All the first 11 pages submitted have been posted.  There were 12 entries.  If you did not submit the first 11 pages, you re still welcome to participate in the 6WC portion of this on the theme.

Don

I think we had a great turnout this time. Almost all the scripts were written by contributing members (not sure about the Shyamaladingdong one) and for the most part, they're pretty promising.

I hope everyone actually finishes... a lot of these look like they could be really interesting.

Quoted from crookedowl (not sure about the Shyamaladingdong one)

Ha! Laughed at that. ;D

Yeah, decent turnout with some solid scripts. Would be great if we all finish. :)

I missed the original deadline for the first 11 pages. However, I'm not writing off the whole thing. You may well still find me in the end.

Yeah, I missed it too. :P If anyone wants to hook me up with a read, PM me and I will cut it down to 11 pages and shoot an e-mail over.

Finished the entries, some good stuff here, hard to judge since it's the first 10 pages so a lot of comments seem familiar. Oh, well. :)

Come on, guys. Why so quiet? :P

I'm going to start outlining on the weekend, very excited. How's everyone else doing?

I have an outline and 10 or so pages written. I need to finish rewrites of some other projects, but I am trying to get at least a first draft ready by the deadline. Like I mentioned earlier, the title is Dead Ringer and is a thriller...hopefully.  ;D

I've written 15 additional pages, but it's a rough draft. Haven't sent anything to Steven yet. We aren't using an outline.

I still have two entries to read. I haven't forgotten-- reviews coming soon.

Stop being such a sissy, just send those 15 this way.  :P

Quoted from crookedowl Haven't sent anything to Steven yet. We aren't using an outline.

What's an outline?   :)

In truth, this time around, I feel a destination. Not an outline, but good enough to lift my spirits and want to dance upon my grave.

Do good stuff! Looking forward.

Sandra

Quoted from Guest Stop being such a sissy, just send those 15 this way.  :P

Do you mind sending them to me as well?  I'll just incorporate them into my script as well.  ;D

Gary

Being honest here... I thought Will would have sent me pages already.

Fool be slackin'.   :P

Quoted from Guest Fool be slackin'.   :P

Truth. But there, I sent it.

Well done to those who entered, stuck their necks out etc. I think. Have a couple left to read.

If anybody wants a read, second opinion etc let me know

I wanted to enter to get me off my arse and write another feature. I enjoy the shorts at the moment, but there is a time to move on. So, having failed to turn up, i dusted down all my ideas,  tried as best as possible to choose the one with the most interesting  hook, and am working on the detail.

Every time I look at a feature I go through waves of 'this is good' ...then...' I can't work it out' and often end up feeling a bit deflated by it all.

Even deciding on the genre is an issue. This may some weird  to some but with my idea it could easily have been drama, thriller, slapstick comedy and it was only deciding that I would take it down the Dark comedy route that some of the issues started to clear.

Next I need to nail down my protag - poor sod. I have a lot of ideas for him but they have to link with the script, the tone, genre and how the comedy plays out. When i throw all these things into the melting pot, something feels off. Needs some work.

Anyway, end of my rambles but whilst I'm not part of the 'the script with a new phone gang' I am happy to be on this thread.

Cheers Folks

Quoted from Reef Dreamer If anybody wants a read, second opinion etc let me know

I spent the first week on the outline and therefore did not enter the first ten in one week. I was aiming more for the 7WC.

If you feel up to it, I wouldn't mind someone having a look at my first 10-12 pages. :)

Quoted from Grandma Bear I spent the first week on the outline and therefore did not enter the first ten in one week. I was aiming more for the 7WC. If you feel up to it, I wouldn't mind someone having a look at my first 10-12 pages. :)

Of course...

Can you PM me a link?

Thanks guys for offering to read. I just sent it to you.  :)

I'll be down, Angry Bear.

It's only 10 - 12 pgs.  I'm going to review these entries. I've just been busy with my own work. lol.

