The Scripts of the February 2015 OWC
Theme: Urban Legend
Genre: Open

Writers' Choice

The Final Piece by Ryan Lee (writing as: Grace Beaumont) - Short, Horror - A lonely old woman loves nothing more than completing her jigsaw puzzles.  But when a mysterious box arrives on her doorstep one night, her life is about to take a horrifying turn. - pdf, format

Writers' Choice Runners Up - 3

A Change of Heart by Eric Wall (writing as: Demetrius Harris) - Short, Comedy - A desperate virgin's excursion to a dive bar yields unexpected results. 8 pages - pdf, format

Bitch's Revenge by Marnie Mitchell-Lister (writing as: Julien Lowe) - Short, Drama - While a man recovers from a car accident, it becomes apparent that he may have too many bitches. - pdf, format

Turn Me On Dead Man by David Clarke Lambertson (eldave1) (writing as: Russell "Stringer" Bell) - Short, Noir - John Lennon's struggle with his role in disguising the death of a young Paul McCartney.  - pdf, format

And the rest in alphabetical order

4.0 by Sean Chipman (Mr. Blonde) (writing as: Dar Adal) - Short, Psychological, Thriller - A chronic underachiever must decide if he's willing to kill his roommate, and best friend, in order to receive a perfect Grade Point Average. - pdf, format

Angels by Rick Kinsella (Scar Tissues Films) (writing as: Squeedie Armadillo) - Short, Drama - A life changing experience leaves a City worker questioning whether Miracles exist, and whether they are a good thing, or not. - pdf, format

Apple by Chris Ray (kip) (writing as: June Stahl) - Short, Drama - When a boy learns something about the humble apple, he wonders if it could change his life for the better.   8 pages - pdf, format

Arthur the Legend by Mark Moore (Irish Eyes) (writing as: Victor Drazen) - Short - A senile old man becomes a legend among legends. - pdf, format

Bigfoot in Love by Chris Bodily (writing as: Fernando Sucre) - Short, Romantic, Comedy - Bigfoot -- 40 years old, neurotic, and still living with his parents -- goes on his first-ever (blind) date. But will it go smoothly? 9 pages - pdf, format

Brock Mclean vs The Fairfax Bunny by Steve Cooper (CoopBazinga) (writing as: Anna Del Amico) - Short, Action, Comedy - A confident swindler attempts to track down the “bunny man” that has been terrorizing a small town.  - pdf, format

Strangers Come A Knockin' Round Midnight by Janet Clarke (wonkavite) (writing as: Tyrus Kitt) - Short, Horror, Fantasy - Mary just wants a peaceful evening at home. But the neighboring kids won't leave her alone! - pdf, format

The Bunny Man Untold by Steve McDonell (stevie) (writing as: Christopher Moltisanti) - Short, Comedy - A reporter interviews a survivor of an urban legend encounter   14 pages pdf - pdf, format

Captain Hook by Richard Russell (writing as: Leonardo Leonardo) - Short, Urban Legend - Every lovers lane has its own Captain Hook.  What a way to scare someone. - pdf, format

Death Road by Glenn Doyle (writing as: Escobar Gallardo) - Short, Horror, Mystery - A year after Andrew and Stacey are involved in a car crash, they unknowingly meet again when Stacey hitches a ride.  - pdf, format

Doctor Shopping by Dustin Bowcott (writing as: Richard Matheson) - Short, Urban Fantasy - After getting caught doctor shopping, a hypochondriac finds someone willing to prescribe him everything he needs. - pdf, format

Emily by Dena McKinnon (pale yellow) (writing as: Lincolnia Lee) - Short, Horror - A child hears screaming at her window. Is it her calling?  - pdf, format

Greets From Counter-Earth by Alex Brauck (PrussianMosby) (writing as: Irina Derevko) - Short, Sci Fi - A space probe launched in 1977 named Voyager One, contrary to its original mission of reaching intelligent life far away, returns. - pdf, format

Hagridden by Henry Christner (writing as: Commodore Perry Ladeu) - Short, Drama - With his wedding day approaching, a man believes he has fallen in love with another woman -- his long-time tormentor. - pdf, format

Happy Anniversary by Steven Harvey (NI-Gunner) (writing as: Dr. Oliver Thredson) - Short, Horror - 0 - pdf, format

