Disclaimer: The follow is a work of fiction for the purposes of the July/August 2007 One Week Challenge on simplyscripts.com.  This is a fictitious email to set the theme and genre of the one week challenge.  In no way should anyone infer from this email that the script submitted will be produced or made into a movie.

_{Begin the fiction:}


Subject:     I need a script.
From:          ta.g@@xxxxxxxx.com
Date:          Sat, July 28, 2007 11:59 pm
To:          webmaster@simplyscripts.com
Priority:      High


Don:

I need a short script and I need it in a week.  I have an investor who is willing to put up a sum of money and property to film.  The constriants are:

It needs to be a Thriller (It can be a thriller in the broadest sense of the word, so I'm open to crime stories, supernatural/noir/scifi/comedic/romcom elements.  But, it has got to be a Thriller.  I need to be thrilled.  Also, very important, below find a picture of the set.  I got a boat.  The boat floats and can be moved.  Best yet, we can do anything we want to the boat.  Anything .



As you know, a magnesium flare went off in my face a few weeks ago.  I can't see anything.  I haven't seen the boat, yet, so I'm going to have to rely on the script to give me an idea of what I'm dealing with.  I've asked...

---

begin shameless plug iScript.com to record the script you select.  As you know, iScript.com Lets You "Hear Your Script."  They turn scripts into mp3s! You upload a script - they record it using professional readers and picky sound editors - you download your iScript! Burn CDs, listen on your iPod, submit it to execs, producers, agents. Now people can hear your script while driving, jogging or relaxing. end shameless plug.

---

Can you help me out?

Thanks,

Ta

_{end fiction}

There you have it folks.  Write a 15 page or less script (in proper screenplay format).  It has to be a thriller and has to incorporate the boat.  Please submit your scripts no later than Saturday, 11:59 pm August 4th, 2007.  This is a free contest and as a result, you have no chance of winning anything at all.  One script will be selected to be performed by iScript.com.  - Don

LOL! Does Movie Magic or FD have a braille module?

interesting...

My sympathies for Ta about the burn in the face...(silent chuckle).

Gabe

FADE IN:

MICHAEL JACKSON belts out THRILLER as he skillfully moonwalks around flopping catfish on the deck of a Lousianna white-trash houseboat

FADE OUT:

p.s. all rights reserved for the terms "white trash houseboat, white-trash houseboat, white trash house boat, whitetrashhouseboat, white-trash house-boat, whitetrash house-boat, whitetrash house boat"

lol. Cool. I have a kick-ass idea for this setting, at least I think it is. I will start writing immediately.

--Julio

Since we are bound to have many new participants this go round, let me toss out a few things gleaned from challenges past:

*  Scripts are anonymous during the initial week or so.  Do not put your name on the script.

*  Scripts are anonymous during the initial week or so.  Do not post that you are playing or not.  You will be enthusiastic, and will want to say, "I just submitted my script!", but you will look silly.

*  You may also want to post, "It only took me 2 hours to write!" But nobody will be impressed with your speed.  Not here, anyway.  Impress us with quality.

*  If you play, READ SOME OF THE SUBMITTED SCRIPTS.  Nothing makes you look like more of a Jerk around here than submitting a script and getting lots of comments on your work without returning the favor to other players.  That is Jerk with a capital J.  Don't be that guy.

*  If you have no clue about proper script format, brush up on it.  Don will not read these before they go up, but he often peeks at format, and if it ain’t even close, he may kick it back to you.  Particularly during contest time.

*  Have a killer logline.  Spend some real time on it.  There will be lots of scripts, and the ones that will get read are the ones that sound intriguing.  A script with a blah logline gets buried and ignored.  Having a typo in your logline will make you look retarded, and people will assume your script has been proofread in a similar fashion.

Sounds great, except the theme part - there isn't one.

Yeah, we have the genre and a houseboat, but not a theme. So we get to make up our own?

Why mention one when it's never really mentioned?

Quoted from ABennettWriter we have the genre and a houseboat, but not a theme.

Quoted from Don Write a 15 page or less script (in proper screenplay format).  It has to be a thriller and has to incorporate the boat.

The boat is the theme.


Breanne

Well, guess that's that, then.

Good luck, participants!


Matt.

Yeah. I wanna wish good luck to everyone as well. I've already written my intro . Hopefully I'll be finished by Tuesday so I can re-write it before the deadline.

Question?

Can the boat be located anywhere or does it have to be located in a similar setting to the one in the photo?

Well, the boat can be moved and anything can be done with it.  