Gabe

April 26th...33 days and counting.

Quoted from Blakkwolfe April 26th...33 days and counting.

I'm well off course... 16 pages :(

I need an office job.

Mark

33 days left...I have to write 2.5 pages per day to make 90. Easy! 8)

Quoted from Grandma Bear 33 days left...I have to write 2.5 pages per day to make 90. Easy! 8)

Gee wilickers, with the way yours ended I thought it would be 100+!

Quoted from irish eyes I'm well off course... 16 pages :( I need an office job.

I know that feel. 19 pages in, outline is finished, just trying to get into the groove of writing.

How's everyone doing? I'm on page 30 and on track. If I continue with 3 pages/day it should give me a week to polish so it's not so hard on the readers.  

Mine is now a psychological horror/thriller.  8)

If anybody wants a sanity check of their script, in other words an early 'vomit draft' read, let me know.

I am still working on my idea, which has now charged genre, but hopefully its for the best.

Scrapping mine...and starting over...but will be done by deadline! :)

Quoted from Reef Dreamer If anybody wants a sanity check of their script, in other words an early 'vomit draft' read, let me know.

How can anyone ignore that! You're on if you don't mind some violence and sex. And same offer to you!  :)

I know you'll do it Dena!   8)

Anyone struggling? Needing some help or a push?

"You're on if you don't mind some violence and sex."

I think she means in the script, Bill. You never know with the Angry Bear, though!

I'm on page 43 and I need help to introduce an acid trip/dream sequence via slug...

BEGIN ACID DREAM:

EXT. CANDY FOREST UNDER THE SEA - DAY

A liquid sun bathes the narrow path through licorice trees and cotton candy flora.

Our hero swims in a state of bliss.

END ACID DREAM

Quoted from KevinLenihan BEGIN ACID DREAM: EXT. CANDY FOREST UNDER THE SEA - DAY A liquid sun bathes the narrow path through licorice trees and cotton candy flora. Our hero swims in a state of bliss. END ACID DREAM

Thanks!  Wasn't sure if ACID TRIP or DREAM needed further clarification.

22 pages in, struggling to write this one. I usually finish a rough draft of my features in one or two weeks, but nothing is coming out at the moment. Hopefully the long weekend will be the cure to finally start banging out some good pages!

Thanks Kevin for giving Johnny a good example. 8)

Mo, is there anything in particular we can help you with? What are you struggling with? That's what this 7WC is for, help everyone to complete a feature. Let us know your problem.

As far as the sex and violence goes, I'm just warning people, because my scripts have caused people to leave the site in the past.

Thanks for the offer to help, Pia :). But I think this is just me refusing to force myself to write. I'm hoping it's just a little bump and I can finish by the deadline.

Good luck everyone!

Mo, try this: one idea per cup of coffee.

So if you sit down to 3 cups a day, try to solve one problem or come up with one idea each cup. I mean if you solve even just 2 problems a day, you'll have a script in a few weeks.

I think sometimes people put pressure on themselves to solve everything at once. A couple little steps a day will get you through. The writing is the easy part. It's the ideas that are the challenge. Couple a day does the trick.

I have confidence in you! I still remember your kick ass short. You still the man!

Quoted from Mo 22 pages in, struggling to write this one. I usually finish a rough draft of my features in one or two weeks, but nothing is coming out at the moment. Hopefully the long weekend will be the cure to finally start banging out some good pages!

I'm with you buddy... We should combine our scripts, at least that way, we'll be halfway done :D

Mark

Pretty good there Michael!

Here's an outtake from mine.


Kyle taps away on the phone. Ryan waits patiently, checks out the crowd.

Kyle�s eyebrows rise in surprise at what he sees on the phone. He nods in approval. Smirks. After a while, his face get more serious. Shows concern even.

KYLE
What�s her name?

RYAN
Sandra. Why? What you looking at?

