Here is who wrote what in the Feb 2010 OWC.


The Dark by Steve McDonell (stevie) - Short, Fantasy - A mysterious warning drives a man to the brink of insanity... - pdf, format 8)

Issues by P. Cook (me) - Short, Drama, Horror - Longing for love, can make you do bad things. - pdf, format 8)

Sanitarium by Cindy L. Keller - Short, Horror - An orderly tries to make life bearable to a young girl who is lost in Hell. - pdf, format 8)

Revenge by Gary Rademan (grademan) - Short, Thriller - A man mourns the death and rape of his sister. His uncle’s revenge leads to their capture by the killers. - pdf, format 8)

Shamrock by Seth Hamilton - Short, Psychological Thriller - A Priest, having killed, struggles with whether or not to take his own life. - pdf, format 8)

Obsessions by P. Cook (me) - Short, Drama, Horror - Two people with obsessive love for someone end up together. - pdf, format 8)

A Night To Remember by Javier Torregrosa (jayrex) - Short, Dark, Thriller, Horror - Tyler awakes to find he doesn't know who he is, and all he has to go on are the clues left behind to help him retrace his whereabouts. - pdf, format 8)

The Light by Michel J. Duthin (michel) - Short, Fantasy - In a (near?) dark future, the last family in the country waits for the light to come... - pdf, format 8)

The Faceless by Richard Kinsella (decadencefilms(a)37.com) - Short, Supernatural Thriller - There is nothing to fear, but fear itself... - pdf, format 8)

Monster in the Dark by Zack Akers (splatter boy) - Short, Thriller - Disturbed cop Jack Morton is followed home by a dark secret. - pdf, format 8)


Sisyphus Imagined by Anthony Russo (ajrscreenworks) - Short, Fantasy - A re-telling of the myth of Sisyphus, who does battle with Zeus and Hades. - pdf, format 8)

Shoot from the Hip by Andrew Allen - Short, Horror, Supernatural - As Nick faces a life-changing decision, a battle of wits for his future rages. - pdf, format 8)

The Killing Gene by Tim Ratcliffe (trojan) - Short, Supernatural Thriller - A man has his beliefs put to the test when he is confronted with an offer he simply can't refuse. - pdf, format 8)

The Dark Place by T. Joseph Fraser (blakkwolfe) - Short, Science Fiction - Surrounded by darkness, A young man struggles between compassion and commitment. - pdf, format 8)

Three Strikes, You're Out by Jeff Bush (Dreamscale) - Short, Horror - First comes the love, then comes the marriage, then comes...the infidelity...and bad shit. - pdf, format 8)

The Room of Doors by Paul J. Gitschner - Short, Supernatural Thriller - A woman wakes up somewhere strange and tries to make sense of it all.  - pdf, format 8)

Are You Afraid of the Dark? by Ronald Simpson - Short, Supernatural Thriller - A dark supernatural thriller that digs deep into the philosophical minds of sophisticated people, and really makes you wonder what really hides in the depths of the shadows of darkness. - pdf, format 8)

Eyes in the Dark by Zach Shearer (Zach.scripts) - Short, Horror - A man comes to terms with his lack of humanity. - pdf, format 8)

Dragan's Apparatus by Martin B. - Short, Horror - A professor must foil a desperate man who holds him captive for a non-existent formula. - pdf, format 8)

The Environmentalist by James Williams (jwent6688) - Short, Horror - A young girl alone in her parent's plush ski retreat gets a visit from a malevolent stranger. - pdf, format 8)

Marooned by Mark-Curtis Dunn (currentcmine) - Short, Science Fiction - Two space deputies put off on Ganymede to save shuttle fuel discover a hermit scientist in residence. - pdf, format 8)

Auto-da-fe by William Pearce - Short, Horror - {no logline} - pdf, format 8)

It Gazes Back by Jon Barton (jonnyboy) - Short - A writer struggles with a dangerous obsession. Remember, He's always watching... - pdf, format 8)

Cul-de-sac by Ezekeil Obregon - Short - {no logline} - fdr, format 8)

Stranded by Herman Chow (coding) - Short, Science Fiction - Two survivors stranded on a spaceship need to find whatever ways to survive.-9 pages - pdf, format 8)

One For The Road by Cameron Mitchell (cam17) - Short - Four people in an isolated Nebraska diner encounter a stranger with a horrifying secret. - pdf, format 8)

The Ass Spider by Greg Baldwin - Short, Science Fiction, Thriller - The saying "I've got butterflies in my stomach" takes on a whole new meaning. - pdf, format 8)

Interesting.

I think if I had to pick one favorite, it would be Obsessions.  Should have known that was Pia's; the peeper in it is the first cousin of the peeper from Be My Valentine  8)

Okay, Trojan, fess up - was your protagonist dreaming Edgar or not?

And of course Cam17 wrote "One For the Road". On the heels of the brilliantly funny "Santa's Sleigh Ride Saga"...

Damn!  I should have known...Cam wins again?  Dude, you obviously rock!!  Great job everyone!

Jeff, you reviewed your own script?

You're weird, dude...

Quoted from ajr Jeff, you reviewed your own script? You're weird, dude...

He's weird ;-) but reviewing your own script is a traditional sort of OWC thing.

Nice - I'll know for next time to give myself a good panning...

That'll fix me!

Of course I did. If I didn't, it would be a dead give away.  Everyone reviews their own scripts, don't they?  At least most...

Quoted from mcornetto ...reviewing your own script is a traditional sort of OWC thing.

Well, for those who read all (or most) reviewing your own script preserves anonymity.

If you review every script but one, then it is easy to narrow down which script is yours.

If you only review 2 or 3 scripts -- and one of them is your own -- yeah, that is kind of weird.

Not me - I read every single * with the exception of my own, and unfortunately screenrider's, because I couldn't read his font.

I just assumed everyone else was a little too busy to do the whole process of elimination thing on 30 scripts...

Ok guys.  Almost time to announce the selectees.  

Since there is a bit of paperwork to do on this before we come up with a final list and it's going to take a couple of days to get the paperwork done, I figured I would give you all something to ponder.  

The short list.

This is a list of scripts that were in the running and were voted on at least once by one of the panel of four judges (who were Bert, Mike Shelton, George Willson and myself).  

A Night to Remember
Ass Spider
Eyes in the Dark
Issues
It Gazes Back
Monster in the Dark
Nefarious
Obsessions
One for the Road
Sanitarium
Shoot From the Hip
Sisyphus
The Dark
The Environmentalist
The Faceless
The Killing Gene
Three Strikes...

Talk amongst yourselves.

Well I'll leave room for two wild cards (plus me, fingers crossed) and say that my 3 favorites were One For The Road, Shoot From the Hip and Sanitarium...

Quoted from mcornetto This is a list of scripts that were in the running and were voted on at least once by one of the panel of four judges (who were Bert, Mike Shelton, George Willson and myself).   A Night to Remember Ass Spider Eyes in the Dark Issues It Gazes Back Monster in the Dark Nefarious Obsessions One for the Road Sanitarium Shoot From the Hip Sisyphus The Dark The Environmentalist The Faceless The Killing Gene Three Strikes...

A lot of quality scripts there.  We are quite proud of the talent on this board.

And it was a tough choice -- tougher than you might think -- with no names attached to the scripts, so personal bias played no role in our debates.

Also, note that none of the judges submitted a script -- also to avoid bias.

One last thing:  How well the script lends itself to machinima -- adhering to Cornetto's directions -- will also play a significant role in the scripts that are ultimately selected.

No whining allowed if you did not play by the rules.

It doesn't look like the 3 judges (other than Cornie, who didn't review any scripts) commented on all of these on the short list.

Are we to assume that they did read them all?

IMO, there is 1 easy winner...One for the Road.

BTW, I used a rating system that consisted of a low of 5 X's, to a high of 5 Stars.

