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Odd but interesting character(s) take refuge from a hurricane in a beat-up motel and are forced to make a choice between good or evil in order to survive the night.
Each character must have some history involving a supernatural event in their lives that factors into their choice. Genre is open. This is a micro-budget short, so no destruction of the motel, no children or animals and minimal special effects.
You must write one script (properly formatted) between 6 to 12 pages (courier 12 point font) on this month's theme. Submit your script here. The script must be received by Friday, October 19th at 11:59 pm e.d.t.. Please do not put your real name on your script, however, please use your real name and real e-mail address on the submission form. (After the exercise closes you can either have your script removed or resubmit the script with your name on it). Please put "(c) Copyright 2012" on your script.
One script per person.
This is a free exercise. This isn't a contest. However, one script will be selected to be audio performed by iScript.com.
We've been very lucky to have iScript sponsor the OWC for the last several years by providing an audio performance of one script from each of the challenges. Check out some from past years:
After a mini-confrence call where we all got toasted and I had a wench/call girl on my lap drinking pumpkin beer, And in outer space orbiting that crystal planet discovered ealier this week...I dediced that I will think up something for the OWC for all of you to read and weep, then wonder if I was, in fact, distracted from the wenches and had one too many pumpkins in my booze. I said I was drinking pumpkin coffee, but none believed me.
In any case, let me say this. If one were to film this omn a "mimimal budget" remember poor man's process. You don't have to show the actual hurricane. If you did, I - and no one else - should knock you for it. There's always stock footage.
I'm glad everyone else likes the challenge as I'm completely lost at the moment.
And....where's all the silly questions. You know, does the motel have to open? or can I use a typhoon rather than a hurricane? And can I include a goat called Phyllis? Usual stuff.
The Elevator Most Belonging To Alice - Semi Final Bluecat, Runner Up Nashville Inner Journey - Page Awards Finalist - Bluecat semi final Grieving Spell - winner - London Film Awards. Third - Honolulu Ultimate Weapon - Fresh Voices - second place IMDb link... http://www.imdb.com/name/nm7062725/?ref_=tt_ov_wr
I'm glad everyone else likes the challenge as I'm completely lost at the moment.
Reef, although I like the theme my mind draws black too. A lot needs to be revealed - talking about all the supernatural stories of each character - and if I don't come up with comprehensible way to do that I'm out.
That's what I usually think the first 3 days after a theme is announced
I'm glad everyone else likes the challenge as I'm completely lost at the moment.
And....where's all the silly questions. You know, does the motel have to open? or can I use a typhoon rather than a hurricane? And can I include a goat called Phyllis? Usual stuff.
I see some headaches arising today.
YES on the headache. And a little lost with you. But Monday is my day to write....sure I'll think of something! Now, off to St Simons Island to play at the beach for the day! I need one of those 'daylight' rings from Damon...the sun is gonna hurt! LOL
Odd but interesting character(s) take refuge from a hurricane in a beat-up motel and are forced to make a choice between good or evil in order to survive the night.
And they can be odd but interesting Shakespearean character(s) (no miners) taking refuge from hurricane Ryan in a beat-up Meg Motel, forced to make a choice between good or evil supernatural gang rapes in order to survive the night, right?
Stuppidest question in OWC history, but sorry, I gotta ask it, is a child 12 and under or 16 and under, not sure the legal techinicalities are in what "no children" means?
Can the characters go outside or do they have to stay inside?...I'm just asking because if they go outside there would have to be special effects for the hurricane, right?
And they can be odd but interesting Shakespearean character(s) (no miners) taking refuge from hurricane Ryan in a beat-up Meg Motel, forced to make a choice between good or evil supernatural gang rapes in order to survive the night, right?
Stuppidest question in OWC history, but sorry, I gotta ask it, is a child 12 and under or 16 and under, not sure the legal techinicalities are in what "no children" means?
We'll will go with "Adult" here in the US and A. 18 and over is an adult. 17 and under is a child.
Can the characters go outside or do they have to stay inside?...I'm just asking because if they go outside there would have to be special effects for the hurricane, right?
I'm going to leave that up to the imagination of the writer who, I'm sure, can make clever use of light and sound...
This is far and away the best OWC theme I've seen during my time at SS. Wonderful challenge. Alas I won't be able to enter, but I'll definitely be reading a few.
If you are a little unsure of how to pursue, take a look at Right At Your Door, which is about a guy seeking refuge in his home from a dirty bomb whereupon he faces very tough choices leading up to the final "oh shit" dilemma. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0458367/
I'm glad everyone else likes the challenge as I'm completely lost at the moment.
And....where's all the silly questions. You know, does the motel have to open? or can I use a typhoon rather than a hurricane? And can I include a goat called Phyllis? Usual stuff.
I see some headaches arising today.
Day is young.
Quoted from Angry Bear
Can the characters go outside or do they have to stay inside?...I'm just asking because if they go outside there would have to be special effects for the hurricane, right?
Quoted from Don
I'm going to leave that up to the imagination of the writer who, I'm sure, can make clever use of light and sound..
Too young. Like I suggested during last night's chat and mentioned in the posts, while reading, I have chosen not to knock a soul for it if they have it in there. Stock footage, poor man process, lots of different ways to do it on the cheap if it's brief.
Went to bed after reading Don's much anticipated post. Woke up with an awesome idea.
And no hangover.
I used to like you David.
Having gone to bed without major indulence, but not feeling well, i woke up in the night to be sick and since getting up have had no idea...at all. Especially as I can't include a goat called Phyllis, just ruined it for me
The Elevator Most Belonging To Alice - Semi Final Bluecat, Runner Up Nashville Inner Journey - Page Awards Finalist - Bluecat semi final Grieving Spell - winner - London Film Awards. Third - Honolulu Ultimate Weapon - Fresh Voices - second place IMDb link... http://www.imdb.com/name/nm7062725/?ref_=tt_ov_wr
I was major league hammied last night but woke up feeling pretty good, as usual.
However, I too have no clue what to write, but that doesn't matter, as I usually wait till the last day anyway - not because I'm a lazy fuck and not because I want an excuse when it doesn't turn out the way I want, but simply because I believe the planning process is 90% of the writing process.
The interesting and difficult part of this very open ended challenge is the supernatural back-story for each and every character. Since we're tied to the cheap motel with minimal opportunities to even be outside said cheapass motel, Flashbacks will not work here, meaning the back -stories will all have to come out through dialogue, which is the only downside of the challenge.
Good luck everyone. Let's see some kickass scripts!!!!
Good challenge! The only thing that might keep me from entering would be that I loathe to read 40 plus scripts in a week. Hopefully the old standard remains tue? All who enter are urged to read and comment on a least three scripts? Or else Jeff and I are given free rein to publicly rip them a new arse?
This challenge seems like a pain in the ass, to me. For one, you have multiple characters (I know you declared it can be only one, but who wants to watch a single person in a motel room?) and each of them are involved in their own paranormal (supernatural, same thing) event? And, unless they're in the the same room, you have to have them go outside to get to the others, which involves some kind of effects. Then, you have everyone's favorite good and evil premise but you can't destroy the motel?
Maybe this is the logic side of my brain speaking, but I'm having trouble grasping the concept of how these are going to be very different from one another. If something comes to me, I'll try and take part but my mind is absolutely blank right now. Lol...
I'm new to this. Only been writing for about six months now but I'm excited for the challenge. I have my story already laid out. Just hope my writing is up to par with the others. Trying to avoid Jeff and James harsh comments. lol - Dirk
(I know you declared it can be only one, but who wants to watch a single person in a motel room?)
Where did you get the idea that there can be only one person in the room? There can be more than one person.
Quoted from Dreamscale
OK, since some dumbass questions have already been thrown out, I'll throw some more out, just so everyone can see how stupid these questions are.
1) How beat up does the motel have to be?
2) What category level does the hurricane have to be?
3) Can we have characters who don't speak, but look like they've had supernatural encounters, like if they're glowing or something?
4) Can we set our scripts in the woods, even though hurricanes would never really be there?
1) There's a picture of a motel on the front page of the site where this challenge is described. I would assume that picture was meant to provide inspiration.
2) Strong enough to be a threat but not enough to destroy the hotel, obviously.
3) I don't know. Can you?
4) take refuge from a hurricane in a beat-up motel
Where did you get the idea that there can be only one person in the room? There can be more than one person.
I think I mis-typed, but good catch. What I meant was a single person per motel room. As opposed to a group in one room. Either way, my typing gets kind of fucked up when I type quickly.
It wouldn't be an interesting story if you wrote one with only one person and everything (mostly) coming out through dialogue. So, you have to have multiple people with a supernatural backstory for each one. Just seems kind of challenging.
It wouldn't be an interesting story if you wrote one with only one person and everything (mostly) coming out through dialogue. So, you have to have multiple people with a supernatural backstory for each one. Just seems kind of challenging.
If done right, one character in a room can be interesting.
I think the supernatural requirement, and someone please correct me if I'm wrong, would be for the main characters. The ones with a good/evil arc. I would be surprised if secondary characters needed that history. Though kudos to you if you can pull it off where the secondary characters also meet that requirement.
And just to help some of you strugglers, Don did not mention anything about a motel room, or motel rooms. It's a beat up motel. Sure, motels have motel rooms, but there's always more to a motel than just the rooms.
Get creative and write an excellent script. We can all do it!!!
If done right, one character in a room can be interesting.