Kyle looks up at Ryan, with a frown.

KYLE
So, how long have you known this chick? I haven�t heard you saying a word about her before.

Ryan checks his watch.

RYAN
About five hours.

KYLE
Five hours? You sure about that?

Kyle leans forward, shows the cell phone screen to Ryan.

KYLE
Then how do you explain this?

Ryan grabs the phone. He frowns in confusion.

On the screen is a picture of Ryan lounging by a swimming pool. Ryan scrolls to the next picture. It�s of him at a grocery store. Next picture is of him getting into his car.
Ryan scrolls faster to more pictures. There are dozens of them. Hundreds. All of Ryan in various situations.

RYAN
What the fuck...

Sounds familiar.

What's your title, genre and logline?

Dead Ringer. Why does it sound familiar?

Quoted from Grandma Bear Here's an outtake from mine.

In context of what comes before this, it has the feeling like it's all been predetermined in some way.  I don't get how the phone was empty in one scene and overflows with pics the next.  Looks like we got a Scooby-Doo mystery on our hands.

An excerpt from NEON GAY:

Jimmy steals the phone away from Milton.

JIMMY
Who is this?

DISTURBING VOICE (V.O.)
Tracy or Stacey?

JIMMY
I don’t know who you are, but listen up asshole.  I’m not going to be your Tracy or Stacey doll.  And I’m sure as hell not going to stop the thunder over some guy who thinks he can bribe me with a fucking phone.  On the other hand, I do thank you for the phone and I hope my respectful denial of your request doesn’t cause you to have regrets about sending me such a thoughtful gift.

Jimmy rolls his eyes.

DISTURBING VOICE (V.O.)
Stacey.

JIMMY
Why can’t I be Barbie motherfucker?

The phone clicks silent.

Hey guys -- and Will, especially.  Sadly I have to pull out of this.

My uncle passed tonight and my mom was really attached to her brother.

Just a couple of months earlier, her father passed as well.

So it's two in a row and it's hard hitting.  My attention needs to be else where.


I'm pretty messed up over this too.

Sorry again.... but I'll see you guys around.


Take it easy.

What sad news, Reaper, my prayers are with your family tonight.  Attention is for sure in the right place.

Quoted from Guest Hey guys -- and Will, especially.  Sadly I have to pull out of this. My uncle passed tonight and my mom was really attached to her brother. Just a couple of months earlier, her father passed as well. So it's two in a row and it's hard hitting.  My attention needs to be else where. I'm pretty messed up over this too. Sorry again.... but I'll see you guys around. Take it easy.

Steven,

Sorry to hear the news about your uncle. My deepest condolences go out to you and your family.

Dirk

Sorry to hear this, Steven. I don't blame you for pulling out of this. Your attention's in the right place, for sure.

My condolences.

Will

Sad to hear that, Reaper.

@Kevin

Thanks for the confidence boost, man! It's a shame I'm not the coffee kind of guy ;). I'll try and take the slow approach like you suggested. :)

@Mark

Great idea!

Thoughts are with you and your fam...Reaper....

Quoted from Grandma Bear I know you'll do it Dena!   8)

I'll finish, just juggling...trying to finish a tv pilot, a horror script for that contest Phil suggested, and then this. :) But I like a challenge.

That's terrible news, Steven. Condolences to you & your family.

Quoted from Steven Hey guys -- and Will, especially.  Sadly I have to pull out of this. My uncle passed tonight and my mom was really attached to her brother. Just a couple of months earlier, her father passed as well. So it's two in a row and it's hard hitting.  My attention needs to be else where. I'm pretty messed up over this too. Sorry again.... but I'll see you guys around. Take it easy.

I'm sorry for your loss Steven... Family always comes first.

Mark

Quoted from Pia Dead Ringer. Why does it sound familiar?

Dead Ringers... Jeremy Irons

I just watched this last night, a great movie.

