Christ, it's only Round 4? God help us all...

Genre: Action.

Location: Church (Place of Worship).

Object: Trading Card.

Good luck.

+++ Submit to SimplyScripts.com/OWC +++

Full disclosure, everyone. I've been trying to keep up with everything, but four people at my place have quit or been fired in the last 10 days. So, I wanted to go through the scores and go through the comments. Neither of those has happened this week. I'm going to be playing catch-up for the next week or so, but I'm still on schedule. Nothing's changing. Just going to have to work extra hard in the next 2 weeks. Hope some people still choose to enter with the category this week.

Trading card like a baseball card thats worth money?


Wasn’t this an OWC once?  It sounds vaguely familiar

Quoted from stevie Trading card like a baseball card thats worth money? Wasn’t this an OWC once?  It sounds vaguely familiar

Yeah, like those kinds of cards, but it can be any kind of trading card. I don't recall that OWC, specifically. May have been before my time. Lol.

Cheers Blondie   Happy birthday too! And to me lol

Yeah there was an OWC that had to be set in a church and there was another specific too   I didn’t enter it but will check on it    The others may recall   Not that long ago either

Ooh, Blondie is still alive. Yay!

And Round 4 is up. Double yay!
Oh, hang on, I'd better read what is is first.

Edit: At first glance easier than Sanitiser.

Second, can someone please clarify what they believe constitutes Action.

I get:

Action film with a fast-moving plot, usually containing scenes of violence, it is a film genre in which one or more heroes are put into a series of challenges that typically include physical threats, extended fight scenes, violence, and frantic chases

I don't know about chasing someone around a pulpit, however DaVinci Code comes to mind...

And, Wiki tells me this:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Action_film

I don't think I've ever written an action script.

Quoted from LC And Round 4 is up. Double yay! Oh, hang on, I'd better read what is is first.

You read the criteria before writing your story?

Some of the work habits around here are just plain weird.

Found it    Was a quickie challenge 2 years back   Random elements handed out one of which was a church location and the prop a pair of dice.

Action genre is prolly the hardest one to write as they could be quite boring without the edge of horror or comedy lol

Quoted from FrankM You read the criteria before writing your story?Some of the work habits around here are just plain weird.

You're funny, Frank.  
...
And, Stevie, yep I remember that one. Dice in the church. Which OWC was it? A couple of good entries from that one I recall. Ok, I see it. It actually was called a Quickie Challenge.

Looks like Slimbo and Dobo's zoo just gained a church.

Are we talking about things like baseball cards?

I can't think of anything in my world.  The nearest thing I can think of is trump cards.  But they're more like game cards.

Hopefully some brits can help me out.

Yes.

Baseball cards, I believe are the most valuable...the rarest is worth $3M. NFL cards are also valuable.

They can also be modern ones that have no vale, as yet, of course.

Quoted from jayrex Are we talking about things like baseball cards? I can't think of anything in my world.  The nearest thing I can think of is trump cards.  But they're more like game cards. Hopefully some brits can help me out.

Top Trumps wouldn't count as you don't trade them. Think like Pokémon cards, they are trading cards... Or do they still do those football sticker books? Ok they're stickers but for the purpose of the script just make them trading cards

Hmm, there's all kinds of trading cards. Are they the same as collectible cards? Look at Wiki and there's a bunch totally unrelated to U.S. sports -  different cultures, different cards.

https://www.thetoptens.com/top-trading-card-games/

Do trading card games count? E.g.Yu-Gi-Oh, Pokemon??
I think this needs clarifying.

Edit: Also, is it out of bounds to have fictional trading cards, invent your own?

Quoted from Matthew Taylor Top Trumps wouldn't count as you don't trade them. Think like Pokémon cards, they are trading cards... Or do they still do those football sticker books? Ok they're stickers but for the purpose of the script just make them trading cards

I thought of football stickers too.  But again, you can't trade them really for money.  

I do feel alienated.  Can't relate to this one.