I'm guessing you can move the boat anywhere you want, as long as it's there.

I just wonder how many are gonna be like the climax of cape fear.

Looks like I may have to get my hands dirty this time around... or maybe not...

~Zack~

A boat isn't a theme.

A theme is a statement that best describes the moral of your story.

So, a boat can't be a theme.

Quoted from ABennettWriter A boat isn't a theme. A theme is a statement that best describes the moral of your story. So, a boat can't be a theme.

Oh, for Pete's sake, just go with it!

Quoted from ABennettWriter A boat isn't a theme. A theme is a statement that best describes the moral of your story. So, a boat can't be a theme.

We're talking theme as a subject here, not as a moral statement.

–noun
1.     a subject of discourse, discussion, meditation, or composition; topic: The need for world peace was the theme of the meeting.
2.     a unifying or dominant idea, motif, etc., as in a work of art.

I apologize for being so picky.

I'm going with it, so don't worry.

I'm very excited to begin the thought process of what to do!

A thriller that deals with a boat... Very nice.

I wonder how many "haunted boat" scripts we'll get...

~Zack~

Oh, and I've got a question for Don or anyone who knows.

Does it have to be that specific boat that is in the picture? Or can it be any kind of boat? Like a cruise ship? Or a raft? I need to know, because if it has to be that on particular boat than I need to go back to the drawing board.

Quoted from Zack I wonder how many "haunted boat" scripts we'll get... ~Zack~

Since the genre is not horror, I'm hoping none.

Quoted from randyshea Oh, for Pete's sake, just go with it!

Yeah, for my sake, jump on board!

Oh wait, you have. Well done.

I like the genre and "theme" btw, sounds like it could go many different ways.

Quoted from Stigmata Does it have to be that specific boat that is in the picture?

Did you even read the set-up?

Yes -- it is THAT boat.

Anywhere, anytime, any way you want to use it.

But that specific boat.

Quoted from randyshea FADE IN: MICHAEL JACKSON belts out THRILLER as he skillfully moonwalks around flopping catfish on the deck of a Lousianna white-trash houseboat FADE OUT: p.s. all rights reserved for the terms "white trash houseboat, white-trash houseboat, white trash house boat, whitetrashhouseboat, white-trash house-boat, whitetrash house-boat, whitetrash house boat"

Mine's a white trash house-boat.

Quoted from Khaos Mine's a white trash house-boat.

My attorney's, Dewey, Cheetum, and Howe (rim shot, please), will be in touch.

Quoted from randyshea My attorney's, Dewey, Cheetum, and Howe (rim shot, please), will be in touch.

Rim shot? Oh, see my doctor, Macon S. Aulssicker - he specializes in rim shots.

I see you're back on Randyshae, looks like you have been missed, lol.

Quoted from elis I see you're back on Randyshae, looks like you have been missed, lol.

like a poke in the eye with a sharp stick...

lol

life gets in the way, you know?

Quoted from The boy who could fly Since the genre is not horror, I'm hoping none.

Is there really that big of a diference between horror and thriller?

~Zack~

Thriller has more to do with how the story is set up than anything else - that is why it can be inclusive of other genres.  

The protag needs to have a problem.  As he/she tries or doesn't try to solve the problem it should get worse and worse until the protag is at his/her lowest point.  Then the resolution, usually a battle with the antag occurs, and usually on the antags territory.  This is followed by a brief epilogue.

Poltergeist is an excellent example of a horror thriller.

I'm so pumped to see how everyone's scripts turn out. It is going to be so interesting to see how much the scripts will differ from one another with the same genre and topic.

Quoted Text Did you even read the set-up? Yes -- it is THAT boat. Anywhere, anytime, any way you want to use it. But that specific boat.

Bit harsh Bertrum.

This is what the set-up told us:

Quoted Text As you know, a magnesium flare went off in my face a few weeks ago.  I can't see anything.  I haven't seen the boat, yet, so I'm going to have to rely on the script to give me an idea of what I'm dealing with.  I've asked...

IE That he hadn't seen the boat and was relying on the script to tell us what the boat looked like.

If it had to be THAT BOAT, why put that part in the set up?

To me the only possible reason was that the boat could be anything you wanted it to be, so I'm not surprised that others are confused.

Rick.

Quoted from Scar Tissue Films Bit harsh Bertrum.

Perhaps it reads that way.  So noted.  Sometimes the internet will do that to your words.  Particularly if you use all caps in places.

Quoted from The Setup Also, very important, below find a picture of the set.  I got a boat.  The boat floats and can be moved.  Best yet, we can do anything we want to the boat.  Anything .

