I'm really looking forward to this one. I was wondering why, since I almost didn't do the recent OWC. And I figured it out.

I've been so busy with rewrites that I don't have the opportunity to write new stuff, other than new scenes in the rewrites. I think that's why I'm excited for this one. I already have a few days blocked off to work on it. Definitely pumped to do a new short!

I love shorts and the OWC and the MP comp are just perfect for me. Looking forward to the October OWC! Even if it's something that doesn't speak to me, I usually submit something.  Which remind me I should have rewritten the last one!! Better do that!!    :o :X

I've understood that the next one will be for horror. I'll probably skip it, if that is the case. Not my genre in the least.

Henrik, you can do spooky drama, can't you? You'll get some people say it's not horror, but so what. Think Vincent Price, Dark Shadows, the old school stuff. A lot of people don't consider that horror now, but I think it counts.

You have the championship belt! Don't give it up, make someone take it from you!

I'm not sure if I will or won't. Will I? Won't I? Will I? Won't I?

I can't make up my mind.  :)

Sandra

Quoted from leitskev Henrik, you can do spooky drama, can't you? You'll get some people say it's not horror, but so what. Think Vincent Price, Dark Shadows, the old school stuff. A lot of people don't consider that horror now, but I think it counts.

I'm a complete ignoramus when it comes to horror in general. I haven't even seen those old things. I've only seen a handful of horror movies, nothing to give me any practical sense of the genre.

But we'll see. If an idea should magically surface... Or if I summon some demons. I have the Satanic Bible and everything.

You don't know what the genre and theme will be until the fat lady sings.   So don't give up so easily.  

Is that how you won the last OWC? A deal with Satan? Man, you need an agent!

I don't even know if horror is the topic. Everyone assumes because of Halloween. But if it is, didn't you hear ghost stories as a kid? And it doesn't have to be supernatural. Can involve murder, torture, bloody violence. Actually, Remnant was sci fi and not too far off from horror. You'll get an idea, I have faith.

Sandra's in, of course!

Write a story with "Mumin trolls" in it.  :)

Quoted from Pii I've understood that the next one will be for horror. I'll probably skip it, if that is the case. Not my genre in the least.

I was the same last year henrik. Had never tried a horror short, as I'm a comedy man.

Did one and it came out pretty good! I enjoyed the new challenge! So go for it man.

Don, another suggestion - all scripts have to ref the Beatles at least once?! ;) :P ;D

Quoted from stevie I enjoy comedy men...and henrik. Never tried Don. Did the Beatles at least once...pretty good!:P ;D

Quoted from leitskev Is that how you won the last OWC? A deal with Satan? Man, you need an agent!

What? You saying that Satan's not the best agent around?

You can't say that he's not good at making deals.

Quoted from stevie I was the same last year henrik. Had never tried a horror short, as I'm a comedy man.

Well, actually, now that I think about it I realize that I actually have written a horror movie. It was an adaptation of H. P. Lovecrafts Reanimator that was commissioned from me by a production team who lost their interest almost immediately after I handed my draft. I don't think it was because of the draft, because the whole team dissolved.

And the short that I'm writing for production right now features some pretty blatant horror elements. So I guess I do write horror after all...

Quoted from stevie Don, another suggestion - all scripts have to ref the Beatles at least once?! ;) :P ;D

The Beatles... Sounds vaguely familiar.

Are they new?

HE makes good deals. YOU'RE the one that doesn't. I hope it wasn't your soul for an OWC title! There was an episode of the Simpsons where Homer sold his soul for a donut.  Is Henrik Finnish for Homer?

I don't actually know what the Homer would be in Finnish... But I'd definitely get at least two donuts! However, let me assure you that no mythical beings were involved in my OWC submission. Just sheer panic and dumb luck.

Quoted from mcornetto You don't know what the genre and theme will be until the fat lady sings.   So don't give up so easily.

That's right. Could be about a Haloween Party and the most scary thing is an accident while bobbin' for apples.