Quoted from LC Hmm, there's all kinds of trading cards. Are they the same as collectible cards? Look at Wiki and there's a bunch totally unrelated to U.S. sports -  different cultures, different cards. https://www.thetoptens.com/top-trading-card-games/ Do trading card games count? E.g.Yu-Gi-Oh, Pokemon?? I think this needs clarifying.

These ones seem like children's cards.  I think I might skip this round.

Yu-Gi-Oh is played by adults, as is Pokemon I do believe.

I do feel like you though, jayrex.  Out of my element.  

BTW Blondie.. Due to the unpleasantness on here, I no longer wish to leave any reviews till after the scoring is complete. Is this acceptable?

Quoted from LC I do feel like you though, jayrex.  Out of my element.

Me three. I might be out this round. Hopefully I can bring it home with a cracking Sci-Fi in the final round. And by home I mean top 5, I'd be happy with that considering the quality of writers taking part.

Good luck all. If something comes to me I'll write it but this one feels beyond me.

Quoted from jayrex I thought of football stickers too.  But again, you can't trade them really for money.   I do feel alienated.  Can't relate to this one.

Trading cards are traded with each other, not just for money. Don't over think it, you could take LC's advice and invent your own

I too was gonna sit this out  but I had an idea    Then it didn’t like it so no entry was back on the agenda   Then I had a better idea and I’m off!

Waz, jayrex  Lib   Just use a football or baseball card that’s worth heaps then write a story about it!!!  Google what they are    Look on eBay for inspiration Jesus where’s ya get up and go?

I’m at work on my birthday and I’m writing in my head even as I stack drinks on the Woolies shelves!!!!

Quoted from Scar Tissue Films BTW Blondie.. Due to the unpleasantness on here, I no longer wish to leave any reviews till after the scoring is complete. Is this acceptable?

Personally I like your reviews, Rick. You add entertainment and liveliness, and often add valuable input and analysis.

Quoted from Scar Tissue Films BTW Blondie.. Due to the unpleasantness on here, I no longer wish to leave any reviews till after the scoring is complete. Is this acceptable?

To me your reviews are fine.

I'd rather just score the scripts, if it's possible. Then leave feedback once it's over.

Lol, trade card, Sean is getting trickier.

I participate in those because they give me ideas for later features. But nothing good will ever come out of me about action in church.
Plus you dont want to read the kind of action that came to my mind.
So I wont write this time either.
Which means you people have to do a better job as theres no one to have your back.

I'm seriously thinking about sex in a sewer for a feature.

Hey, Happy Birthday, Sean! Thanks for everything!
Stevie, Happy Birthday to you, too! Have a good one!

this is probably not the thread for it.

I wonder how many will start with "forgive me farther for I have sinned"

Mmmmm.. if writers can drop out, surely some can drop in...or maybe not.-Andrea

Quoted from ghost and_ghostie gal Mmmmm.. if writers can drop out, surely some can drop in...or maybe not.-Andrea

Lol, Andrea. I noticed you started reading and liking this whole thing. Maybe we can work out a deal of dropping out and in and talk to Sean or something.
Only my ratings suck if you decide to take my place.

Quoted from LC Hmm, there's all kinds of trading cards. Are they the same as collectible cards? Look at Wiki and there's a bunch totally unrelated to U.S. sports -  different cultures, different cards. https://www.thetoptens.com/top-trading-card-games/ Do trading card games count? E.g.Yu-Gi-Oh, Pokemon?? I think this needs clarifying. Edit: Also, is it out of bounds to have fictional trading cards, invent your own?

I’d give the criteria points for something like that, but it’d be good to hear from Sean on it. They get really obscure after the top three or so.

Beyblades are popular with elementary school kids right now, but they’re not cards, so I’d stay away from that one. Same thing with Pogs, Dragon Dice, and other toys that fill a trading-card-type niche.