Only 7 scripts received at least 1 Star, and only 1 script received above 2 Stars.

One for the Road received 5 Stars from me, and just came across as a really well written, solidly told 12 page horror script.

Quoted from Dreamscale Are we to assume that they did read them all?

Yes.

I read all the member scripts -- but got pressed for time, and had to stop dropping reviews.  I'll try to get back to that.

I read a couple of the non-star scripts that the judges brought up -- so as to be informed -- but I have no intention of spending my time composing a review for those.

Two surprises for me: I thought Rob wrote 'One for The Road'! It had that feel about, based on his features.
I was wrong, so nice effort, Cam!
Also the Sisyphus? That read like something Sandra would dream up! But ajr did it! Ok, I didn't get into it but it was still well done!

I read nearly all of the scripts - but couldn't open any of screenrider's.

I read every script, but didn't leave any reviews because I wanted to make sure I read them all.

If I left a review for every single script I read, I probably would have only gotten through about half of them, and I wanted to make sure that each script got an equal shot.

Quoted from stevie Also the Sisyphus? That read like something Sandra would dream up! But ajr did it! Ok, I didn't get into it but it was still well done!

Yeah, someone actually went so far as to say in their review "I'm sure the author thought she was doing" something or other.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going handbag shopping...

Of those, personally I would discount:

Ass Spider
The Dark
Sisyphus.

Not because of the respective merits of the scripts, just because two were comedies and the third (sorry ajr!) didn't strike me as dark...

I've said before that Eyes in the Dark was the one that struck me as the most apt for adaptation, but it needs work.

I think the Killing Gene is another banker.

I'd like to see one of Pia's made. Issues is the more complete story. Obsessions the more visually interesting to make.

Obviously, I consider my own to be top notch and think it's a story that's really going to go places...:)

Sanitarium was a lot of fun.....

A lot depends on what kind of spread you are going for. Whether you want 6 very different stories, or just ones you like. ...

Quoted from Scar Tissue Films Of those, personally I would discount: Ass Spider The Dark Sisyphus. Not because of the respective merits of the scripts, just because two were comedies and the third (sorry ajr!) didn't strike me as dark...

Umm, you do know that almost the entire script takes place in HELL, right?

;D

Quoted from ajr Umm, you do know that almost the entire script takes place in HELL, right? ;D

Yeah, but it just struck me as more epic and mythological than "dark". Just me, I don't make the rules...

Do you reckon they could pull it off on moviestorm anyway with the existing character models? :P

I haven't read all of the scripts, but from the list the two I would definitely include are One for the Road (damn Cam is good!) and Issues.

As for the other four? Well, I agree it depends what Michael is looking for, and of course it has to be something that could be reproduced in Moviestorm. Of course, I'd love to see my own 'It Gazes Back' included...hell, if I don't keep it in people's minds, who will? :)

I'm just kidding -

Seriously, as far as it being filmable. I'll leave that up to the moderators. I'll say again what I said in the thread leading up to the OWC - that although I may not have adhered to the props, I thought I had an idea that fit the contest pretty well, and I thank Don, Mike, Bert and George for squeezing a script out of me that I didn't know I had in me.

Quoted from JonnyBoy I haven't read all of the scripts, but from the list the two I would definitely include are One for the Road (damn Cam is good!) and Issues. As for the other four? Well, I agree it depends what Michael is looking for, and of course it has to be something that could be reproduced in Moviestorm. Of course, I'd love to see my own 'It Gazes Back' included...hell, if I don't keep it in people's minds, who will? :)

I liked yours a lot. Great atmosphere. I agree it would make a nce little film...

Quoted from ajr I'm just kidding - Seriously, as far as it being filmable. I'll leave that up to the moderators. I'll say again what I said in the thread leading up to the OWC - that although I may not have adhered to the props, I thought I had an idea that fit the contest pretty well, and I thank Don, Mike, Bert and George for squeezing a script out of me that I didn't know I had in me.

It's definitely an interesting approach and would add a different dimension to proceedings. Looks a stretch to me from what I've seen of Moviestorm though...maybe Michael fancies a challenge...  ;D

Quoted from mcornetto Ok guys.  Almost time to announce the selectees.   Since there is a bit of paperwork to do on this before we come up with a final list and it's going to take a couple of days to get the paperwork done, I figured I would give you all something to ponder.   The short list. This is a list of scripts that were in the running and were voted on at least once by one of the panel of four judges (who were Bert, Mike Shelton, George Willson and myself).   A Night to Remember Ass Spider Eyes in the Dark Issues It Gazes Back Monster in the Dark Nefarious Obsessions One for the Road Sanitarium Shoot From the Hip Sisyphus The Dark The Environmentalist The Faceless The Killing Gene Three Strikes... Talk amongst yourselves.

After the reviews I was getting I kinda like threw in the towel.  I'm surprised to even get a mention.  I couldn't possible cast a vote as I need to read more scripts but good luck to the winner!

Quoted from Scar Tissue Films Of those, personally I would discount: Ass Spider The Dark Sisyphus. Not because of the respective merits of the scripts, just because two were comedies and the third (sorry ajr!) didn't strike me as dark...

I must defend my little arachnid.  

I mentioned this in the script's thread and I'll mention it here; Ass Spider isn't a comedy nor is it intended to be a "joke script".  It's got a dark sci-fi theme which was lightened up by the exchanges between the two characters which came off as maybe a little more humorous than a dark script would need to be.

It's got problems, sure, but for this particular exercise I don't think it should be discounted because it happened to be a little humorous.  It was written with the Moviestorm target audience in mind, which Don mentioned on the first post consists of a good amount of gamers.  My thoughts were, hey, bugs coming out butts, gamers might dig it and it would be different.

But I'm appreciative either way that at least one person liked it enough to vote for it.  Among the list, I'd plug for Obsessions, the Killing Gene, and It Gazes Back.

Quoted from greg I must defend my little arachnid.   I mentioned this in the script's thread and I'll mention it here; Ass Spider isn't a comedy nor is it intended to be a "joke script".  It's got a dark sci-fi theme which was lightened up by the exchanges between the two characters which came off as maybe a little more humorous than a dark script would need to be. It's got problems, sure, but for this particular exercise I don't think it should be discounted because it happened to be a little humorous.  It was written with the Moviestorm target audience in mind, which Don mentioned on the first post consists of a good amount of gamers.  My thoughts were, hey, bugs coming out butts, gamers might dig it and it would be different. But I'm appreciative either way that at least one person liked it enough to vote for it.  Among the list, I'd plug for Obsessions, the Killing Gene, and It Gazes Back.

Sorry Greg,

I've made the decision. It's gone...


Only joking. ;D

I liked it, I said that on the thread. I actually think it's got some potential as a feature; I'd watch it, definitely. Be perfect for after a hard days work.

That being said, it's surely a little light-hearted for " The Dark"...but we'll see.

Develop it as a feature, not as a 30 pager. Because of the subject matter you could do it really cheap. Even crappy (pun intended) looking spiders wouldn't ruin it. ;)

Quoted from greg But I'm appreciative either way that at least one person liked it enough to vote for it.

Yes...my burden to bear, I'm afraid -- using logic that was similar to your own -- if you can call it logic.

Cornetto has already told me that I never get to judge anything again.

Thanks, Greg.

Quoted from Scar Tissue Films That being said, it's surely a little light-hearted for " The Dark"...but we'll see.

I know, I know.  And for that particular subject, any humor can be construed as potty humor, which is like a double whammy on it  8)

Quoted from bert Thanks, Greg.

Sorry, Bert.  It made sense to me, too, which is probably why everyone now thinks I'm senseless ha-ha.

From Greek myths to butt insects - you're an odd duck there, Bert...

(o:

Quoted from screenrider Perhaps Bert needs to lay off the bubbly?   A prime candidate for Alcoholics Anonymous.

Yeah, coming from the person who wrote 3 scripts in heiroglyphics...

