Before I announcement the genre and theme, I just want to remind everyone that there is no betting!  And that your names will not be attached to the scripts for the first week.  Afterwards, they will appear as if by magic.

Try to read at least three or four of the scripts.  It'll make things seem a lot smoother.

All scripts should be submitted here:  http://www.simplyscripts.com/unpro_short_exercise_02_08.html within 10,080 minutes from now.

Let's not turn this into a whiner-fest like last time.  If you don't like the genre and theme, then don't enter.  No one's holding a gun to your head.... too bad.

And now for the genre and theme:

Genre:  Drama
Theme:  A prison cell.

Twelve pages or less, folks.  Good luck!



Phil

Oooh... I think I may join up this time... but then again,... maybe I won't.

~Zack~

Is this really it, Phil... or are you joking?

Cool genre/theme. Good luck, everyone!


Matt.

lmao at the many things that crossed my mind. Thankfully you limited it to a drama genre, or i would've gone a different route.

Sweet.  I might have an advantage over everybody, though.  I'm just finishing up a story about a guy who smuggles a rock hammer into his cell and, instead of carving out chess pieces like he said he was going to, actually tunnels out after 26 years.  The catch is that he hides his tunnel hole behind various posters of Cyndi Lauper.  (Thought I was going to say Rita Hayworth or Raquel Welch, huh?)

Quoted from rc1107 The catch is that he hides his tunnel hole behind various posters of Cyndi Lauper.  (Thought I was going to say Rita Hayworth or Raquel Welch, huh?)

Whew.  I thought you were gonna say the Bushes.

He hides his tools behind Cyndi Lauper's bush?

I don't get it.

I thought he hid his tools behind George Bush.

No. You're mixed up, Michael. George Bush is a tool.

Anyway, here's something to inspire y'all.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2gWfPiEA7o

Quoted from Chris Reid George Bush is a tool.

Can you do me a favor, Chris, and please don't talk about my President that way.  Mr. Bush has tried the best that he could and he deserves a lot more respect than what people are -  All right, I can't take it anymore.  I couldn't keep a straight face the whole time I was writing that.

Just to set the record straight, since this is my first OWC, please don't make fun of me for asking, but does the whole script have to take place in the cell, or can it start from one area, such as the mess hall or warden's office, and finish in the prison cell.?

Quoted from Takeshi No. You're mixed up, Michael. George Bush is a tool. Anyway, here's something to inspire y'all. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2gWfPiEA7o

That was good Chris, never seen that movie before It took me ages to work out who the blond guy was he beat up, I knew i had seen him somewhere before, It took me a while but it eventually struck me that he plays the prison guard in 'The Shawshank Redemption'. Sometimes coincidences are weird.

Mark the trick is not to ask too many questions. If you ask questions then you're going to get answers. The more answers you get the more restricted the range of things we can write about gets.

So I'll attempt to answer your question with - The cell has to be an important presence in the script.  How it is used or appears in your script is up to you.

The prison cell has to be the central spot , or theme, in the script.  You have to do more than mention it once or twice.


Phil

It's a very cool theme just wish i had the time to take part...

Quoted from rc1107 Just to set the record straight, since this is my first OWC, please don't make fun of me for asking, but does the whole script have to take place in the cell, or can it start from one area, such as the mess hall or warden's office, and finish in the prison cell.?

I think it's important to cast your net as wide as possible here - just to ensure we get a variety of different scripts - the prison cell could be technically metaphorical even.  It doesn't have to be an actual prison cell in some penetentiary.

This might be a hard one for me. I can't really think of anything you can do with a prison cell and drama, but I'd really like to see what others can do.

Sean

Can't is a terrible word, Sean. I am certain you can come up with something.  Just because it's a drama does not mean it can't have Zombies.

Wow. Prison cell I can do. Limiting it down to Drama will be hard for me.

This may be my first One Week entry, to be honest. Good luck to all though.

So we can do anything as long as there's a prison cell central to the plot and some drama. Cool. It should be fun.

--Julio

Oz was a drama and to that show rape was compelling drama. If you have laughs mixed in with "drama" it's still drama.

It doesn't say anything about Dawson's Creek drama or War drama. It also doesn't say what kind of prison cell.

This is pretty close to what I call the best one so far because it can almost be anything if you use your imagination a little.

Interesting theme, I have an idea.

I love my idea.