I think the supernatural requirement, and someone please correct me if I'm wrong, would be for the main characters. The ones with a good/evil arc. I would be surprised if secondary characters needed that history. Though kudos to you if you can pull it off where the secondary characters also meet that requirement.
That's why I've never been known as a creative person. I tried something exactly like that once. Awful result.
It's one of those things where I think there's too many specific stipulations, the supernatural one chief among them all. Perhaps that's why it's called a challenge, but without that, this would be so much simpler and allow for a lot more variety. Remember the 3-person haunted house wheelchair OWC? They were all different but... not.
Anyway, like I said, people seem to overwhlemingly like the sound of this one but I'm just very worried that we're going to have a lot of very similar stories going on.
Anyway, like I said, people seem to overwhelmingly like the sound of this one but I'm just very worried that we're going to have a lot of very similar stories going on.
I agree with you, bro. There will be many, MANY very similar scripts, especially because of the zero budget requirement. We'll have talking heads spilling exposition for 6-12 pages.
That's why I've never been known as a creative person. I tried something exactly like that once. Awful result.
Sean, this challenge is made for your style of writing. Don't undersell yourself.
Perhaps there are reasons for the history requirement that we don't see in the brief. But I don't see why that means the stories have to be similar. Take advantage of the odd and interesting character part - that should keep them different.
Hey, I'm holding out hope. It would've been much simpler if the supernatural or micro budget were dropped, though...
Hell, we can't all be recreating Paranormal Activity, now, can we? =)
Quoted from mcornetto
Sean, this challenge is made for your style of writing. Don't undersell yourself.
Perhaps there are reasons for the history requirement that we don't see in the brief. But I don't see why that means the stories have to be similar. Take advantage of the odd and interesting character part - that should keep them different.
You're absolutely right. It is. Dialogue only is what I do. It's the supernatural stipulation that I can't wrap my head around.
Well, that I'm really hoping for. Many people at SS are great at creating really fun characters. That's something I'll definitely be looking for in this one when I read through them. =)
And I believe the supernatural in this case means literally "Attributed to some force beyond scientific understanding or the laws of nature." - not necessarily ghosts.
I have an idea and I know (roughly) what I'm going to be doing. Like many others, I have no idea how to work my supernatural part in. I know what it is, just not how to write it in.
I think my biggest problem is trying to figure out what exactly "supernatural" is. I'm not asking a dumb question, here, although it would likely be considered one. From what I'm reading, supernatural could be anything ranging from ghosts to God to The X-Files. I mean, without specifications, Superman (and his ability to leap tall buildings in a single bound) could be supernatural.
I think once I can figure this part out, a story will eventually rear its ugly head but I'm still drawing a blank.
And, Pia, a production company would never give this to me as they'd definitely be aware of my strengths and weaknesses. But, if they did, I'd churn out something and pray I didn't get laughed off the lot. =)
From what I'm reading, supernatural could be anything ranging from ghosts to God to The X-Files. I mean, without specifications, Superman (and his ability to leap tall buildings in a single bound) could be supernatural.
I came up with my concept instanty. Well, in the 6 hours I allotted myself to sleep last night. The first 4 belonged to my mind running overdrive on its own.
Now just to figure out how to make it NOT suck. But, at least I have my paranormal aspect.
It’s a good challenge; agree with Jeff and Sean that a lot of the scripts will be similar though. Trying to force a lot of exposition into those pages will make for very heavy dialogue scripts. But with the genre being open, there is so many ways to go about this challenge.
The scenario reminds me of a movie called Identity with John Cusack – they were all trapped in a motel during a storm and getting killed off one by one.
I think my biggest problem is trying to figure out what exactly "supernatural" is.
The definition I'm basing mine on is "anything that isn't naturally normal." Something that seems impossible. I figured I can't go wrong if I think "completely outlandish."
I don't see why it has to be dialogue heavy. Seriously. Show don't tell us about your interesting characters. In my ventriloquist script, there's almost no dialogue.
The scenario reminds me of a movie called Identity with John Cusack – they were all trapped in a motel during a storm and getting killed off one by one.
I'm watching Identity RIGHT NOW. Thinking to myself, "how can I do this, but different?"
I don't see why it has to be dialogue heavy. Seriously. Show don't tell us about your interesting characters. In my ventriloquist script, there's almost no dialogue.
Dialogue is the easiset thing to do. Anyone can write it. But, of course, not many can write great, captivating, non-on-the-nose dialogue.
When I started out, my "scripts" were nothing but dialogue. All over the counter conversations and dinner table discussions.
Yeah, Identity immediately came to my mind as well. In that story, the supernatural shit happened to them as they interacted with each other.
That won't work here.
I may actually go with the mime idea I've been waiting to put to page. I just need to be able to write exactly what my main mime is acting out, so all the readers can laugh and cry with his deep emotions and story arcs.
On the downside, though, it would be really hard to find such a talented mime to portray my main mime when it comes time to film this soon to be classic.
I'm tellin' ya, there just aren't enough movies about mimes anymore. That's something I think the kids these days could really appreciate and identify with. Mime driven dramas.
I'm tellin' ya, there just aren't enough movies about mimes anymore. That's something I think the kids these days could really appreciate and identify with. Mime driven dramas.
Nah, once they get trapped in that glass box, you really lose all the dramatic tension.
How about an ENTIRE movie about a mime trapped in a box? He goes in as one man and by the end, he's transformed, and exits as a whole new person. All done sans dialogue, of course.
How about an ENTIRE movie about a mime trapped in a box? He goes in as one man and by the end, he's transformed, and exits as a whole new person. All done sans dialogue, of course.
You can write one of those and post it at SS if you want. That was not the OWC however...
I don't know why I'm doing this, but I'll post this as to help out my fellow peeps.
Imagine this place during a hurricane. Note this fella did this vid on his cellphone; he says literally nothing at all. Note the sound you do hear outside of the wind on the phone mic.
Yeehaw Junction is in the middle of nowhere! Drive past it every time I'm heading south to West Palm. I have never stopped there. Not even for gas. It's a place you just drive past.
Yeehaw Junction is in the middle of nowhere! Drive past it every time I'm heading south to West Palm. I have never stopped there. Not even for gas. It's a place you just drive past.
Highlighted: There go the three titles I was considering for my script :p
I think my biggest problem is trying to figure out what exactly "supernatural" is. I'm not asking a dumb question, here, although it would likely be considered one. From what I'm reading, supernatural could be anything ranging from ghosts to God to The X-Files.
super natural adjective 1. of, pertaining to, or being above or beyond what is natural; unexplainable by natural law or phenomena; abnormal. 2. of, pertaining to, characteristic of, or attributed to God or a deity. 3. of a superlative degree; preternatural: a missile of supernatural speed. 4. of, pertaining to, or attributed to ghosts, goblins, or other unearthly beings; eerie; occult.
noun 5. a being, place, object, occurrence, etc., considered as supernatural or of supernatural origin; that which is supernatural, or outside the natural order. 6. behavior supposedly caused by the intervention of supernatural beings. 7. direct influence or action of a deity on earthly affairs. 8. the supernatural, a. supernatural beings, behavior, and occurrences collectively. b. supernatural forces and the supernatural plane of existence: a deep fear of the supernatural.
FWIW, I'm having mild difficulty with the PAST - not present - supernatural activity aspect. The situation, by nature, demands more exposition than I'm accustomed to. "Show. Don't tell" sort of stuff.
And I guess this will eventually cycle back to an issue of "how strictly do we stick to the guidelines when evaluating the submissions." Would a production company seeking screenplays to produce on a limited budget, with this one location limitation, seeking this premise disqualify an otherwise excellent proposal because it had present supernatural activity instead of past? Would a production company d/q a screenplay that included just one easy & inexpensive additional shot that wasn't at the run-down motel?
Do we want to agree on some "My ProdCo" generally accepted rules of leniency ahead of time - or screwwit - strict given criteria pass/fail evaluations?
Also, word around the water hole in Hollywood studios is that mimes are making a great comeback in the coming decade. Anticipate an entire inter-studio battle over mime themed tentpole franchises including mime origins, mimes first class, mimes in space, robomime, I was a mime werewolf, and the anthology of mime memes. I'm currently in nogotiations with an unnamed studio exec about a reboot "I was a coal mimer's daughter."
super natural adjective 3. of a superlative degree; preternatural: a missile of supernatural speed.
Thanks! You told everyone my idea. Now I can't write my script about a missile with supernatural speed heading toward a beat-up motel during a hurricane. Back to the drawing board.
Would a production company seeking screenplays to produce on a limited budget, with this one location limitation, seeking this premise disqualify an otherwise excellent proposal because it had present supernatural activity instead of past?
Maybe this is a stupid question, but did it say that we could ONLY USE ONE LOCATION? I know it says people seeking refuge in a motel. But it doesn't say we have to use that location exclusively. Or maybe I'm wrong...
Okay, looking back, I'll be honest. It wasn't that the supernatural bothered me so much. It was this:
"...must have some history involving a supernatural event in their lives that factors into their choice."
History = past. Pas = exposition. Exposition = dialogue.
Okay, maybe I'm generalizing too much, but the point is, is it okay if the supernatural isn't so much the past as it is the present? That would make things so much less tough.
History = past. Pas = exposition. Exposition = dialogue.
History = past but the past can be 5 minutes ago and based on the brief probably not something that happened during the short.
Past doesn't always equal expositional dialogue. That is just one way (a lazier way) of doing it. For example - you can tell a lot in a glance at a photo. You can even tell a lot by what objects people carry with them or what habits they have.