Hitched by Ammar Salmi (realxwriter) (writing as: Vince Masuka) - Short, Horror, Thriller - A woman tries to save a man and his daughter from a deranged man whom she dropped at their gas station without even knowing. - pdf, format

Teeth by Bill Sarre (Reef Dreamer) (writing as: Hank Scorpio) - Short, Drama - Tormented by violent noises in his head, a wounded soldier must persuade the doctors that it's caused by his teeth, before they diagnose him as insane. - pdf, format

Humans Can Lick Too by Khamanna Iskandarova (writing as: Varlyn Stroud) - Short, Horror - A girl received a chain letter telling her the way she's going to die in the next hour - pdf, format

The Phantom Barber by Mohammad Nawaz (writing as: Alex Krycek) - Short, Comedy - Filthy, insatiable, a fiend of the night -- the Phantom Barber, sometimes mistaken as Frank Sidebottom, terrorizes the town of Pascagoula, Mississippi. - pdf, format

Poetry Corner by Anthony Cawood (writing as: Don "The Matador" Everest) - Short, Horror - Four school friends dare each other to take on an urban legend and prove that there's nothing to be scared of... could there be though?  - pdf, format

Prepared by Ray (rayw) (writing as: Paul Kinsey) - Short, Horror, Action - Sergeant Smyth and Deputy Stephenson will be transporting a bus load of inmates to their final destination for crimes-- Nah. They're screwed. All of them. - pdf, format

Pushed by Darren J Seeley (writing as: Allen McQuerin III) - Short, Drama - Jealous over a new girl's popularity, a group of students harass her unaware of the repercussions over the prank that spirals out of control. - pdf, format

Roadside Attraction by Gary Howell (Hawkeye) (writing as: Dr. Marvin Candle) - Short, Mystery - A young man finds that a woman he rescues from an automobile accident is hiding a terrible secret. 8 pages - pdf, format

Saliva by Kyle Bowler (Kyle-92) (writing as: Milton Mamet) - Short, Horror - A young women finds out that she may have shared the first night in her new house with a complete stranger. - pdf, format

Strained Relations by Steve Cooper (CoopBazinga) (writing as: John Clark, Jr.) - Short, Drama, Horror - A long-suffering husband hopes to save his marriage while on an anniversary trip to Las Vegas, but is it too late? - pdf, format

The Wandering Bus by Debbie McCall (writing as: Robert Quarles) - Short - A young girl learns about the wandering bus from a stranger after she runs away from home. - pdf, format

Thanks, Don, as always.

I second that.

I much appreciate the chance to enter this.

Thanks Don for posting all in one day. And for posting period - that takes quite a bit of work I suppose.

And thanks Sean for the challenge - it was fun to research the legends and write one. I thouroughly enjoyed the topic, nice one.

Could someone explain to me the mechanics of OWC, or point me to the page that explain them? How is the winner chosen? Does the score we give the scripts have any effect? What's the date when our reviews cease to affect the contest results?

Thanks in advance.

Quoted from realxwriter Could someone explain to me the mechanics of OWC, or point me to the page that explain them? How is the winner chosen? Does the score we give the scripts have any effect? What's the date when our reviews cease to affect the contest results? Thanks in advance.

If you entered, it's common courtesy to review at least some of the entries.  Some writers review them all.  Winner is chosen from a poll emailed to the writers about a week from now.  Although, since its a challenge, not a contest, there are technically no "winners."    

Quoted from realxwriter Could someone explain to me the mechanics of OWC, or point me to the page that explain them? How is the winner chosen? Does the score we give the scripts have any effect? What's the date when our reviews cease to affect the contest results? Thanks in advance.

It is a challenge, not a contest.  There are no winners.  You can give a score if you wish.  Toward the end of the week, I'll send an email to the writers - the participants who wrote a script - asking which of those they read they liked the best.  Of those, one will be chosen as "Writer's Choice".  The Writer's Choice isn't necessarily the best script, just the one that most writers enjoyed the most.

Don

Cheers Don.  Will start adding this morn! I usually list the ones as I read them and give a brief thought so I can recall them.