I wonder if this one will be as popular as the July?Agust OWC? That one was insane!

~Zack~

Hopefully, I can improve in this one than the last one.

Gabe

Quoted from ABennettWriter I love my idea.

Probably because it's your idea.  

I have three ideas. Tell me, is more than one submission acceptable?

One submission per person, please.

It may be my idea, but it's a damn good one!

Then follow the Helio Rule I shall. [/yoda]

Quoted from mcornetto Can't is a terrible word, Sean. I am certain you can come up with something.  Just because it's a drama does not mean it can't have Zombies.

Ha ha thanks for the words of wisdom, Michael. I think I have an idea, I'm going to try and get it onto paper and see what comes out.

Sean

So have we decided if they get submitted with or without names?

We did discuss the idea of a prison cell could be metaphorically, yes?

Actually it was phil that said no whining.

And to voice - what makes you think that the results will be unoriginal?  You obviously have never participated in an OWC, I've seen some pretty unique stuff come out of these excercises.

Perhaps you should try to give the subject a fresh spin, show us how you think it should be done?  

As there is no prize for best script and it's not really a contest, you can't be disqualified.

Phil

Of course it's a contest! Call a duck a duck.
If there's no contest, then all entrants should have their scripts recorded.
Right?

Quoted from ABennettWriter So... can the prison cell be a metaphor? I read back and Phil said a prison cell had to be a central part. I'm asking again because I really don't want to be disqualified.

I think it has been mentioned, Steel, but not discounted. I really don't see why it CAN'T be, as long as the prison cell, metaphoric or solidified, as you say, plays "a central part."

In fact, if it makes you feel any better, my script is actually taking it metaphorically, so if metaphors or symbolism are forbidden, we will both be disqualified.
AS ONE!


(sorry, I just love that film)

Quoted from voice Theme: A Prison Cell not my style - and not original - have seen so many

Yeah. I refuse to write about anything that takes place on the planet Earth. It’s been done a million times before.  

Quoted from Takeshi Yeah. I refuse to write about anything that takes place on the planet Earth. It’s been done a million times before.

I couldn't help but laugh at that.

But the prison cell doesn't even have to take place in a prison. Make it in the Mariana Trench or a planet 50,000 light years away. There is a lot to do with a prison cell...the only problem I have (or had) was trying to add drama to it. Yikes...


Sean

All right, Voice, I know other people are chewing you out for this, but I promise I don't have any smartass comments for you.  My reaction to what you said is 100% serious and I hope helps you think about it.

Quoted from voice Theme: A Prison Cell - not my style

I believe that's kind of the point to this exercise, to get the writer to work out of their everyday element and under a deadline.  Although this is my first OWC, I can tell it's an excellent exercise in sharpening a writer's skills.  I wonder how many past participaters have actually surprised themselves with what they didn't think they'd be able to do.

Congratulations, however.  I think that's the first thing I've ever seen you post that I was able to comprehend 100%, eventhough you're grammar was still off.

:-)  All right, so I lied about the smartass comment thing.  No offense.  I just like to get a jab in every now and then.

Quoted from ABennettWriter Of course it's a contest! Call a duck a duck. If there's no contest, then all entrants should have their scripts recorded. Right?

If the OWC stand for One Week "Contest" than I guess it is. That is what it is called.

Instead of posting hundreds of posts trying to be funny, why doesn't everyone just write something?

Quoted from voice Theme: A Prison Cell not my style - and not original - have seen so many

Then it's your job to make it something original.

Keep in mind that, on occasion, scripts get picked up here.  Usually, they're picked up by film students with not much money.  Your script has a better chance of being produced if it takes place in a prison cell than it does on a viking tall ship....or a futuristic prison cell on the second moon of Dargu IV.


Phil

Quoted from voice ....not my style...

Gee....and so many people were eagerly anticipating your submission  

Quoted from Doc M In fact, if it makes you feel any better, my script is actually taking it metaphorically, so if metaphors or symbolism are forbidden, we will both be disqualified.

No need to overthink it.  There are always those who play fast and loose with the genre and theme -- and that is a good thing.

People always wring their hands and gnash their teeth worrying about compliance -- and it has never once been an issue.  Get back to your keyboards and start typing already.

This being my first OWC, when I am done, do I email it to Don as an attachment, or...?