Exposition can be hidden in a conversation or an argument. Or it can even be hidden in VOs while a character reads a document or a letter.
There's all sorts of ways to make exposition interesting - just make it active.
And if you can do it on a micro-budget, The brief doesn't say a thing about not including a flashback. Though if this were being produced, and I would say you should treat it as if it is, then another location might count against you.
What about a scene at a circus with dancing bears and 12 to 19 different clowns?
Or, how about just one like 30 second scene taking place at one of the Disney properties, somewhere in the world?
I hope I can incorporate both into my mime themed OWC script entry. Mimes are pretty cool, when you get to strip the white face makeup away and delve down deep into their actual souls and character arcs.
Thanks! You told everyone my idea. Now I can't write my script about a missile with supernatural speed heading toward a beat-up motel during a hurricane. Back to the drawing board.
Sorry. Imasunavabitch that way.
Quoted Text
Maybe this is a stupid question, but did it say that we could ONLY USE ONE LOCATION? I know it says people seeking refuge in a motel. But it doesn't say we have to use that location exclusively. Or maybe I'm wrong...
Odd but interesting character(s) take refuge from a hurricane in a beat-up motel and are forced to make a choice between good or evil in order to survive the night.
Each character must have some history involving a supernatural event in their lives that factors into their choice. Genre is open. This is a micro-budget short, so no destruction of the motel, no children or animals and minimal special effects.
Past history indicates there's little deviation from this sort of criteria. You might get away with an establishing shot, but certainly not a three ring circus of Mime-osaurus Rexes or somesuch silliness.
Think of it from a production company POV: We wanna - secure one location - drive our truck of equipment to one location - set up the equipment at that location but can move it around to different scenes at that one location - coordinate the cast and crew to arrive at that one location - everybody and the equipment all leave from that one location
Simple enough. The 6-12pg story doesn't HAVE TO all occur in the lobby or motel room. It can transpire in the lobby, the walkway (remember: HOtels have hallways INside, MOtels have covered walkways OUTside), the room, the bathroom, and/or parking lot. ... But not also at the Huddle House next door!
All the scenes you want, cut and edited any way you want, but the producers don't wanna spend time and money driving cast/crew/equipment to eight locations around town for their 6-12min short. That's expensive.
I completely agree. The reasons I asked about possible multiple locations for a micro-budget are:
1: It didn't say that we had to use only ONE. And Michael said this.
Quoted from mcornetto
And if you can do it on a micro-budget, The brief doesn't say a thing about not including a flashback.
So, I assume that if we're giving backstory, it most likely wouldn't take place at the motel. Although, it definitely could.
and 2: I was recently on the set of a NO BUDGET film. The only budget was about 5 bucks for a shirt and tie from Goodwill and lunch, which was about 30 bucks. Anyway, we shot in three different locations. A BASEMENT in house A The LIVING ROOM in house B And a STREET.
I do understand that more than one location is highly frowned upon. I'm just throwing this out there.
I was recently on the set of a NO BUDGET film. The only budget was about 5 bucks for a shirt and tie from Goodwill and lunch, which was about 30 bucks. Anyway, we shot in three different locations. A BASEMENT in house A The LIVING ROOM in house B And a STREET.
Just out of curiosity, what was the name of the film (or what was it about?) and who was the director?
Lol, I only ask because I have a script that was just shot and it uses those EXACT locations, and it was also no budget.
Don't worry, it wasn't your script. I have some friends, one from Chicago, two go to NIU (DeKalb, IL) and two others that did a short film just for the heck of it.
It doesn't have a name yet. We shot twice and still have one more day to go. We've been throwing around a few titles, but nothing has stuck yet.
I don't want to give anything away, but it's a Horror/Thriller. And there are two characters.
District Mime I Spit on Your Mime The Last Mime on the Left Mime in the Woods Tucker and Dale vs. Mimes Silent Mime Para-mime-al Activity 1 - 4 Andrew Jackson: Mime Slayer Texas Mimesaw Massacre: 3D Frankenmime
Lord of the Mimes trilogy - Fellowship of the Mimes - The Two Towering Mimes - Return of the Mime
Mimeman trilogy - Mimeman Begins - The Dark Mime - The Dark Mime Rises in a Glass Box
Iron Mime I & II
The Mime-ables I & II Mimefalls DeMime-O Unroped
The Mimelight saga - Mimelight - Mimelight: New Rope - Mimelight: Eating - Mimelight: Breaking Glass Pt I - Mimelight: Breaking Glass Pt II
Star Mimes - IV: A New Rope - V: The Empire Strikes the Mime, Again and Again - VI: Return of the Mime (AKA "Muthsrf#cker won't go away!") - I: The Phantom Mime - II: Attack of the Mimes Miming other Mimes - III: Revenge of the Mimes on Their Attacking Mimes
I really want to enter this OWC but I've got nothing in mind. I can't get passed the 'Identity' movie, as most have mentioned it's what initially sprung to my mind. I want to come up with something different as I think there might be a lot of scripts that are very similar.
Check out my scripts...if you want to, no pressure.
District Mime I spit on Your Mime The Last Mime on the Left Mime in the Woods Tucker and Dale vs. Mimes Silent Mime Mime Activity 1 - 4 Andrew Jackson: Mime Slayer Texas Mimesaw Massacre: 3D Frankenmime
Lord of the Mimes trilogy - Fellowship of the Mimes - The Two Towering Mimes - Return of the Mime
Mimeman trilogy - Mimeman Begins - The Dark Mime - The Dark Mime Rises in a Glass Box
The Mime-ables I & II Mimefalls Mime Unroped
The Mimelight saga - Mimelight - Mimelight: New Rope - Mimelight: Eating - Mimelight: Breaking Glass Pt I - Mimelight: Breaking Glass Pt II
Star Mimes - IV: A New Rope - V: The Empire Strikes the Mime, Again and Again - VI: Return of the Mime - I: The Phantom Mime - II: Attack of the Mimes - III: Revenge of the Mimes
Somebody send me Ray W's address so I can send him a case of 5 hour energy.
The Elevator Most Belonging To Alice - Semi Final Bluecat, Runner Up Nashville Inner Journey - Page Awards Finalist - Bluecat semi final Grieving Spell - winner - London Film Awards. Third - Honolulu Ultimate Weapon - Fresh Voices - second place IMDb link... http://www.imdb.com/name/nm7062725/?ref_=tt_ov_wr
I really want to enter this OWC but I've got nothing in mind. I can't get passed the 'Identity' movie, as most have mentioned it's what initially sprung to my mind. I want to come up with something different as I think there might be a lot of scripts that are very similar.
I'm exactly the same, the minute I saw it... "Identity" popped into my head, you just gotta think of a total different direction, maybe change the genre.
The Elevator Most Belonging To Alice - Semi Final Bluecat, Runner Up Nashville Inner Journey - Page Awards Finalist - Bluecat semi final Grieving Spell - winner - London Film Awards. Third - Honolulu Ultimate Weapon - Fresh Voices - second place IMDb link... http://www.imdb.com/name/nm7062725/?ref_=tt_ov_wr
I'm exactly the same, the minute I saw it... "Identity" popped into my head, you just gotta think of a total different direction, maybe change the genre. Mark
Or else just copy it exactly but write it in a way that you cram 90 minutes into 12, and turn that $30 Million budget into about $30. Using a cast of all mimes will help cut the cost down. Instead of having it all be in the mind of a madman, have it be a giant child playing with mimes in his basement.
To each his own, but that's what I'm doing for sure.
Not sure if this is a stupid question, but is it acceptable to have a character who is 16 or 17 years old since an 18 year old actor could probably pull it off?
Not sure if this is a stupid question, but is it acceptable to have a character who is 16 or 17 years old since an 18 year old actor could probably pull it off?
That's a pretty stupid question, in my book. Would it really matter if the kid is 18 vs 16 or 17? C'mon now...
Okay. I guess it was a stupid question then. Thanks for making me feel like an idiot...and also reminding me why I usually remain quiet on these boards.
turn that $30 Million budget into about $30. Using a cast of all mimes will help cut the cost down. Instead of having it all be in the mind of a madman, have it be a giant child playing with mimes in his basement.
I was with you up until the " basement" now you're getting ridiculous
Not sure if this is a stupid question, but is it acceptable to have a character who is 16 or 17 years old since an 18 year old actor could probably pull it off?
There are no stupid questions, Marnie, there's only stupid people who like to denigrate others for asking.
From a brief standpoint, it says no children which probably means young children. From a production standpoint that probably means no actors under 18. The question you've asked is a gray area that doesn't have an answer - you just have to go with what you think will work.
This exact same bullshit came up awhile ago, where someone decided that to get around one of the requirements, he had the same actor playing multiple roles...or a man of 40 playing a child of 15, or some other malarkey.
I'm sorry if my original post upset you, Marnie, but remember, your question came along with "this may be a stupid question, but...". You know what I'm saying?
It just amazes me how these crazy questions and issues come up, every single OWC.
I'm going to include multiple mimes, a dinosaur, and some old whale bones, but rest assured, the actor playing all these roles is over 18 and under 54 1/2.
Just pretend a production company wants to shoot a film and what Don posted is what that company asked for. To me, that means I will try to comply and write something that will easily fit within said parameters. I personally would not try to see how far off I could get from that and then hope that they would still pick mine over the scripts that delivered what the company wanted. That's just me though.