I only give shortish and sweetish kind of reviews, just noting what I liked or didn't like. If anyone wants deeper feedback -lol - just PM me. I don't mention grammar errors unless there's heaps but I will jump on factual, historical or metaphysical errors (?).

Time to start with the Paul is Dead one!  Look out! Lol

Starting by reviewing your own, Stevie? That's bold. Wait, was I not supposed to reveal that?... Oh, who am I kidding? Anybody who knows you knows that's not yours. Lol. =)

I'm impressed with how much reading/reviewing is going on the first day.

I have to remind myself that I have all week.  I can overdose without realizing it -- which can cause me to be impatient and flippant, and to rush to judgment. I already can think of a couple of scripts I need to revisit.

Henry

Quoted from Mr. Blonde Starting by reviewing your own, Stevie? That's bold. Wait, was I not supposed to reveal that?... Oh, who am I kidding? Anybody who knows you knows that's not yours. Lol. =)

If you play Dear Prudence backwards while wearing cutoffs and facing North, the voice sounds like someone speaking Etruscan, an ancient Italian type language.

Apparently it says: 'Paul sleeps with the fishes'...

Quoted from stevie Apparently it says: 'Paul sleeps with the fishes'...

Not if you believe one of our beloved OWC entries... =)

Thanks for all the hard work Don and Sean... a great OWC

Weren't links going to be posted with these scripts with the source material of the urban legend? I think it might have helped with a few of the more obscure/hybrid entries.

Don't get me wrong, the story should stand alone...

Yes, a couple people have mentioned that, so far. The issue is three-fold. The first is that I didn't have a requirement (nor did I want to) to name the scripts after your urban legend. The second is that not everyone who entered PM'd me a request, so I don't have a complete list. Last is that there were several multiples which makes things a bit harder. That's not to say that I'm not trying, but it takes a bit of time. I'll certainly have them within a few days. Hopefully, by tomorrow.

As you were. Didn't mean to add any pressure.  

In the reviews I started out doing, I make mention (if not already) of what Urban Legend it represents.

Good on you DJS. I think I've made note of a couple too.

Just a shout out to anyone - I'm not in the race this time around so won't get through all of these and can't vote, but if anyone wants theirs read and reviewed, feel free to PM me.

There nothing quite like waking up the morning after the scripts have been released to discover just folk think of your script....sigh.

There's no competition(challenge ) quite like it.

Nice to take part though.

Now, back to reading. Time to get my JEFF glasses on  

Quoted from Reef Dreamer There nothing quite like waking up the morning after the scripts have been released to discover just folk think of your script....sigh. There's no competition(challenge ) quite like it. Nice to take part though. Now, back to reading. Time to get my JEFF glasses on

HUH?  What you talkin', bout Willis?  

Some scripts had their scene header in bold font. The whole format appearance didn't feel like something Final Draft will print out. What software are they using? I know you can also bold scene header in FD, but I want to know about the other one.

Quoted from Reef Dreamer There nothing quite like waking up the morning after the scripts have been released to discover just folk think of your script....sigh.

Chuckle-out-loud, yeah.
I'm kinda dumbfounded by some of the aspects provided on my submission's reviews.
I'm wondering what short they were reading.

Quoted from realxwriter Some scripts had their scene header in bold font... What software are they using? I know you can also bold scene header in FD, but I want to know about the other one.

Celtx has an option to make bold slug lines/headers.

Quoted from realxwriter Some scripts had their scene header in bold font. The whole format appearance didn't feel like something Final Draft will print out. What software are they using? I know you can also bold scene header in FD, but I want to know about the other one.

You can bold your Slugs in any screenwriting software, I would imagine.

Quoted from realxwriter Some scripts had their scene header in bold font. The whole format appearance didn't feel like something Final Draft will print out. What software are they using? I know you can also bold scene header in FD, but I want to know about the other one.

As Sly and the family Stone once said, 'Different Strokes for different folks..."
I'm none too crazy about the bold header movement but over the last few years it has grown in popularity. I myself am not a huge fan of it - but it is my understanding that it is an option when writing. Is it 'necessary'? No. But not being necessary in this case does not automatically mean it's wrong. Bold headers, as long as they have the INT/EXT. PLACE - TIME or subhead location are still headers and the least of a script's possible problems. I myself won't mention it in a review unless the writer does not have consistency (i.e. if the headers start out boldface, then are unbolded on page X and back to bold on the next and so on.) Some folks may or may not share my views on the matter.

