It's only a few weeks off, so don't plan anything stupid.


You're welcome.

Phil

In order to help your planning of activities, the schedule for the October (Halloween) One Week Challenge is:

Topic and Genre to be release on October 8 at 10:00 pm.  Due date for scripts is October 15th at 11:50 pm eastern daylight time.  

More later,

Don

MWA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA!!!!!


Phil

Quoted from Don In order to help your planning of activities, the schedule for the October (Halloween) One Week Challenge is: Topic and Genre to be release on October 8.  Due date for scripts is October 15th at 11:50 pm eastern daylight time.

Mine won't be ready until 11:51. Will that be a problem?

Quoted from Grandma Bear Mine won't be ready until 11:51. Will that be a problem?

I'll allow a five minute grace period.  But quite frankly, I'll probably be in bed by 11:13 pm edt.

Don

Think if I wrote it as a haiku I'd get it done on time?

Over sins known and not
stands Ray, rendered skull in hand,
under harvest moon.

EDIT:
WTH was I thinking? That sux!
The entire first line is an unfilmable.
No title or log line.
At least I have a single character, action and setting.
I don't think dialog is absolutely necessary.

However, I do ask that someone make a refferee call on whether you'd rather have a slug line or dialog?
(I believe the title and log lend themselves naturally to a first line.)

* * * EXAMPLE  A * * *
Title - Log line
SLUG
Character + Action

* * * EXAMPLE  B * * *
Title - Log line
Action
CHARACTER Dialog

What's an OWC?

One
Week
Challenge

Past examples
http://www.simplyscripts.net/cgi-bin/Blah/Blah.pl?c-OWC/

Quoted from RayW One Week Challenge

Oh. Thank you.

What's a week?

Two more off beat considerations for supplements to the O & 7WCs.

Maybe a ODC?
http://www.movieline.com/admin/mt-srch.cgi?blog_id=1&tag=the%20one-page%20screenplay&limit=20

Or a 2HrC?
http://www.sixwordtales.com/

Even though I might not enter, I'm still intrigued to hear what the genre is going to be.

Halloween is such a cool time of the year.

To stop the nonsense of 1 page submissions, I'd say an 8 page minimum should be set.

I wrote one last year that I didn't quite fit the challenge so didn't submit it.

I hope this OWC doesn't have a musical theme.

Quoted from jayrex To stop the nonsense of 1 page submissions, I'd say an 8 page minimum should be set.

I think the 50% rule I advocated last time is still a good idea.

So if it's a 12-page maximum, it's a 6-page minimum. And so on.

So if it's a 12-page maximum, it's a 6-page minimum. And so on.
Works for me.

Has there been any attempt at standardization of regulations in the past?
Success or failure, if so?

Not sure if letting others do half the work is a good idea.  Maybe 3/4 of the job might be fairer.

Quoted from jayrex Not sure if letting others do half the work is a good idea.  Maybe 3/4 of the job might be fairer.

I don't know if page-length is always a fair indication of work put in. I do completely agree there should be a minimum-page count, though - it would just stop the rush of one-, two-, and three-page scripts that annoy everyone and subsequently get an inordinate amount of attention at the expense of other entries.

The other rule (and I know the OWC isn't about rules) that I really, really hope is enforced is the 'Helio rule'. Or if not a rule, at least an honour-based understanding. One entry each. If everyone knows they only have one entry, they're going to put all their efforts into that. If they know they can enter two or three, they'll split their focus and I'd argue the end results will be poorer. You've got two good ideas? Pick the best.

Those two very simple tweaks would cut out a lot of the tension that always seems to happen. Let's leave the tension-making to the genre and theme, eh? :)

There will be a one script maximum.

And please don't announce this to other boards.  It would be great if we could keep the number of entries under twenty, especially if they're twenty entries from members on SS.


Phil

Quoted from dogglebe There will be a one script minimum.