Mark

Sorry to hear that Reaper. My condolences.

You can always submit afterwards. That's what I did with DE.

Gabe

I have complete writer's block.

I had a plan and I'm running out of time. Problem is,  I have a great idea for a totally different script, same context (smartphone) and now I have to start from the beginning.

I'm so confused peeps.

Mark

Send it my way. I'll read it and see what you can do?

Gabe

Quoted from irish eyes Dead Ringers... Jeremy Irons

I remember seeing that one. I checked the title too, which I always do before I decide on one, but mine has nothing in common with that film other than the title. I though he meant the story sounded familiar.  :)

Btw, did you write a 10 pager for the 7WC first? If so, why did you give up on it?

No probs Gabe... After I talked to you, I got a couple more pages... then crashed again :D:D:D

I'll send it your way

Thanks

Mark

Hey Reaper - my condolences - family always comes first.

I just stuck 9.5 pages together, so I'm 90% up for a late entry. My wife hates it when I say that.

Quoted from Pia Btw, did you write a 10 pager for the 7WC first? If so, why did you give up on it?

I didn't give up, I'm still on it... I just kinda crashed. I've only ever written one feature and that was 4 years ago... everything since then has been shorts or tv writing.

I had an outline, but then changed it because it made more sense. I just hit a stumbling block that's all.

Gabe has offered his assistance, so I'll be more than happy to throw it his way :D

Mark

Sorry to hear someone has pulled out but they definitely have their focus in the right place.

What started out to be a planned horror script has slowly morphed into a Mystery/Crime/Drama story with psychological foreplay. 45 pages in and I'm liking where it has gone. I think I prefer this direction than where I originally wanted it to be.

Anyone else having much luck on this?

Steven, sorry for your loss.  That is sad news indeed, and we all wish you and your family comfort and peace during this time.

Reaper: Sorry to hear about the passing of your uncle. Can always go back to your notes and finish up later if you like...

Got some notes done, character bios finished and a basic outline of where I'm gonna go with this...We'll see. Keep going, guys! Words on the page at this point-just get 'em down and focus on the clean up later...

Reaper - sad to hear. Condolences to you and your family.

ATM I'm stuck at page 25 cause I have two paths I could choose with the script - the easy one (a simple one way direction) or the harder one (couple of different directions - was my original idea, but maybe overloading it). My worst enemy is myself and overthinking EVERYTHING!

I missed the sad news somehow. I'm sorry for your family's loss, Reaper. I hope this Easter will still fill you with happiness  :)

I'm nearing page 45. Bill has read most of it and there are some concerns, but at this point, I just want to reach the end before I start thinking about rewrites and fixing things. I take all the comments and suggestions seriously though. I just never read my script while writing. I don't do that until I'm finished. Then I read it in one sitting to see how it feels.

Bflywings, if you'd like help or suggestions on where to take your story, feel free to ask for it here. Give us a little more to go on so we get a feel for your story.

Keep pushing guys. It's tough, but you'll feel sooooo good when you write FADE OUT:  8)

It does feel good. That's my testimonial for the 7owc.  lol.

And you never know who might want to film the script.

Gabe

Quoted from Grandma Bear Keep pushing guys. It's tough, but you'll feel sooooo good when you write FADE OUT:  8)

I'm only about 25 pages in. Can I just go ahead and write FADE OUT now and start this this process of feeling good? Because what I'm feeling now ain't it.

Quoted from Gary I'm only about 25 pages in. Can I just go ahead and write FADE OUT now and start this this process of feeling good? Because what I'm feeling now ain't it.

If it makes you feel any better, you're still one more page ahead of me  :D:D

Mark

YOU CAN DO IT! YOU CAN DO IT ALL NIGHT LONG! Rob Schneider

Quoted from Gary in Houston I'm only about 25 pages in. Can I just go ahead and write FADE OUT now and start this this process of feeling good? Because what I'm feeling now ain't it.