Well, the age one is one I'd agree with Jeff on, although not with the way he delivered it. When it comes to look, 16 can look like 18 but if you need to shoot them 'round the clock or something like that, an 18-year old can do it while a 16-year old cannot, under regulations.
So, it's not stupid but I see it as a steadfast rule.
Can we have a character that is 17 when he gets to the motel, but at the stroke of midnight, turns 18? Like a paranormal birthday party... Or do all the characters have to be 18 at the start of the script?
Can someone please help me develop a coping mechanism for those dog pics. I am actually feeling very sick after seeing it and cannot get the image out of my head.
Judging whether a question is stupid or not is entirely subjective. Whilst some people might think a question is stupid, others will not. You can't have a question be both stupid and not stupid, if looked at as an equation they would be cancelling each other out - not existing. Therefore, objectively, there is no such thing as a stupid question or any other type of question based on a value judgment (good, bad, etc) because that all depends on your subjective experience and there will always be someone that disagrees. There are simply questions and their answers.
A shout out to all the folks asking questions(any and all) because the more questions you guys ask, the less I have to ask And I've scrolled through here and found an answer to some of the very things sailing through my sober(tonight) mind!
Still working on an idea. This is going to be harder than I thought.
Can someone please help me develop a coping mechanism for those dog pics. I am actually feeling very sick after seeing it and cannot get the image out of my head.
#weakstomach
I didn't see the dog pics (probably thankfully so). Try looking at images you like in order to replace the images you didn't.
This is far and away the best OWC theme I've seen during my time at SS
I can't take credit for this theme. When this is over, I will unveil who was really behind the scenes on this theme.
Quoted from Dreamscale
The interesting and difficult part of this very open ended challenge is the supernatural back-story for each and every character.
I think it sufficient for the protag to have supernatural. I don't expect (and didn't expect anyone to call me on it) minor characters to have to have a supernatural back-story.
For one, you have multiple characters (I know you declared it can be only one, but who wants to watch a single person in a motel room?) and each of them are involved in their own paranormal (supernatural, same thing) event? And, unless they're in the the same room, you have to have them go outside to get to the others, which involves some kind of effects. Then, you have everyone's favorite good and evil premise but you can't destroy the motel?
I didn't declare you had to have multiple characters. YOu can have one or more interesting characters. It is up to you. I think you need to think outside the box regarding interaction. There are rooms, but also there is the lobby, perhaps a hallway, the ice room. Also, a character can go from room to room. Who says the camera has to follow them outside?
Quoted from general
Can my character be a ...?
Can't be an animal. Can't be a child under the age of 18.
Quoted from Dreamscale
1) How beat up does the motel have to be?
2) What category level does the hurricane have to be?
3) Can we have characters who don't speak, but look like they've had supernatural encounters, like if they're glowing or something?
4) Can we set our scripts in the woods, even though hurricanes would never really be there?
2. Category level enough that folks would want to take shelter at See 1. above.
3. Dunno. Can you?
4. "...character(s) take refuge from a hurricane in a beat-up motel ..." In a motel. Not in the woods, not in space, not on a barge, not... Wait. Jeff, you are jerking me chain, aren't you? And I see Cornetto got to you first.
Just pretend a production company wants to shoot a film and what Don posted is what that company asked for. To me, that means I will try to comply and write something that will easily fit within said parameters. I personally would not try to see how far off I could get from that and then hope that they would still pick mine over the scripts that delivered what the company wanted. That's just me though.
And me, too. To again state the obvious, the purpose of the OWCs are two fold. One purpose is to streach the writing muscle with a real world experience. Two, at the end of this, you should have a script that you can shop around that has a realistic chance of getting produced. There are quite a few OWC scripts that have gone on to be produced in one form or another.
With that being said, while there are no stupid questions, there isn't really any penalty for being bold, thinking outside the box, pushing limits and even cheating.
M.Alexander you're a sick man... One puppy is trying to chew the ear off the other one...
I've got it.... What if I have the lovable Tom Hanks play a young kid who wants to be..... BIG... and then a weird fortune teller machine makes his wish come true and he ends up in a motel playing chopsticks on a giant keyboard....
Sorry, Mark, I have the same idea, only Tom is a mime and he pretends to play a giant piano. Of course, Meg is there as well, also a mime. The hilarity that follows will have to be read to be believed.
I've got it.... What if I have the lovable Tom Hanks play a young kid who wants to be..... BIG... and then a weird fortune teller machine makes his wish come true and he ends up in a motel playing chopsticks on a giant keyboard....
Nobody better steal that idea... It's all me
Where does his choice between good and evil come into play? Why not change it up a bit.
Tom Hanks wants to be SMALL and plays chopsticks on a regular size keyboard.
I'm sure I've seen this idea somewhere though?
Looks like I missed something with the dogs... oh,well probably for the best. That's a nice cute photo above though. Thanks Mike.
Mine wrecks all of yours. Tom is flying on a business trip when the plane crashes and he ends up on this uninhabited island with an isolated motel that he seeks shelter in when a cyclone (Pacific hurricane. Ha!) strikes and he escapes, only to stumble upon some hatch in the ground and other people on the island...
Let's face it. I have the greatest ideas of all time and you know it... =)
Sorry, Mark, I have the same idea, only Tom is a mime and he pretends to play a giant piano. Of course, Meg is there as well, also a mime. The hilarity that follows will have to be read to be believed.
I can see it already... Another oscar worthy performance... The man is an acting machine...and Meg is still totally adorable even as a mime.
Quoted from coop
Where does his choice between good and evil come into play? Why not change it up a bit.
IT'S TOM FREAKING HANKS Coop.... The man is an acting machine... He could jump from chopsticks to playing the Exorcist theme... good to bad without breaking a sweat... Stick that in your face Ryan Gosling!
Quoted from Mr.Blonde
Mine wrecks all of yours. Tom is flying on a business trip when the plane crashes and he ends up on this uninhabited island with an isolated motel that he seeks shelter in when a cyclone (Pacific hurricane. Ha!) strikes and he escapes, only to stumble upon some hatch in the ground and other people on the island...
Genius.... Only one thing you need.... Meg Ryan as Wilson...
I have a reasonably cool horror concept for this which I' ll start today.
Here's some advice for those who can't think of fuck all to write? And I admit this is a pretty tough challenge, when you are hoping to write a decent script...
Anyway, if you can't think of a mainstream idea, maybe do it as a full blown comedy, perhaps in the vein of the Scream series.
Any genre, remember, folks, any genre you please...
It does seem challenging to get more than one character's backstory to involve the supernatural. Especially for a ten pager.
But, I love challenges.
Unless I missed something, there's nothing that suggests the characters past occurances with the paranormal/supernatural has to be "different". It could all be related. Am I wrong?
District Mime I Spit on Your Mime The Last Mime on the Left Mime in the Woods Tucker and Dale vs. Mimes Silent Mime Para-mime-al Activity 1 - 4 Andrew Jackson: Mime Slayer Texas Mimesaw Massacre: 3D Frankenmime
Lord of the Mimes trilogy - Fellowship of the Mimes - The Two Towering Mimes - Return of the Mime
Mimeman trilogy - Mimeman Begins - The Dark Mime - The Dark Mime Rises in a Glass Box
Iron Mime I & II
The Mime-ables I & II Mimefalls DeMime-O Unroped
The Mimelight saga - Mimelight - Mimelight: New Rope - Mimelight: Eating - Mimelight: Breaking Glass Pt I - Mimelight: Breaking Glass Pt II
Star Mimes - IV: A New Rope - V: The Empire Strikes the Mime, Again and Again - VI: Return of the Mime (AKA "Muthsrf#cker won't go away!") - I: The Phantom Mime - II: Attack of the Mimes Miming other Mimes - III: Revenge of the Mimes on Their Attacking Mimes
Also, I really think the more questions people ask, the more constricted the challenge will be and you'll see 8 of the same scripts. It's best to go with the flow.
Nothing worse than offensive pictures of helpless animals posted here, really drags the site down . . . I nearly chocked on my puppy sandwich when i saw it . . .
So far I have a hotel filled with children under 18 and each one has a bengal tiger except little jimmy has a bluenose dolphin he keeps in the bath...also the dolphin has laser eyes..
Wow, three pages into my script and I had an epiphany. No freaking way I'm entering this OWC. Way too much commitment having to read and respond to 20 or 30 entries. No way.
I'll still read and respond to some, but at least I won't be obligated. Much easier.
Wow, three pages into my script and I had an epiphany. No freaking way I'm entering this OWC. Way too much commitment having to read and respond to 20 or 30 entries. No way.
I'll still read and respond to some, but at least I won't be obligated. Much easier.
Where does it say you have to read all or even most of the entries? Just read a few.
Why anyone would enter and not intend on reading at least as many as you receive is way beyond me. How can you honestly judge a favorite by reading just a few? Makes no sense at all.
I'll read, or attempt to read every single entry whether I enter or not. Just the cool thing to do, in my book.
I think we can put a stop to scaring people off the OWC because of unwritten and unrealistic rules.
It is polite and it is considered good form to read and comment on a reasonable number of entries if you enter yourself. However, there is no rule about reading or commenting on any of the scripts if you enter.
That said, if I were entering then I would read them all (or as close to all as I could) just to size up the competition.
And this is the very reason why I'm not gonna anter. Too much of an obligation right now.
Noobs should be forewarned OWC isn't just about dropping off your entry then saying "thanks, have a great day!" It's like a three week commitment and if you don't give back you're branded as a deadbeat. And rightfully so.
Oh...you mean you're not a deadbeat? Then, yes, you need to read a lot.