I thought it was pretty clear that the director and producer had a specific boat they were going to be using.

Quoted Text Also, very important, below find a picture of the set.  I got a boat.  The boat floats and can be moved.  Best yet, we can do anything we want to the boat.  Anything .

That line seemed fairly clear. It was the one I posted that caused the problem.

Quoted Text As you know, a magnesium flare went off in my face a few weeks ago.  I can't see anything. I haven't seen the boat, yet, so I'm going to have to rely on the script to give me an idea of what I'm dealing with.  I've asked...

I can't see any other interpretation to those words other than that you can describe the boat how you want to. Why mention he was blind if it wasn't important?

Whatever.

Are you the gospel when it comes to this? It's definitely that boat yes?

Enough already with the boat!

We're using this boat!  The boat in the picture!  No other boat!

If you're not writing about the boat, then get away from the boat!

Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!      
Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!      
Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!      
Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!      
Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!    
Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!  Boat!    



Phil

boat!

Seems like everything turns into an argument  lately, or at least a heated debate.

I don't know how the assignment could've been any clearer.

Quoted from Scar Tissue Films Are you the gospel when it comes to this? It's definitely that boat yes?

I'm the gospel when it comes to anything.  That's why I got the cool purple name.

I think Don was trying to make a joke -- that is, the blinded director had no idea what a piece of s*** boat he had acquired.

But -- at the same time -- such a creepy boat could make a great setting -- and a piece of junk like that could be abused or even destroyed should the story call for it.

Quoted from tomson Seems like everything turns into an argument  lately, or at least a heated debate.

You sure you don't mean de boat?

Besides I prefer heated debates to air conditioned ones.

Das Boot!

I like cold debates. Goes better with my icy Swedish personality.

Has anyone bothered to notice that if they're going to record the 'winner' as an MP3 file then the script will have to *sound* more like a radio play than a screenplay?
Unless they intend to read aloud the scene slugs and descriptive passages you're going to have to communicate all the "thrills" with sound effects and dialogue.
Just an observation.

Slugs and descriptive passages are read on the MP3.

The samples on Iscript.com verify this.

I'm super pumped for the contest, but this boat thing is throwing me a bit off, do we have to use the boat a lot or can a character just be standing there for a second or two? How does it work?

I think the Boat should be an important part of the script, that's part of the challenge.

I'm sorry that my simple question caused a heated debate between you guys. That's not what I intended, but the set-up kind of confused me a bit. My bad.

Quoted from Stigmata I'm sorry that my simple question caused a heated debate between you guys. That's not what I intended, but the set-up kind of confused me a bit. My bad.

Roit! Very well! Off you go to the corner then, and beat yourself with that stick!

ok, that's cool I think I'll use it as a motif. This shall be fun, where can we read already submitted works I want to read what people have written so far.

Nothing for the contest has been put up yet.

Also is it ok if I use Microsoft word, which won't in anyway shape or form format correctly in terms of inches and stuff like that but I still don't have a movie magic (hopefully by September I'll get one) but I'm only 18 and my dad hasn't bought me it yet. Is it ok if my formatting is a bit screwy but everything else like slug lines and ect. are ok?

If you're worried about having format troubles with word, I would go download CELTX.  It's a free program and will take care of all your needs.

While doc is an acceptable format for submitted scripts, it would be in your best interest to submit it in the proper format, especially in the case of this contest.

I have to use M.W my computer is all ready really bad and I'm trying not to download no other permenant programmes until I call the geek squad. I really am, though taking on tedious task of putting all the inches and margins in correctly but it's all for the sake of art so I kind of don't mind.

I use Microsoft Word for all of my scripts. I'm used to changing margins and what not now. It doesn't take two seconds when you're in full flow of writing. I would definitely make an attempt on getting those margins right though. Formatting is quite a big deal to a lot of readers.

I give up! It's coming out just like crap, I'm just going to write it the way I normally do.

Listen, Zigg, since you dig Bowie I'm gonna give you Bert's patented "Word Cheat" for script formatting.

Five tabs to the name
Four tabs to a parenthetical
Three tabs to dialogue.

And you are golden.  It's not technically perfect, but nobody will notice without a ruler.

But you make it look like mushed up jumble and ain't nobody gonna read it -- not with 20-30 other scripts to choose from -- and then you have just wasted your time.

