A word about the challenge.   The Thread Rating has been enabled.  It will be found at the bottom left of the page.  Please vote honestly.  It will be a part of the decision making process, however it will not be the entire decision making process.  I've asked each of the writers to read and review three scripts and let me know which they like best.  That, in addition to the Thread Rating, will help cull the field down.  In addition, I plan to read all the scripts.  Don't be discouraged if you have a low Thread Rating.  That is only a part of it.  

The point of this is to be constructive in your critisim and to have fun.  I'm really impressed with the number of entries and in the quality of the scripts that I've read thus far.

Names If you are wonder about the names associated with the scripts.  They are fake names.  Part of the fun if figuring out what I'm currently reading...

Writer - if you have not received an email from me with your review assignments (you can review more than three, btw), please send me a PM.

Spoilers - Please consider any discussion of a particular thread to have spoilers.  Don't read the thread if you don't want to be spoiled.

Don

Let the reading begin!!!!!

Quoted from Don I plan to read all the scripts.   Don

If I had known that, I would have submitted something!

This is fun.  I hope  I am doing it right(it = 'reviewing' them honestly and voting accordingly).  I'm such a noob...

Thanks to everyone on this site involved in this.  The OWC really is an awesome concept.

K, off to read more!

Just be sure not to reply to your script's reviews until the writers are revealed. Otherwise you'll just look like a big doofus

--Julio

Popping in to look for the scripts, and there they are.  Looks like a very interesting batch.

Hey -- and there is Julio doing my job for me!

Quoted from ReaperCreeper Just be sure not to reply to your script's reviews until the writers are revealed. Otherwise you'll just look like a big doofus

Thanks, Gomez.  I'll just reiterate it with a quote, as sometimes the purple name draws a little more attention to itself.  Or maybe I am just kidding myself.

Darn hotel computers -- some old lady is already huffing in the corner for me to get off.

Happy reading, guys.  I'll be sure to look at some when I get the chance.

I just finished reading a script.  I'm unsure where to post my critique.  Additionally, I don't see where I should vote on the different criteria.  I also never received a list of scripts to read so I know I have to pm Don.  I've never pm'd anybody on this site, so I'll try and figure out how to do that now.

Quoted from stampede331 I just finished reading a script.  I'm unsure where to post my critique.  Additionally, I don't see where I should vote on the different criteria.  I also never received a list of scripts to read so I know I have to pm Don.  I've never pm'd anybody on this site, so I'll try and figure out how to do that now.

Daniel,

I'll PM you your assignment.  

Quoted from ReaperCreeper Just be sure not to reply to your script's reviews until the writers are revealed. Otherwise you'll just look like a big doofus --Julio

Julio,

Thank you for the clarification

Quoted from bert Darn hotel computers -- some old lady is already huffing in the corner for me to get off.

Bert, thanks for keeping an eye out via remote control.  Two words - laptop and wireless

Don

Woot. All right readers, lets get reading.


Matt.

2 questions:

1.  Is it possible to change your star rating?  

2.  How do I get my 'assignment' as I would like to read those tonight (and others tomorrow and during the week).

Quoted from zdamort 2 questions: 1.  Is it possible to change your star rating?   2.  How do I get my 'assignment' as I would like to read those tonight (and others tomorrow and during the week).

Dale,

1. Star ratings are int he lower left corner of the posts.  Click the drop down where it sez Thread Rating and give the script 1 to 5stars.

2. I'll pm you your assignment.

Don

Quoted from Zombie Sean It's cool to see that you're reviewing some scripts, too, Don. Just thought I'd comment about that. Haha.

Yes, I'm reviewing these using my 'real' name.  

To Zdamort's question regarding 'changing' a star rating.  You can't once you make a rating, you can't go back and change it.

Don

This thread rating tning is super cool. it should be enabled forr all scripts, not just OWC.

~Zack~

I'm kind of pissed with my scripts critique because I took the time to maticuously read I think about 6 scripts so far and the idiots critiquing mine ask stupid questions when my screenplay answered them. I feel raped...and some other just really BAD screenplays got higher I haven't read one GOOD screenplay but there are 40 so I'll have to read more. BUt I really am pissed that I haven't found a good one, I actually think I have a shot.

You're attitude has got to go Ziggy or you'll be making enemies faster then you can say gram cracker! Think before you post.