My guess - it'll be drama, and the theme will be 'a family secret is revealed at a picnic.'

It was a non-horror theme once, and a bunch of people got ugly over it.

Don has given us specific horror genres in the past.  Adolescent horror was something he did once or twice, and with good results.


Phil

One thing that makes me consider that I might skip it in case of horror/Halloween -theme is that it's really just an American thing. It's only observed in a handful of countries and since this is very much an international community, it feels counterproductive to let such a local event dictate the direction of the entire thing.

Im in for sure. And if its horror Im totally in! Its the season right?

I think everyone expects horror, or at least spooky. I'm ready! My mind is blank, eh, I mean clear, ready for a challenge.

Me to, my minds a blank as well. But something will pop up eventually, right? (Sound of crickets)

Supposed to be blank now. I'm not even thinking about it. I'll think when the thing starts. Hopefully something good comes into my head!

I left alone my mind was blank
I needed time to think to get the memories from my mind
What did I see can I believe
That what I saw that night was real and not just fantasy
Just what I saw in my own dreams
Was the reflections of my woman staring back at me
Because in my dreams it's always there
The evil face that twists my mind and brings me to despair

Non-American, more Gothic horror could be fun. More Nosferatu than Blade.

hope i can somehow add my "comedy" to this, b/c extremely mild comedy is all I've got.

If the genre is comedy, then you're golden.  If it's horror, please don't write comedy.

You can have horror with comedy. Like Zombieland. I know some will say that's not horror, but it seems like a horror/comedy to me. Kind of like this September for the Red Sox!

i prefer horror/comedy to straight horror myself, but chances are if there's no room for "snappy dialogue," I won't submit anything.

Why would you suggest horror can't have "snappy dialogue"?  Just watch Up From the Depths and you'll be very surprised...

Quoted from Conz i prefer horror/comedy to straight horror myself, but chances are if there's no room for "snappy dialogue," I won't submit anything.

Not being rude, but the only script you commented on in the most recent OWC was your own.  If that's all you plan on doing then please don't bother submitting.

Greg

Thank you Greg!  Well put.  I wanted to say something along the same lines but have to watch my step these days, as I know I'm on thin ice here.

I think there was another guy who didn't comment on a single entry.

Very, very weak!!

Uh-oh, I feel a lynch mob forming. Then again, I have no defense for this guy and his "snappy" dialogue. Maybe Don could send all the members a pm if said person enters a script and we could all let it drop down the portal into the turd basket without any reads.

James

The ONLY reason I didn't enter the last OWC is because I knew there would be a big turnout and I knew I would not have time to read and comment on every script, and I did not want to be disrespectful.

So yes, if anyone finds that they don't have the time to reciprocate reads then they should not enter.

I got the impression that the number of entries was a bit of a surprise - it had "been quiet" on SS at the time, and I am pretty sure I read a comment from someone that it might be a very low turnout, though I may be misremembering that.

That was limited to members of the Forum, of course - this one is open. What sort of difference does this tend to make to entries?

If you aren't a Forum member, you can't comment on any scripts, not even your own, can you? Which I can see causing a few problems.

I think the rule of thumb, at least I've seen it in other OWCs, Is that you're kindly asked to read at least three OWC entries other then your own. Thats when its open to the public.

I'm sure Don felt he didn't have to reitirate that when an OWC is for members only.

I hope Don puts an asterisk next to the writers script as he did in the past. Signaling that this writer is an active participant. I think I read at least 10 and didn't even enter.

I very rarely read them all. Its not required, but if I miss any from peeps I know and respect on here, I check out their script after the reveal. Plus, always a shitload of pm'ing going on during an OWC.

James

When I participate I try to read all scripts entered. When there are 40+ scripts entered however, I think it's a lot to ask everyone to read them all.

Don did do a cool thing a few times and that was adding those asterisks by the title to show if the writer is reading or not.