Quoted from khamanna Lol, Andrea. I noticed you started reading and liking this whole thing. Maybe we can work out a deal of dropping out and in and talk to Sean or something. Only my ratings suck if you decide to take my place.

Haha!  Khamanna, mine would probably be worse... we'll just wait until the next OWC.  Thanks a bunch.

You can come up with trading cards for pretty much anything — athletes, super heroes, Pokémon, politicians, actors, etc.  and this is fiction, so make up your own type of trading cards if you’re stuck. And I’m guessing the parameters, just like the last challenge, can be bent some, I.e., it doesn’t have to be 100% in the church. It can take place in another location as well as long as the church factors in predominantly.

Quoted from stevie Cheers Blondie   Happy birthday too! And to me lol

Thank you, Stevie. Happy birthday to you, too.

Quoted from LC Ooh, Blondie is still alive. Yay! Second, can someone please clarify what they believe constitutes Action. I get: Action film with a fast-moving plot, usually containing scenes of violence, it is a film genre in which one or more heroes are put into a series of challenges that typically include physical threats, extended fight scenes, violence, and frantic chases I don't know about chasing someone around a pulpit, however DaVinci Code comes to mind... I don't think I've ever written an action script.

I guess that's a perspective thing. As for action, think lots of prose and limited dialogue and fast-paced.

Quoted from jayrex Are we talking about things like baseball cards?

Those kinds of cards are acceptable. But, they're not the only kind of trading cards in existence. Some of the best trading cards don't exist, yet...

Quoted from Matthew Taylor Top Trumps wouldn't count as you don't trade them. Think like Pokémon cards, they are trading cards... Or do they still do those football sticker books? Ok they're stickers but for the purpose of the script just make them trading cards

Pokemon is a kind of trading card. Sticker books don't count.

Quoted from LC Hmm, there's all kinds of trading cards. Are they the same as collectible cards? Look at Wiki and there's a bunch totally unrelated to U.S. sports -  different cultures, different cards. Do trading card games count? E.g.Yu-Gi-Oh, Pokemon?? Edit: Also, is it out of bounds to have fictional trading cards, invent your own?

Yes. Yes. No.

Quoted from Scar Tissue Films BTW Blondie.. Due to the unpleasantness on here, I no longer wish to leave any reviews till after the scoring is complete. Is this acceptable?

Unfortunate that it came to that, but yes, it's acceptable.

Quoted from khamanna But nothing good will ever come out of me about action in church. Plus you dont want to read the kind of action that came to my mind. So I wont write this time either. Which means you people have to do a better job as theres no one to have your back. Hey, Happy Birthday, Sean! Thanks for everything! Stevie, Happy Birthday to you, too! Have a good one!

A script will come out of it...? And, thank you, Khamanna.

Quoted from ghost and_ghostie gal Mmmmm.. if writers can drop out, surely some can drop in...or maybe not.-Andrea

Kind of. You can write a script, Andrea, but it will be entered out of competition. If you want to do that, the option is open for you.

Quoted from ghost and_ghostie gal .. we'll just wait until the next OWC.  Thanks a bunch.

Andrea, I think the next OWC is slated for July (probably end of the month due to the tournament, and obviously Don will confirm later) so I'm already looking forward to reading yours!  

So it is out of bounds to have a fictional trading card system?

There goes my idea of a bunch of athletes fighting over an Eight-Year-Old Boy Card

Sean,  your last answer to mine was: Yes.Yes.Yes. But I actually asked if it would be out of bounds... Your answer was slightly ambiguous, to me at least.

So, for me and for others, can I confirm that yes, it is okay to invent your own cards for the purpose of this challenge?

I see Frank wants to know too.  

I had misread your question. Coming up with your own trading cards for the story is perfectly fine.

Ooh, ok, cool. Thank you.

I've learned a lot from this tournament.

Round two taught me that if you give ten men a whistle, at least three of them will stick it up their arse.

Round three taught me that if you can only take one item with you on a desert island, make sure its hand sanitiser.