I've been through several page 25's. I think it goes with the territory. There's no nice way to search story material unless you're a robot, writing by numbers. And even the robots would be at a loss in opposite terms, searching for what at first seems worthless and untrustworthy-- not worth a scrap of paper. Something that doesn't add up with the numbers as numbers are often known to do. Unless they manage to sojourn with the X.

Why? Cause numbers are the tap-tap-tap of the SOS. Numbers are the tap-tap-tap of the computer keys. The logic needs the pain of the letters to give them meaning and vice versa.

In A Christmas Carol:

When the ghost asked, "Why do you doubt your senses?"

Scrooge answered:

>"Because, a little thing affects them. A slight disorder of the stomach makes them cheats.  You may be an undigested bit of beef, a blot of mustard, a crumb of cheese, a fragment of an underdone potato.  There's more of gravy than of grave about you, whatever you are!"

*And I say...

Don't rush through to

The Feeling Good Part

Feel good about the growth. Feel good about the failure. Without which, there is not one shred of good.

The food is presented. The food is eaten. The food is digested. The intestine is long and winding...

The road is long. And it runs in circles.  :K)

Sandra

Quoted from Sandra Elstree. The food is presented. The food is eaten. The food is digested. The intestine is long and winding... Sandra

And then naturally what comes out is... ;D

Sandra, thanks for the great words!   All of that is really true, and to prove it, I actually went in and cut out two scenes, so now I'm down to 23 pages, but I don't care!  Because it felt good to be writing and knowing I had fixed some things enough to give me a better direction with the rest of the script.

Thanks again and good luck with your work as well!

Gary

I hope more people are working on it than are responding here. The 7WC is a great way to get a first draft out. I'm nearing page 55. I'm trying to push for a first draft by this weekend. :)

Quoted from RJ ATM I'm stuck at page 25 cause I have two paths I could choose with the script - the easy one (a simple one way direction) or the harder one (couple of different directions - was my original idea, but maybe overloading it).

I always thought this would be a great way to write a trilogy.  At the end of the first story, the hero is given a choice.  The second and third stories would be WHAT IF the hero took A or B.

The problem with writing it is that I'd have to commit to a trilogy.


Phil

Quoted from Grandma Bear I hope more people are working on it than are responding here. The 7WC is a great way to get a first draft out.

Agreed, and also a great way to get feedback.

Page 40 here, going well but not even close to finishing yet. I'm predicting a 120 page script. We'll see how it goes.

Upto page 33 woohoo

It's 6 weeks from now, right? :D

Mark

@Mark

Was this the new script you were going to write, man? Or your original one?

I'm actually going to try and write 2 features for this 7WC. Got an amazing idea yesterday, one that uses the phone to its advantage rather than just a catalyst. Hopefully I have enough time!

Quoted from Mo Was this the new script you were going to write, man? Or your original one? I'm actually going to try and write 2 features for this 7WC. Got an amazing idea yesterday, one that uses the phone to its advantage rather than just a catalyst. Hopefully I have enough time!

This is the original one, for some reason I feel compelled to finish it.
Even though I have a great idea for another(actually my wife's) but I'm stealing it :D we pretty much laid it out from start to finish.
It's a thriller, which is something new for me.

I gotta give a big thanks to Gabe for giving me the boost I needed to move along with the original.

Mark

Quoted from irish eyes It's 6 weeks from now, right? :D

23 Days, depending on where you happen to be on the planet...

Hate my title. "Smart Phones, Stupid People" worked to get the 10 pages done, but not so good after that. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

I'm not going to make it. Too much on my platter right now. I'll finish mine though...just not by the deadline! :)

Dena - nooooooo. Sad to hear. Will read it when you are done- might take me a while to get through everyone else's first though - as I've previously said, I'm a really REALLY slow reader - I have to let everything sink in before moving on to the next page.