;D

Quoted from ajr From Greek myths to butt insects - you're an odd duck there, Bert...

How about a Greek myth about butt insects?  

It could work!

Quoted from greg How about a Greek myth about butt insects?   It could work!

SPHINCTERPHUS!

One for the Road
Obsessions
Issues
Three Strikes
The Killing Gene
Nefarious

Quoted from greg How about a Greek myth about butt insects?   It could work!

Greg, I'd appreciate if you wouldn't give away the theme to future One Week Challenges...

ktxbai

I'm really really pleased that both of my scripts have been mentioned as favorites by some!

I think this OWC had some really strong stories and I don't recall reading any I thought were complete crap. IMO, there were some that were interesting and creative, but maybe not executed as well as they could have been. Other scripts were written well, but had a duller story. Over all, I enjoyed pretty much all of them.

Now when I know who wrote what, my biggest surprise was Cindy! Great work Cindy!!! I don't remember you writing that visually strange before. It was great! Good for you!  :)

Quoted from ajr Okay, Trojan, fess up - was your protagonist dreaming Edgar or not?

Seems there was a bit of confusion amongst some people on this one. I'll make a post in my thread and clear up what was actually happening and what my intentions were.

As for my favourites, I liked Obsessions, One for the Road, Nefarious and Sisyphus Imagined.

The paperwork is under way.  While we wait for the ink to dry I figured I'd start saying which scripts got dropped off the the short list because of production limitations.   This means that some critical action or description could not be performed with Moviestorm or I didn't think there was a convincing enough way to fake it using the program.  

Four were dropped off the list for this reason.   I'll tell you the first now and the rest later.  

Obsessions was dropped off the list because of production limitations.

I thought I could maybe possibly pull off the peep holes but I was certain I could not pull off the bathtub scene.  The bathtub scene was critical.  

More later

Damn!  That was my 2nd favorite.  Oh well, you can only do what you can do within the medium itself.

;D

Quoted from Grandma Bear Now when I know who wrote what, my biggest surprise was Cindy! Great work Cindy!!! I don't remember you writing that visually strange before. It was great! Good for you!  :)

LOL Thanks Pia. ;D I think.  ;D They say writers write what they know, right? Boy, am I ever in trouble. LOL

It was a lot of fun though.

My vote goes to One for the Road and Issues.

Next off the list because of production limitations was...

Ass Spider

While I could have come up with a dead bug, much of the first two critical scenes were beyond my capabilities to pull off believably.  

MC,

You should do a countdown like this all the way through...it would be tremendously exciting.

Quoted from Scar Tissue Films MC, You should do a countdown like this all the way through...it would be tremendously exciting.

In that case I guess I could tell you that one of these three

The Faceless
The Killing Gene
Three Strikes...

was removed from the list because of production limitations.   I'll let you know which one it was - soon...

Ha  Ha. Good call.

At this point I feel compelled to point out that I deliberately made the Faceless interchangeable with your favourite "horror" head. I thought the blue alien one myself....

Or you could go with a black face and just the eyes. :)

Damn, the tension is killing me!!!!!!!

And the answer is

Three Strikes...

was removed from the short list because of production limitations.

While this was a well written revenge story, any missing limbs from a character is a production limitation even if those limbs are cleverly gotten rid of - unless the character is lifeless and dead.  The scene with the limbs disappearing was considered too critical to replace.  

One more coming...later.  

Which one do you think it is?

Damn!!!!

Quoted from Dreamscale Damn!!!!

Ha Ha. That was great.

Making us wait over an hour...after we wrote you all those scripts as well. :P

Ok. It's lunch time here so I figured I'd give you all a hint.  One of these four scripts was removed from the short list because of production limitations.

One for the Road
Sanitarium
Shoot From the Hip
Sisyphus

Back in a few.

I'm backing a shock twist here - One for the Road will be dropped because Machimina.com rules state that no film on its network can be set in Nebraska! Something to do with the site's founder, three bottles of vodka and an illegitimate love-child...

Or not.

I'd be guessing at Sisyphus. That would be demanding in almost any medium.

Poor Ajr.

Great OWC guys. I'm disappointed that I wasn't able to read as many scripts as I would have liked, but work's been hell lately. I hope to read some more of them this week.

~Zack~

Quoted from mcornetto Ok. It's lunch time here so I figured I'd give you all a hint.  One of these four scripts was removed from the short list because of production limitations. One for the Road Sanitarium Shoot From the Hip Sisyphus Back in a few.

Hmm, so my script is up against my three favorites from the competition...

It's a special kind of hell, this OWC Idol, isn't it?

AJR

I'd guess Sanitarium.  That one had some pretty detailed imagery that may be too complex to animate(i.e. the faceless clocks).

Quoted from greg I'd guess Sanitarium.  That one had some pretty detailed imagery that may be too complex to animate(i.e. the faceless clocks).

That was a good guess.  But the real issue was when the production limitation was critical to the story.  It was ok to have them if they could be replaced without hurting things.  

So the dubious honour of the last removal from the short list because of production limitations goes to

Sisyphus

Who's very powerful ending depends on children being present.  There was also the issue of inclines which aren't quite worked out yet in Moviestorm though there are promises that they should be soon.  Finally, though personally I really liked this script and thought it was intelligently done, I really didn't think this was appropriate for the expected audience.

And so the new short list looks like this


A Night to Remember
Eyes in the Dark
Issues
It Gazes Back
Monster in the Dark
Nefarious
One for the Road
Sanitarium
Shoot From the Hip
The Dark
The Environmentalist
The Faceless
The Killing Gene

Which script is coming off there next?

Maybe he could bounce the boulder then?

Seriously though, I knew from the beginning this would have limitations in filming. I'm stubborn though, and somewhere in my twisted mind I thought Twilight Zone meets Greek myth would be a good idea...

Thanks to all who read it, and thanks Mcornetto for the kind words.

AJR

Ok.  Instead of telling you one of the ones that has been dropped from the list.  I'll tell you one of the scripts that has been selected.   How's that sound?

Quoted from mcornetto Ok.  Instead of telling you one of the ones that has been dropped from the list.  I'll tell you one of the scripts that has been selected.   How's that sound?

I thought "Mike Shelton is a Tampon" was removed from consideration.

Just spit it out dude/dudette!

I'll bite.... "One For The Road". Jeff will burn down this mo-fo if it doesn't make it.

Yup. "One For the Road" is the Carrie Underwood of OWC Idol...

Quoted from Grandma Bear Just spit it out dude/dudette!

:)) Can't post there.

I'm laughing.

Quoted from Shelton I thought "Mike Shelton is a Tampon" was removed from consideration.

I think it was entered at the beginning of the cycle and then got pulled.

Quoted from Breanne Mattson I think it was entered at the beginning of the cycle and then got pulled.

It was a late entry, so no strings attached.

Quoted from stevie Two surprises for me: I thought Rob wrote 'One for The Road'! It had that feel about, based on his features. I was wrong, so nice effort, Cam! Also the Sisyphus? That read like something Sandra would dream up! But ajr did it! Ok, I didn't get into it but it was still well done! I read nearly all of the scripts - but couldn't open any of screenrider's.

I will read Sisyphus to join connection with another Nephresh like myself. I mean, Moira.

Going gently with the reads right now, but I plan to slide around in this OWC for awhile to come even after it's died down on the boards. I tend to find nuggets that I personally enjoy when I least expect them. That's when I enjoy them the most.

Sandra

Ok. then the first selectee is...

The Environmentalist by James Williams (jwent668 - Short, Horror - A young girl alone in her parent's plush ski retreat gets a visit from a malevolent stranger. - pdf, format

While the character of the girl was much too young for Moviestorm, it was decided that it would not hurt the story if she was aged a couple of years to around 17.   It should make for an excellent episode.