Minimum? This time, the selectee is the person to enter the most scripts. As long as they're 75% of the maximum length, and aren't "pissers". :)

Quoted from dogglebe There will be a one script minimum. And please don't announce this to other boards.  It would be great if we could keep the number of entries under twenty, especially if they';re twenty entries that are members on SS. Phil

Dang it!

I really wanted to enter, but I can't be bothered writing a script.

Quoted from dogglebe And please don't announce this to other boards.

Do people actually do this?

A lot of the moviepoet members drop off their scripts, here.  I, for one, don't want to read forty scripts based on finding a relic in grandma's underwear drawer (or what the theme is) when half of them are from people aren't SS members who don't read other scripts.

And, please, no pisstakes.  If you can't do the genre/theme, don't write something else and submit it as a OWC.  The spirit of the OWC is to write something you may not consider writing in a specific amount of time.  If a director approached you, looking for an adolescent horror script involving a hamster cage, and you wrote a slasher script about a hamster cage, this director wouldn't want your script.  


Phil

If I knew the genre and theme I might try my hand in it -- But it wouldn't be horror or all out horror if I did.  I'm currently, 3 years on going with my autobiographical comedy and I don't want to get off track with it.  As with "Coffin Canyon™", I am holding it to no set time it is done or complete, just when it gets there.  I've worked on "Coffin Canyon™" for nearly 10 years and each draft is so much different and better than the one before it.  I actually wrote 4 drafts in One year on it.  My comedy hasn't even been through 2 drafts yet.  A OWC would be nice for a change of pace and because the commitment isn't all encompassing, but again Theme is everything.  12 pages would be good, maybe 10.  And a tame, kid orientated "spooky" theme rather than an all out horror theme.

Depends, I guess.

Hmmm...
Just data:
http://www.the-numbers.com/market/Genres/Horror.php

http://www.the-numbers.com/movies/records/budgets.php
Under "Most Profitable Movies, Based on Return on Investment" almost half are horror films.
Think BIG! boyzNgirlz.

Worm fodder:
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/HorrorTropes

There has been a lot of speculation regarding the rules and such for the October OWC.  I'd rather have waited until the genre and theme were announced before laying out the rules and the future of the OWC.  

These rules are subject to change at the last minutes:

Going forward ALL OWCs will be run and advertised solely on the discussion board with the exception of the October OWC.  There will be no announcement on the main site (simplyscripts.com) nor a newletter blast.  However, once the deadline has been reached, I will be blogging about the entries on the main site.  There will be no iScripting of a selected script since iScript won't be getting the exposure they normally get by having the announcement and newsletter.  The whole anonymity will be preserved.

The October OWC, however, will be open to all comers and be advertised across other sites as well as a newsletter blast.  One selected script will be iScripted.  As usual, that selection process will be totally unfair.  I will pick three scripts that I liked and send them over to iScript to select the one script that best showcases their talents.   There will be no anonymity on the October OWC.  Everyone will know who submitted what from day one.

There will be a maximum and minimum number of pages.  There will be a limit of one entry per person, however if you think you can get away with a second submission without me catching on, go for it.  If I catch you out, tho, only your first entry will go up.  

Don

I promise I will NOT do a pisstake...

I will write two because I hate when I'm told what I can't do!

Quoted from Grandma Bear I will write two because I hate when I'm told what I can't do!

Pia, you're too old to be a pissy bitch. :P

I will write 2 pissers...at least!

Quoted from Stevie I promise I will NOT do a pisstake...

Quoted from Dreamscale I will write 2 pissers...at least!

Since...

Quoted from Don There will be no anonymity on the October OWC

...we'll know soon enough who the pissers are.

And they will be dealt with accordingly.

Quoted from Don Everyone will know who submitted what from day one.

Now I'll know, before I read a script, if it's written by an SS member....


Phil

And we'll all know when Stevie's taking the piss.

Special note - It may be like my OWC entry resembles a pisser, but please keep in mind that I may be very inebriated while writing at 10:35 PM, Saturday night.  Let's all keep this in mind for all the entries. If some dialogue happens to sound like it's coming from lobotomized idiots, could just be some weak dialogue.