Pia - After reading your post, I was trying to come up with ideas on something to put up here that wouldn't reveal my whole story, but in the process I seemed to have worked things out and am now at page 51. So in a way - thanks.

Phil - Your trilogy idea also kind of helped me move things along in a way. Got my mind tinkering. So thanks to you too.  

Well, I'm 60 pages in and on course to get it finished within the deadline... Barring any disasters! Good luck to everyone else involved - I'm looking forward to seeing what everyone comes up with.

97 pages in, finally got my mojo back. I think it was the idea of writing a second feature that gave me this boost - but I'm suddenly doubting that I'll have enough time to write it (my second feature).

But a little upset, had to shave about 30 pages from the script and I do think the story actually suffers because of it. Have concluded three of my storylines and finished the first act of my fourth, let's hope I can finish that one in less than 23 pages.

Dena + everybody else who's struggling. Don't give up so easily, guys! I think a little determination can go a long way. :)

Yesss, finished! The feeling of writing 'Fade Out'. Coming in at 115 pages, Memories of a Forgotten Love is now officially a full feature.

Now, time to jumble everything up and pretend I actually put some effort into it. ;)

How's everybody else doing? Very excited to read the scripts when they're posted! :)

Woohoo!!  Congratulations!! I bet that feels good!

Mine is a tad short, 85 pages, but the first draft is finished. Maybe some readers can help offer some suggestions for things to add? I sent it out to the same guy that did FK and Blackout. They liked it! How weird is that?  ;D

Hey, congrats on getting it done!

Now I need to get off my rear and get to writing the ending for my script!  ;D

Quoted from Grandma Bear Woohoo!! Mine is a tad short, 85 pages, but the first draft is finished. Maybe some readers can help offer some suggestions for things to add? I sent it out to the same guy that did FK and Blackout. They liked it! How weird is that?  ;D

At 85 pages, it shows a job complete. All embellishments can be done afterwards.

As I recently read, someone spent a huge amount of time-- like three years on a first act. A damn good first act, but it was only a first act.

From a real beginning to a real end is difficult thing to master. I speak about that feeling that one would get inside. It's done. (Well maybe not all pretty yet) But the shell so to speak is done.

My goal is to keep mine at around the hundred page mark.

Mostly, at this point, it's about my protagonist needing to save the antagonist who has suffered a terrible fate worse than death.

I'm struggling with a lot of sub-plot and backstory and trying to do a lot of re-arranging. I can feel the thing, but I just can't nail it yet. Why do I like my life simple but my scripts complex? Still, I feel it's been worthwhile even if I can't finish this challenge.

I'm going to try my best. I just don't want to submit something that I know in my heart is undone.

WIP...  :K)

Sandra

Quoted from nawazm11 Yesss, finished! The feeling of writing 'Fade Out'. Coming in at 115 pages, Memories of a Forgotten Love is now officially a full feature. Now, time to jumble everything up and pretend I actually put some effort into it. ;) How's everybody else doing? Very excited to read the scripts when they're posted! :)

GAHHHHHHHH!!! Curse you, Mo!!!   ;D   But, seriously, congrats!  That's awesome!

Unfortunately, besides work really interfering with my writing at the moment (I didn't think about tax season when i committed to this) I can't make my mind focus on writing a "vomit draft" just so I can get to the end. I keep trying to re-write scenes as I go, which makes it a real slog to get through and I worry what it would look like if I just wrote 20 pages in a night without looking back.  After April 15th, I'm going to Vegas for three days, then I'm sending my wife to Atlanta for a week and that's when I'm going to focus on bringing this to completion. Vomit or not.

Quoted from Grandma Bear Mine is a tad short, 85 pages, but the first draft is finished. Maybe some readers can help offer some suggestions for things to add?

How about a lesbian shower scene?  Seems like a good way to increase that script to... say, 115 pages.


Phil

Thanks for the support, guys. Good luck.