I was looking forward to reading something of yours, but if you don't have time, then another time.
I will start to read every single script. However, if I find the script bad or difficult, I might not finish reading.
Exactly, Mistress Pia, you angry bear you. Same for me, but, I will leave feedback on why I stopped wherever it was that I stopped.
Just came up with an idea finally. It's kinda out there, but it just may work. I just hope my beat up motel is beat up enough to qualify.
I'm getting fired up!
And, to all the peeps reading this, I did not mean to scare anyone off. Just saying that especially if you're new, reading all the entries and leaving comments goes a long way. There are several awesome members who started this way. For reals.
JEFF (49), drunken amateur scriptwriter and mime expert, sits on an old pier jutting into the ocean. Next to him is ANGRY BEAR (?), a drunken Swedish pro scriptwriter.
SUPER - SOME SMALL COASTAL TOWN IN FLORIDA
JEFF I think we better head to that beat up motel.
ANGRY BEAR Why's that? Because of the massive hurricane coming our way?
JEFF No, because we're all out of Jagie and beer...
ANGRY BEAR We better head to that beat up motel. We're only like four feet from the safety that it will yield us.
JEFF Why's that? Because of the massive hurricane coming our way? If we were to stay here any longer than 4 or 5 seconds, we would probably perish, due to the roaring tide, which is seconds from our feet.
ANGRY BEAR No. Because I say so...
JEFF I will ravish you, my mistress of the dark...but maybe that's not right, because you are of Nordic descent and have light hair, so I should call you my mistress of the light, or of Swedish descent.
I hope to see that the people who went with a dialogue heavy approach put some extra time into making that dialogue jump off the page. In other words, if you're depending on the dialogue to tell your story then it should be entertaining and character-rich dialogue. At least IMHO.
Mine, as well, is pretty heavy on the dialogue. I'm trying to find some good action to go along with it. Thank god I still have a few more days to write.
very dialogue heavy, basically talking heads but I tried my best to avoid it.
You won’t be alone, I promise you that. It’s going to be very hard to avoid IMO. The scenario needs it, especially as you need to throw in some meaningful backstory. Obviously there are other ways to get this across, but I’m not nearly talented enough to pull it off without dialogue. This is a really good challenge and I emphasize the word challenge.
At least you’ve now got a few days to give it a good look over, Mo.
The Elevator Most Belonging To Alice - Semi Final Bluecat, Runner Up Nashville Inner Journey - Page Awards Finalist - Bluecat semi final Grieving Spell - winner - London Film Awards. Third - Honolulu Ultimate Weapon - Fresh Voices - second place IMDb link... http://www.imdb.com/name/nm7062725/?ref_=tt_ov_wr
I have two odd but interesting T-rex mimes at a run down circus verbosely discussing the supernatural event that just occurred five minutes before FADE IN that made them blather endless exposition as they watch out the tent flap window SAS paratrooper forces deploy from helicopters to assault the Soviet submarine the hurricane just vomited onto the parking lot.
Who does right-justified anymore, Ray? Everyone knows it should be centered and colored in hot pink, so everyone knows that's where you fade in. Amateurs...
Who does right-justified anymore, Ray? Everyone knows it should be centered and colored in hot pink, so everyone knows that's where you fade in. Amateurs...
Oh. Okay. That was just something I read on the the internets somewhere. But I'll do it ur way.
Well, with a lot of people saying theirs is dialogue heavy, it might make for some fast reads. Hopefully Michael's right and those whose are dialogue heavy concentrate on rich dialogue that isn't too expository.
I just ran a script report on mine now, and it ended up being 61% action lines and 39% dialogue.
(Lol. I've never ran one before. I guess it is kind of fun to look at your script in those terms.)
Mark, give yourself at least 10 minutes. It takes that long just to create the PDF and submit it. I know...I've been there at 11:59 trying to submit it on time.
Who does right-justified anymore, Ray? Everyone knows it should be centered and colored in hot pink, so everyone knows that's where you fade in. Amateurs...
Wait a minute! Hot pink FADE IN!?!?
I could've sworn that we were supposed to put it in rainbow colors: 7 colors of the rainbow, seven characters in "FADE IN:"
ROYGBIV FADEIN:
Please let me know if this has changed. I'll have to go in and update all my scripts.
I use tacks. I had a bad experience with a guy named Brad in high school.
A man named Brad Sandusky... he... he... I don't want to think about what he did to my script all those years ago at the run down three ring t-rex mime circus. Sob...
Oh, he turned it alright. He turned it over. Spread it's pages wide open. Pulled out his big red pen-is what he did. And crammed in his junky exposition. That piece was ruin't when he was done.
My mind went blank. I have no idea how long he spent.
Decades later I'm still traumatized. The man isn't right. Someone should take away his big red pen-is what I say.
Butt I don't wanna talk about that. It doesn't matter in the end, anymore.
My characters are interesting but not odd. Can I use the T-rex mime for my story or is it already taken?
Each and every script can have a T-Rex and/or a mime. I think it may crush the budget if you try and make your T-Rex an actual mime, but it would be a wonderful visual.
No, you don't understand - a DRAMA pisstake. Not comedy. Not parody. Not farce.
A sincere classic indie pisstake in the vein of recent indie films such as BLUE VALENTINE, MEEK'S CUTOFF, OUR IDIOT BROTHER, and THE MUSIC NEVER STOPPED.
So I just finished my script. I went back and checked it out.
It seems that I forgot to place it in a motel. My characters aren't really odd OR interesting. The hurricane aspect seemed to have slipped my mind. And also, there is no supernatural aspect.
Turns out, I just wrote a 12 page family dinner conversation.
Hopefully that's not breaking too many rules of the criteria.
Put the dinner convo in a run down motel room during a hurricane that just showed up as if by divine power. Give each of them a significant PC acceptable disability. You're gold.
No, you don't understand - a DRAMA pisstake. Not comedy. Not parody. Not farce.
A sincere classic indie pisstake in the vein of recent indie films such as BLUE VALENTINE, MEEK'S CUTOFF, OUR IDIOT BROTHER, and THE MUSIC NEVER STOPPED.
Not a plane jane pisstake. A DRAMA pisstake.
Can be any genre, Ray. So, instead of doing a pisstake (man, i shoulda patented that phrase 2 OWC's ago...) just do a comedy.
Does the fact that it's a ghost family give it supernatural backstory? Like, "hey, remember when we became ghosts? That was pretty crazy, huh?"
D/Q! Supernatural event is required to be in the past. Cannot be in the present. Ghost family at dinner is present supernatural. Return to "GO!", do not collect $200.
Odd but interesting character(s) take refuge from a hurricane in a beat-up motel and are forced to make a choice between good or evil in order to survive the night.
Each character must have some history involving a supernatural event in their lives that factors into their choice.
If we are asked about our own historical events and we provided a current event that would be considered evading or not understanding the nature of the request.
History = past.
Or do I need to take my "I stayed at a Holiday Inn" amateur attorney attache case outside?
If we are asked about our own historical events and we provided a current event that would be considered evading or not understanding the nature of the request.
History = past.
Or do I need to take my "I stayed at a Holiday Inn" amateur attorney attaché case outside?
Exactly, you need to have that historical supernatural event. But that doesn't mean that a supernatural event can't happen in the present. There can be more than one event or even a continuation of the same one.
Exactly, you need to have that historical supernatural event.
In that case, I'm out. I understood it as a supernatural moment in a person's life, which could include the present. I didn't realize it would require that kind of event in their past.
Odd but interesting character(s) take refuge from a hurricane in a beat-up motel and are forced to make a choice between good or evil in order to survive the night.
Each character must have some history involving a supernatural event in their lives that factors into their choice.
I understood it as a supernatural moment in a person's life, which could include the present. I didn't realize it would require that kind of event in their past.
Exactly! Right?! That's what it read like to me, also.
In my past, my history, I had a relationship that was ______ . Because of that event, which is no longer occurring, I will make a decision tonight that is good or evil. Simple.
I just ran a script report on mine now, and it ended up being 61% action lines and 39% dialogue.
39 versus 61 is pretty good compared to mine. ;D
After messing with final draft a little, I finally got mine up. 45% Action and 46% dialogue... The 6% left is assigned to "character", not sure what that means but okay.
After messing with final draft a little, I finally got mine up. 45% Action and 46% dialogue... The 6% left is assigned to "character", not sure what that means but okay.
I just checked mine and I'm up to 0% Dialogue, 0% Action...
Now that i'ved finished reading 40 posts by ray on, err.....not much, I thankfully have been reminded by you kind folks - damn you all - that EACH character must have a supranat, a souprana, a superdoopernan...oh whatever it's called, event.
One superthingy short at the moment. Need to go back.
The Elevator Most Belonging To Alice - Semi Final Bluecat, Runner Up Nashville Inner Journey - Page Awards Finalist - Bluecat semi final Grieving Spell - winner - London Film Awards. Third - Honolulu Ultimate Weapon - Fresh Voices - second place IMDb link... http://www.imdb.com/name/nm7062725/?ref_=tt_ov_wr
Mine's still an extremely rough draft (and 15 pages long), but it comes in at
I've still got a lot to work on mine, just thought I'd bang it out when I had some free time and fix it up later. I'm actually surprised that they came in at such a high number, I was thinking mine would be somewhere around 6 pages but it was way longer.
I thankfully have been reminded by you kind folks - damn you all - that EACH character must have a supranat, a souprana, a superdoopernan...oh whatever it's called, event.