As noted, most screenwriting programs allow you to boldface any text.

Thanks guys. I know that you can boldface them in any editor, but I was wondering about the one that does par default.

Quoted from realxwriter Thanks guys. I know that you can boldface them in any editor, but I was wondering about the one that does par default.

It shouldn't be by default, as it's not industry standard.

Quoted from realxwriter Thanks guys. I know that you can boldface them in any editor, but I was wondering about the one that does par default.

Trelby has bold scene headings from the default settings, but only when writing. Once exported to PDF they revert to normal unless the PDF settings about the scene headings are changed so that they will always be bold. I'm sure this can be done on any decent software out there.

I'm a big bold scene headings supporter, can't exactly pinpoint why, they just make a script look more appealing and break up the Courier monotony. Bit easier to keep track of scenes, too.

Quoted from RayW Chuckle-out-loud, yeah. I'm kinda dumbfounded by some of the aspects provided on my submission's reviews. I'm wondering what short they were reading.

Now, now. You don't wanna be giving feedback on feedback. It makes you look as if you are getting defensive. There is no point rejecting or even criticizing other people opinion on your work. The only people you argue with are the ones who has influence on your script. A director, a producer, an actor... etc. But other people's opinions have to be always welcomed, because there is no point arguing. It would only stop them from reviewing your other work. Nobody likes to be talked back to when he's volunteering his own time to read your stuff and write you his thoughts about it.

Treat them like drinks you found in the desert. You don't wanna picky with that, do you?

Only my humble opinion of course. I hope I didn't just open a can of worms.

I think I've finished. I don't take them in order... so I'll have a run through to make sure I didn't miss any. Quality was quite low this time around, I feel. Three or four considers.

I didn't enjoy any of the scripts in this OWC, to be perfectly honest.

The quality of the writing was almost universally high, but none of the scripts worked for me. It would be a Pass on all.

I've felt like an absolute Grinch during this OWC. Almost every review has been the same. There's only one script I came across that worked at all...and that's only because it stuck religiously to the original urban legend.

In choosing my topic, I'd already read all the legends. Reading them again,  just extended and often weakened, wasn't much fun. The challenge was a good one, but it essentially encouraged everyone to merely plagiarise already existing tales.  All the decent stuff came from the quality of the legends. All the additions failed, imho.

Quoted from Scar Tissue Films I didn't enjoy any of the scripts in this OWC, to be perfectly honest. The quality of the writing was almost universally high, but none of the scripts worked for me. It would be a Pass on all. I've felt like an absolute Grinch during this OWC. Almost every review has been the same. There's only one script I came across that worked at all...and that's only because it stuck religiously to the original urban legend. In choosing my topic, I'd already read all the legends. Reading them again,  just extended and often weakened, wasn't much fun. The challenge was a good one, but it essentially encouraged everyone to merely plagiarise already existing tales.  All the decent stuff came from the quality of the legends. All the additions failed, imho.

Whilst I agree you have been miserable   I actually I do agree in part. Having read some of the Urban Legands, when one popped up that was close to the original I felt under whelmed. Know it already etc which is a tad unfair.

But then again we're meant to be writing something new, a new angle, new twist, so something close to the original would be considered less than a new take.

I'm on a contrary thinking it's one of the strongest OWC's. I read only 9 I think. So far 2 recommends, maybe more, but two for sure and like 5 considers.

I think all 9 should be rewrote, more or less but still very strong work.

I don't even want to read any further - you guys put me to shame with your work.

You know what, I sometimes think I know who the writers are...not this time. I haven't a clue on any of them.

A few to go though.

...and I've been a grinch as well.

I agree with Rick that the quality this OWC is very low...in terms of writing and story.

I've got about 5 more to go.  I actually really liked one.  I thought one was decent to pretty good.  And another two were borderline OK.  The rest?  Very poor, IMO.

I know I've pissed some peeps off, and I apologize, as I always do.  If there's nothing to be taekn from my feedback, please, disregard completely.

All reviewed and a pretty mixed bag as you'd expect, now I can go write something!

Quoted from Dreamscale If there's nothing to be taken from my feedback, please, disregard completely.