~Zack~

There's no attitude, that's just the way I've always been: blunt. If someone is kind enough to read thoroughly and critique honestly one respects all to do the same, but I'm not that mad because I think for a first timer mine was not that bad. But some of the scripts were just...Oh, Lord...that's all I can say.

Either way, you need to respect other members on the board.

~Zack~

I mentioned no names, granted I shouldn't have said 'idiots' but I don't take my craft lightly epseciallyy since we can't reveal our identities and I can't go on there and explain things to them that are so obvious...*breathes* it's just a frustrating labour of love.

All I'm saying is think before you post. The last thingg you want is to get banned for offending someone.

~Zack~

Quoted from ZiggyplayedGuitar I'm kind of pissed with my scripts critique because I took the time to maticuously read I think about 6 scripts so far and the idiots critiquing mine ask stupid questions when my screenplay answered them. I feel raped...and some other just really BAD screenplays got higher I haven't read one GOOD screenplay but there are 40 so I'll have to read more. BUt I really am pissed that I haven't found a good one, I actually think I have a shot.

I don't know which script is yours, but comments like that aren't very nice. Most of us here are not professional readers and we read on our free time. Some of us read even when we didn't enter.

This contest is out of fun. It's to challenge people to do their best under an given time frame which is short. There's always revising afterwards.

Also, keep an open mind to criques. They may lead you to something great that you didn't see in your story. This has happened to me several times.

Gabe

Quoted from Zack This thread rating tning is super cool. it should be enabled forr all scripts, not just OWC.

I think that the rating would affect other people's incentive to read certain scripts then. The high-rated ones would be read whereas the low-rated ones would get ignored, in my opinion.

Ziggy, I can understand where your frustration could come from, but the way you expressed it is maybe not the best to go about it? I mean calling people 'idiots' is only going to backfire. Also, stop worrying about the ratings. The winner is not decided by the rating anyways.

I, personally, approached this contest from a different angle. Maybe easier for me, since I am a beginning scriptwriter and this contest featured the first script I have ever written and finished. My top priority in this contest is to learn, my second priority is to have fun.

I think the scripts are of good quality. So far I haven't stumbled upon any scripts where the author truly didn't put in any effort at all. Sure, some are better than others, but overall I think the quality really isn't bad at all.

By the way, when more than one reviewer has questions about your script, then you might want to take it to heart. Maybe the answers to those questions aren't so clear then? After all, it's all about how the reader perceives your script that ultimately is going to matter. I am not saying that all reviewers are perfect and thorough, but you catch my drift...

(sorry for being long winded)

I understand, ok maybe I was borderline mean so I am sorry but it's the whole not being able to say anything which is killing me. *no one touch me* I'm not a very likable person so me being blunt (not like this, this was mean) is just typical me so just don't think too much of it.

Quoted from ZiggyplayedGuitar I understand, ok maybe I was borderline mean so I am sorry but it's the whole not being able to say anything which is killing me. *no one touch me* I'm not a very likable person so me being blunt (not like this, this was mean) is just typical me so just don't think too much of it.

Be glad you can't respond to your reviewers yet? It gives you some time to take the critiques to heart, whether you agree with them or not. And some time time to phrase your responses, instead of flying off the handle.  

You'll have plenty of time to respond once the names are revealed.

Quoted from Zack This thread rating tning is super cool. it should be enabled forr all scripts, not just OWC. ~Zack~

The ratings were originally turned off because of things like this:

Quoted from ZiggyplayedGuitar ...some other just really BAD screenplays got higher...I really am pissed...

Some writers get mad if they don’t get the rating they want.

Also, some people can see a script and that it’s getting good ratings and deliberately knock it down. If you post a review, you’re accountable for what you say. If all you have to do is anonymously rate it, people can deliberately knock it down without having to account for it. The ratings system caused a lot of friction. That’s why it was disabled.


Breanne

Quoted from Breanne Mattson The ratings were originally turned off because of things like this: Some writers get mad if they don’t get the rating they want.