Quoted from dogglebe How about a lesbian shower scene?  Seems like a good way to increase that script to... say, 115 pages.

Don't be revealing my screenwriting secrets, Phil. This one takes years to master.

Got to the end... at 81 pages.

Thankfully I have a whole bunch of things swimming in my head. A new scene here, a expanded scene there, a much better ending way over there.

I'm just happy I have the rough version done. Now to finish the real edition :D

Great to see guys finishing their scripts. :D

I'm at page 47 :D:D

But once I finish building a greenhouse, staining the wood, painting the house, fixing the plumbing, putting down a floor, cutting and nailing the molding in my FREE time, outside of own job(electrical).
In time for the in laws to come and torture my soul... then  I will write the rest of my script. :D

Mark

Quoted from dogglebe bate.

An excerpt from my script.

"Henry follows her gaze -- to see a few TEENAGE HOODLUMS leaning against a car, staring at her. One of them wolfwhistles, the other pretends to masturbate."

I got about twenty more of these, just my sneaky ways to increase the page length.

@Everyone still writing - You can do it, guys! :)

So I wanted to say something here and I hope you’ll indulge me for a little bit, and what follows is not meant to be maudlin in any way, shape or form, but rather a celebration of a discovery.

I entered this contest for a variety of reasons:  because I had not had a previous opportunity to enter one of the OWC’s, because I thought I had a story to tell, because I wanted to push myself as a writer, and mainly to find my strengths and weaknesses as a writer.

For the four weeks since I originally submitting my first ten pages, I have written, rewritten, rewritten, and rewritten some more.  I have agonized, sweated over, lost sleep over, and infuriated myself with this script.  I have beaten myself up to the point that I look like Rocky Balboa at the end of “Rocky” (or for that matter, pretty much any of the sequels).  

And after all the time that I have put in to this effort, I have made a great and wonderful discovery about myself:  I am not a writer.   Wait.  Let me backtrack slightly.  I am not a writer of features, or at least features that require a quick turnaround like this contest does.   That means I’ll almost assuredly never be a paid writer.   Maybe not even an unpaid one.  But here’s the deal.  I am 120 percent okay with that.  Even typing these words makes me feel like a weight has been lifted off me.  

I think I realized I could write shorts, primarily because they required less time to outline the story, and develop the characters.  Probably my biggest weakness is my inability to focus for a long enough period of time to do those very things.  It’s not that I’m lazy or that I lack creativity, it’s that I lack focus (I suffer from ADD and do not take medicine for it).  I get easily distracted from my writing unless I have a clear idea of where I want to take the story.  I am hella good at adaptations, and so I would be awesome at collaboration with someone else who develops the story but needs the script written out.  My daughter is an amazing writer, and I’ve given her my story idea, given her the parameters of what I want to happen, how it’s supposed to end, and she is going to provide me with a full-length storyline which I am going to ultimately adapt into the final screenplay.  Unfortunately, she is going to Italy shortly to study abroad for a couple of months, and doesn’t have the time to write this out before the contest deadline.  So I am officially a casualty, for now, but ultimately this script will get posted.

Do I regret entering the contest?  Not really, except to the extent I have utilized your valuable time to review my work and provide the insightful comments you did.   Like I said, I certainly learned some things about myself, and that is always a good thing.  I will not shirk my responsibility in reviewing everyone else’s work because I committed to that when I entered, and I will follow through on that. Thanks for understanding and I wish everyone the best of luck in finishing your work.

Gary

Hey Gary, sorry to hear that you won't be able to get yours finished in time and that you feel you'll never be a feature writer. I'm glad that you're okay with your epiphany, but the coolest thing you said is that you'll be able to get this feature finished with the help of your daughter. It also opens up the possibility of co-writing with her on any future feature ideas you have, and that's an amazing thing to be able to share with your daughter.

I managed to get mine finished today and it comes in at a whopping 76 pages! Luckily I've had an idea for something else that I can add in which will hopefully push it towards the 85 page mark.