In the last OWC that was one script I didn't read, because I had to download it and I hate that! so I decided to wait with that one for the reveal and it turn out I didn't recognize the writer nor had that person read much so I skipped that one.

And to those who are not interested in horror or Halloween because you're from another part of the planet (so am I btw) fall still lend itself nicely to horror/spooky/darker stuff with nights getting longer and vegetation dying and turning brown. So, unless we worry about people south of the equator, this time of year is still good for darker themes. And I hate f^%&(#g comedies...no one likes my sense of humor anyway.  ;D

Quoted from Grandma Bear And I hate f^%&(#g comedies...no one likes my sense of humor anyway.  ;D

And that's why you win Movie Poet comedy contests...

Quoted from Grandma Bear And I hate f^%&(#g comedies...no one likes my sense of humor anyway.  ;D

Oh, but there have been great comedies with horror in them.
Most of 'em star Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Lopez or Kate Hudson.
And I don't mean Leprechan, Anaconda or The Skeleton Key

;D

I'm new to this site, and fairly new to screenwriting in general, so I wasn't sure I had enough knowledge to fairly review the September contest scripts. Although I'm very thankful for the helpful criticism on my own script, Stuck Here With You, and I vow to read and review all of the October scripts, as well as start to be more active on here.    

Ecto, don't ever hesitate to give your opinion. It's all part of finding your voice anyway. Personally, I find that sometimes there is a distinct value in the insight of new members. They are less likely to focus on certain things, and more likely to look at other things. So jump in!

Quoted from Ectoplasm I'm new to this site, and fairly new to screenwriting in general, so I wasn't sure I had enough knowledge to fairly review the September contest scripts. Although I'm very thankful for the helpful criticism on my own script, Stuck Here With You, and I vow to read and review all of the October scripts, as well as start to be more active on here.

Ecto, That's the right attitude. You don't have to read them all, just a few. Even if you drop a simple "I Liked/disliked it" it will get you out of the dog house with the regulars here. Others who have been members here for months, received several reads on their works only to lay a giant 0 in the OWC as far as reads? Total "Sneeze/Conz" D- bags IMO.

James

Quoted from greg Not being rude, but the only script you commented on in the most recent OWC was your own.  If that's all you plan on doing then please don't bother submitting. Greg

you got it boss.  I'm reading your twice, and Dreamscales three times.  ... depending on the topic of course.

How bout reading them once, and using the other reads for other scripts. This site is about SHARING feedback. Certainly read anyone who read yours. The worst part about saying this is that it seems so obvious.

Conz, whether that proves to be remotely true or not, you seem to be missing the bigger issue here.  Your script was read and reviewed by numerous peeps before the close of the OWC.  It's now another week later, and you still haven't read a single script!  You need to read them before the voting takes place, before all interest is gone.

Quoted from Conz you got it boss.  I'm reading your twice, and Dreamscales three times.  ... depending on the topic of course.

Cool story, bro.  Give me a 5 paragraph, 1000 word essay analyzing and interpreting the theme and genre in your review while you're at it.  

Quoted from greg Not being rude, but the only script you commented on in the most recent OWC was your own.  If that's all you plan on doing then please don't bother submitting.

Quoted from Mr. Thin Ice Thank you Greg!  Well put.  I wanted to say something along the same lines but have to watch my step these days, as I know I'm on thin ice here. I think there was another guy who didn't comment on a single entry. Very, very weak!!

Nope, calling out non-readers is acceptable.

It gets said every time, but bears repeating.  And will probably get repeated again.

If you are not going to read, please do not enter.

We emphasize every time that nobody expects anybody to read them all.  Almost nobody can pull that off, so don't sweat it.

But not even a single, lonely one?  Really?

Reading absolutely zero makes you kind of a jerk.  Every time.  No exceptions.

Quoted from bert But not even a single, lonely one?  Really? Reading absolutely zero makes you kind of a jerk.  Every time.  No exceptions.