To Breanne's point, yes, the ratings on the boards were turned off precisely for the reason she stated.  I've turned the ratings on on this subboard only just for the purposes of the challenge.  I wanted those folks who have read the scripts in the challenge to have a say.  The ratings should be taken lightly and will play only a minor role in the one script selected to be recorded.  Again, the point of this is the challenge and the fun.  This isn't a contest.  I'm sure I'm going to piss off nearly everyone with whatever script is selected to be read.  The point of the exercise is to see if you can write on a topic in a week and seeing how everyone else interprets the topic and genre.  Everyone who entered has already won bragging rights.  So, if you are looking for a prize, you've already won!

On another note, please do not create additional screennames to bump up your thread rating.  Additional screennames will, and in some cases, have been deleted.  

Thanks to everyone who have enthusiastically embraced the challenge and have read and responded to the scripts.  I've enjoyed every single one I've read thus far.

Don

Don,

How persuasive is Mr Lincoln?

What happened to "Where Boats Go To Die"?  I was going to review it when the thread disappeared.


Phil

Quoted from ABennettWriter Don, How persuasive is Mr Lincoln?

Sorry, Austin.  I'm not sure I get the joke, unless you mean to lay a 'Lincoln' across my palm.  

Don

Quoted from dogglebe What happened to "Where Boats Go To Die"?  I was going to review it when the thread disappeared.Phil

http://www.simplyscripts.net/cgi-bin/Blah/Blah.pl?b-OWC0807/m-1186352878/

[insert apology]

LOL, i'm MAN enough to admit it.. i had my cuosin create a name just to bump me up. She liked it, but she agreed with everyone, it just didn't make sense lol.

Can i be forgiven. I had a low point in judgment...and i'm bad. Like cookie monster stealing the cookies bad. I've learned my lesson.

<3.

[end apology]

Quoted from Don Sorry, Austin.  I'm not sure I get the joke, unless you mean to lay a 'Lincoln' across my palm.   Don

You'd be correct! Or, I'd at least put $5 in your paypal account.

I think my sister bumped the rating of mine. It suddenly jumped up but I saw no new reviews. But I did not ask her to do it. In fact, I don't even know yet if it was her. I'm about to ask her now. She created an account by accident when she thought you needed to be logged in to read scripts. (She wanted to read my work).lol.

My boyfriend wanted to rate mine, but I wouldn't let him.

Quoted from ABennettWriter You'd be correct! Or, I'd at least put $5 in your paypal account.

You could, but it wouldn't help.  I have no idea who wrote what.  My son processed the scripts and he isn't telling until this selection thing is over.

Don

wait wait wait let me tell you a funny(yet sad story) story.

So i tell my friend i might've entered in the challenge... and she goes onto this page looking for scripts, taking guesses as to which is mine.

The first one she finds JUST HAPPENS to be mine.. and as she reads it, she I.M.'s me saying it was so horrible it couldn't be mine. She says she was only a few sentences in, and ready to EX out the page.

Imagine my face as she read each page of my own script, finding a new problem with each line lol. AND I SAT THERE AND TOOK IT.

Broke my heart.

But, in my defense...I gave her the script of 'The Prestige' and 'Brokeback Mountain' to read.. She said those sucked horribly too. So i'm not feeling as bad. Mostly just confused.

Quoted from Don You could, but it wouldn't help.  I have no idea who wrote what.  My son processed the scripts and he isn't telling until this selection thing is over. Don

Oh, well, never mind then.

Don,
Since this rating is causing such a controversy, why not remove them.
As mentioned, the ratings do not count.
This may stop some of the bitching and the fake rating.

Elis

Quoted from elis Don, Since this rating is causing such a controversy, why not remove them. As mentioned, the ratings do not count. This may stop some of the bitching and the fake rating. Elis

Elis,

Good idea, however, I'd like to leave it stand through the end.  I'm curious to see how the thread ratings playout against what I've read.  I will not be instituting the ratings on any other threads other than for this OWC, tho.

Don

I'm going to try to read 4-5 of these scripts a day so I can make it through all 40 of them in a week or so.  It's becoming addictive, seeing what people have come up with!

Anyway, whoever mentioned it before, I think it's a great idea to read some of the scripts that have only gotten a few reviews to try to even it out.  It's what I'm doing.  And as far as the thread ratings, I don't think people should get too wound up about them.  There's plenty of scripts that I've read who's ratings I disagree with.  As Don said, the ratings are only one small criteria.  

I'm really enjoying reading these scripts!    