What do we think we'll learn in round 4?

Quoted from Scar Tissue Films I've learned a lot from this tournament. Round two taught me that if you give ten men a whistle, at least three of them will stick it up their arse. Round three taught me that if you can only take one item with you on a desert island, make sure its hand sanitiser. What do we think we'll learn in round 4?

That priests are probably going to abuse young boys in possession of trading cards, unless saved by Indiana Jones.

Quoted from Gary in Houston That priests are probably going to abuse young boys in possession of trading cards, unless saved by Indiana Jones.

Lol.

On an unrelated subject--

Sean, what about mosque and synagogue?

Kham, that's fine. Sean stipulated (place of worship) as an addendum to Church.

Location: Church (Place of Worship).

Quoted from Gary in Houston That priests are probably going to abuse young boys in possession of trading cards, unless saved by Indiana Jones.

God dammit, Gary. Now I have to scrap what I've got and start fresh.

Hey Sean, how much longer do we have to read and vote for round 3?

Quoted from LC Kham, that's fine. Sean stipulated (place of worship) as an addendum to Church. Location: Church (Place of Worship).

Oh, good. Thank you, Lib.

Quoted from Zack Hey Sean, how much longer do we have to read and vote for round 3?

Almost exactly 2 and a half days.

Quoted from Scar Tissue Films I've learned a lot from this tournament. Round two taught me that if you give ten men a whistle, at least three of them will stick it up their arse. Round three taught me that if you can only take one item with you on a desert island, make sure its hand sanitiser. What do we think we'll learn in round 4?

Made me laugh - thanks.

Quoted from Mr. Blonde Almost exactly 2 and a half days.

Sweet. Thanks, Dude.

I’ve surprised myself.  I think I’ve figured out a story.

I’m actually looking forward to this.

Quoted from jayrex I’ve surprised myself.  I think I’ve figured out a story. I’m actually looking forward to this.

I love this stage of the story-making process... the high when inspiration hits. It's really like nothing else - aside from finishing a highly polished script.

Often though, of course, the high is short-lived as we crash into the realisation that our idea is actually total shite.

Quoted from DustinBowcot Often though, of course, the high is short-lived as we crash into the realisation that our idea is actually total shite.

It's a vicious cycle. Lol

I swear I used to be able to write super short stories.

Now, I set the scene, write a character description and I'm already pushing 6 pages. Fucking hell. When I saw that 5 page rule I thought it would be easy, but it's actually harder than a longer allowance.

I knew I would not be able to do 5 pages. My annoying reviews are 5 pages!

Avoid too much dialogue. With only five pages, the action needs to do most of the talking. It would perhaps be fairer if there was a word count opposed to page count.

Anyway, I always go way over and then just chop and chop back. Last OWC my first draft was 14 pages and I got it down to 8.

Quoted from Gary in Houston That priests are probably going to abuse young boys in possession of trading cards, unless saved by Indiana Jones.

I see the meds are kicking in.

Quoted from PKCardinal I see the meds are kicking in.

I'm going to double the dosage for writing the script.

I'm still waiting for the right idea to strike. No problem with the setting, and action is easy. Trading cards? I love trading card games, I've owned (and still own) a bunch of trading cards, but how to make them integral to the story...

Hand sanitizer has uses beyond just anti-bacterial properties. But trading cards are a one trick pony, they only have one purpose.

They suck as stakes. In 5 pages it takes a lot to make us care about cards we know or care nothing about. And tempting as it is to go full Bullseye and have an assassin killing people with trading cards, this board would shred that apart on believability. (Sorry if I just rained on someone's idea, but maybe I did you a favour.)

Hmm...still thinking...

And just like that, an idea strikes.

Don, when you can, could you put up a Round 4 Countdown clock please?

Otherwise I'm lulled into a false sense of security.

