Very surprised at several things...

1)  That most are saying how difficult this is.

2)  That at least 2 writers are finished already, first draft or not.

3)  That numerous peeps are asking dumbass questions, when the challenge parameters are so clear.

Not at all surprised at a couple things...

1)  Stevie is out (again).

2)  That numerous peeps are asking dumbass questions, when the challenge parameters are so clear.

Best of luck to all.  I'll start thinking about this tomorrow or Tuesday.  No problem on the deadline.

Quoted from Dreamscale 3)  That numerous peeps are asking dumbass questions, when the challenge parameters are so clear.

What kind of dumbass question qualifies as a dumbass question? With that said, I'm in. I haven't written a short in about three years, so this should be an interesting one.

Oh my God. The moment I said I was not going to write I jinxed it. Since then I cannot stop thinking about it and the stupid ideas keep arriving.

I even forgot half of them thank God. But one I remember - an alien falling in love with the Superman when they met up in the air. Here I said it out loud. Good for me - now I can't write about it for the challenge.

So, stupid questions were asked?! I need to read the thread.

Who's asking dumbass questions? Please specify, Jeff.

Zack

Quoted from Zack Who's asking dumbass questions? Please specify, Jeff.

Well, I did. Lol.

Now, a question of personal taste which I'm curious of all people's opinions about. How dark and depressing can a romantic comedy get before the romance is no longer romantic and the comedy is no longer comedic?

I believe if there is at least one character that is without a doubt in love with someone or even to a degree something, then the script would qualify as romance, and I believe that everyone has their own preferences when it comes to comedy. I enjoy physical, surreal, dark, over-the-top, and silly comedy.

Count me among those having a difficult time with this challenge (sorry, Jeff). I actually find open challenges more difficult than ones with strict parameters and would say this challenge leans toward the open side of things. The roses and chocolates also throw me a little since they're essentially cliches of the subject matter and can't easily be inserted into a romantic comedy context without feeling contrived somehow. And yet of course they can, because the challenge doesn't stipulate how they're to be used other than that they should be used meaningfully, which is a no-brainer for any writer worth their salt. In that sense, it's a pretty thoughtful, effective challenge, and I'm making best efforts to participate.

Quoted from Mr. Blonde Well, I did. Lol. Now, a question of personal taste which I'm curious of all people's opinions about. How dark and depressing can a romantic comedy get before the romance is no longer romantic and the comedy is no longer comedic?

Don't expect I need to tell you that this is entirely subjective. But I'll bite for the sake of discussion. I think once the primary aims of the story no longer appear to be romance and comedy, you could make a case that it is no longer a romantic comedy, even if perhaps it contains elements of romantic comedy. A simpler posit would be once the writer is no longer successful in their aims of romance and comedy, but that goes back to my initial comment that it's all subjective. Trying to be circumspect here.

My personal stance is that no such point exists. You can find romance and comedy in anything if you're savvy enough. I actually think there're tons of dark, depressing romantic comedies out there that are brilliant. I also prefer and even tend to seek out films with dark, depressing vibes generally speaking, so long as they're made sincerely and thoughtfully (sometimes the ones that aren't are fun too).

1st draft done. Had a few hours to kill while car was serviced at the dealership yesterday.

I've willingly written a rom-com for a the writer's challenge, Till Cake Do Us Part, and I think maybe that helped a little. https://www.simplyscripts.com/scripts/TILLCAKEDOUSPART.pdf

It's not so much the romance that is hard, but the comedy. And since that is so subjective it's tough to write. I'd say my current script is cute but not yet funny so I'll work on some lol moments the rest of the week.

Best of luck to all and let the funniest win!

Quoted Text Now, a question of personal taste which I'm curious of all people's opinions about. How dark and depressing can a romantic comedy get before the romance is no longer romantic and the comedy is no longer comedic?

Good question. IMO - as long as the script deals with love or romance and has some comedic tone (even if the humor is dark).

Just finished the revisions on my first draft. Also a turd, but I'm in!

Quoted Text 1. How much comedy would you figure is needed to qualify as a comedy? 2. Do both sides need to see it as romantic (for example: a stalker might see a relationship as romantic, but the stalked might not...)?

I would say considering the page limit, that if there are at least 2-3 really good funny moments found in each script, I would safely consider them comedy. In the case of the romantic side of things, I think that both (or however many) parties do not have to share feelings for each other.

Sean, to answer your question - in my opinion, genres are super subjective. I may find it depressing and the others will say it's light and funny. So, just go for it I'll say.

Hey, people, how about we let the challenge master decide this time? I for one would say a script doesn't fit the challenge only if it severely off and doesn't have something red or chocolates or if it's doesn't fit the page length requirement.

I could name more RomComs that are not rolling in the aisles stuff than are.
Something About Mary, for example, is a ComRom imho. Knocked Up genuinely cracked me up in spots but made me cringe in others.

Even Woody's material (Annie Hall) often just brings a smile of recognition with his acute observations.

If you make me quietly chuckle or smile at some point and I'm touched by the romantic element I'll be happy.

Kham has a point too. It's subjective, and dare I say the SS female audience may be impressed by stuff you guys roll your eyes at.

Now, has anyone heard from Dave?

Like I said, right up his alley and I'm looking forward to reading his entry, and Antthony's too!

My participation isn't looking so good at the moment. Really struggling with this one. I believe I have a clever idea, but I just can't seem to get it on the page. Whether I enter or not, i look forward to reading the entries.

Zack