No problemo

I'm puzzled that so many have TWO names. One on the title page, a different one with the logline.

Interesting Google results. Thanks, marnieml.

Quoted from Stumpzian I'm puzzled that so many have TWO names. One on the title page, a different one with the logline. ...

Often was the case if you came up with your own moniker Don would leave it at that.

Perhaps he decided this time around - nope you're getting the name I give you.

Change of heart was Christian Barnard who was a heart transplant doctor

Quoted from mmmarnie I feel like Don is trying to tell us something with these names. Someone please crack the code!!

I'd like to take credit, but it was not me who came up with the names.

Don

I didn't research them all, but quite a few I recognized as characters from TV shows:

Alex Krycek - The X Files
Grace Beaumont - Revolution
Robert Quarles- Justified

Mr. Blonde strikes again...

Who is Allen McQuerin III?

Guys, there are three I didn't come up with. If you want, you guys can figure out all the rest. The first one to get them all wins a Sutter Cane lunchbox. Lol. =)

I know a secret about Commodore Perry Ladeu....

And are these randomly assigned?

Some people put their own anonymous name on the script....sometimes it means something, sometimes it doesn't,

Well...not sure if I should say this, but I'm going to.

30 scripts, hopefully 30 different writers, and the script with the most reads is at 26, and many below 15.  Very sad.

I didn't enter, but did comment on all 30, whether or not I read all, some, or 1 page...I commented on every single entry, while not even participating as a writer.

Know that that means?  It means, as is usually the case, very few of the actual participants too part in reading and commenting on the scripts.

Sad, peeps, very sad...

I had the same thought.

Should an entrant be allowed to vote if he or she hasn't read each entry? No.

I took part and have only reviewed 4.
I've had a very busy week.
There's still a week left though and I plan on getting through the lot.

I didn't enter and I'm pretty sure Bert did not either, but we've both read a few.

This always happens though and it's always annoying. Just how it goes, I guess.

I've read em all, but as Glenn said, there is still a week left.

A week left? I thought we had one week. Over on Sunday. No?

Voting starts next week. You can still read and properly review, even if you know who wrote what.

And think I'm right that names arent revealed until 27th? (According to start of this sticky)

So almost a week to go...

Quoted from Dreamscale Well...not sure if I should say this, but I'm going to. 30 scripts, hopefully 30 different writers, and the script with the most reads is at 26, and many below 15.  Very sad. I didn't enter, but did comment on all 30, whether or not I read all, some, or 1 page...I commented on every single entry, while not even participating as a writer. Know that that means?  It means, as is usually the case, very few of the actual participants too part in reading and commenting on the scripts. Sad, peeps, very sad...

I think you might be confusing the # of comments with the # of reads stats. For example, "The Final Piece" had 28 comments but 591 views.  

Quoted from eldave1 I think you might be confusing the # of comments with the # of reads stats. For example, "The Final Piece" had 28 comments but 591 views.

Sorry...off by 2.  I said the max was 26...now it's 28.

Most have less than 15 comments.

I'm surprised there's another week to go, as things die down quickly after the first week...or first 5 days even.

It is what it is...

This is the part about the anomyity i dont like - entrants who dont read any of the others get away with it.

A couple of challenges ago, someone who read zero actually tied to 'win' the votes!!

One time Don put a star against scripts whose authors had reviewed bugger all so we could choose not to read that.  Something like that anyway.

Quoted from Dreamscale Sorry...off by 2.  I said the max was 26...now it's 28. Most have less than 15 comments. I'm surprised there's another week to go, as things die down quickly after the first week...or first 5 days even. It is what it is...

Not sure you got my point - there were 591 views - I assume a good portion of those were reads - maybe not

Dave, the view stat only refers to the number of times the particular thread of that script was clicked open. You could sit there for hours clicking away and get the views up to a million if you didn't go crazy lol.

Quoted from stevie Dave, the view stat only refers to the number of times the particular thread of that script was clicked open. You could sit there for hours clicking away and get the views up to a million if you didn't go crazy lol.

Take a look at this thread...at this time. at least 2000 views. Less then 100 comments.

I can almost guarantee 80% of those page views are that of the writer of that piece, checking in every two hours to see who says what on their thread. Hopefully they use that time on SS to read another script. They don't have to comment on everything, put they have read them and comment on something....but alas, every OWC has at least one odd bird in the bunch.