Quoted from mcornetto Ok. then the first selectee is... The Environmentalist by James Williams (jwent668 - Short, Horror - A young girl alone in her parent's plush ski retreat gets a visit from a malevolent stranger. - pdf, format While the character of the girl was much too young for Moviestorm, it was decided that it would not hurt the story if she was aged a couple of years to around 17.   It should make for an excellent episode.

If the ski resort is from FADE TO WHITE, it's all good.

Sandra

HaHa...it is...so is the "plush ski retreat".

Good job, James! Congrats.

Thanks Jeff, if you have any qualms about it I can change the names and location to another ski area. was just paying homage to "Fade". One of the few unproduced features I've read on here because I read like a snail.

Hope to help Michael turn this into something worth while...

Looking forward to it.

I'll announce another selectee in about an hour.

Nice going, James.  As I said in my review, I look forward to that final shot of the nature freak sticking his head through the wall like Nicholson in The Shining.

The next selectee is a dark script...

Oh! You guys already knew that.

So, I guess I'll just tell you.

It Gazes Back by Jon Barton (jonnyboy) - Short - A writer struggles with a dangerous obsession. Remember, He's always watching...

I really like the imagery of this one and I dig shadowy creatures.  Jon paid close attention to the requirements because there's not a lot of changes needed here.  I think this will make a great episode.

    

I'd like to thank the Academy, my family, my fans...

Seriously though, I'm surprised and delighted. Thanks, Michael! This was a really great idea for an OWC with an exciting opportunity at the end of it. I thoroughly enjoyed writing my script and was impressed with the standard of the entries.

And to those of you who weren't convinced by my script: hopefully, in Michael's hands, the end result will prove you wrong... :)

Congratulations to Jonny and James, you lucky devils!

A fitting, suspenseful end to what has been a really great OWC.

Best of luck to all still hoping to be included (me included!).

Andrew

Quoted from JonnyBoy hopefully, in Michael's hands, the end result will prove you wrong... :)

What'dya mean hopefully?!

Anyway, I'm not going to announce any more selectees tonight so you'll have to wait at least 12 hours before you get the next one.

Right now I'm getting ready to make these.  I just purchased the Moviestorm packs that I didn't have and I am currently downloading them.  I'm pretty excited to have all these new things to play with.

Congrats, Jon - IGB was definitely in MY top 6!

And congrats to you, James - I do recall saying that I LOVED the ending to your script, so I will enjoy seeing it made.

AJR

Congratulations boys.

Just 4 more places to fill....

Congrats Jonny!  Nicely done.

Quoted from Cam17 Nice going, James.  As I said in my review, I look forward to that final shot of the nature freak sticking his head through the wall like Nicholson in The Shining.

Thanks Cam, unfortunatley I'm getting the feeling the current ending may exceed the ability of moviestorm. Most people didn't like it anyways. I did think it was funny. We'll see what happens. Thanks to everyone else for the congrats.

The next selectee to announce is one I'm sure you all expected.

One For The Road by Cameron Mitchell (cam17) - Short - Four people in an isolated Nebraska diner encounter a stranger with a horrifying secret. - pdf, format 8)

There's something about an isolated Nebraska diner that seems to keep everyone on their nerves edges.  Throw Satan in the mix and you wind up with an exciting Dark episode.  I'm certainly looking forward to seeing this one.

This great news!  Congrats, Cam.  You wrote a great script here, and IMO, easily the best of the bunch with nothing even remotely close.

Great work!

Thanks, I look forward to working with Michael on this.

My personal "short list" had 7 scripts on it, that all received at least 1 Star.  6 of these made Cornie's short list.  1 is already in and 2 have been dropped per production limitations, meaning there are still 3 left.

In order, they are as follow...

Issues - my #3 favorite overall.

Nefarious - my #5 overall.

The Killing Gene - my #7 overall.

So, these are the 3 I'm rooting for still...

Quoted from screenrider Of course Michael will probably change the title to "Don't go In The Diner". :)

I changed it too "A Demon's Life".  Actually, very little is going to change in this script unless Cam wants to change it.   Mostly the things I will be changing in any of the scripts has to do just with production limitations.  

Quoted from screenrider So what are the nominees left on the short list?  I don't feel like doing the math, but my money's on "Issues" being the next pick.

3 announced
3 to go.

I'm stretching it out because there's still a question about one of them - so it really could be anyone on that list even if you haven't heard from me yet.

Any one that's announced is locked in though and will get produced.

I feel like when I was a kid waiting for the big guys to pick their players for the "baseball" teams and I was like the only one left because who'd want a girl on their team?...turns out at the end of the day I was known as Slugger!  ;D

I'm rooting for you, Slugger!

Quoted from Grandma Bear I feel like when I was a kid waiting for the big guys to pick their players for the "baseball" teams and I was like the only one left because who'd want a girl on their team?...turns out at the end of the day I was known as Slugger!  ;D

Well, you're good, kid. I feel confident that you will be chosen. :-)

Quoted from Dreamscale I'm rooting for you, Slugger!

Any Aussie reading this would get an immediate chuckle because translated into Strine(that's the name for the Australian language btw) this literally means you are having sex for Sluggler.

Issues going to get accepted. I have a gut feeling about it.

The next selectee proves that looks don't count.

The Faceless by Richard Kinsella (decadencefilms(a)37.com) - Short, Supernatural Thriller - There is nothing to fear, but fear itself.


I think this will make one hell of a creepy episode.  I'm looking forward to working with Rick on this one.

Quoted from mcornetto The next selectee proves that looks don't count. The Faceless by Richard Kinsella (decadencefilms(a)37.com) - Short, Supernatural Thriller - There is nothing to fear, but fear itself. I think this will make one hell of a creepy episode.  I'm looking forward to working with Rick on this one.

Are you saying that I'm ugly? :'(

I'm delighted to be selected actually and I think it will translate really well to Moviestorm. I look forward to seeing it.

My guess for the final two:

The Killing Gene
Issues.

I can't throw and I wasn't built to run, but I can catch and I can hit...

Congrats, Rick!  Nice job.  I guess I'll have to read his all the way through, as I gave up after 3 pages and gave it the lowest 5 X's, originally, based on the writing, mistakes, heavy VO, etc.

I'll re-post my updated comments.

Wow, only 2 to go...pressure is on!!!!!!!!

EDIT

Looking back at this one, I'm shocked it was selected, as it was the only script that ran past the 12 page max.  How can that be acceptable?  I guess the page limit is no longer an issue, huh?  I know there were numerous scripts that had to be cut back to make the page max, and mine was a prime example.  Can't say I'm pleased about this (no offense to Rick).

It's amazing how far a little money will go....

It's a 12 page script... it's just not been edited properly yet. :)

Quoted from Dreamscale I'm rooting for you, Slugger!

So you ARE in Colorado with your ex then?

Quoted from Dreamscale I'm shocked it was selected, as it was the only script that ran past the 12 page max.  How can that be acceptable?

I had not thought of that, Jeff.  I doubt Cornetto did either.

While "shocked" is probably too strong of a word (let's be honest, Jeff), your point is nevertheless valid.

I actually voted for Rick's as one of my picks, too.

Any thoughts on that, Cornetto?

HaHa...funny.

The more I think about this, the more upset I am.  Not just in this OWC, but pretty much every one.  12 pages can be tough.  It is difficult to cut things out, when you know you have to, especially when there is a time constraint.  This entry didn't do that. It wasn't edited at all.  It was poorly written, for the most part, and as many said, it was either a tough chug to get through, or downright impossible.

IMO, when a script doesn't meet the challenge, right off the bat, it's out, whether or not there is something lying underneath that calls out.  Guess that's not how it actually is.

I'm bummed...I really am.

Oh dear Jeff,

Put your dummy back in.

There would hardly be any scripts left in the competition if we were to take the rules to the very literal letter of the law, with the limitations that were set.

The script can easily be cut down to whatever time MC wants it...

