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I wouldn't refer to that one as one of the OWCs that got produced. Although, it was originally an OWC entry, I didn't make it until years afterwards. Not to mention it was produced and directed by a complete amateur!
I hear you, but Sundance material is usually not what comes out of OWCs. Sundance shorts are usually well funded and are really really good short films. Mostly what we get here at SS are indie filmmakers and they tend to prefer short films. Like I said earlier, MP ran exclusively 5 page script competitions for eight years, because that is a very sought after short film length. If you like longer, go for it. Personally, I prefer when the OWC is 6-12 pages. 9 as a minimum, is too high, IMO.
Also, anyone can rewrite their scripts into anything they want after the OWC is over. Rarely are the scripts ready after just the first drafts posted here.
I used Sundance as an example as it's the big one everyone goes for, but I've found (just based on my own personal experience of course) this is pretty much the average that a lot of the independent festival circuit favor. The 'magic 9 minutes' seems to be the current runtime to aim for but it fluctuates slightly from year to year and festival to festival.
Personally I think a 6-12 page OWC is great and gives a lot of scope for everyone. I do think the occasional tighter parameter challenge is nice to throw out now and again though. After all, it's supposed to be a challenge.
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Lights out is one of the best horror films I've seen in years. Genuinely creepy.
Rick, you have got to be kidding me! How many times have you seen it? If the answer is once, I recommend you watch again and see how paper thin this thing is.
The concept is creepy, but it does not a feature horror film make.
Rick, you have got to be kidding me! How many times have you seen it? If the answer is once, I recommend you watch again and see how paper think this thing is.
The concept is creepy, but it does not a feature horror film make.
I watched it once. Like I watch 99% of films.
It was creepy from scene one and continued to be throughout.
That's what a horror film should do and the vast majority don't get close. The story was thin... But that's not a massively important in a horror flick if it can creep you out.
I wish there were a lot more horror films that had the power to creep out this jaded viewer.
Well, I must say I'm really sorry that Dream is nr. It's a good story, would have made my recommend and now I don't even know what to do about it. 3 reviews is not that much and the writer shouldn't have neglected the request. 3 reviews! Man...
Well, I must say I'm really sorry that Dream is nr. It's a good story, would have made my recommend and now I don't even know what to do about it. 3 reviews is not that much and the writer shouldn't have neglected the request. 3 reviews! Man...
Good to see so many of you reading and reviewing. It's a top notch turnout for that.
In terms of the actual scripts, I'm not thrilled, sorry to say, as so many did everything possible to sidestep the actual challenge.
There are some good entries, though. There is some strong writing on display. Very few are what I would deem "terrible", and this may be the first time I'm saying that.
So, all in all, a good OWC, IMO. I really wish I could have entered. Next time...next time for sure.
Yes, kudos to you, Jeff. I didn't seem to have any issues with the parameters and just ran with it. You ruled this OWC and it was what it was. I didn't think for a moment that you would cave.
The restrictions were surprisingly challenging for this one. I think we all agree the stranger in a strange land theme with a four character limit looks good on paper but is very limiting in practice. That's the beauty of the OWC though, it forces us to dig deep and get creative. I also felt many entries sidestepped the theme, but it was still there in the interpretation and still influenced the stories.
I'm happy I came back in time to be a part of this. The entries have run the gamut, but they are almost all quality scripts given the limitations of the challenge and time. It's evident the writers here just keep getting better.
You gave us a tough nut to crack, Jeff, but it's been a terrific OWC. Great job with it!