Quoted from DustinBowcot I love this stage of the story-making process... the high when inspiration hits. It's really like nothing else -

Dustin, c'mon, brother!  There are better highs, and they are very easily obtainable...as long as you have some Blue Dream handy.  

Quoted from Dreamscale Dustin, c'mon, brother!  There are better highs, and they are very easily obtainable...as long as you have some Blue Dream handy.

Hahaha...can't argue with that.

Quoted from ReneC And just like that, an idea strikes.

I have an idea. It's at least as terrible as my previous rounds' ideas.

Notice how quiet Warren is?

Of course by his own admission he's out this next round...

More like concocting his next Opus.  

Quoted from LC Notice how quiet Warren is? Of course by his own admission he's out this next round... More like concocting his next Opus.

I'm quiet because I've been doing some soul searching after putting quite possibly the worst script to paper I've ever written. I just look at it and it makes my eyes hurt and bleed a little.

I can honestly say I hate action. I enjoy watching them, but for the life of me I have no idea why anyone would want to write one. I actually fell asleep halfway through writing it, I mean come on!

Anyway, I'll be in, it's terrible but I'll be in.

Quoted from Warren I'm quiet because I've been doing some soul searching after putting quite possibly the worst script to paper I've ever written. I just look at it and it makes my eyes hurt and bleed a little. I can honestly say I hate action. I enjoy watching them, but for the life of me I have no idea why anyone would want to write one. I actually fell asleep halfway through writing it, I mean come on! Anyway, I'll be in, it's terrible but I'll be in.

I enjoy writing action... even though I know the fight choreography will be sorted out later by professionals. The trick is not to use too much, but also not to write too little. Simply writing 'They fight. John wins but Jack escapes.' is pretty much all that is really needed in a script... but that's very boring to read.

When is the deadline?

Not sure, Rick, though I know we've got over twenty-four hours.

Don will hopefully put the countdown clock up soon. Hopefully...  

Quoted from Warren I'm quiet because I've been doing some soul searching after putting quite possibly the worst script to paper I've ever written. I just look at it and it makes my eyes hurt and bleed a little. I can honestly say I hate action. I enjoy watching them, but for the life of me I have no idea why anyone would want to write one. I actually fell asleep halfway through writing it, I mean come on! Anyway, I'll be in, it's terrible but I'll be in.

Not fond of it myself. I'm pretty sure you'll equip yourself well. Fell asleep halfway through...  

I think I've finished.

I'll probably be murdered.  

But if pray, hopefully God will hear me.

Quoted from DustinBowcot I love this stage of the story-making process... the high when inspiration hits. It's really like nothing else - aside from finishing a highly polished script. Often though, of course, the high is short-lived as we crash into the realisation that our idea is actually total shite.

You're right & right.

Quoted from DustinBowcot I enjoy writing action... even though I know the fight choreography will be sorted out later by professionals. The trick is not to use too much, but also not to write too little. Simply writing 'They fight. John wins but Jack escapes.' is pretty much all that is really needed in a script... but that's very boring to read.

I don't enjoy writing action - and not very good at. I enjoy reading it and agree with you on the sweet spot. Too much detail and it's tedious. Too little and it's pointless.

The Church setting sure presents an interesting action setting. I think it will be tough.

I downloaded a lot of the Pro action scripts on here to see how they did it.

There's an awful lot of:

Bam! He smashes through the door!

Tatatatat gunfire sprays wildy!


The sort of stuff people really hate on here, but makes sense to me in these kind of scripts.

4th round and I've officially ran out of creativity... Bugger

Quoted from eldave1 I don't enjoy writing action - and not very good at. I enjoy reading it and agree with you on the sweet spot. Too much detail and it's tedious. Too little and it's pointless. The Church setting sure presents an interesting action setting. I think it will be tough.

Agreed on the writing action thing. Never really done it. Don't see how I'll be any good at it.

As for the church, I hate complaining about the parameters... they're what put the challenge in the exercise... but, I'm with others that wish to get a couple (I don't expect 5) filmable shorts out of the tourney... and, getting someone to agree to use of their church for an action short seems especially difficult.