I believe this was discussed somewhere on the thread (though I'm not sure which page) and I think Don said that at least one of the central characters had to have a history of a supernatural event.
Quoted from nawazm
The 6% left is assigned to "character", not sure what that means but okay.
Pretty sure that 'character' means the line that says which character is speaking the dialogue, and the 'scene' is the slug lines. (The INT. or EXT. lines.)
I just chalked the character towards the dialogue.
So technically, now after a couple changes lastnight, It's 51% Action, 29% Dialogue, 16% Character, 3% Scene and 1% Transition.
I am trying to write something for this challenge and I decided that the challenge is very challenging and no challenge was ever very challenging safe this very challenge.
I use Trelby screenwriting software. It can run script, location, scene, and character reports, and also even dialogue charts, letting you know how much screentime the characters are getting, how often they're in the story, and how often they're not.
I'm pretty sure all this stuff would be useful for a director working on a shooting script and breaking down information for certain shoots, and probably for figuring out which order to cast the actors in the credits if he doesn't want to use alphabetical order.
To be honest, as a spec writer, this is really my first time even looking into those kind of things. I tend to tell every story differently until I find my style, so I don't pay attention to how much dialogue or action I'm using, as long as I'm getting the story across in the best way possible.
As a numbers guy, though, it is still fun to look at, although I probably won't run any reports until I'm done with at least the first or second drafts of anything.
just noted you intend to release the scripts on sunday, 21st.
Any chance some could be released on saturday - its my free reading day!! Plus, what an agonising wait!
Mind you, i do understand that if they are released in batches, with a big time difference, the early ones tend to get more reads, so fairer to do quite quickly.
The Elevator Most Belonging To Alice - Semi Final Bluecat, Runner Up Nashville Inner Journey - Page Awards Finalist - Bluecat semi final Grieving Spell - winner - London Film Awards. Third - Honolulu Ultimate Weapon - Fresh Voices - second place IMDb link... http://www.imdb.com/name/nm7062725/?ref_=tt_ov_wr
I use Trelby screenwriting software. It can run script, location, scene, and character reports, and also even dialogue charts, letting you know how much screentime the characters are getting, how often they're in the story, and how often they're not.
Just noticed the picture of the motel on the front page. It looks awfully close to the one down the street from my house. And is that my wife's car? WTF!!!! Have to hope she didn't catch anything from the T-rex mime!
My script is going to kick ass! The title is "A Mime Is a Terrible Thing To Waste"
It's about a mime and his ventriloquist puppet. The mime doesn't talk only the puppet does. They check in to the motel and during the night, the puppet gets a phone call from the puppet master that tell him to kill the mime. When the mime is killed, he screams a silent mime scream.
Well, I'm still debating staying out, because my characters are neither odd nor interesting and I have no past supernatural event, I found a way to fit in that event. But, if I do enter, don't blame me when you read it and think to yourself, "God, that felt so unnecessarily out of place." After all, there was no stipulation where it said this had to make sense, now, did it? =)
Good to see so many quotes involving mimes. They are truly under appreciated.
Just want to throw out my thoughts on the supernatural thing. Because we have a single location and no budget, any prior events/history can only be shown through dialogue, and it will be expositional dialogue as well. What I'm saying is that it would be very easy to juts have a character say, "Remember when you had that supernatural experience, involving that mime that looked like a fucking dinosaur?".
SO, my take is that through some simple dialogue, this qualification can be easily met.
Now, the tough part is to throw in some reference to a supernatural event that is relevant to the story taking place at the beatup motel, in the hurricane.
I think my idea is going to work. Like a few others, I currently sit at 0% action, 0% dialogue, 1% other. The other being "FADE IN" middle centered, in ROYGBIV.
I was serious about my mime script Jeff. I'm halfway through, but I won't have time to finish because I have other things that I have to take care of first. The puppet's supernatural event was when the puppet master made him come alive. Serious!
Mine's about a mime who holes himself up in a cheap motel and hangs newspaper clippings all around the room because he's trying to crack russian codes embedded in common advertisements about a plot to move an atom bomb.
He's working for the boss of a secret government agency named Herry Cane who's pounding on the door for the secret codes. .........SPOILER!.............Finally, the mime's wife helps him realize that the Herry Cane is all in his mind!
So if you see an OWC entry named 'A Beautiful Mime', that one's mine. (I'm pretty sure that one wasn't on Ray's list.)
Just want to throw out my thoughts on the supernatural thing. Because we have a single location and no budget, any prior events/history can only be shown through dialogue, and it will be expositional dialogue as well. What I'm saying is that it would be very easy to juts have a character say, "Remember when you had that supernatural experience, involving that mime that looked like a fucking dinosaur?".
This is the simplest way to do it, but by no means the only way. If there's a supernatural event in your story, how characters react to it can speak about their experiences with similar events (characterization). Or if your character never stays at a motel without an EMF reader to check for ghosts first (action). Or a little woman with a shrill voice shows up and starts speaking to a television which only shows static (pop culture reference). Or an African shaman walks in (implied by profession).
Yeah, Rene, dialogue an/or actions...but...if you simply use actions, it may not come through as you hope it will.
For instance, just because someone walks in with an EMF reader, that does not necessarily mean they've ever done this before, nor does it mean they have experienced anything supernatural.
Not trying to be difficult, just saying that the only "true" way to show a past event is by actually showing it, or through dialogue. Now, the dialogue doesn't have to be so on the nose exposition that it literally says, "I had a supernatural experience in which I saw ghost mimes dancing the Lambada, and it was before I chugged the Patron."
There are more subtle ways to get the point across.
Like a few others, I currently sit at 0% action, 0% dialogue, 1% other. The other being "FADE IN" middle centered, in ROYGBIV.
ROYGBIV?! EFFFFFFF MEEEEEE!
Now I gotta change to that from the 18pt arial hot pink.
Otherwise, count me in that same group of "others"; I got bupkis. All I can think of is just retarded stuff.
I look forward to seeing what you guys come up with.
And I keep having semi-horror recollections about reading all of those OWC set in an abandoned house with three characters, one in a wheelchair. Got rather tedious reading those after a few weeks.
I'm gonna write tonight so I told my wife no sex tonight... apparently she didn't know what i was talking about(she has a bad memory) but told me to make valuable time of the extra 2 mins(1 min 30seconds to remove clothes)
If you use multiple rooms in the motel should you use a slug or a minor slug In other words:
INT. Room seventeen - continuous
Blah blah blah happened INT Room Twenty - continuous
More blah blah happened
or
Room seventeen
Blah blah happened
Room Twenty
Blah blah happened.
Also as everything is happening in one night.... Should we finish slugs with continuous or moments later after everyone..... I prefer the minor slugs... easier on the eye.
Mark, in all seriousness as well, it depends, IMO.
You first have to set each scene and that will require a full Slug, as well as a description of the setting.
If you then want to switch back and forth between rooms, you could use mini's.
Does this have to take place in a single night? Did I miss that requirement? Damn, mine is an epic, evolving over several decades and many hurricanes. This could be an issue for me.
Odd but interesting character(s) take refuge from a hurricane in a beat-up motel and are forced to make a choice between good or evil in order to survive the night.
Does this have to take place in a single night? Did I miss that requirement? Damn, mine is an epic, evolving over several decades and many hurricanes. This could be an issue for me.
It says "Survive the night" but I doubt the anybody really cares unless it's not low budget. But now you've told us your idea so the fun is gone into guessing who's script is whos.
Does this have to take place in a single night? Did I miss that requirement? Damn, mine is an epic, evolving over several decades and many hurricanes. This could be an issue for me.
You're right... For some reason I thought it all happened in a night oops Several decades of mimes... Sweeeet
Then, I just have my mime walking around doing mime stuff all night in the beat up motel. No dialogue until the final line, when I have Christopher Lee do a V.O. That sums up everything the mime just did, in case any readers didn't get the correct visual of what the mime was acting out.
Done, dusted and sent.....but reading through it today, as clear as it was in my mind last night, it might come across a bit confusing at time. Neh, see how it goes.
And damn, I read every comment on here, cause it is so funny listening to all you guys (and gals) banter on.
Looks like I might have to pull out of it. I just can't think of anything that works For now I'm not going to TRY and come up with an idea. Usually they come along naturally... Hoping for the best.
They are named JODY SINCLAIR, and she is like 34 or so and pretty fucking hot. Actually, she is SMOKING hot, and actually smoking out of a big old 5 foot bong with at least 7 appendages protruding from the bulbous glass body.
All of a sudden, in comes 3 or maybe 5 mimes, faces painted as white as the driven snow is white...maybe even white on white, or even whiter.
The mimes began to do their thang and from here on out, it's all mimes and JODY SINCLAIR trying to figure out what the various mimes are trying to mime to her.
This goes on for another 8 minutes or so and then we come to a very large finale which is very fantastic and exciting and it's also moving in a weird way, but somehow it is.
Then...something has to happen and you can then end your script on a high note and everyone will be loving what they read and Producers and directors and agents like BabzBuzz will send you E-Mails and call you on every phone you've ever had.
Then, you awake and read the very first post on your entry and realize it was all a very fucked up dream and your script sucks more dong than Tanya Tucker did in the 80's.
FADE OUT: (right aligned) and you ask yourself what the fuck just happened...
They are named JODY SINCLAIR, and she is like 34 or so and pretty fucking hot. Actually, she is SMOKING hot, and actually smoking out of a big old 5 foot bong with at least 7 appendages protruding from the bulbous glass body.
