ghetto, some good things about living in the wilderness, and some bad.

That's all there is to it. We already know.

Ultimately, I still don't see what the problem is:

You can tell any story you want in this topic.

A junkie in a tax, looking back on all his drug related moments whilst waiting for his dealer to whom he owes money to come and kill him. Or maybe he's just going through withdrawal whilst waiting for ambulance workers to get him out.

What better location is there than a taxi for a story about family conflict? The father in the front, the mother, daughter and son in the back dealing with their issues in the claustrophobic environment.

Where better to view the neighbourhood than stuck in the back of a taxi?

I just don't see the problem. There's a million things you can do. Obviously I get that you'd like to read those type of stories, but if when given the chance to write them people aren't really interested in doing so...it's just the way it is, isn't it?

Only just seen this. I've been ill and I'm still ill which is why I'm out of the loop, so it means I'll not be able to take part and I'm gutted as I love doing these.

Best of luck to all who enter, I'll try to review some.

Also only saw this now. I'll definitely try put something together. It's an interesting challenge once again.

Good luck to everybody.

Quoted from MarkRenshaw Only just seen this. I've been ill and I'm still ill which is why I'm out of the loop, so it means I'll not be able to take part and I'm gutted as I love doing these. Best of luck to all who enter, I'll try to review some.

Best of luck with your recovery

Quoted from Scar Tissue Films If your primary goal is to effect material change in the world…

Huh? I didn't mention that. No, it's not how I think. You were talking about a material change theory, right here

Quoted from Scar Tissue Films Nothing will change that, until we completely change the economic system.

I completely disagree over any "entirely change everything" logic. You just push that stuff in my direction. And Zeitgeist??? Really that conspiracy rubbish. I gave me five minutes.

Perhaps you check out how many sociopolitical terms and problems you've thrown out here in your posts today. You brought in everything from slavery, Clinton and Trump to gender
while my original post was only…

Quoted Text The best short films I see here build on conflict. Here the location directs the way. Why OWCs no time go into a character based theme of "today", about the "here and now" puzzles me. Writers should go into society's debates too and not always lurk in up in the sky fiction or scripts bound to location.

Okay, there's the one term "society's debates" you jumped on. But society's debate could be anything.  

Quoted from Scar Tissue Films Obviously I get that you'd like to read those type of stories, but if when given the chance to write them people aren't really interested in doing so...it's just the way it is, isn't it?

No. We got terrific drama writers and screenplays on simplyscripts who take any chances. Those fight their ass off to press their writing personality and identity into an elevator.

Drama wins every Oscar by the way.

Though funny to say my original post didn't even proclaim for drama. I proclaim for conflict based topics. Genre doesn't matter.

Furthermore, I even disagree with how you see stories and movies and their impact in general.

Also with this here…

Quoted from Scar Tissue Films People in different neighbourhoods have different ideas on how to live, there are some good things to be said about suburbia, some good thing about the ghetto, some good things about living in the wilderness, and some bad. That's all there is to it. We already know.

No, not to me. There's new almost every day that I don't know.

Following comes in a second, don't know if you heard of it:
There was a crazy story here recently about a Chinese visiting Berlin. He wanted to report a theft and somehow those stupid cops let him sign an asylum application instead, put him in a refugee hostel for two weeks, on his HOLIDAY.

You underestimate what people, not only me, could come up with imo. What they read and know, or have seen with their own eyes.

But I get your point; I should let things play out in the taxi.

Quoted from MarkRenshaw Only just seen this. I've been ill and I'm still ill which is why I'm out of the loop…

Dude, bummer…

Bad advice: Take some Sudafed and wash it down with a Rum Hot Toddy.

Good advice: Plant or tend to a garden. Without a doubt it’s the most therapeutic thing I know; physically and emotionally. Also, a great place to harvest new (writing) ideas… OK, bad pun but, I’m serious.

Best advice: Female Contortionist  --> Jungle Gym.