If it is too far off, Don might not even accept it.  For contests, he is a little pickier than usual about that stuff.

if you know how to set paragraph styles, it will be a lot easier. you set them all to one style in WORD and then all paragraphs of that style will change with it. Celtx is where you should go, though. Don't be afraid, padawan learner, for there you will find the dark side.

thanks a lot, I can't say what I had was bad but it certainly wasn't right. Thanks.

God, I keep getting these random questions stuck in my head. This one about the concealed authors' names. How are we going to know who wrote what? Does everyone just post after a week, 'that was mine', or what? Sorry for so many darn questions, I'm relatively new.

When you submit your script, there's a box that says "author's name".  You fill that in, but when the script is uploaded, Don keeps it anonymous for the first so long.  About a week later he'll put up a list saying who wrote what.

Just be sure you don't have your name on the title page.  Nothing can be done about that.

Quoted from ZiggyplayedGuitar thanks a lot, I can't say what I had was bad but it certainly wasn't right. Thanks.

If you need any help formatting it I could format it in FD. Final Draft is a little better than Movie Magic. With all the hackers out there these days most of these programs aren't worth buying. (I'm not saying you should but they make it easy.)

Microsoft Word has screenplay format in this little drop down menu, at least the version I had.

Quoted from bert Since we are bound to have many new participants this go round, let me toss out a few things gleaned from challenges past: *  Scripts are anonymous during the initial week or so.  Do not put your name on the script. *  Scripts are anonymous during the initial week or so.  Do not post that you are playing or not.  You will be enthusiastic, and will want to say, "I just submitted my script!", but you will look silly. *  You may also want to post, "It only took me 2 hours to write!" But nobody will be impressed with your speed.  Not here, anyway.  Impress us with quality. *  If you play, READ SOME OF THE SUBMITTED SCRIPTS.  Nothing makes you look like more of a Jerk around here than submitting a script and getting lots of comments on your work without returning the favor to other players.  That is Jerk with a capital J.  Don't be that guy. *  If you have no clue about proper script format, brush up on it.  Don will not read these before they go up, but he often peeks at format, and if it ain’t even close, he may kick it back to you.  Particularly during contest time. *  Have a killer logline.  Spend some real time on it.  There will be lots of scripts, and the ones that will get read are the ones that sound intriguing.  A script with a blah logline gets buried and ignored.  Having a typo in your logline will make you look retarded, and people will assume your script has been proofread in a similar fashion.

I'm new here... where do the scripts get submitted?  Where can I go to read what others have submitted?

There's a submit your script link on the main page.  

No scripts have been posted yet, but once they are there will be a forum on the discussion board marked July/August OQE or something to that effect.  The links to the scripts will be in there and the main page.

Quoted from SivartAlappesProductions I'm new here... where do the scripts get submitted?  Where can I go to read what others have submitted?

Actually, Don has a special link for submission of One-Week Challenge scripts -- if you go to his very first post on this thread, looks for submit and click on that.  It will take you where you want to go.

But Mike is right that they do not go up immediately upon submission.  Don will put them all up at once -- or in waves if there are a bunch -- but you will know them when you see them.

Is there a minimum length that the script has to be?

~Zack~

yeah, it's on the main page. But I think it's something like 15 pages. Bueno suerte.

15 pages s the maximum length. Is there a minimum?

~Zack~

Quoted from Zack Is there a minimum length that the script has to be?

No, guys.  No minimum.  If you can tell a thriller in one page, go for it.

15 pages is the maximum.  No real penalty for going over, I suppose, but you will have a harder time getting reads on it.

Well I'm done and posted.

I don't think you're supposed to say if you've entered.

~Zack~

It makes no difference, no one sees your name and they are not posted on SS until after the fourth, when all the others go up as well.

Quoted from bert But Mike is right that they do not go up immediately upon submission.  Don will put them all up at once -- or in waves if there are a bunch -- but you will know them when you see them.

Quoted from elis It makes no difference...

Technically, you are probably right.  Especially for some of the newer members -- and it looks like a lot of first-timers this time, too.  They won't get spotted.

In the past, we have found some of the older members, however -- who have a recognizable style -- will get their scripts called out very early if everybody knows they've submitted one.

That's why we like to keep even the participation a secret.

Because there is some small fraction of anonymity removed, Elis, if everybody knows you've got one in the batch.

Yep, I think part of the fun of this contest is that it is a bit of a guessing game.  Try and guess who wrote what?   That's why no one says whether they have entered or not, makes the guessing even more difficult and more fun.  

However, I may or may not enter this OWC.  

Quoted from mcornetto ...part of the fun of this contest is that it is a bit of a guessing game.