Quoted from DarrenJamesSeeley I can almost guarantee 80% of those page views are that of the writer of that piece, checking in every two hours to see who says what on their thread.

Perhaps that is what you do.

Mostly the internet is covered in bots. Who knows how many Google has, let alone the other search engines. Then there are email harvesters, information harvesters and content generators that steal info from here and place it on their own website.

http://www.spamlaws.com/how-internet-bots-are-used.html

Then you've got legitimate hits (of which there will be far, far fewer) that can come from anywhere.

I'd say that your 80% is way off.

Do we still have another week to read before the voting ends?

That would be great since I didn't have time to do much reviewing. I was caught up in a different kind of contest that ended only yesterday.

Yes. The writers aren't revealed until the 27th.

Quoted from Dreamscale Well...not sure if I should say this, but I'm going to. 30 scripts, hopefully 30 different writers, and the script with the most reads is at 26, and many below 15.  Very sad. I didn't enter, but did comment on all 30, whether or not I read all, some, or 1 page...I commented on every single entry, while not even participating as a writer. Know that that means?  It means, as is usually the case, very few of the actual participants too part in reading and commenting on the scripts. Sad, peeps, very sad...

yeah, usual situation.

what surprises me is the difference in reads between the scripts, whether good or bad. Some get re read others languish for no apparent reason.

i suppose it evens out if folk try and review all, or those that haven't had so much attention.

I've read and reviewed over two thirds of the scripts so far but haven't put anything up yet. I've done it this way because I plan to give them all a second read to see if my thoughts change or I can add anything. Maybe other participants are doing something similar.

Quoted from Stevie A couple of challenges ago, someone who read zero actually tied to 'win' the votes!!

I remember that son of a bitch   I came 2nd on that one pissed me off

Not to make excuses but there are those of us working 2 jobs in construction and coming home to our kids, while trying to jam in a late night read... if only I had an office job or no life

Quoted from DustinBowcot Perhaps that is what you do.

No, it isn't.
And that % was random.
And your thread is indeed botted  
nobody bots me though.  

Quoted from DarrenJamesSeeley No, it isn't.

I didn't expect you to admit it.

Quoted from DarrenJamesSeeley And that % was random.

That % was reflective of your opinion.

Quoted from DarrenJamesSeeley And your thread is indeed botted

The internet is 'botted'. Although I agree certain threads may encourage a greater degree of bot visits than others, depending on keywords utilised throughout.

Quoted from DarrenJamesSeeley nobody bots me though.

That's not what the rumours say.

Think I've read 10, ATM.  Maybe 11/12.  I'll get to the rest this week at some point, probably won't vote on anything though as it's unfair if I haven't read them all.

Quoted from Leegion Think I've read 10, ATM.  Maybe 11/12.  I'll get to the rest this week at some point, probably won't vote on anything though as it's unfair if I haven't read them all.

Everyone who can, should vote. Yes, only vote on those you read. But that's fine.

You are not voting for the winner, you vote on the standard of what you read. The winner is the collective of the votes, so all help.

Now, get reading.

Quoted from Reef Dreamer Everyone who can, should vote. Yes, only vote on those you read. But that's fine. You are not voting for the winner, you vote on the standard of what you read. The winner is the collective of the votes, so all help.

I have a different opinion. You should vote only if you've read them all.

I defer to Don, though.

Quoted from Stumpzian I have a different opinion. You should vote only if you've read them all.

Right on, bro...right on!!!

Even a one sentence review to say whether you liked it or not is OK. It doesn't take long to read ten pages. Thirty minutes a day and you could read through every script. Even one word would be fine, IMO. Pass, Consider or Recommend. If you get more then take it for whatever you think it is worth.

For 30 entries there should be 30 reads. I think we're at just over 2/3 which is pretty good, but we should be hitting 90% with some genuinely not having the time to do it (on their deathbeds, or something).

Quoted from Stumpzian I have a different opinion. You should vote only if you've read them all.