I slammed scripts for not sticking to the page requirement. At least one was too long and one was too short. Some had animals and kids in them even though it clearly stated not to use either.

I'm happy for Rick he was picked, but I'm with Jeff here about the page length. Any other comp, you'd be out by default.

Quoted from bert Any thoughts on that, Cornetto?

My thoughts are that the average for all the scripts selected is within the page limit.  

When you're looking at these things from a production standpoint the rules become guidelines and you pick what you like and you can work with.  If a script happens to be above the page limit and you think it will survive some cuts then you pick that one.  If a script happens to have a child in it and you think it can survive if the child is made a near adult then you pick that one.  In this case, The Faceless was chosen by two other judges besides me.  I happen to like it and I want to do it for the series and in the end, when deciding on productions, that's all that really matters no matter who's producing it.

I'm happy for Rick as well, but it doesn't change my mind or opinion on the rules of all the OWC's.

It's really quite simple, when it comes to a page limit.  Taking into consideration whatever the challenge actually is, is a different beast altogether.  This was a tough and confusing challenge to most, based on something most of us are unfamiliar with.  As far as I'm concerned, what "props" were acceptable were not clearly defined. Same goes for what was possible and impossible in MovieStorm.

Rick, I'm not against you, personally, in any way.  I think you're a good guy, and this rant is not aimed at you at all.  Hope you understand that.

EDIT after Cornie's post...

So, page limit is no longer something we should be concerned with in an OWC?  That is actually great news for me.  I'll keep that in mind.

There have been plenty of OWCs where people submitted scripts that passed the page limit and resulted in numerous people commenting "You passed the page limit, you passed the page limit!".  If this were a contest, which it isn't, you would probably be disqualified.  But as I just stated, this isn't a contest, it's a writing exercise.  

Jeff, I want you to know that, in spirit, I agree with you.  I, too, am a stickler for rules.

But the OWC is an informal competition -- and we do the best we can -- making up the rules as we go along, you know?

It is not like we are professional contest-runners with lawyers drawing up official rules and accountants certifying the results.

When all is said and done, I simply do not feel that yanking Rick's script after the fact is fair.

If it is any consolation, I plan to be a hard-ass about this in the future should something similar arise.

I hope that is fair enough.

Might have known it would be my script that caused all the controversay.

Ha Ha.

I won't enter another one, I promise. :)

Are we done with this little hiccup because I want to announce the next selectee?  

Quoted from Dreamscale So, page limit is no longer something we should be concerned with in an OWC?  That is actually great news for me.  I'll keep that in mind.

It is something you should concern yourself with, at least from my vantage point since I deducted points from my final score because of it.

However, the story was enough to carry it and keep it within my picks.

Being that this is an informal competition, are there any chances of a 7th script? Like a wild card?  Picked by vote from the SS masses.  Just a thought.

The next selectee is

The Killing Gene by Tim Ratcliffe (trojan) - Short, Supernatural Thriller - A man has his beliefs put to the test when he is confronted with an offer he simply can't refuse.

This was probably the closest script there was to being produced as is. It also caused a bit of discussion - and that's a good thing - it's good to make people think.  On top of all that, I think it will make a fantastic episode.  

Quoted from Scar Tissue Films I won't enter another one, I promise. :)

That's silly! I liked yours, but just like so many complained about mine not being dark enough, I commented on it being too long. Just like Shamrock was way too short.

First of all, no...I doubt we're done with this "little hiccup", as it's much more than a "little hiccup".

Bert, I hear ya, and I agree 100%

Rick, again, none of this is aimed at you, and your comment about never entering another OWC is ridiculous.

The comments about this not being a "contest with lawyers, etc., has nothing to do with my comments and concerns.  The "rules" were quite simple...write a script between 8 and 12 pages...blah, blah, blah.  If a script does not fall within those very simple and easy to understand parameters, then it shouldn't be considered as meeting the challenge...PERIOD.

Michael, if you like Rick's script and want to produce it, that's great, but it shouldn't be included as 1 of the 6 for this "exercise".

I agree with Mike (Screenrider)...an "extra" script should be included, so we have 6 that met the challenge, along with Rick's, which the judges all seemed to like.

Quoted from mcornetto The next selectee is The Killing Gene by Tim Ratcliffe (trojan) - Short, Supernatural Thriller - A man has his beliefs put to the test when he is confronted with an offer he simply can't refuse. This was probably the closest script there was to being produced as is. It also caused a bit of discussion - and that's a good thing - it's good to make people think.  On top of all that, I think it will make a fantastic episode.

Good shout. That was a definite banker all the way, I thought.

Well done Trojan...

Quoted from Dreamscale First of all, no...I doubt we're done with this "little hiccup", as it's much more than a "little hiccup". Bert, I hear ya, and I agree 100% Rick, again, none of this is aimed at you, and your comment about never entering another OWC is ridiculous. The comments about this not being a "contest with lawyers, etc., has nothing to do with my comments and concerns.  The "rules" were quite simple...write a script between 8 and 12 pages...blah, blah, blah.  If a script does not fall within those very simple and easy to understand parameters, then it shouldn't be considered as meeting the challenge...PERIOD. Michael, if you like Rick's script and want to produce it, that's great, but it shouldn't be included as 1 of the 6 for this "exercise". I agree with Mike (Screenrider)...an "extra" script should be included, so we have 6 that met the challenge, along with Rick's, which the judges all seemed to like.

Jeff, please show me where it says a script needs to meet the challenge in order to be selected.

Quoted from mcornetto Jeff, please show me where it says a script needs to meet the challenge in order to be selected.

Not sure what that is supposed to mean. Michael.

Again, if it doesn't matter, why don't we all just say fuck the page constraint, if we need to, and write the script the way we want to.

Unbelievable!  Seriously...unreal.  I'm done with this.  Where's everyone else on this?

It means that meeting the challenge is not a requirement for being selected - from any OWC.  Ricks script belongs on the list of selectees.  It was voted on long before we knew who wrote what and was solidly in the top 6.  You are asking me to be unfair by asking me not to include it.  It isn't the other way around.  

Quoted from Dreamscale Michael, if you like Rick's script and want to produce it, that's great, but it shouldn't be included as 1 of the 6 for this "exercise".

Quoted from Dreamscale Not sure what that is supposed to mean. Michael. Again, if it doesn't matter, why don't we all just say fuck the page constraint, if we need to, and write the script the way we want to. Unbelievable!  Seriously...unreal.  I'm done with this.  Where's everyone else on this?

Let me ask you something...

Uh, Dreamscale...

Ever read Animal Farm?

Quoted from Dreamscale Not sure what that is supposed to mean. Michael. Again, if it doesn't matter, why don't we all just say fuck the page constraint, if we need to, and write the script the way we want to. Unbelievable!  Seriously...unreal.  I'm done with this.  Where's everyone else on this?

One thing to consider is that the extra pages didn't give me an advantage. Everyone complained about it and the fact it was written in too literary a form. So it was a major disadvantage.

It's not like I used the extra pages to unfairly add depth to the script. I just didn't have time to edit it.

Also the length is just one of the rules. If we were to get extremely literal about everything, we'd have to go through the scripts with a check-list and mark off every time something came up which wasn't possible in Moviestorm.

We could also get extremely academic about the genres"Horror, Supernatural Thriller, Fantasy or Science Fiction"....

Yes, Mr. Shelton...what is your question?

Yes, Mike, I have read Animal Farm...what is that based on?

Quoted from Dreamscale Yes, Mr. Shelton...what is your question?

Do you like Jaegie?

Quoted from mcornetto The next selectee is The Killing Gene by Tim Ratcliffe (trojan) - Short, Supernatural Thriller - A man has his beliefs put to the test when he is confronted with an offer he simply can't refuse. This was probably the closest script there was to being produced as is. It also caused a bit of discussion - and that's a good thing - it's good to make people think.  On top of all that, I think it will make a fantastic episode.