All of a sudden, in comes 3 or maybe 5 mimes, faces painted as white as the driven snow is white...maybe even white on white, or even whiter.
The mimes began to do their thang and from here on out, it's all mimes and JODY SINCLAIR trying to figure out what the various mimes are trying to mime to her.
This goes on for another 8 minutes or so and then we come to a very large finale which is very fantastic and exciting and it's also moving in a weird way, but somehow it is.
Then...something has to happen and you can then end your script on a high note and everyone will be loving what they read and Producers and directors and agents like BabzBuzz will send you E-Mails and call you on every phone you've ever had.
Then, you awake and read the very first post on your entry and realize it was all a very fucked up dream and your script sucks more dong than Tanya Tucker did in the 80's.
FADE OUT: (right aligned) and you ask yourself what the fuck just happened...
I'm sitting here asking myself just that. That was a moment of zen, inspired. Very meta. Very cool.
Well, I'm still debating staying out, because my characters are neither odd nor interesting and I have no past supernatural event, I found a way to fit in that event. But, if I do enter, don't blame me when you read it and think to yourself, "God, that felt so unnecessarily out of place." After all, there was no stipulation where it said this had to make sense, now, did it? =)
I hope you submit anyway, but surely most of us will likely point that out) --because we can!
The Elevator Most Belonging To Alice - Semi Final Bluecat, Runner Up Nashville Inner Journey - Page Awards Finalist - Bluecat semi final Grieving Spell - winner - London Film Awards. Third - Honolulu Ultimate Weapon - Fresh Voices - second place IMDb link... http://www.imdb.com/name/nm7062725/?ref_=tt_ov_wr
Oh shoooooot! A LOGLINE!? The hardest part for me!!! Dang...I've been trying to write it at the BEGINNING of all my scripts with a beat sheet etc but shorts are short and I plan less and write faster and I forgot to write a logline!!! Better get busy!!
the one location requirement is absolutely killing me. looks like i'll make the deadline just in the nick of time. however, I'm half tempted not to submit it. hands down, one of the worst things I've ever written. buttf uck it.
the one location requirement is absolutely killing me. looks like i'll make the deadline just in the nick of time. however, I'm half tempted not to submit it. hands down, one of the worst things I've ever written. buttf uck it.
I'm with you here. I hate restrictions and 1 location is the strictest of restrictions.
I'm not at all happy with mime and shouldn't submit it, but we'll see. It read so much better last night when I was a wee bit toasted.
The problem for me is trying to create enough expo without my piece becoming obviously dialogue heavy. The backstory needs to be there to some extent, and I'm not sure I succeeded at pulling it off.
However, I appreciate a tough challenge and strict parameters. Often if a filmmaker wants you to write something...this is exactly how they do. I just wrote one recently for someone that had tight parameters. I think it's harder to write this way...so we all need the practice ...and...what doesn't kill us ...makes us stronger!
Looks like I might have to pull out of it. I just can't think of anything that works For now I'm not going to TRY and come up with an idea. Usually they come along naturally... Hoping for the best.
I may be another fallen casualty I’m afraid. At this moment I have nothing on the page and no ideas.
Just too many things to tick off in this one, the motel, forced decision between good and evil, past supernatural event, low budget, mimes, T-rex’s – how the hell do you fit this all into a story.
My last hope is a Friday night; red wine induced writing session which hopefully comes up trumps with a script. I hope to muster something up but I doubt it at this late stage.
I agree, Coop - too many things to tick off, and too many limitations.
I don't have a problem ticking off the necessities, but it just makes for such a boring, dull "story". Maybe that's the problem - it's very difficult to rally have a story with these requirements.
I don't know what to think. Just too cheesy, I guess, with the hurricane, the supernatural, and the good vs evil thang. I'm not happy with mine at all, and I just don't know if I can submit it.
I'm lucky to have my story already finished. My BIG problem is that my writing is weak. This is my second script ever and I'm nervous to submit it. I hope that I don't embarass myself but I have thick skin and we all have to take our lumps.
I'm lucky to have my story already finished. My BIG problem is that my writing is weak. This is my second script ever and I'm nervous to submit it. I hope that I don't embarass myself but I have thick skin and we all have to take our lumps.
Hey, second script ever means nothing. You won't embarass yourself, though. Everyone, excluding Jeff, will be here to give you friendly, helpful criticism. You take the criticism, good or bad, and make the most of it. =)
As for me, I'm more worried about the fact that I've never had a well-received OWC that stayed within the rules. I think this one's going to be a bomb. But, we all do our paycheck scripts from time to time. =)
Hey now, what's with this shit? I can be very friendly and nice.
Gotta remember, though, Jeff, we haven't had an OWC since your move and new job so I haven't REALLY seen the new you yet. However, if and when we do, I'll be more than happy to see it. =)
I said when this was first released it was very prescriptive so tricky to pull off. I prefer wider criteria.
On the other hand, everyone knows that its going to be hard to pull off, lots of exposition etc so we can all hide in that. Well, thats what i'm banking on.
Lets be honest, we all want to do well, write a decent script and have everyone say well done. But with these criteria, if i havent pulled that off, well i'm i wont be too bothered as they are very restrictive.
Yes, producers may give you a tight set of circumstances to work with but would it be this tight (maybe i dont know) but also would you have one week - which for most of us is five days once we find out what it is, and have to make sure it goes in on time etc
Better to have a go and laugh at it afterwards, than not take part, me thinks
The Elevator Most Belonging To Alice - Semi Final Bluecat, Runner Up Nashville Inner Journey - Page Awards Finalist - Bluecat semi final Grieving Spell - winner - London Film Awards. Third - Honolulu Ultimate Weapon - Fresh Voices - second place IMDb link... http://www.imdb.com/name/nm7062725/?ref_=tt_ov_wr
I live for the challenge of restrictions. The more restricted the better. It forces me to be even more creative, to find a way to make it happen, and the less time I have to dwell on it the better.
That doesn't necessarily mean what I come up with is any good, I just like the challenge.
Once the OWC is over, if there are any keepers, folks will rewrite and improve, drop or add so a better logline (and/or script) can emerge. I am not in love with my logline either. I almost want to go back and add the cliche 'nothing is what it seems' because it would hardly make a difference.
Keep in mind, it is a OWC too. Not every logline is going to grab a spotlight. AND beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
and by the way, in my OWC script, I cooked something up, killed all the mimes but saved all the clowns.
Yes, there will be mime blood. Yes, I do have a sex scene with three mimes. Yes, the mime t rex doll is used within that sex scene. Yes, it gives all new meaning to supernatural and good vs evil occurances.
The hurricane is a metaphor. A mime does something cruel and unusual with a garden hose
Now that I've entered and need to calm down my mind after five furious days of working out what to write, it struck me that OWC can be a little too serious sometimes, and I just wonder whether we could lighten the mood in the coming weeks with the...
OCT 2012 - OWC - Informal awards.
These would be non offensive, light hearted BUT still seek to identify issues that we can learn from, errors, mistakes etc I don't envisage real voting just banter, posts etc within the thread, unless a mod wishes to do more, but that's not the intention of this.
My suggestions would be, and I welcome others and general discourse on the subject;
# Worst LOGLINE - that's mine, nobody else is getting close
# Funniest line - intended or unintended, such a big difference
# Weirdest character - not writer!
# Highest kill - in case of dispute extra wounded characters can be included in a count off. Lost limbs getting bonus points.
# Script furthest away from the criteria - could be mine again, but a title with lots of competition I expect
# Most amount os spelling mistakes - got to have one to keep us on our toes, yup mine again
# The What? Award - for the what the hell have I just read title. Open to interpretation as to what this would mean.
# The Jeff Bush Award for worst Slug line - just had to add that one
The Elevator Most Belonging To Alice - Semi Final Bluecat, Runner Up Nashville Inner Journey - Page Awards Finalist - Bluecat semi final Grieving Spell - winner - London Film Awards. Third - Honolulu Ultimate Weapon - Fresh Voices - second place IMDb link... http://www.imdb.com/name/nm7062725/?ref_=tt_ov_wr
Least amount of dialogue? (this one will be coveted) Most dialogue? Most characters? Most interesting characters? The one where the storm was only in it because one of the requirements said there had to be a storm in it award?
... Longest/most frequent sex scene(s)? (between mimes, of course)
The Elevator Most Belonging To Alice - Semi Final Bluecat, Runner Up Nashville Inner Journey - Page Awards Finalist - Bluecat semi final Grieving Spell - winner - London Film Awards. Third - Honolulu Ultimate Weapon - Fresh Voices - second place IMDb link... http://www.imdb.com/name/nm7062725/?ref_=tt_ov_wr
If there is a coffee cup for the MOST UNPOLISHED, it should probably go to me
*slips into her kevlar vest, kick her heels off to apply knee pads and hiking boots, grabs a softball helmet covered in grafitti, slips it over my brain(what's left)*
As it's not the usual Tasmanian fare with in house breeding and stuff, tommy!
I was going to write something about how you knocked Tommy upside the head, both of them, but then I remembered Tommy doesn't like jokes about Tasmanians - so I won't write it.
Although, honestly, with my schedule today I've really only less than four to six hours before about ten hours from now. Grrrr... And I really ought to be doing another project.
I wasn't planning on having all this freetime before work today, so I submitted mine lastnight in case I didn't get a chance to today.
Damn, I just realized that even though I read a good portion of the OWC's, I haven't really entered a script since 2008.