Being new, i have greatly enjoyed this experience thus far. I have already learned a great deal from what folks have said about my story and from the feedback that has been given to others. My question is this; after the whole "contest" is over, will you offer an opportunity to revise and re-critique? I'd like to see how the writers address thier concerns and see the polished finished products. I don't care any thing about ratings or braggin rights, but I do care about learning to do this right. Glad I stumbled on this site. Thank you all very much.

I do think people should star-rate if they read then.  If a thread has 4 written reviews, it should have 4 thread votes, not 2.  That I don't get.

(although the written reviews on mine arent so great, so nevermind! lol)

Quoted from Blakkwolfe Being new, i have greatly enjoyed this experience thus far. I have already learned a great deal from what folks have said about my story and from the feedback that has been given to others. My question is this; after the whole "contest" is over, will you offer an opportunity to revise and re-critique? I'd like to see how the writers address thier concerns and see the polished finished products. I don't care any thing about ratings or braggin rights, but I do care about learning to do this right. Glad I stumbled on this site. Thank you all very much.

Everyone is more than welcome to revise their script and resubmit it.  Not just with the OWE stuff, but with anything else you may write down the line.  

One piece of advice I can offer though, is to not revise and submit every other week.  

Let things sit for a bit since scripts have a habit of being read and bumped at any time and can offer a new and different perspective.

I would like to say that I’m very impressed with the entries this go around. Not just the quantity but the creativity and the imagination. I think there have been some very good takes on the theme. Yes, there are a few that need work technically but quite honestly I thought there would be a lot more of those than I’ve read so far.

Of course I’ve only been able to read 12 scripts so far. That’s less than half. But from what I’ve read thus far, I’ve seen a lot of good takes on the theme, a lot of potential, and some really good writing too.


Breanne

I've read six or seven, and really enjoyed all of them.

(No arguments from me!)

I have to agree here that the range of scripts I've read have all been very varied.  I was surprised, as I thought there would be a lot of people trapped on a boat out to sea but no.

Quoted from alffy I have to agree here that the range of scripts I've read have all been very varied.  I was surprised, as I thought there would be a lot of people trapped on a boat out to sea but no.

I've seen a few scripts where people have been called out for not using the boat enough, but honestly the contest called for a thriller, and that the boat had to be incorporated somehow.  

It didn't have to be the central location, so I'm not sure where the people are coming from there.

I've read some more, and I'm just so not seeing anything great...I have been called a bitch and other stuff for being hard to please but I'm really not asking for too much. Somehow 'houseboat' to most means...redneck, which I found interesting to say the least. I just wasn't impressed, but I'm sure everyone's a good writer nonetheless. AB, are you a (just wondering) homosexual?

Quoted Text I've seen a few scripts where people have been called out for not using the boat enough, but honestly the contest called for a thriller, and that the boat had to be incorporated somehow.

I've been calling people out on that. The reason being that the boat was the theme of the OWC and the previous OWC's that I've read had to adhere closely to the theme that was set. So I just went with that.

If you don't have the theme as the central part of the script, you may as well dispense with it altogether as you can fit in a physical object into any script ever written with a minimum of fuss. All you would have to do is transplant one scene onto the boat to qualify in this instance for E.G

That is hardly the point is it? I thought it was supposed to be a writing challenge in that it was hard to achieve.

Quoted from Scar Tissue Films If you don't have the theme as the central part of the script, you may as well dispense with the theme altogether as you can fit in a physical object into any script ever written with a minimum of fuss. All you would have to do is transplant one scene onto the boat to qualify in this instance for E.G That is hardly the point is it? I thought it was supposed to be a writing challenge in that it was hard to achieve.

I totally agree . Why bother with a challenge otherwise.

I thought the OWC is supposed to be for fun....

This isn't the Oscars or anything. Why are some of you getting into arguments? I'm only reading these for fun and in the process hoping that I can point out some good and less good parts about the scripts and that way be helpful. Bickering makes me almost want to wait until the names are revealed...

Quoted Text Why are some of you getting into arguments?

No-one is arguing Pia. Just chatting about stuff that is all.

Out of the few scripts I've read so far, I don't think any of them have had trouble incorporating the boat into the story and a few of those scripts were slammed for not doing so. I can see what others are saying about the theme but I don't think genre and theme are being handled the same way this time around. Don said this OWC was going to be a little different. The fake email set up for the OWC said that the boat should be incorporated into the script. I don't recall the word theme being used. Besides, the genre has been used just as loosely as this so-called theme, which the email mentioned was fair game.

