Quoted from stevie Woulda been cool if one of the variables was an actual shoehorn

Someone would write a script about someone having to shoehorn a specific object into a script.

"What kind of a producer gets a product placement deal for a movie set in ancient Greece?"

Quoted from FrankM Someone would write a script about someone having to shoehorn a specific object into a script. "What kind of a producer gets a product placement deal for a movie set in ancient Greece?"

If Yogurt pays the bills...

AJR, I'm not calling you out btw, I just find your comment below (that you left on a script - not mine btw)interesting:

So absent the parameters, do you have a marketable story? I think what we have here is an elaborate futuristic set where man and robot, after a plague, with mutants, find a cryo-pod. I don't think it's broken any new ground, and feels like the first 5 pages of a story rather than a short. And it's almost as if this wouldn't have been written if not for the criteria - it's been constructed purposely FOR the criteria, rather than a story that is supported by its own legs that incorporates the criteria, if that makes any sense.

Absent the parameters? The parameters are the challenge. Without them I highly doubt the scriptwriter would have put the combo (location, genre, object, character) together. They're just too incongruous - hence the challenge.

How many of these scripts work independently of the criteria? Not many imho.
I think your comment (above) could be attached to the majority of scripts in the challenge

I've been saying from the get-go that the scripts with good and entertaining stories will rise to the top in the voting regardless of meeting criteria. I suppose we'll see if that's true.

I recall saying to Sean in the last challenge - I think it was in response to the bobblehead doll in the psych office - that if more sensible parameters were given we would have a higher chance of marketable scripts being written.

So, I'm kinda confusing myself here...
What is the aim .when the elements put together are just nuts?
Sean reminds us how difficult it will be in the final round.

My partner and I already have elements that would never go together under normal circumstances to produce a marketable film. How many tournament scripts have resulted in produced shorts? Warren has one in post I think, and maybe John?

Like I said, I just think your comment could apply to any of these scripts, especially as time goes on.

Not trying to start anything. I'm just curious what others think.
I think it's a challenge, a bit of fun (or torture, depending) ...
Sean said this: Remember: this is all in good fun and meant to inspire creativity and enjoyment. I hope you are inspired and I hope you enjoy yourselves.

If a marketable script comes out of this tourney then talent is definitely a big factor but also clever choices looking at the big pic from week 1. I can't speak for my partner but speaking for myself - I don't think I chose that well. And this is only two rounds in.  

Carry On. It's nearly my bedtime.
Just curious, like I said.

Personally, I see the challenge with the weird and wacky criteria as just that, a challenge... if I get a marketable script out of it then it's a bonus BUT i genuinely don't expect to... for me it's about seeing if I can come up with something that has the criteria in, that's entertaining, flexing my creativity muscle.

Imho of course

Quoted from stevie Woulda been cool if one of the variables was an actual shoehorn

I already have...it’s just called a different thing on the paper  

You can always imagine it’s a paid writing gig where you’re required to work in not-well-thought-out product placements.

Hi Libby,  

So maybe marketable is not the right word here. I tend to do two reviews, one against the
criteria, and then, recognizing that on Monday this silliness will all be behind us, Ethernet there is a story there apart from the parameters, and if there’s a marketable story, all the better. I’m giving the writer credit by saying sure, you may have skimped on the potato masher but in the end you created something lasting out of it.

I didn’t feel that from the last script I reviewed and I think I explained my reasons. In essence it’s a robot and and human finding a pod, with no theme. Is what I’m suggesting tough to pull off in 5 pages? Absolutely. That’s why I’m saying the story was chosen specifically for the criteria and not that the criteria supported the story...

And if this makes no sense or there are spelling issues it’s cause I’m typing on my phone because my laptop died. Not too conducive to reviewing, or writing... )0:

AJR

I've had two "picked up." One from each tourney. Though, the first (Unreliable Witness) never got made (as far as I know) and the second had production shut down by the pandemic (Sanctuary).

I definitely try and think in terms of marketability and ease of shoot when writing these, but sometimes there's just no way. And, sometimes you have to decide -- do I want to go for score, or do I want to go for something that can actually be made? 3 Hail Marys comes to mind for me. I had to throw marketability out the window for that one. I mean, an aircraft carrier task force and destroying an F-18 is a bit outside of most people's budget.

Nothing stretches the old noodle like these challenges/tourneys. It is BY FAR the best thing I do to push myself creatively.

So, that's my #1 goal for tourneys: push myself, get better. If I get a chance to write something that could get made, I go for it, but that's a bonus.

Quoted from ajr Hi Libby,   So maybe marketable is not the right word here. I tend to do two reviews, one against the criteria, and then, recognizing that on Monday this silliness will all be behind us, Ethernet there is a story there apart from the parameters, and if there’s a marketable story, all the better. I’m giving the writer credit by saying sure, you may have skimped on the potato masher but in the end you created something lasting out of it. I didn’t feel that from the last script I reviewed and I think I explained my reasons. In essence it’s a robot and and human finding a pod, with no theme. Is what I’m suggesting tough to pull off in 5 pages? Absolutely. That’s why I’m saying the story was chosen specifically for the criteria and not that the criteria supported the story... And if this makes no sense or there are spelling issues it’s cause I’m typing on my phone because my laptop died. Not too conducive to reviewing, or writing... )0: AJR

Like a stand-alone script maybe?

When does voting close for this week? The work logjam that made me miss week 1 isn’t completely cleared, so spacing out the reads as best I can.

Quoted from FrankM When does voting close for this week? The work logjam that made me miss week 1 isn’t completely cleared, so spacing out the reads as best I can.

I don't like specific timeframes for voting, but when the next round's scripts are due always felt good to me.

Quoted from ajr Hi Libby,   So maybe marketable is not the right word here. I tend to do two reviews, one against the criteria, and then, recognizing that on Monday this silliness will all be behind us, Ethernet there is a story there apart from the parameters, and if there’s a marketable story, all the better. I’m giving the writer credit by saying sure, you may have skimped on the potato masher but in the end you created something lasting out of it. I didn’t feel that from the last script I reviewed and I think I explained my reasons. In essence it’s a robot and and human finding a pod, with no theme. Is what I’m suggesting tough to pull off in 5 pages? Absolutely. That’s why I’m saying the story was chosen specifically for the criteria and not that the criteria supported the story... And if this makes no sense or there are spelling issues it’s cause I’m typing on my phone because my laptop died. Not too conducive to reviewing, or writing... )0: AJR

Ah, okay, I get it.
It was late at night for me I may have missed your inherent meaning.

Thanks for your input Frank, Ant, and Bill, and Kham.
And PK - smartarse.   Sorry I missed you from the produced list. There may be others I missed too.

Quoted from LC My partner and I already have elements that would never go together under normal circumstances to produce a marketable film. How many tournament scripts have resulted in produced shorts? Warren has one in post I think, and maybe John?

2 filmed - A New Present and A Generous Donation
1 that was recently funded by the filmmaker on Kickstarter - The Painter
1 that was used by a storyboard artist for practice - Retired

I have had a pretty good run with WT scripts and OWC scripts (3 produced). I generally keep production in mind but sometimes that is impossible with the criteria, although I never thought I'd have a time travel script with a time machine produced and I did.

Yep, another showoff!  
I kid. All credit to you.

Quoted from LC Yep, another showoff!   I kid. All credit to you.

Lol.

Congrats on all the production tho to Warren.

Written a lot of OWC shorts and got none produced. Me! How about that.