Quoted from Dr. McPhearson This being my first OWC, when I am done, do I email it to Don as an attachment, or...?

On Phil's original post in this thread, there is a link where you submit your entry.

~Zack~

Yeah, just note it in the submit my script form. I'm still not clear if we're using names or not this time around. Oh and if one or two people want to look mine over and give me a little critique, I've finished a first draft and would gladly rteurn the favor. Just hit me up. UPDATE: Sorry but I found a set of eyes to look it over. Guess you'll have to wait.

Are two or more people allowed to write one script?

~Zack~

Didn't people partner up for the last OWC?

For Jeez Chirst and all his brothers! How OWC has been so dificult now days! Whe i was just a kid it was very easy!

Now, is it called the Helio Rule, because you (Helio) submitted numerous entries for one contest?

The Helio Rule came into effect shortly after the April 2006 OWC I believe, where Mr. Helio submitted three scripts.  The Rule states that any person who decides to participate in the One Week Challenge is limited to only one script submission.  We all love Helio, but for the OWC we deemed it unfair to the other participants to submit multiple scripts, considering that some people don't read all the entries, so there's a greater chance that they'd read multiple scripts by the same author rather than an equal share for everyone else.

And since it hasn't been done since the first OWC way back when, it's a safe bet that this one will once again be anonymous, so don't put your name on the script itself.

And as for the theme, it's okay to stretch the imagination.  I'm one to talk, since I've stretched the theme pretty far in past challenges.  Be creative.  It gets boring to read the same script 25 times about a dude in a prison cell asking himself why he's there.  

Quoted Text It gets boring to read the same script 25 times about a dude in a prison cell asking himself why he's there.

That was my first idea. But my second one is brilliant!

Quoted from ABennettWriter That was my first idea. But my second one is brilliant!

And apparently some of us have forgotten the unwritten rule about speaking of whether or not you're participating...numerous times.

Quoted from Zack Are two or more people allowed to write one script? ~Zack~

Do you really think that two people can turn out a script in one week?  It'll be easier to do it by yourself.


Phil

Clarification on the OWC

Quoted from dogglebe ...your names will not be attached to the scripts for the first week.  Afterwards, they will appear as if by magic. Try to read at least three or four of the scripts.  It'll make things seem a lot smoother. All scripts should be submitted here:  http://www.simplyscripts.com/unpro_short_exercise_02_08.html within 10,080 minutes from now. Let's not turn this into a whiner-fest like last time.  If you don't like the genre and theme, then don't enter.  No one's holding a gun to your head.... too bad. And now for the genre and theme: Genre:  Drama Theme:  A prison cell. Twelve pages or less, folks.  Good luck! Phil

I didn't say I was going to enter.
I might not enter.
We'll just have to wait.

I think I will make my return to the OWC after a years absence.

"Now, is it called the Helio Rule, because you (Helio) submitted numerous entries for one contest?" - Dr.McPhearson


Please, don’t blame me, guys. That time I was so innocent foreigner!

Wow, I can't wait to see all of the ideas for this. I may and I may not enter, but I am excited to see all of the entries for this Challenge.

Since it's a challenge and not a contest, maybe we can just all pat each other on the back afterwards and discuss what great writers we all are.

Doesn't that sound just peachy?

Quoted from James R Doesn't that sound just peachy?

Blow it out your ass, James.

Quoted from Shelton Blow it out your ass, James.

I guess Shelton doesn't like peaches.

Hey, brother, at least I didn't say whether or not I was participating.

And maybe you'd prefer we all pat each other on the a**?

James

Quoted from mcornetto I guess Shelton doesn't like peaches.

You are correct.  It's quite sad, really.  I used to love peaches.


Then the bitch stole my television.  Hooker with the heart of gold my ass.

Quoted from James R And maybe you'd prefer we all pat each other on the a**?

If you're into that sort of thing.  I'm not here to judge you.

Quoted from James R ...maybe we can just all pat each other on the back afterwards and discuss what great writers we all are.  Doesn't that sound just peachy?

James and the Giant Peachy?

No thanks...if somebody submits a crappy script, I contend that they deserve to know.  

The OWC is already dangerously close to becoming nothing more than a backpatting contest -- where every thread has 15 reviews reading, "For one week, this is great!!"

Who is that helping?

Please review scripts honestly -- give real feedback -- the anonymity is supposed to help with that.

Otherwise, what's the point?