In any case, the scripts I've read so far have been decent. A few of them were problematic but I can't remember any of them being horrible. I've seen some rather interesting interpretations of genre and theme and I'm sure I'll see a lot more. This is by far the biggest OWC I think the site has seen yet.

I don't find the boat to really be a theme, which was a topic of discussion not long after the topic was announced.  It really varies from contest to contest as to whether there's a real theme to go by or not.

Some examples...

Gothic horror in a dog run (Genre and Location.)
Western in a general store (Genre and Location)
Drama after a family picnic (Genre and Time)
Comedy - "Why is everyone always shooting at me?" (Genre and a line of dialogue)

The last challenge "Comedy - Telling your spouse you lost your job" definitely had a theme, which I liked because you could interpret it how you want and hopefully get a vast array of stories.  

Except I ended up disliking it, because nobody could see the logic in somebody losing their job in the literal sense and it grew to be quite aggravating.

Yeah, Ziggy.  It happens to everybody.

That's a fair point James.

I never got the email because I was too late in entering my piece, so I'm just going off the initial remit and my own beliefs. The remit called the boat "the set" so I've used that as a barometer to judge things by.

At the end of the day, what I think doesn't matter a jot anyway. I'm just telling it how I see it and I'm personally more impressed by the scripts that have used the boat in a genuine and inventive way rather than the scripts that could have been written anywhere and at any time and converted into having a boat. (I'm not saying any were!!!)

Plus people voted to write thrillers (and moaned that they couldn't write a film noir which could have been any genre!) so I think it is only fair that they make sure they write thrillers and not something else. : )

As I say my opinion doesn't count for anything. The OWC is just for fun, so people are free to write what they want and I'm free to judge on what I want.

Not that it matters, ziggy, but yeah, I'm a big ol' homo. Why do you ask?

Quoted from ZiggyplayedGuitar I've read some more, and I'm just so not seeing anything great...I have been called a bitch and other stuff for being hard to please but I'm really not asking for too much. Somehow 'houseboat' to most means...redneck, which I found interesting to say the least. I just wasn't impressed, but I'm sure everyone's a good writer nonetheless.

Just calm down a little there, guy.  You've been flying off the handle like you're going to lose the rights to your first born if somebody doesn't like your script.

Remember, O-W-C spells fun!*



*Copyright Pending

Quoted from Scar Tissue Films That's a fair point James. I never got the email because I was too late in entering my piece, so I'm just going off the initial remit and my own beliefs. The remit called the boat "the set" so I've used that as a barometer to judge things by.

I'm not talking about an email that was sent out. I'm talking about the one posted on the site specifically for the OWC. I gather you and I read the same thing.

Tittles for OWC scripts.
Trivial but fascinating.

I was quite amazed to see that two scripts out of 40 have the same tittle.
Quite odd for such a small amount of scripts.

Tittles?

You mean titles?

lol, yes
I always make that typo

Quoted from elis I was quite amazed to see that two scripts out of 40 have the same tittle. Quite odd for such a small amount of scripts.

It happened in the October 2006 OWC as well. There were two scripts called Spoiled, as I recall. And that had even fewer entries, I believe. It's strange, but it does happen.


Matt.

Um, Mike I wasn't even mad I'm a very mellow monosyllabic individual so even though it may come off as anger I'm truly not. I was just stating something, and no need for the 'guy' I'm a girl. AB, steel you're a good looking guy...are you interested in acting?

Hey, whatever, I was just commenting on what I read in your last post and the one before it about those who had read your scripts.  Just trying to keep the peace.  It's my job after all.

And I meant "guy" in the royal sense.

Okay, that was bullshit, but can you blame me for assuming based on your sig?

Now we sing and make up...

Ziggy played guitar
Momma sang tenor
Me and little brother joined right in there...

...you're a bit odd, lol. but alright.

I've read 10 or 12 entries so far and while the quality is certainly varied, I though that all the writers incorporated the boat quite nicely. However, not many of the scripts could be considered thrillers. Not even by a long shot

What has impressed me the most is the number of entries this time around. Kudos.