I know each and every entry will be fantastic.  I can already see my feedback...

"This is a strong effort.  I really like how you wrote that character.  Nice work.  Great job!"  

Quoted from Dreamscale "This is a strong effort.  I really like how you wrote that character.  Nice work.  Great job!"

You have so little faith in the community.  

And Phil I can't believe what an isolationist icon you have become - even down to bigoted scapegoat remarks.

And those Movie Poet people, they leave their stinking little scripts here for us to read.  This should be verbotten!

Exaggerating, but almost not.

Why should we waste our time and read scripts from those who don't reciprocate?  

Not exaggerated at all.


Phil

Quoted from Don There will be no anonymity on the October OWC.  Everyone will know who submitted what from day one.

I like this change, now I know who I'm talking to. I never went back to comment after names were revealed. If I wrote something for OWC, pretty sure i read all the others. Rather address those who wrote it directly. First time I read it.

The page limit needs to be solid IMO. Part of the challenge. Squeeze it in or don't enter. Looking forward to this one.

James

Quoted from dogglebe Why should we waste our time and read scripts from those who don't reciprocate?   Not exaggerated at all.

There are plenty of people here who do frequent Movie Poet and who do reciprocate reads.  Your statement was insulting to those people and frankly bigoted.  Also, it implies that the problem with the OWCs lies with these people alone which is not true.

Michael

All I'm saying is that I won't read scripts by those without SS accounts.  They can't post comments without them.


Phil

Gonna echo Phil here. If they don't have an account, why bother. No different then Don putting and asterisk next to the names of those who've properly participated in past OWCs.

Many wouldn't read scripts from new comers until they've commented on at least three. I don't find that bigoted. I think its fair. I'll definitely read all of those from veteran SS members, and anyone new who's commenting.

James

If I don't have the time (or desire) to read all the scripts, atleast I can weed out the ones from the regulars here.  I don't see a problem with that.  Is it any different than not reading a script because I don't like the logline?


Phil

Quoted from jwent6688 Gonna echo Phil here. If they don't have an account, why bother. No different then Don putting and asterisk next to the names of those who've properly participated in past OWCs. Many wouldn't read scripts from new comers until they've commented on at least three. I don't find that bigoted. I think its fair. I'll definitely read all of those from veteran SS members, and anyone new who's commenting. James

That is not the issue.  People who drop off scripts and expect them to be read without reading anything in return are scum.  Unless they don't know any better in which case they are ignorant scum.  

However, the issue I'm having is slamming people from a specific site or even just people who have come only for OWCs and read  scripts during the challenge.  Even though people might only participate on the boards during the challenge does not make them any less a part of this forum.  Some even end up sticking around.

Michael  

It's not a case of Simplyscripts vs. Moviepoet.  It's a case of reading scripts from active members of the board vs. those who drop off their scripts and not participate in thread discussions.  

I have no problem with someone who belongs to both sites.


Phil

Quoted from mcornetto However, the issue I'm having is slamming people from a specific site or even just people who have come only for OWCs and read  scripts during the challenge.

If they've read scripts in previous OWCs, then they have an asterisk next to their name, NO?

Not bashing anybody. This site is the bomb. Had nine filmakers ask about my latest short. Three from simply's facebook account.

Jeff!!! Get on FB pronto you old man.

I don't see any ill will towards newcomers. Last OWC that PHwhittcroft lad wrote the best of the bunch IMO. Yet, he's never here outside of OWC. Much like Cam17 (Cameron) those guys rock out some serious scripts. Yet, modest board members. In other words, they have lives. But!!!! They're board members.

I still don't get your gripe Michael.