So, I'm either going to write something I know can't be filmed (which I've already done a couple of times this tourney) or, I'll have to walk the line on whether the church plays a big enough role, or if there's enough action. It's a tough spot and I wish I didn't have to make that particular compromise.

Just focus on getting the basic premise right. The location can be changed to anywhere.

Quoted from PKCardinal Agreed on the writing action thing. Never really done it. Don't see how I'll be any good at it. As for the church, I hate complaining about the parameters... they're what put the challenge in the exercise... but, I'm with others that wish to get a couple (I don't expect 5) filmable shorts out of the tourney... and, getting someone to agree to use of their church for an action short seems especially difficult. So, I'm either going to write something I know can't be filmed (which I've already done a couple of times this tourney) or, I'll have to walk the line on whether the church plays a big enough role, or if there's enough action. It's a tough spot and I wish I didn't have to make that particular compromise.

Churchs come in all shapes and sizes, think tiny wooden built shack church and your got a cheaper set... Plus the action doesn't have to take place in the church.

I'm trying to go about this in the same way, writing a useable short. You got this PK

Quoted from Matthew Taylor Churchs come in all shapes and sizes, think tiny wooden built shack church and your got a cheaper set... Plus the action doesn't have to take place in the church. I'm trying to go about this in the same way, writing a useable short. You got this PK

Thanks, Mathew! I've been kicking an idea around since Friday. i think it'll work, but won't know until I start writing... which happens now. Fingers crossed.

A church can be any building used for Christian worship.

Quoted from DustinBowcot A church can be any building used for Christian worship.

That's an interesting point. Some churches in my area are high school gyms during the week.

Is the deadline tonight?

I'm totally lost for the time..

Quoted from DustinBowcot A church can be any building used for Christian worship.

I'd probably frown upon someone who took this to the extreme.

e.g., Mass held in a sewer with bobble head altar boys.

PS. I thought the criteria was expanded to include place of worship. i.e., didn't need to be Christian.

Quoted from Scar Tissue Films Is the deadline tonight? I'm totally lost for the time..

Ditto. Haven't even started writing yet. AND I've got a couple more round 3 scripts to read.

BTW, it seems like for the most part people have stopped reading the round 3 scripts. Shame, cuz there seems to be a big gap in reviews between them. Most seem to have about twenty reviews, but there are a couple that haven't reached 17 reviews yet. I wonder how that will affect the scoring on those scripts that didn't get as many views...

Quoted from Zack Ditto. Haven't even started writing tonight. AND I've got a couple more round 3 scripts to read. BTW, it seems like for the most part people have stopped reading the round 3 scripts. Shame, cuz there seems to be a big gap in reviews between them. Most seem to have about twenty reviews, but there are a couple that haven't reached 17 reviews yet. I wonder how that will affect the scoring on those scripts that didn't get as many views...

I think the deadline is Tuesday at 4:00 am for me

Quoted from Scar Tissue Films I think the deadline is Tuesday at 4:00 am for me

What time zone are you in, Rick?

Quoted from eldave1 I'd probably frown upon someone who took this to the extreme. e.g., Mass held in a sewer with bobble head altar boys.

I'd be fine with it.... the bobbleheads is a bit of a stretch, but in a sewer might be OK if set in a dystopian future.

Quoted from eldave1 PS. I thought the criteria was expanded to include place of worship. i.e., didn't need to be Christian.

That's a good idea. Somebody is bound to pick a rare religion though like a Zoroastrianism fire temple, for example. Buddhist temples seem an obvious choice for some Kung Fu action.

Quoted from eldave1 I'd probably frown upon someone who took this to the extreme. e.g., Mass held in a sewer with bobble head altar boys. PS. I thought the criteria was expanded to include place of worship. i.e., didn't need to be Christian.

You forgot the hand sanitizer. You don't want to know where some of those bobbleheads have been.