To be fair, Bert. I do think that there are some people that just might be all wide eyed, but not recognize their value as a reader. I really do believe that there are people that come along and they do not wish to be a jerk or jerkette, but they just don't understand the mutual value in reciprocity.

Just wanted to say that, but I do understand what you're saying and your hard line. I'm probably too easy I know, but I do think that there are innocent people who might get slammed and they never meant to be neglectful or mean.

Sandra

We need a countdown clock for the OWC. Someone send a memo to SS engineering.

Quoted from leitskev We need a countdown clock for the OWC. Someone send a memo to SS engineering.

LOL, Dave put that on a website he's working with (right up in the right hand corner) and I told him (jokingly) it scared me. He took it down.  :)

I think it's a good idea, but maybe we need to make it "blink" in and out. So it doesn't scare us so much. Maybe like coolific ghosts or something. Excellent work for the special effects department.

You make me smile, Kevin.

Sandra

It's Halloween! You're supposed to be scared, Sandra!

Quoted from leitskev We need a countdown clock for the OWC. Someone send a memo to SS engineering.

I sent Don some info about doing a countdown clock.   He's probably too busy to actually  do it though.  

Quoted from leitskev It's Halloween! You're supposed to be scared, Sandra!

;D

I guess I equate Halloween with making fun for kids.

I'm all in gear (in cahoots with my daughter) for making Halloween parties, at home and for cadets. Her boyfriend, (little does he know it) is very vulnerable in the department of becoming Harry Potter.  :)

Seriously, I love him so much like my own son and the cool thing is:

I know, he's as much a trickster as I am. Maybe in the future we can scheme together!

Seriously though, (and can I ever be serious?), I'm wondering what this OWC will present. Will it be horror? Or something else? Any guesses?

Sandra

Quoted from Sandra Elstree. I guess I equate Halloween with making fun for kids.

I always think of Halloween as the one day of the year when people can be themselves.  

Anything spooky or supernatural seems good to me. I'm game for whatever. I'm more a fan of the traditional ghost tale than the chop an arm off with an ax stuff, but whatever.

Quoted from leitskev Anything spooky or supernatural seems good to me. I'm game for whatever. I'm more a fan of the traditional ghost tale than the chop an arm off with an ax stuff, but whatever.

While I wouldn't mind a horror, I'm reading 46 short scripts over at Movie Poet, whos Sept. lot has dealings with Mummies, Vampires, Zombies and ghosts. I'm not burned out, but I might be a bit weary of ghost tales, and maybe a few vampy ones at that.

I'd much rather hope for murder-mystery or Outer Limits type stuff, or at least killer clown puppets.

I'm cool with all those. Twilight Zone/Outer Limits would be great. Twilight Zone was one of my favorite shows.

Quoted from Sandra Elstree. I do understand what you're saying and your hard line. I'm probably too easy...

And I am likely too harsh -- but in fairness, I do only get worked up about the zeros.

Nice post, Sandra, and nice counterbalance, lest I run people away.  You often make good sense when I actually understand what you are saying  :)

I'm looking forward to seeing what the challenge is. Unlike the majority of writers here (casual observation, not based on any hard data) I'm not a horror fiend or an OWC veteran for that matter. But, even if I just get an oppurtunity to read and comment on some good scripts, I'm okay with that.

"We're live here at Belmont, and the horses are marching toward the gate, ready to start the Oct OWC, set to go off in about an hour. It is unknown if defending champ Henrik will enter the race, but word is he ran a few laps this morning and feels good. Stay tuned while we break for a word from our sponsors."

"And there's the old horse known as Dreamscale, trotting around the track, getting a lather on.  We were told earlier by his trainer that he'll be out in the pasture tonight and won't be able to gauge the challenge or competition until tomorrow morning, when the race commences.

The dark horse, known as Leitskev has been seen everywhere today.  Word is that he's raring to go and ready to fly down the expected muddy track in record time.

Back to our sponsors, Midol and Extenz."