My script -- that is, IF I enter this time -- is one that could turn out original, or fall flat on its face. If it turns out the latter, like Bert said, I'd want to know.

Quoted from Dr. McPhearson My script -- that is, IF I enter this time -- is one that could turn out original, or fall flat on its face. If it turns out the latter, like Bert said, I'd want to know.

You know I thought I had an original (ish) idea and then talking to someone found out that they used the same idea with different elements but still that sucks.

Quoted from bert "For one week, this is great!!"

When was it ever anything more than that? For that matter, it sounds like a large number of reviews for shorts "For a short..."

Must... Have... Higher... Standards...

At least this way everybody is happy.

I'm just saying, if I were to send an entry in this time around, which I'm not saying either way, I probably would have sent it just a minute ago... if I were entering, that is.

I won’t be submitting anything but I’ll try and read as many as I can.


Breanne

Can I suggest an additional prize which I may or may not attempt to win. The winner (and perhaps the runners up) should be able to choose a script to be the Unproduced Script of the Day. It doesn't cost you anything and it gives the rest of us a further chance to worship at the feet of the chosen one (assuming they pick one of their own scripts).

Philip

I rank that suggestion right up there with a Jump to Conclusions mat.

Ahahaha. Well played, sir. Well played.

Quoted from Breanne Mattson I won’t be submitting anything but I’ll try and read as many as I can. Breanne

Ah! Breanne is back!!  

That's great!

To those who don't know her, she doesn't  sugar coat.

Glad you're back.

Cindy

Quoted from CindyLKeller To those who don't know her, she doesn't  sugar coat.

Glad to hear it. Can't wait to have my work ripped apart.  

Quoted from pwhitcroft The winner (and perhaps the runners up) should be able to choose a script to be the Unproduced Script of the Day... Philip

Excellent suggestion, Philip.  The only problem is that the One Week Challenge^tm isn't a contest.  And, since it isn't a contest, there are no winners (tho, if you accept the challenge and submit a script you are a 'winner' of sorts for having met the challenge).  

The script that is selected to be audio performed by iScript isn't the winner, nor is it the 'best' script (as all those folks whose scripts weren't selected can attest to).  It is selected by a mysterious process that even I don't fully understand (even tho I am the one who does  the 'selecting'.)

Regarding the "Unproduced Script of the Day" - all who participate in the OWC will, eventually, have one of his/her scripts featured as a "Unproduced Script of the Day".  

Don

Quoted from CindyLKeller Ah! Breanne is back!!   That's great! To those who don't know her, she doesn't  sugar coat. Glad you're back. Cindy

Why, thank you! Being away from SS is like being away from family.

Quoted from Dr. McPhearson Glad to hear it. Can't wait to have my work ripped apart.

And have your work ripped apart you shall. Just kidding. I’m not that bad. There are a few around here who make me look pretty tame. I try to offer constructive criticism. When writers review each other’s work, I don’t see the point of either unmitigated praise or poisonous criticism. The main goal in my opinion is to help each other become better writers….that and to achieve epic success manifested in the form of gargantuan paychecks, industry prestige, and public praise.


Breanne

Quoted Text There are a few around here who make me look pretty tame.

Cue Balt.


I miss that guy, though, I didn't really know him.


The reading is almost here!

Sean

Quoted from Don The script that is selected to be audio performed by iScript isn't the winner, nor is it the 'best' script (as all those folks whose scripts weren't selected can attest to).  It is selected by a mysterious process that even I don't fully understand (even tho I am the one who does  the 'selecting'.)

... That's weird. I mean, they don't even choose the most "creative" or "budget-friendly?" With no ruler by which to measure this thing, I don't see how they choose. Hmm...

Quoted from Zombie Sean Cue Balt. I miss that guy, though, I didn't really know him. The reading is almost here! Sean

Don't sweat it, Sean. I'll be happy to tell you your scripts suck goats balls whenever you like. In fact, I'll even rewrite your scripts and then host them on my site.  


I'm kidding of course.    

Quoted from Takeshi Don't sweat it, Sean. I'll be happy to tell you your scripts suck goats balls whenever you like. In fact, I'll even rewrite your scripts and then host them on my site.   I'm kidding of course.

That's not a bad idea! As long as I get the credit, though...  

By the way, Don, how many people have entered so far, do you know?