I'd also like to say I noticed a lot, and I mean a lot of people reading two paragraphs and then literally writing they couldn't finish the script, and then consequently writing in this very thread as their final consensus -- "Yeah, I've read every script"

But really, they haven't, and the ones who tend to do the whole 'read 1 paragraph, said it's bad' routine especially, barely even finish 50% of the entries. That is no where near reading every script. Not calling names here, but it is what it is. I think the previous OWC was the only OWC in around two years where I couldn't finish every entry because of time constraints, and being honest here, the writing really isn't on that bad a level to quit before readers even finish the first page.

Quoted from nawazm11 I'd also like to say I noticed a lot, and I mean a lot of people reading two paragraphs and then literally writing they couldn't finish the script, and then consequently writing in this very thread as their final consensus -- "Yeah, I've read every script"

I think it's safe to say if they couldn't make it past page 1, or 3 or whatever, they wouldn't have voted for that one anyway. So they read enough to form their own opinion on it.

Quoted from DustinBowcot That's not what the rumours say.

I should know...I started them...

Quoted from mmmarnie I think it's safe to say if they couldn't make it past page 1, or 3 or whatever, they wouldn't have voted for that one anyway. So they read enough to form their own opinion on it.

Exactly.  Well put, Marnie.

And this is actually the key here...

We have peeps saying they're going to only read 10-15 scripts but they're going to give indepth analysis...and then...well...look at most of the feedback and you tell me how indepth it is.

The majority of reviews state the exact same thing over and over - decent writing, decnet formatting, a few errors here and there, but it's an OWC, so who cares?

Does this actually help anyone?  Seriously...does it?  Does it help when the majority say it's "pretty well written", when in reality, that's so far from the truth?  Should writers think they're writing well, when they're really not?  If they do, what are they going to do? They're going to keep writing the same way and expect peeps to love what they're doing.  Really?

Obviously, I don't think so, and I'll continue to give feedback that's based on exactly what I read.  And if I stop on the 2nd or 3rd passage because literally everything that preceded it was incorrect, and I give the exact reasons why...is that bad or meaningless feedback?  If I read through Page 1...2...4...or the whole damn thing, and I state exactly what's wrong...or exaclty what I think is wrong, does that make me a "bad reviewer"?  

No...actually, it's potentially the best feedback you'll ever get and if you take that to heart, and see the error of your ways, with alot of work and effort, you're going to be a much better writer, and there's really no way around that.

And with that being said...

I give you my TOP 3 ENTRIES in this OWC...

...and, these are in order of #1, 2, and 3...

1)  Bitch's Revenge - IMO, easily the standout effort here, by quite a margin.

2)  A Change of Heart - Well written, with great dialogue, good humor, and a nice twist on the UL.

3)  Final Piece - A great example of less being more, with simple, laid back, assured writing that packs a punch and takes no prisoners.  

Quoted from mmmarnie I think it's safe to say if they couldn't make it past page 1, or 3 or whatever, they wouldn't have voted for that one anyway. So they read enough to form their own opinion on it.

That's fine and valid, but I was making a point that it feels wrong to say "I've read every entry" or "Only people who've read every entry should vote" when they've read two paragraphs of one script and dismissed it. That's far from reading every entry, and their vote is barely any different to somebody who has read half the entries in full. It takes a minute to write a comment about how bad the first paragraph is and doing it 20 times doesn't mean you've read every entry, and it definitely does not mean that nobody else should vote since they didn't do the same thing. Again, not picking out particular people but that just doesn't sit right with me.

I read as far as I can, and will look over (what I consider to be) bad writing. I have dodged out early with one or two entries but I've gotten a lot further than one or two paragraphs. I've given what I consider a more than fair chance. I think both stories were of the absurd type. I also skip-read some, particularly the dialogue... which actually helps me get through the story.

I really don't even need this many reads on mine. I already have enough reviews to help me with the rewrite.

I read a little more than a third. Some I started and haven't finished (not because they are bad - I may do it for various reasons) but I don't comment on something I didn't finish.  

I would add this as a matter of framework. The extent and depth of reviews is dependent on the expertise and the values of the reviewer.

In terms of expertise - there are objective items (typos, punctuation errors, etc.) that even as a rookie in this field I am comfortable commenting on - so I will comment when I see them. There are other objective areas (Slugs, Orphans, Intercuts, etc.) that I will not generally comment on because I really don't know what I'm talking about in the first place (i.e., still learning) and, as such, I am fairly uncomfortable in providing feedback in those areas. I am guessing that I am not completely alone on this.