Thanks Michael, I'm excited to be a part of the anthology. Looking forward to seeing how all of these strories turn out when produced.

Best of luck to everyone on snaring the final spot.

Cheers,
Tim.

Quoted from Trojan Thanks Michael, I'm excited to be a part of the anthology. Looking forward to seeing how all of these strories turn out when produced. Best of luck to everyone on snaring the final spot. Cheers, Tim.

Yes, good point.

Just one more to go.

I think it should be Shamrock, just to tip Jeff over the edge. ;D

Only joking buddy...I still think it will be Issues, but I'm prepared for a surprise.

Ok. The final selectee will be at 2:30pm Melbourne time (if I'm not in a meeting then). I'll leave you all to figure out when that is.    

Quoted from Scar Tissue Films Yes, good point. Just one more to go. I think it should be Shamrock, just to tip Jeff over the edge. ;D Only joking buddy...I still think it will be Issues, but I'm prepared for a surprise.

I think Pia deserves to be included for having two quality scripts entered. Obsessions was probably my favourite of all of them so it's a shame that one wasn't able to be filmed as I believe it would've looked great on screen. But Issues was still one of the better scripts and would also work well IMO.

I'll ask a better question:

Ever hear of the golden rule?

He who has the gold... makes the rules.

And Jeff, regardless of how you or I or anyone else may feel about this personally? All whining does is get you the reputation as a whiner...

Sorry if that offends, but I felt it had to be said.

Quoted from mcornetto Ok. The final selectee will be at 2:30pm Melbourne time (if I'm not in a meeting then). I'll leave you all to figure out when that is.

...if you've ever seen how I hit balls with a bat, you'd know already who the next one is!!!

Quoted from Grandma Bear ...if you've ever seen how I hit balls with a bat, you'd know already who the next one is!!!

You go girlfriend!...

whoop, whoop!

Hey!! My nose don't look like that at all!!

I'm not whining...at all.  I'm talking about very obvious "rules" that we were all meant to play by.

Obviously, as in life, the rules don't always apply.

I'm still amazed that so few even have an opinion over what is taking place.  But again, as in life, that's how it usually goes.

Congrats, Tim!  Good job.

Uh, Oh the final selectee better be.

Issues by P. Cook (me) - Short, Drama, Horror - Longing for love, can make you do bad things. - pdf, format

And it is.  This script should turn out to be our favourite episode, or else...

Pia rocks! (Always throw something like that in if you have a chance)

Whew!

Well that was the final script and it's been a phenomenally interesting OWC all!  Thank you all very much, thanks to the other judges and thanks Don too.  It couldn't have happened without...


Hang on!  Another one?  I just got a message from her Majesty.  The Queen has specially requested that I produce one more script from the list.  Hang on while I sort this out.  
      

Quoted from mcornetto The Queen has specially requested that I produce one more script from the list.

That's a good nickname for Jeff.

Quoted from mcornetto Hang on!  Another one?  I just got a message from her Majesty.  The Queen has specially requested that I produce one more script from the list.  Hang on while I sort this out.

Okay, I'm thinking, we lose the rock, and the kids crying at the end, and...

Sisyphus is a zombie!

Fuck you, Mike!  Don't be a douche...

Quoted from Dreamscale Fuck you, Mike!  Don't be a douche...

Oh good, you're seeing my comments.  I thought you weren't since you were pissing and moaning about people not giving their thoughts.

I knew threatening a little ball smashing would do it!!

You're not calling Don the Queen are you?  :o

Congrats to Pia, Tim and Rick - well deserved honors all...

And Mike, Jeff - you guys are forgetting to put the smiley faces in your posts.

Congrats to everyone who entered the OWC, not just those who have been selected. Putting out a complete script in one weak isn't as easy as it sounds and you all have done it. Congratulations.

Jeff, about your little page limit debacle, it always seems like OWC scripts that go over the page limit receive less reads. That's a pretty big disadvantage.

~Zack~

I was watching American Idol...isn't that apropos?

So your feelings are that when someone stands up for what the original rules were, they're a fucking whiny little pussy Queen?

Interesting...very interesting.

It amazes me that no one else, who actually entered a fucking script in this OWC has anything to say about this.

Pathetic...absolutely pathetic.

In the future, there is no page limit then.  It doesn't matter and doesn't come into play.

I guess I'll throw out Rick's initial response. I won't ever enter one of these again.  

It's complete horse shit.  It has nothing to do with me or my script, either.  It's the integrity of what I thought this was...as usual, I was wrong.  And I guess by the feedback, or lack there of, I'm once again on my own fucking island here.  Guess that's the way I like it.  I can be King...or Queen.

All hail...or fuck off...

Quoted from Dreamscale So your feelings are that when someone stands up for what the original rules were, they're a fucking whiny little pussy Queen? Interesting...very interesting.

You are not smart.

Did you notice my post where I specifically stated that I deducted points from the final score because the script was over the page limit?

I agree with Jeff per the length restrictions. But i don't think it should descend into a shit fight.
If anything, Shamrock(no offense against Seth) was only 4 pages and was allowed.

I remember the last 2 OWC's, scratching and scrpaing to trim my scripts to the alloted pages.
Again, Jeff has merit in his argument but it has got a bit nasty.

Quoted from Grandma Bear I knew threatening a little ball smashing would do it!! You're not calling Don the Queen are you?  :o

Not that I know of...

No the Queen is not Don.  Her Majesty's a pretty nice girl.

And the very final and special selectee (and this is really going to piss Jeff off)

The Dark by Steve McDonell (stevie) - Short, Fantasy - A mysterious warning drives a man to the brink of insanity...

With a little bit of a massage in order to make the in-joke an out-joke this should make a fun special episode which perfectly matches my sense of humour.

That's all folks.

Not that I'm jumping on Jeff's bandwagon here, simply because of the "All hail or fuck off" comment. But i do agree about the page limit. That was part of the challenge IMO.

At the same time, it's not up to me what gets produced and what does not. I was lucky enough to be selected and I'm sure that Michael or whomever else will be turning these into machinima will be doin more work then any of us individuals did on our scripts in one week.

I just wanted to give congrats to Pia and Tim...

Decadence.... You know better then 14 pgs.... good script nonetheless

I can't wait to see "The dark"... Congrats Stevie!

WTF? I'm...gobsmacked!

My revoultion was to no avail; my rage against the Machinima fruitless. The irony of it...

Now I know how the Beatles must've felt, when the Queen(no pun intended) gave them M.B.E's.


Does this mean I get to smoke a joint in Michael's bathroom?

Congrats to everyone who got their scripts selected!

Quoted from Scar Tissue Films One thing to consider is that the extra pages didn't give me an advantage. Everyone complained about it and the fact it was written in too literary a form. So it was a major disadvantage.

Rick's not wrong.  The Faceless got grilled by several people including myself, but in terms of film-ability for Michael it was much more do-able than several other scripts, including two favorites that many have repeated in Obsessions and Sisyphus.

Congrats everyone!!!

Also lots of thanks to those who said I managed to write two good scripts. I was so surprised people seemed divided 50/50 by which one was better. That made me happier than if one was very popular and the other one stunk. In my mind, it means consistency.

Now Michael, you go make gold of the silver we've given you!

Mike, I'm not smart?  Maybe not, but just because your heinous took a few points off for breaking the rules, doesn't make you that smart in my book, either.

As far as I'm concerned, it's a no brainer (brains equal smart...), in that when something does not meet the criteria set, it doesn't qualify for a "winning" position.

Olympic Giant Slalom race...Mike Shelton misses 3 gates on top and then  "skips" the last 6 at the bottom.  His time is the best by 3.3 seconds.  Is he the winner?  In this fucked up scenario, I guess he is.  Not in the Olympics though.

Oh wait...that wouldn't qualify as an argument, cause the Olympics have lawyers involved.

My bad.  Mike, I guess you're the smarter and 100% correct in your comments.  Way to go, Champ!

