Mark raises some good questions.

What is a pisser, really?

For me, they can be several different things.

In the past...the dark ages of SS...a pisser IMO was something written so poorly, it's actually funny.  This includes the actual technical writing, grammar, structure...everything.  It also includes redonkulous plot points, stories, characters, etc.  And to top it all off, all of this is done on purpose.

I think the "pisser" has morphed a little bit into a redonkulous comedy/parady with everything being so silly and over the top, you not only roll your eyes, but also laugh out loud at crazy visuals and situations you've never seen before.

Finally, IMO, a pisser is not to be taken seriously.  If one finds it funny, that's great.  If another doesn't, oh well.

A perfect example of a classic pisser, in movie form, is "The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra". If you haven't seen it, you owe it to yourself to take a look.  It's truly hilarious in all the classic pisser ways.

You can also read the wiki article about the movie which will answer most of your questions about what a pisser is, I think.

A pisstake is someone making fun of the OWC assignment itself. A protest. That's how they started out.

This is gonna sound stupid but...

Is there a specific place we have to upload these? I know there was for the October OWC..

Can't seem to find it this time around.. Maybe I'm being thick.

Quoted from IamGlenn This is gonna sound stupid but... Is there a specific place we have to upload these?

Errm...from post #1

Quoted from Don You have seven days to write a screenplay...and must be submitted to: SimplyScripts.Com/OWC..

(I kidd...of course....I just love an excuse to use that image, though )

Quoted from Grandma Bear A pisstake is someone making fun of the OWC assignment itself. A protest. That's how they started out.

I disagree, Pia.  Who did that?

Submitted. Joined this site quite a long time ago and haven't been around at all since really. Hope to change that, now that my life isn't so distracting, and what better way to start? Look forward to seeing what people conjure up.

Quoted from bert Errm...from post #1

As I thought, me being thick. It's been a long day.

Cheers Bert.

I'm back and entering - whoopee.  

Managed to find the time, and a passable idea appeared. Not the best, but something. However, i do agree that the urban legend idea whilst a decent option, almost felt constraining to me - somehow. Weird i know.

Inevitably i've had to face the decision that many do.

Do i enter a lesser standard script?  

Of course i do. Life's too short. The OWC is one of the best competitions around and I've got to take part.

So, in advance i ask for sensitivity. Lets be honest, we all agree the scripts are rushed but then review as if we had all the time in the world. Me included.

So may i recommend we have a 'best reviewer' award   - this may help with folk being gentler. I wish.

Now... back to work i have 24 hrs to polish this turd, so to speak  

Submitted

Quoted from Bill So, in advance i ask for sensitivity. Lets be honest, we all agree the scripts are rushed but then review as if we had all the time in the world. Me included.

People are always going to review as if the writer did in fact have all the time in the world. Some will also point out dumb typos like 'it's' when you kick yourself you didn't see it but in the rush it made the cut.  

Quoted from Sarre So may i recommend we have a 'best reviewer' award   - this may help with folk being gentler. I wish.

I sorta liked this idea when it was slated last OWC, but really - what, we need to offer an incentive to people to be kinder/offer balanced reviews? What prize do they get, a best and fairest mug? I don't think so.

The same people who were balanced before will be balanced this time around imo, and the critics who love the OWC  because it's anon and offers the perfect opportunity to be - shall we say - less than subtle in their reviews, they'll review the way they always have with great authority and sanctimoniousness - hey, I'm not immune - I'm sure I've cast an insensitive comment along the way, but I try not to. Some will also offer their unique breakdowns, grading, and star systems.  

I kinda like it that way when all is said and done. It's nothing if not entertaining. But no award. That's kinda like offering colourful lollies to misbehaving terrible-twos - at some point, all that sugar, they're going to blow anyway.

Writers reviews are never going to be pretty. Leave that to professional reviewers whose job it is to butter things over and be more diplomatic.

One good thing to come from it is a thick skin. If you can take the shit thrown at you from writers, by the time you get to work with producers, they won't be able to touch you.

I can tend to be a bit brusque myself during the OWC's...in the rush to get your ideas down across the board, some comments can seem harsh.

I really think it's a case of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" with this board though. The cumulative reviews are outstanding. Overly negative ones should just be used as inspiration and encouragement to write the very best you can.

There's the danger of sanitising things to a level where reviews are polite or even politic, instead of honest. You see that happen elsewhere....Zoetrope for instance. It's never a good thing for people who actually want genuine criticism.

Speaking of reviews - as a rookie to this site having never heard of OWC until last week - is there a standard format or approach for the reviews? Grades? Just comments?  

Dave, just review as you normally would on the boards - give your opinion primarily on 'story' whether it worked for you and if it adhered to the criteria.

Typically some OWC entries will be a bit slapdash and unpolished because they're last minute. Perhaps take that into account if you're feeling generous. You'll discover some people do take it into account and others are merciless.

A few people grade out of five, not many though. Above all have fun... if you can.  

Quoted from LC Dave, just review as you normally would on the boards - give your opinion primarily on 'story' whether it worked for you and if it adhered to the criteria. Typically some OWC entries will be a bit slapdash and unpolished because they're last minute. Perhaps take that into account if you're feeling generous. You'll discover some people do take it into account and others are merciless. A few people grade out of five, not many though. Above all have fun... if you can.

Thanks much for the tips