In terms of values - I will speculate that, even among the experts, there are differing opinions on the weight that some of these objective criteria carry over the more subjective areas (e.g., dialogue, conflict, theme, etc.). In other words, an expert in this area may feel that it is appropriate to focus their critique in the more subjective areas (story, dialogue, etc.) than on the mechanics of screenwriting. This can result in shorter reviews. If someone subjectively feels that the premise of a story is tired or unoriginal - what more than stating that does the reviewer need to say in order to constitute an acceptable review?

Anyway, I have read all the scripts in their entirety. That being said, it doesn't violate my sensibilities that someone would read 3 pages of a script and want to bail out. That is somewhat a review in and of itself - i.e., I read one third of your script and there wasn't enough there to entice me to go on.

Anyway - my ramblings for the morning.

      

Quoted from Stumpzian I have a different opinion. You should vote only if you've read them all. I defer to Don, though.

Ideally , yes. I don't think I have ever not read all the scripts in an OWC if I took part.

BUT... I do understand that life can get in the way and that within reason some find it hard to get to all scripts in the time allowed. And they never have been asked to do so.

Better they read some, than none at all.

One OWC I think we have 45+ scripts, that adds up.

If Don does his normal pass, consider, recommend method, then any votes will add to the averages, so even if you haven't read them all, you would still give the vote more credibility by voting on those you have read.

I would also like the voting to include a 'this is my script' button to enforce we only vote on others. Best be clear.

This OWC was an interesting bunch. In some ways the criteria appeared good for ideas, in other ways it was limiting.

I can think of 2/3 scripts that have sound concepts but weren't the best delivered. I will probably vote for them higher than others as IMO the OWC is more about promising concepts, than polished work.

Got a couple more to do, I think.

Reading all of the scripts has never been a requirement for anyone.  That's a huge ask.

But if you submit and then read ZERO scripts, you are a scumbag leech.  No excuses.

If you follow the boards closely enough to be aware of the contest and submit a script correctly, then you are also aware of the honor system at play -- and have elected to ignore it.

If I find I have posted a review on a "zero reader", I go back and delete my review.  (Unless I totally slammed the script, of course , then I might leave it) I encourage others to do the same.

Don is more forgiving of those folks, but I would flat-out disallow them from future OWCs -- one of those rare instances where he and I agree to disagree.

Yes, I agree with Reef. Don wants all participants to vote. You can choose "haven't read" if that's the case. Since I believe he doesn't want to disqualify any user for not commenting on all of them (which I think is right), it's the best choice to vote even if you've read 5, 10 or 20 scripts only. It builds a better average than staying away without knowing if some won't.

Trusting in an unwritten law, and stay away, is the other pattern though.

But, wouldn't those lazy ones be selfish again and vote because they read three scripts, and then give one of them a recommend?

The average is better if everyone votes imo.

Since Don gives us the "haven't read"- box, I think everyone who took part and read should consider or recommend those she/he liked.


On another note, I disagree with some who stated this challenge lacks in quality. It's the opposite imo. It's very positive that the lower third of the scripts is much better than it was usually imo. The gap narrowed a lot here for my taste.


@ Well done mods and hosts, and Don of course. Thanks for your commitment

It's been a little crazy in my neck of the woods, so I decided to stop and vote for what I did get to read. Just in case life keeps throwing me a wrench.

I hope to eventually read/review the scripts I missed. For me, most of the entries I read were surprisingly good, but a few fell flat.

I'm glad not everything was horror (And I love horror!) or one genre, so that opened up the possibilities. This was good for me because I had just written an urban legend-based horror feature script, and so I decided to do a 180.

Good luck to everybody.

My 3 faves were:

Roadside Attraction (fave)
Change of Heart
Final Piece

I tried to guess who wrote what but I have no freakin clue.

My picks are:

Apple (absolutely the best)
A Change of Heart
Doctor Shopping

I read only 13. And the 13th was after I submitted my vote otherwise it would be another recommend.

Really great job this OWC.

Don't remember how many I've read. Not many. Maybe six or seven. A couple I elected not to comment on, but the others I felt were really good for OWCs scripts. They can be a bit of a mess sometimes.