Congrats to all. I knew pia would be part of the selected few. Can't wait to see these.

What we must all remember is that this is all out of fun and practice.  There's no real point in arguing.

Quoted from Dreamscale Mike, I'm not smart?  Maybe not, but just because your heinous took a few points off for breaking the rules, doesn't make you that smart in my book, either. As far as I'm concerned, it's a no brainer (brains equal smart...), in that when something does not meet the criteria set, it doesn't qualify for a "winning" position. Olympic Giant Slalom race...Mike Shelton misses 3 gates on top and then  "skips" the last 6 at the bottom.  His time is the best by 3.3 seconds.  Is he the winner?  In this fucked up scenario, I guess he is.  Not in the Olympics though. Oh wait...that wouldn't qualify as an argument, cause the Olympics have lawyers involved. My bad.  Mike, I guess you're the smarter and 100% correct in your comments.  Way to go, Champ!

Ha!  Shows how much you know!  I don't ski!

Yeah, that's a shocker...I doubt it's that you don't ski...more like you can't ski...

I think this is a good example of how it pays to try and see things from someone else's point of view. I can see why Jeff is upset, as it would've helped some people's scripts if they had an extra couple of pages to play with. Nothing personal against Rick or Seth but at first I was surprised to see that the scripts had been accepted due to the page counts. I had submitted two scripts for this OWC but the second was (quite rightly) rejected by Don for not meeting the theme. I thought the same might apply for page count. Again, that is nothing personal against the writers.

But I can see things from Cornetto's point of view who is simply looking for the stories he feel will work best for his project. I guess this parallels Hollywood in that producers are not necessarily looking for the best technically written screenplay, but the best story that suits their needs. And a lot of the 'rules' that we talk about in screenplay writing get broken all the time, but it's not going to stop a script from getting produced if there is a great story buried in there.

It would be a shame for anyone not to enter future OWC's because of this incident, as they are a lot of fun. Maybe the rules can be made a bit clearer next time about what will or will not be officially accepted.

And congratulations to Stevie on having The Dark selected, I didn't see that one coming. I did find it very funny though, maybe the humour in it is an Aussie thing  :D

Cheers,
Tim.

Quoted from Dreamscale Yeah, that's a shocker...I doubt it's that you don't ski...more like you can't ski...

I don't know, I never tried cause I always thought the pants looked kinda gay, but when I was a kid I had this wicked toboggan with a lightning bolt on it.

I called it Wonderboy like Roy Hobbs' bat.  Good times we had, me and Wonderboy.

We also used to "skitch" from the back of UPS trucks.

Quoted from Dreamscale As far as I'm concerned, it's a no brainer (brains equal smart...), in that when something does not meet the criteria set, it doesn't qualify for a "winning" position.

Just to avoid argument here, the criteria that was given to the judges.

1.) It's about The Dark and isn't just a dark script.
2.) It's one of the mentioned genres.
3.) It's a good story.

Any production limits were discussed after the votes.  

The page counts were there to ensure a reasonable running time of the scripts, they weren't there to disqualify any script because they might have gone over or under them by a page or two.      

There was no winning position.  The scripts were selected for an anthology that I personally am producing.  I think I have every right as the producer to pick the scripts through whatever process and for whatever reason I want.   To be fair I chose to do this with a panel of people and I stuck to the ranking of selections (even The Dark)

I could have just asked my buddies to write some scripts for me but I didn't. I brought this to the OWC in the hopes that you would be able to learn from this.   I tried to be as open with the process as possible and I hope you've taken something from the experience.  

If you'd like then I will continue to keep you updated with the process while I'm making these.  It's going to take a number of months.  The idea is for you to learn and understand this emerging media form so that you are prepared for an area where there is likely to be future writing assignments.

Quoted from mcornetto Just to avoid argument here, the criteria that was given to the judges. 1.) It's about The Dark and isn't just a dark script. 2.) It's one of the mentioned genres. 3.) It's a good story.

Hmmm, I don't recall these criteria in the OWC challenge "rules".

Yes, Michael, it is obviously your baby here and as Producer, you are in charge.  That's completely understandable.  Maybe next time, this shouldn't fall under an OWC challenge, or a I said earlier a few times, I guess next time, all entrants should just write the script they want to and not worry about page length, as it obviously doesn't come into play (that much, as Mike "Wonderboy" Shelton, told us how he deducted valuable points for only going over the limit by roughly 17%...I wonder if the deduction would have been even steeper for something like 34%).

IMO, a complete debacle and travesty, but who am I to throw stones?

Congrats to everyone...especially Stevie for that awesome script!  Hell of a job!

Jeff, don't type when your drunk.

Quoted from mcornetto Jeff, don't type when your drunk.

wow...

I hope this little dispute never ends. I'm laughing so hard I'm gonna shit out an ass-spider. Hahahahhahaa.

~Zack~

...the producers are the gatekeepers...if they wanted to, they could have produced that script (or any other) outside the boundaries of the owc without notifying anyone other than the accredited writer...it's their project and we should be honored that they allowed us to be a part of it (by either writing or reviewing)...congrats on those who participated with class and dignity on a job well done...

Quoted from Zack I hope this little dispute never ends. I'm laughing so hard I'm gonna shit out an ass-spider. Hahahahhahaa. ~Zack~

Zack, what have we told you about sticking insects up there.

Quoted from Dreamscale I guess next time, all entrants should just write the script they want to and not worry about page length, as it obviously doesn't come into play (that much, as Mike "Wonderboy" Shelton, told us how he deducted valuable points for only going over the limit by roughly 17%

That's exactly what I did, and when it was all said and done, it came out with a high enough score to warrant a vote from me.  It didn't gain the highest score from me, but other people liked it as well, and it got enough votes to make it in.  

Why did I go about things the way I did?  Because my job was to pick what I thought were the best scripts suitable for the series.  In my opinion, I did that, even if all of my selections weren't ultimately chosen.

I even voted for a non-starred script.  Care to bitch about that as well?

On another note, if someone had gone over by an extreme amount, it probably would have been classified as unproducible.

Quoted from mcornetto Zack, what have we told you about sticking insects up there.

Oh no Cornetto, don't you blame that on me. You forced me to do it! All I've got to say is that is the last time I'll ever drink with you. :P ;D

~Zack~

Congratulations to everyone with an upcoming production, aka the OWC selectees.

Clearly there's a theme and strand connecting them all with a joker thrown into the pack.

Very amusing Beatles comment, stevie.

Make sure you puff that pot.

Well done, all.

Andrew

Quoted from Zack I hope this little dispute never ends. I'm laughing so hard I'm gonna shit out an ass-spider. Hahahahhahaa.

Bite down on something and push hard, Zack!

Quoted from Shelton We also used to "skitch" from the back of UPS trucks.

Skitchin.'  That's what empty, iced-over mall parking lots were made for.  But from the back of UPS trucks?  Sounds kinda deadly.

To weigh in on this smoldering controversy, I can understand Jeff's feelings on this.  I always regarded the page and time limits as the two unbreakable rules in these OWCs.  It really is part of the whole "challenge" aspect to not just finish that story in one week, but to get it in at 12 pages max.  I came within one minute of missing the deadline.  If I hadn't got the script in, I would never have expected my script to be accepted.  

Now, this was an unusual OWC, not just because the theme was very broad, but because we had to consider the constraints of moviestorm.  It's incredibly ambitous of Michael to produce six of these scripts.  So as producer, he does have final say in this particular challenge.  But I think to avoid any future carnage with these OWCs it should be made clear beforehand which rules are flexible and which are non-negotiable.

Quoted from Shelton He fixed my tire a few days ago.  Surprised you know him since you're so far away from Chicago.

Is that a ZZ Top reference I smell? Niiiiiice...

