Just because the maximum is fifteen pages, doesn't mean that people should should for this.


Phil

But Phil, seriously...in theory, when a challenge calls for a 15 page script (or whatever length we're talking about), then it's assumed we're looking for a 15 page script.

In the past, I think there was a minimum of something like 8 pages, but recently, that hasn't been followed, the scripts still get included and posted, and of course read and commented on.

As we all know (and has been talked to death in here recently), it's much easier to read and review a very short script, than a longer one...meaning that writing a crappy 1 pager or so almost guarantees you more reads and reviews.  And that's not fair.  That's not what we should be after.  And that's not what this challenge is about.

I just don't understand why people seem to be having trouble understanding this very simple truth.

If the challenge was to write a 1 page script, then we write 1 page scripts.  But, if the challenge is to write a script that is no more than 12 pages and no less than 8 pages, than any script that exceeds 12 pages or is less than 8 pages, should not qualify and be included in the final posted scripts.  Simple, IMO.

It's very obvious to me, at least in terms of history, since I've been involved with the OWC, that the vast majority of scripts that come in under the maximum page length, do so because the writer ran out of time or energy, and it shows in the finished product.

Am I speaking in some kind of foreign language here?  What am I possibly missing?

What you seem to be missing is that it's a challenge and not a contest.

Why do you want your fellow writers barred from the OWC if they did their best? I don't get it.

If the challenge for you is about writing exactly a 15 page script, then do that.

My challenge in these things is to try and get a script out in a single week that I think could have potential as a film...I've failed in the past to even get one in in time.

INT.TORTURE CHAMBER - NIGHT

STEVIE is tied to a chair. Blood and sweat pour off him. He stares painfully at the camera.

                           STEVIE
      Ok, I give in. I hearby promise to my fellow SSer's that my OWC entry WON'T be a
      comical pisstake of the theme and genre.
                           (looks O.S)
       Was that alright?

JEFF, dressed in medieval jailer's gear, wanders in.

                           JEFF
      Yeah, that'll do, you Aussie prick. And no more spelling 'ass' as 'arse' either.
                           (beat)
      Now, fuck off. I've got a bus load of nudie girl tourists to eviscerate...

FADE TO WHITE


But seriously, i agree with all Jeff is saying. Set the page length and adhere to it. Cheers stevie

Stevie...NICE!  We need to do a colab, brother!  Let's get it going!

Quoted from Dreamscale In the past, I think there was a minimum of something like 8 pages,

I've been here for five years...I know, very sad... there has never been a minimum that I can remember.

There used to be a lot fewer entries however. Like 12 or so and they were all by boardmembers. Not by people that just happened to hear about the owc on some other site.

I personally liked it better when it was a smaller more intimate group.

As long as Kiko's spirit lives on in the happy frog, it's all good.

Hmmm...I seem to remember a minimum page length being specified before, but maybe I'm wrong...I'm usually wrong, so I guess I'm not surprised.

Anyone else remember that as well, or is it me making shit up again?

I don't recall any minimums, if nothing else going over seems to be more common.  It's also tougher to hit in general, as it requires a tighter story and stricter editing.

Quoted from Scar Tissue Films My challenge in these things is to try and get a script out in a single week that I think could have potential as a film...I've failed in the past to even get one in in time.

This is a good point.  People have commented that they weren't challenged by the genre/theme; many times these scripts were very mediocre.  Those participating shouldn't just be cranking out a script. They should be writing it as if it might be produced.  

Quoted from Grandma Bear There used to be a lot fewer entries however. Like 12 or so and they were all by boardmembers. Not by people that just happened to hear about the owc on some other site. I personally liked it better when it was a smaller more intimate group.

Me to.


Phil

I think when there were fewer entries, not only was it more fun. Like guessing who wrote what, but readers also cared more about their comments and everyone tried to be very helpful to each other. Not just speed reading in order to get through all 38...

I promise not to speed read this time around. I also promise to try and be nicer with my comments.

Quoted from Dreamscale I also promise to try and be nicer with my comments.

I don't want you to be nice. I want you to be honest.

Ok. I won't mass invite every screenwriter in the known universe to join in on the OWC this time.  We'll see if that even makes a difference.

Quoted from mcornetto Ok. I won't mass invite every screenwriter in the known universe to join in on the OWC this time.  We'll see if that even makes a difference.

You used to do that?...