James

Quoted from jwent6688 If they've read scripts in previous OWCs, then they have an asterisk next to their name, NO? Not bashing anybody. This site is the bomb. Had nine filmakers ask about my latest short. Three from simply's facebook account. Jeff!!! Get on FB pronto you old man. I don't see any ill will towards newcomers. Last OWC that PHwhittcroft lad wrote the best of the bunch IMO. Yet, he's never here outside of OWC. Much like Cam17 (Cameron) those guys rock out some serious scripts. Yet, modest board members. In other words, they have lives. But!!!! They're board members. I still don't get your gripe Michael. James

My gripe is this statement and has nothing whatsoever to do with you James.

Quoted from dogglebe A lot of the moviepoet members drop off their scripts, here.  I, for one, don't want to read forty scripts based on finding a relic in grandma's underwear drawer (or what the theme is) when half of them are from people aren't SS members who don't read other scripts.

I have the utmost faith in the community.

I'm kind of torn. I mean, I think it would be nice to know who wrote what because if you're a fan of a certain writer, then you would want to be sure to read what they have entered right away... and Babz's Werewolves of London Challenge went well...

but then again, I like the mystery of the OWC, and like to guess at who wrote what, too.

Cindy

I will totally miss the mystery this time around.  I feel the anonymous nature of the entries is what really makes the OWC what it is.

Oh well...

In Real Life, the buddy system is in full effect.
Merit ain't everything.

It'll be interesting to see how cliquish things develop, if at all.

I don't think whether the challenge is anonymous or not makes a big difference. People still critique the same way. Look at the recent 7WC, I think it was successful.

The scripts weren't posted anonymously in the original challenges.

When iScript became involved and we voted on the best script, so things went anonymous to be fair.   Don also did it so every script would get a fair chance at getting read.


Phil

They went anonymous long before iScript.

My bad.


Phil

It hasn't always been horror... and what a clusterf--- that turned out to be.  When it was horror, it was always a specific type of horror, gothic horror or adolescent horror.  The point was to keep your basic slasher stuff out of the challenge.


Phil

Can I play? Someone PM me. When ready o'course.

"It's not amusing. It's just confusing."

There were entries like that in the last OWC, Ray. Quite a few.

I'm not for it though - I think it's a waste of time. Why to read...comment.... And what kind of comments it should be - doesn't work for me as it's not foolish enough, sorry:)

I bet it will be

Western/Pumpkin Shoot out

I bet it will be...

Chucacabra animal mutilations in Puerto Rico

I'm certain it won't.

Adolescent horror, in lover's lane.

Geoffrey Peterson:  "IN YOUR PANTS!"

Yes, in my pants.  Thank you, Jeff.


Phil

Quoted from Grandma Bear Western/Pumpkin Shoot out

I like this idea, although I'd be no good at writing the lingo.  Be good to read though.

When's the theme and deadline posted? If the theme and page count are right i'll do it. I'm really trying to polish a script to enter some contest with next year and doing my best to finish my comedy, so anything too heavy won't be ideal for me.

Sometime tonight, once Don gets all liquored up and comes up with a genre and theme.


Phil

Quoted from Don In order to help your planning of activities, the schedule for the October (Halloween) One Week Challenge is: Topic and Genre to be release on October 8.  Due date for scripts is October 15th at 11:50 pm eastern daylight time.   More later, Don

Seems the last couple times of announcement have been 8pm EST or just before midnight.

Let's hope Don gets really liquored up and throws out a doozy!

throws out, but not throws up.


Phil

It's getting on towards midnight here! Come on Don, let's have it before I have to go to bed! :)

It's just past 6:00pm where he is.  You may want to go to bed now.

Quoted from JonnyBoy It's getting on towards midnight here! Come on Don, let's have it before I have to go to bed! :)

The Theme and Genre will be announced at 10:00 pm eastern day light time.

Excellent. We await with bated breath. Well, I do. Er. yeah.

RH xo

Quoted from rendevous Excellent. We await with bated breath. Well, I do. Er. yeah. RH xo

Told you you should lay off those Sardines, R.


++++++++++

Don's Edit

The challenge is here:

http://www.simplyscripts.net/cgi-bin/Blah/Blah.pl?b-10OWC/m-1286589906/