Jeff,

I'm actually losing the point of what you're arguing here, and frankly, you're lucky the moderators continue to indulge you in what amounts to be a hissyfit over nothing. As Mcornetto said, he ALLOWED everyone this opportunity. What did you lose by entering other than time invested? Was there a fee? No. Did you have to travel, only to be shunned at the door? No. You lost nothing.

And as for the "rule" you claim was broken, it didn't affect your entry at all. Your script was ruled unfilmable so it was put aside regardless of page length. And the ironic thing is that you yourself admit that you cut your script together incorrectly and that it should have been SHORTER (and I agree).

So who are you advocating for? Yourself? No, because page length didn't affect you.

Others? Seems the winners are happy and the rest of us are happy for them.

So I fail to see the problem.

Jesus Christ. What the fuck happened here? Jeff's on a tirade, Stevie's puffing away and Zack is shitting his pants. Counseling anyone?

Congrats to all the selectees, especially you, Rick - well deserved.

I think everyone needs to step back for a brief second and look at the bigger picture here...

No-one is operating with bad intentions on this.

Let us not forget that Michael has kindly provided a valuable and interesting opportunity by offering to make no less than 6 (now 7!) short films.

In all the hubbub over a couple of pages that can be cut out, don't forget that he's committed himself to working hard and spending his personal time on something beneficial to a lot of people.

That's the important thing here.

Let's not create a huge schism between us over something that is good for the site as a whole. The best thing about this site is the way people are willing to work together. We need to support efforts like this.

Also, I didn't write those extra two pages to gain an unfair advantage...I liked Cornetto's concept and wanted to be a part of the OWC. I spent a lot of time thinking of a concept that I thought would be visually interesting and would fit into the theme and limitations of the challenge and then wrote it far quicker than I usually would.

The challenge for me was just to write a script in just a week. I was personally delighted just to get a script out in that time. Wasn't that the point of the OWC in the first place?

I can understand why people would be upset about it to some degree. However I would suggest that before the next OWC we perhaps have a debate about what we are trying to achieve.

Is the contest about learning to stick to very specific time rules? Or is it about something else? If we are going to get extremely stubborn about it, why 12 minutes? What's the significance of that figure? There's no difference from a Producers point of view for a film he wants to put into a festival.

It's just an arbitary figure, no?

In the time the OWC has been running it's clearly become quite important and it has developed a very strong culture of its own. That's fine. However if we are going to get incredibly fastidious about the "rules", I think we should make sure that those rules have some kind of inherent point.

Personally, and this is just me, I'd be much more concerned about genre than a couple of extra pages. If I asked for horror scripts and got sent drama's, I'd be much more annoyed about that than if some were 92 or 96 pages long.

Quoted from Scar Tissue Films don't forget that he's committed himself to working hard and spending his personal time...

And money too. Those Moviestorm add-ons aren't free, if I'm not mistaking.

Congrats to everyone.  ;D

So Michael, are you going to post the finished product here when they are finished?

Quoted from Dreamscale Mike...just because your heinous took a few points off for breaking the rules, doesn't make you that smart in my book.

What a lovely Freudian typo.

In the light of a new day, I trust that we can all return to enthusiasm for Cornetto's little project.

He is generously giving freely of his time -- alot of time -- and I suspect at least a little cash -- so cut the man some slack, give him a little credit -- and most of all, grant him a little creative freedom.

Mike, I will respond to your last post directed at me, and then I'll bow out of this mess.

I guess you're not too smart either, as I already commented on what you are questioning here.

My arguments have absolutely nothing to do with me or my script.

My arguments are based on the integrity of what the OWC is...or was.  As far as I know, when a script went over the page limit, it was tossed out of being a serious contender.  Period.  At least that's the way it's been since I've participated.

That's my point, and I think I've been quite clear on it, so I'm surprised you're still confused (well, actually, I'm not that surprised).

No ill will is being directed at any of the chosen scripts, and I congratulate you all...again, especially Stevie for writing that amazing dark horror script.

I think the OWC went well. As always I think the OWC forces us to exercise our brains, and put forth our best effort at something that was asked for in a very short time period.

Good or bad, seasoned writer or new writer, the OWC is an exercise that we all can learn something from...

and as usual, I am impressed with all the different stories that were created using the same Genre and theme.

They were interesting and entertaining.

The cherry, so to say, for this OWC was that Michael had stated that he would produce six scripts... Six scripts! Wow!

I am very pleased that he found six scripts to produce from Simplyscript members.

I also want to congratulate each and every writer who entered a script for the OWC. You started something and then finished it. :) So kudos for that.

Now I'm waiting for the next OWC.  ;D

Cindy

Let's all just look forward to Mike's anthology, which - judging by his other work - should be great viewing.

Instead, let's return reads - that would be good :)

Andrew

Quoted from Dreamscale Mike, I will respond to your last post directed at me, and then I'll bow out of this mess. I guess you're not too smart either, as I already commented on what you are questioning here.

My last post to you was a retort to your insistence that going over the page limit meant nothing.  I may have responded to it multiple times, but only because you stated it multiple times.

Quoted from Dreamscale My arguments have absolutely nothing to do with me or my script.

I do believe you're mixing me up with someone else.

Quoted from Dreamscale My arguments are based on the integrity of what the OWC is...or was.  As far as I know, when a script went over the page limit, it was tossed out of being a serious contender.  Period.  At least that's the way it's been since I've participated.

A contender for what, an Iscript?

Quoted from Dreamscale That's my point, and I think I've been quite clear on it, so I'm surprised you're still confused (well, actually, I'm not that surprised).

I'm not confused about anything.  I know what you're saying, I just think you're going overboard with it and assuming things that aren't entirely correct, like going over the page limit wasn't detrimental to the script, because it was.  It just managed to be good enough to past that.

Congratulations to all who were selected. I'll read a few more tonight if I have the time.

I see this thread has taken a bad turn... I can see both arguments but this is Michael's show so he's free to pick whatever suits him. I liked The Faceless, but I do think it would work better as a live action short with a decent budget, although I'm not familiar with the Moviestorm software so maybe Michael will pull it off much better than I think the software would allow him too.

I can't wait to see them when they are finished!

Brian

I reckon it will translate well.

There's a Moviestorm film called the Tormented that is similar in mood (and takes place on a train for that matter).

http://www.moviestorm.co.uk/community/index.php?page=videos&section=view&vid_id=103244

That film is more of a zombie style flick, but it shows the potential of the software to make a good horror tone and create interesting little set pieces.

Ah yes, it does look a lot more advanced than I first thought. The clips on youtube of the game "The Movies" are obviously still fresh in my mind.

Quoted from CindyLKeller Congrats to everyone.  ;D So Michael, are you going to post the finished product here when they are finished?

Yep. They'll be here.

I'll try to keep you guys informed on the progress - maybe even try to arrange for a few previews as I go.  I'm aiming for having these released in the June-July time frame but that's optimistic so it might be more like July-August.  One of the things that usually delays them is waiting for voices and there's a lot of voices for this bunch.

I already have two parts cast and that is that Mike Shelton will be playing Darcy in The Dark and Pia will be playing Dr. Cruor in Issues.  

Quoted from mcornetto I already have two parts cast and that is that Mike Shelton will be playing Darcy in The Dark and Pia will be playing Dr. Cruor in Issues.

I guess it's true that you learn something new every day.

Because it was announced in such a drawn out fashion, here is the final list of selectees all in one place:

One for the Road
The Killing Gene
The Faceless
Issues
The Environmentalist
It Gazes Back
The Dark

And once again I'd like to thank all who participated,  the judges who did an excellent job and Don for obvious reasons.

Quoted from Shelton I guess it's true that you learn something new every day.

My first bit of re-writing will be Darcy having a porn beard.


Congrats to all! I admit I didn't read all of 'The Faceless' yet but will do so. Actually, I'll read all the other selectees again - plowing through 20 odd scripts initially was tiring.
Thanks to Michael for this opportunity.

That's the big universe, fella.

Kudos to the selectees.