Exactly.  After the scripts have been up for a while, somebody usually starts a "guessing thread" that is always interesting.

For the curious (or bored) here is script by James that most thought I had written:

http://www.simplyscripts.net/cgi-bin/Blah/Blah.pl?b-short0107/m-1169422180/

And a script by me, that most thought Brea had written:

http://www.simplyscripts.net/cgi-bin/Blah/Blah.pl?b-western/m-1137886139/

Perhaps not interesting to everyone, sure, but I'm just tossing this out for the benefit of frequent readers who I'll bet can spot the influences -- that go both ways -- and as an example of how the guessing can be misleading and amusing at the same time.

I think those of us who haunt these boards often will sometimes start to influence each other in our styles -- a give and take of the best sort -- which is kind of neat, too.

Sorry guys, Had no idea I would cause havock!

No havoc, elis. Just explanations.  Looking forward to reading your script -- if you really entered one, of course.  Maybe you were just throwing us a red herring.

"maybe there is no moral to the story. Maybe, it's just a bunch of stuff that happened."

-Homer Simpson

I really hope everyone returns reads this time around. I'd hate to read someone's script only to find out that "someone" didn't read a single one in return. It's irritating.

--Julio

Last time I deleted my reviews from three scripts because the writers didn't read and comment on any of them. I hate to hold a grudge, but I guess I do... I won't read or comment on their stuff again. At least not until they change.

Just a quick update.  Thank you, Bert, for the additional clarification on how the One Week Challenge works.  As of Tuesday afternoon, there have been "a number of entries"  I've asked someone other than me to gather them together and post them, so I'm not entirely sure how many have come in.  Like you all, I'll find out Sunday.  

Don

I guess I'm a slacker because I haven't even had the time to think of an idea yet.

If I don't submit something, I will still try to read a lot of them. If I read one from someone who's not doing any reading.... I will be cranky!

I am still wrestling with my story. It's the first contest I am participating in so even if my story would turn out to suck, it will still be a nice learning experience for me.

I will surely read (and comment) on other stories.

What a name, movemycheese. What made you pick it?

lol, I'm so damn lazy. This should've been done & sumbited since I came up with the concept as with all my ideas atleast 2 months ago. I just hate my format and the inconsistencies (yeah, I can't spell and what) it's really annoying a messing with my ego. I really must invest in movie magic since money's tight. I'll finish soon though. I wanted some parts of my screenplay to be in Polish, I hate American's doing accent's it's so cheap to me.

Quoted from tomson I guess I'm a slacker because I haven't even had the time to think of an idea yet. If I don't submit something, I will still try to read a lot of them. If I read one from someone who's not doing any reading.... I will be cranky!

Mmm Hmm. You think you're so tricky. But I can see through you Pia! I know the truth that you are afaid to admit.

~Zack~

It might be late in the game but I wanted to know does this boat have a motor engine or can it be created by the author?

Gabe

I've got an idea now! Will start typing later tonight.

Gabe, I'm pretty sure it has a motor. It's not a sailboat and I don't think anyone wants to row that ugly thing.

Good questions Gabe,

I'm pretty sure the answer to both is yes.

Pia - It doesn't have anyting to do with cheese, does it?

Another question??

When are these scripts scheduled to be posted?  I want to clear my schedule for some reading time.

Haha, no cheese. I'm all cheesed out...

Guns, violence, sex, murder.... good stuff... my kind of stuff.

Quoted from tomson Haha, no cheese. I'm all cheesed out... Guns, violence, sex, murder.... good stuff... my kind of stuff.

uh, uh, uh... no hints
I got told off for that

Hope you put one together. as like before, I'm sure you will at the very last minute.
Good luck
Elis

Quoted from elis uh, uh, uh... no hints I got told off for that

But I'm apparently known for being deceptive, so no one will suspect that I'm really writing about  three lesbians on a rickety houseboat in Holland when the dykes break.

Quoted from tomson   three lesbians on a rickety houseboat in Holland when the dykes break.

I could think of something really rude to say about that, in fact I'm trying so hard not to, temptation growing, growing, ahhhhhhhhhhhh, I better get off the comp now

Quoted from tomson But I'm apparently known for being deceptive, so no one will suspect that I'm really writing about  three lesbians on a rickety houseboat in Holland when the dykes break.

Awww! Pia! Now I have to rewrite my whole script.  I can't believe you had the exact same idea as me. Damn!  

well that makes three of us. Great minds think alike.
Especially after a few drinks.

wait...is it at least 15 pages?

1 to 15 pages. No more. No Less.