I started writing one for the October 2010 OWC, but didn't finish it at the time. I changed some things a couple months later and it became '2911.21', which a couple people here read already. It was just filmed in Los Angeles in August and is in post now.
Just hit the submit button. Feel nervous. Hopefully I did enough to the script to only slightly suck. Best of luck to everyone else out there still writing.
Just hit the submit button. Feel nervous. Hopefully I did enough to the script to only slightly suck. Best of luck to everyone else out there still writing.
Well done for giving it ago.
I think the feedback will be a little more gentle this time around...actually I'm not quite sure why I wrote that, but it maybe true. But you know, whatever the outcome, you can only learn from it. If you don't take part, but read every script, that is still something, but nothing compares to putting your mind and body on the line, so to speak, by submitting a script.
It is fast track learning...for everybody.
All the best everyone, oh and of course really like my script
The Elevator Most Belonging To Alice - Semi Final Bluecat, Runner Up Nashville Inner Journey - Page Awards Finalist - Bluecat semi final Grieving Spell - winner - London Film Awards. Third - Honolulu Ultimate Weapon - Fresh Voices - second place IMDb link... http://www.imdb.com/name/nm7062725/?ref_=tt_ov_wr
We prefer scientific nomenclature this time around, so "gonads" or the alternative "goatnads" only.
On an unrelated note, I expect only the wittiest of loglines and pseudonyms. Failure to create both of the above will result in a vicious bludgeoning of your script and your reputation. You have been warned.
On an unrelated note, I expect only the wittiest of loglines and pseudonyms. Failure to create both of the above will result in a vicious bludgeoning of your script and your reputation. You have been warned.
The Elevator Most Belonging To Alice - Semi Final Bluecat, Runner Up Nashville Inner Journey - Page Awards Finalist - Bluecat semi final Grieving Spell - winner - London Film Awards. Third - Honolulu Ultimate Weapon - Fresh Voices - second place IMDb link... http://www.imdb.com/name/nm7062725/?ref_=tt_ov_wr
After a week of thinking about it (mostly coming up with nothing), a few false thought-starts, a moment of possibility this morning, an hour of homework and three hours of writing and rewriting - I got something.
The Elevator Most Belonging To Alice - Semi Final Bluecat, Runner Up Nashville Inner Journey - Page Awards Finalist - Bluecat semi final Grieving Spell - winner - London Film Awards. Third - Honolulu Ultimate Weapon - Fresh Voices - second place IMDb link... http://www.imdb.com/name/nm7062725/?ref_=tt_ov_wr
I'll be entering for sure, even if my script isn't executed as well as it should be. I just realized I haven't posted anything in over a year now, so I could use some feedback.
Hopefully I've improved since "Until Death Do Us Part." (cringe) from the Sept. '11 OWC.
This turned out to be a tough challenge. Very tricky to work in the supernatural backstory of the characters. Don't know if I'm gonna make it under the wire.
The Elevator Most Belonging To Alice - Semi Final Bluecat, Runner Up Nashville Inner Journey - Page Awards Finalist - Bluecat semi final Grieving Spell - winner - London Film Awards. Third - Honolulu Ultimate Weapon - Fresh Voices - second place IMDb link... http://www.imdb.com/name/nm7062725/?ref_=tt_ov_wr
I forgot, are we still aloud to use 'goat balls' to describe a script if we need to? I forget how that argument ended.
You should remember that we have guests during an October OWC and that they might not attend the forums frequently. Therefore, they might not get running jokes.
As a general rule, if you think something is going to be funny at the expense of the writer then reword it. Same goes if you think something will be insulting to the writer.
Pretend that the comments you are writing are for your script - treat the writer with the same respect you would give yourself.
This turned out to be a tough challenge. Very tricky to work in the supernatural backstory of the characters. Don't know if I'm gonna make it under the wire.
Oh Ryan...you are an old pro..prolly got so many coffee cups you could open a coffee shop haha we are all coming for coffee at Ryans after this thing is over!!
I'm in. Would kick myself if I didn't enter. Especially since these are so far and few anymore. Will be interesting to see what others came up with, to me it was a very difficult challenge.
How to create odd but interesting characters, give them all a supernatural back story to show a choice of whether or not they make it through the night... All in 12 pages or less?
Think I hit 90% of the parameters well, but my script suffered to do so. So we'll see. I will definitely be reading all of the scripts from "contributing members" but won't guarantee I'll read them all.
I'll tell you flatout which one is mine. Mine's the one with the incredibly boring prose and two people talking back and forth with each other... just like every other story I've ever done. =)
That's so true. It's a good thing that you have your own voice, but it sucks for anonimity reasons. For some reason, I always know yours. Mine are usually easy enough to spot as well, although this contest doesn't allow me to have my characters in a diner, restaurant, bistro, etc, so it may be a bit tougher. Hooray for OWCs. =)
I'll pour over each and every entry leveling an production estimation and criteria adherence as if I had a stack of these screenplays in my inbox to pick and choose from for development.
LOCATION ACTORS COSTUMES PROPS PRACTICAL EFFECTS CGI SFX OTHER
MARKETABILITY ASSESSMENT GENRE (MPAA-like) RATING DID I LIKE IT FORMAT
These things get parsed out into an evaluation matrix where some aspects get a heavier weighting (Marketability Assessment, since this is an open genre) while others get a lighter weighting (Format, because the audience doesn't give a sh!t about your perfect sluglines and absence of -ly adverbs).
The more actors your story has the more people I gotta audition, organize, rehearse with, and pay. More characters count against the appraisal. Same for period or special costumes and props.
A high Marketability Assessment can be negated by an equally high Cost To Produce Assessment. An optimal screenplay has a high Marketability Assessment paired with a low Cost To Produce Assessment.
FWIW, I really don't give a sh!t how pretty your screenplay format is. That's the last thing I care about when I gotta go find financing for this, consider where the venues will be to show it, and organizing an ad hoc cast and crew to produce it. Who the f#ck cares about your precious FADE IN/OUT placement or whether you used minislugs according to Hoyle's?! Efffffff meeeeeee!!!!!! Grow up. Get a life.
I'll pour over each and every entry leveling an production estimation and criteria adherence as if I had a stack of these screenplays in my inbox to pick and choose from for development.
LOCATION ACTORS COSTUMES PROPS PRACTICAL EFFECTS CGI SFX OTHER
MARKETABILITY ASSESSMENT GENRE (MPAA-like) RATING DID I LIKE IT FORMAT
These things get parsed out into an evaluation matrix where some aspects get a heavier weighting (Marketability Assessment, since this is an open genre) while others get a lighter weighting (Format, because the audience doesn't give a sh!t about your perfect sluglines and absence of -ly adverbs).
The more actors your story has the more people I gotta audition, organize, rehearse with, and pay. More characters count against the appraisal. Same for period or special costumes and props.
A high Marketability Assessment can be negated by an equally high Cost To Produce Assessment. An optimal screenplay has a high Marketability Assessment paired with a low Cost To Produce Assessment.
FWIW, I really don't give a sh!t how pretty your screenplay format is. That's the last thing I care about when I gotta go find financing for this, consider where the venues will be to show it, and organizing an ad hoc cast and crew to produce it. Who the f#ck cares about your precious FADE IN/OUT placement or whether you used minislugs according to Hoyle's. Efffffff meeeeeee!!!!!! Grow up. Get a life.
LOLOLOLOLOL!!!!
Remember Ray, since it is a single, general location "an abandoned motel" would be on the cheap and if someone wrote in that there was graffitti or mildew on a wall, you can't count it against the budget - because if they actually film on location...they get that production value for nothing. (So long as they get permission to film and don't cause additional damage or take stuff). Keep that in mind.
It's a good thing that you have your own voice, but it sucks for anonimity reasons. For some reason, I always know yours. Mine are usually easy enough to spot as well, although this contest doesn't allow me to have my characters in a diner, restaurant, bistro, etc, so it may be a bit tougher. Hooray for OWCs. =)
Who says? Maybe the abandoned motel might have had a small snack bar or picnic table out in the back :p True, the food at the snack bar might be sparse and the coffee machine is busted, but it's the thought that counts.
As for my own writing voice, it's tough to disguise. Sometimes I do try different writing styles simply for the challenge of doing so. Sometimes I pay the price for doing it. Sometimes not.
I will say this. What I wrote I'm not really crazy about. But when I looked at it again earlier today, I thought in visual terms, and that what I had should have been filmed yesterday. The more I think about it, the more I know it works. It can work.
And if it can work...then so could everyone else's entries. Looking forward to reading them!
And JEFF I hope by sheer fate I read yours first! Of course knowing fate, it'll be dead last
I'm not at all happy with it but it's better than where I was 3 hours ago when I was staring at a blank page.
What a difficult challenge this was. It had me stumped all week and although I didn't enjoy the endless headaches, it was a great experience trying to come up with an idea with limitations.
Again, that's the way I felt with mine, but perhaps, like me, yo'll re-read your work again in, say, 24 hours, and wonder what was so bad about it.
Oh, no. I know exactly what's wrong with it. I'd specify but I don't want to give away which one is mine. I wanted a much better ending, but I only had 20 minutes left to come up with something that fit what I had already done then write it then submit it. I'd rather just rewrite when it's over with whatever reviews I got.
EDIT: I will say for certain that I broke two rules. I couldn't figure out how not to...
Submissions are closed. Stand by for the posting of the first few scripts.
Most entries are by frequent users of the discussion board. There will be no indication if the person is a regular or not as there are only a handful of new folks submitting.