OK. I have read each and every one of the scripts. First thing I would like to say is well done to everyone who participated. There isn't a single terrible script in the whole bunch in my honest opinion. I was extremely impressed by the quality as a whole.


Just for a bit of fun, I'd like to present some completely unofficial awards.

Winner :    Four Men In A Boat
                  
While the story lacked some polish I thought it was the piece that entered most into the spirit of things, using the boat and genre to good effect and telling an interesting story.


Runners Up:   The River is Her Home

A beautifully evocative piece, my personal favourite, just didn't quite make the grade as a thriller.

                     Dead in a Box

Unusual use of the boat and an interesting story. Again lacked the polish of some of the scripts, but worked well within the limitations of the challenge.

Special mentions for Diplopia, Adrift (Html)  and Second Chance.

The Abraham Lincoln Award for paying attention in class goes to :

Constitution: Upriver

The O.J Simpson ( How did he get away with that?) Award goes to:

Second Chance

And the Cheech and Chong award goes to:

Miss Bronikus


One thing that was really remarkable about this competition was that all 40 or so scripts were readable and enjoyable. I think everyone should be very proud of their work, especially given the length of time you had to write.

Round of Applause.

I was surprised to find no script entitled "The Boat". i was expecting a few of them.

~Zack~

Is there an award for "Best Script written while the writer was simultaneously working on a separate, professional assignment"?


I like to get my excuses out there in advance.

If there is such an award, you get it Mike!

~Zack~

Is there an award for, "Best Script Written and Finished the Day of the Deadline"?

I'd like to nominate myself for that!

I did my script in one sitting! Considering the mediocre reviews I've been getting, I didn't do to bad.

~Zack~

when will the authors names be released?

~Zack~

Quoted from Zack when will the authors names be released? ~Zack~

Yeah, when is that?

Maybe a week?

lol, I think I deserve the most script changes at the last minute award because I went through like 4 scripts, I should've chosen one in particular over the other but I hold no grudges *twitch*

Quoted from Zack when will the authors names be released? ~Zack~

Quoted from Don The Schedule: Genre and Theme announcement - 7/28 Submission due - 8/4 at midnight in your timezone (in other words, when I wake up Sunday morning it needs to be in my inbox) Submissions posted to the site - starting 8/5 through 8/11 without names.

That doesn't really answer the question, unless the names are revealed on the 12.

They will stay anonymous through the 11th. How does that not answer the question?

Yeah, Breanne you kind of didn't answer the question...your picture kind of scares me so I won't say anything else.

Yes she did. The names will stay anonymous through the 11th. What don't you get?

~Zack~

Okay.

Names are announced a week after the scripts are posted.

It says here they were posted on the 5th, which means names will be announced on the 12th.  

Merry Christmas

PS - I have returned from my LA business/vacation trip.  Friendliest city in America!

Quoted from ZiggyplayedGuitar Yeah, Breanne you kind of didn't answer the question...your picture kind of scares me so I won't say anything else.

Instigator

I'm ready for my first guess.

I think Mike Shelton wrote Cobra Blood Cocktail.

I'm positive that someone new to screenwriting wrote Shadow River.

~Zack~

Instigator? No, I was about to write the same as ABsteel that's why, and she kind of got an attitude when I was wondering the exact same thing.

Ok Ziggy! You aren't an instigator.  You're a stirrer.

*stirs*

Just kidding. If the names are revealed on the 12, why didn't you just say that?

Quoted from ZiggyplayedGuitar Instigator? No, I was about to write the same as ABsteel that's why, and she kind of got an attitude when I was wondering the exact same thing.

I have no idea what attitude you’re talking about. Someone asked a question. I quoted one of Don’s earlier posts that clearly answered the question. If you have a problem with the clarity of the answer - which is perfectly clear - take it up with Don.

Whatever, whatever just as long as I got an answer. And your photo is very macabre...there's just something sinister about it...

Quoted from ZiggyplayedGuitar ...your photo is very macabre...there's just something sinister about it...

Thank you.

Quoted from Zack when will the authors names be released? ~Zack~

As Breanne mentioned, August 12th is the target date.  However, when I put the original plan together, I didn't figure on getting so many entries.  I would like everyone (including myself) to have the chance to read all the scripts before I release the names.  Also, I'd like to select the one script to be recorded before I know who wrote what, so that date may get pushed back.

Don