Sean

Mmhhmmm honey, one day left and i need to make this work. Time to get started on this short.

This came up quick! It's due tomorrow at midnight, right?

Zack's scarefest has kinda got in the way of this, I was really looking forward to my first OWC too.

When exactly is the deadline?

In my time zone it is 2pm Friday, is the deadline midnight tonight? Or is it Midnight EST? in which case I will have until 3pm (i think?) Saturday.

It's due on or before February 22nd at 11:59 pm in your respective time zone.

If it's now 2pm Friday in your time zone, you have 9 hours and 59 minutes.

That can't be fair, surely that gives the US guys an extra day to write their scripts over us folks on the other side of the dateline.

I doubt they'll be up tomorrow. Maybe in a few days. Doesn't Don have to catalogue everything?

Quoted from dogglebe All scripts should be submitted here:  http://www.simplyscripts.com/unpro_short_exercise_02_08.html within 10,080 minutes from now.

This would suggest to me that it is the same time for everyone, midnight wherever Phil is.

Last time Don put them up a few at a time over the course of a few days.  This gave everyone time to read them.

Quoted from Murphy This would suggest to me that it is the same time for everyone, midnight wherever Phil is.

Quoted from SimplyScripts.com Homepage Entries need to be submitted no later than February 22nd at 11:59 pm in your respective timezone.

Just playing messenger.

Quoted from Shelton Just playing messenger.

Yeah I know Mike, I doubt I will be able to start till tomorrow morning anyway so will wait and see then if Phil clarifies this. I still think it is a bit unfair but if those are the rules then fair enough.

The deadline is 11:59 pm on Friday  February 22nd where ever you live.  And, yes.  The folks in Hawaii have the advantage.

Don

We had this same issue before and I thought we discussed it and agreed that it was at 11:59 Eastern or Central because any other way gave people in those timezones additional hours to do the challenge.  I'd like to know quickly how we are doing this because 11:59 pm Feb 22nd is in around 8hrs for me. While some of you would have a whole entire other day to post your scripts. This is completely unacceptable since we all get notified at the same time about the topic. Do I have 8 hrs or 32 hrs?

Quoted from mcornetto We had this same issue before and I thought we discussed it and agreed that it was the 11:59 Eastern or Central because any other way gave people in those timezones additional hours to do the challenge.  I like to know quickly because 11:59 pm Feb 22nd is around 8hrs for me atm. While some of you would have a whole entire other day to post your scripts. This is completely unacceptable since we all get notified at the same time about the topic. Do I have 8 hrs or 32 hrs?

Mike, you are right.  It isn't fair.  In short, I wake up at 6:00 am est.  What is in my inbox at 6:00 am est on Saturday morning is what gets posted.  

I use 11:59 pm in your time zone as the deadline because it is usually easier for folks to understand that.  On the other hand, Mike, I'm not going to disqualify an entry from Australia because it came in at 11:59 pm Hawaii time.  If you know what I mean?     

Don, you are a good good man.

I won't believe what they say about you anymore.

Quoted from Murphy I won't believe what they say about you anymore.

Believe the stories Murphy. They are true. Don is secretly a super hero!

~Zack~

Quoted from Don Mike, you are right.  It isn't fair.  In short, I wake up at 6:00 am est.  What is in my inbox at 6:00 am est on Saturday morning is what gets posted.   I use 11:59 pm in your time zone as the deadline because it is usually easier for folks to understand that.  On the other hand, Mike, I'm not going to disqualify an entry from Australia because it came in at 11:59 pm Hawaii time.  If you know what I mean?

This is why the deadline should be 10,080 minutes from when the genre and theme are posted..  Time zones won't make a difference this way.


Phil

It's 106 miles to Chicago, we got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark and we're wearing sunglasses. Our first draft has blown out to 18 pages and counting....and there're only a few hours left until the deadline.


  
Hit it.

Try sniffing glue.  It's strong stuff.

If it's not a contest why does it matter when the deadline is as long as the scripts are in Don's inbox by the time he posts them?

The only way it would be an advantage is if you can read the other scripts before you send yours in. An extra couple hours will not make a difference but we shall see when the iscript winner is posted.

Does anyone really enter just for the iscript? I doubt it.

The spirit of this excercise is to see if you can write a particular script in a particular amount of time.  If it's okay to give yourself as much time as you need, why not change the genre or theme if that suits you>


Phil