Is Extenz for hair? I want dreadlocks.

Oops - Extenze - male enhancement - you probably want that too, right?   ;D ;D

Quoted from Dreamscale "Back to our sponsors, Midol and Extenz.  iScript.com  Hollywood is listening"

Double dose, Jeff, double dose.

                                     BOB COSTAS
"Bob Costas, here, with my special guest commentator, the one and only Ernest Borgnine.  Ernie, what do you make of this great pageantry?"

                                      ERNEST BORGNINE
"Well, Bob, first of all, I have to comment on your toupee...it's looking...well...not too great, to be honest, but on a serious note, these fucking horses all look fired up.  I haven't seen a field like this since back in the early 1900's."

                                       BOB COSTAS
"And I see you brought along an old friend of yours to help with the commentary, didn't you?  You did, didn't you?"

                                       ERNEST BORGNINE
"Yes, I did, Bob, you asshole.  I actually dug up Jack Palance's corpse and thought he...or it could provide some real nostalgia for us.  People don't know this, but I've actually been working on my ventriloquist skills these last 60 or 70 years and I thought I'd display them tonight, using old Jack's corpse."

                                        BOB COSTAS
"Well, Ernie, I'm not so sure that's going to go over very well, but you're a damn fine old man, and the stage is yours...and Jack's tonight."
                                             (beat)
"And down on the track, we have Kenny Rice, who also brought along a guest.  Kenny?  Are you there?"

                                         KENNY RICE
Yes, yes, I'm here, Bob.  Thank you.  And I have to say I love seeing Ernie out and about at his ripe old age.  By the time I got to Jack Palance's grave, I saw it was already dug up, so I brought along a friend of mine, fellow MMA commentator, Bas Rutten."
                                               (beat)
"Bas?  What are your thoughts on this challenge?"

                                           BAS RUTTEN
Well, Kenny, I just want to say that I've had my eye...well...both eyes...all three eyes, actually, on that Swedish filly, Pia. She looks damn good as always and I've seen her writing before and have always been impressed."

                                            KENNY RICE
"You've been impressed with her writing or her looks, Bas, you old perv, you?"

                                             BAS RUTTEN
"Well, to be honest, both.  Being Dutch, I've always had a thang for those damn blonde Swedes.  She writes a mean horror tale as well, and you know how I feel about tail in general..."

                                              KENNY RICE
"And there we have it.  Back to you, Bob."

                               BOB COSTAS
"And now a word from our actual sponsor, iscripts.  Ernie, would you do the honors using Jack's old corpse?

                                JACK PALANCE'S CORPSE
                                       (though Ernest Borgnine's ventriloquist skills)
"iscript is a great service that many of you may not be familiar with.  They provide skilled voice actors who read your script and bring it to life, much like my semi-reanimated corpse. They charge only a very fair rate and hearing your script performed in this manner can be priceless."

                                 BOB COSTAS
"Thank you Ernie...I mean Jack...oh shit, I'm not sure what I mean.  Kenny?"

                                  KENNY RICE
Thanks, Bob.  I was talking with Michael Bisping recently and he wanted me to know about a British implant that seems to be a force to be reckoned with.  He goes by the name of darrenjames, and not many have read his stuff yet, but word is that he could turn this challenge upside down."

                                  BOB COSTAS
"Are you referring to Darren James Seeley?  I didn't realize he was British."

                                   KENNY RICE
"No, Bob, you dumnass, it's a rather new horse...goes simply by darrenjames, or Daz."

                                    BAS RUTTEN
"Who cares, where's Pia?  I want to watch her strut her stuff."

                                     BOB COSTAS
"Oh wait...there's the old horse himself, Dogglebe.  You can't miss him, the only horse in the running wearing socks on all four hooves.  You can never count him out."

The Challenge is On!

http://www.simplyscripts.net/cgi-bin/Blah/Blah.pl?b-OCT11/m-1318039238/

- Don