Gary,

Sorry to hear you can't make the deadline. Great that you can finish it later with your daughter though.

That wieght being lifted off your shoulders is always a good sign that you know you're doing what's best for you. I love that feeling of realization - no more stress over something that your energy could be focused elsewhere on.

I know all about ADD - My son has it and he went undiagonsed for 8yrs - drove me nuts. When he's not on his meds he can't sit still for literally more than a minute. Can't focus at school. He's just all over the place. Smart boy though.

As for me - fade out at 85 pages. Still have to add a couple of scenes I missed, so once done it should be over 90. Woohoo! Finally!

Hope everyone else is close, if not already, feeling the relief too.

Sorry to hear you're out Gary. I started out writing shorts and I still struggle to get scripts to the 90 page mark. I just love shorts and that's where I feel most comfortable.

As far as page count goes, I just recently learned that 70 pages/minutes is the minimum for a feature film. Don't ask how I know this.  ;)

Good to see some people finishing!!  8)

Hey Gary buddy

Don't beat yourself up. It's not an easy challenge and especially when you work a full time job and have a family.
The fact that you're gonna finish it and working with your daughter on it, is awesome.

I haven't wrote a feature in 4 years and that was my one and only. So I really did this to challenge myself. Still, I'm at page 60 and my daughters don't want help me, unless I throw a Lalaloopsy doll in there.

I look forward to your finished product... I liked your first 10 :D

Good luck Gary

Mark

For those of you who follow Pale Yellow on FB.  I think she is nearly done with her script.  She already has a poster made.  

Don

I was just about to post a comment here!

Yeah, I was wondering how everyone's doing? It's been quiet here for awhile.

I'm out. Seems like trying to do these things is an open invitation for all kinds of crap to start pouring into your life. Looking forward to reading the entries and appreciate the opportunity to start thinking about screenwriting again. Thank you.

Shame you aren't going to get it finished Wolfe. Also, gratz Dena for finishing! :)

[I think] I have some good news! MOAFL has gotten a hit with somebody, it's probably nothing but a producer would like to read the treatment after seeing the first 10 pages on SS. And they mentioned they liked my 'Synopsis', which was actually my logline but who's complaining? ;D

This is probably not going to go anywhere but it's still a good feeling.

Only one person has read the script so far, some good feedback.

AWESOME!!! Can I celebrate for you?  8)

Quoted from Grandma Bear AWESOME!!! Can I celebrate for you?  8)

Yes. :P

Finally finished the script of A Written Descent at a little over 100 pages. Longest feature I've written (tough not saying a lot since it's only my second feature).

Funny enough, as I wrote it, the genre changed. I started writing with the mindset of a horror story with small amounts of psychological torture, but yet it evolved into a Thriller, Drama, Mystery with a small does of horror and a large amount of mind torture.

Hopefully the work can equal a good script.

Now begins the tedious task of checking for grammar and spelling! :D

Also, sorry to hear about Gary and Wolfe dropping out! Although I must admit Gary, that writing with your daughter is awesome! Good luck on your scripts guys!

Congratulations nawazm11! Can't wait to read the script :)

Congrats Mo, I hope they like what they read! I had a last read-through of mine today and hopefully picked up all of the spelling and grammatical errors, although that's doubtful :P

It came in at 82 pages in the end, which is a little shorter than I'd hoped, but there are sections of it that are very action-heavy chase sequences with little to no dialogue, so hopefully it balances out.

Things were a little quiet at work today, so I sneakily spent 4hrs of my afternoon designing a poster for it which I'll upload at the end of next week too.

Quoted from Don For those of you who follow Pale Yellow on FB.  I think she is nearly done with her script.  She already has a poster made.   Don

:) I am on page 10 but don't worry...I'll get to at least 90 by the 26th. If anyone wants to read my first ten..lemme know.

d

How many features are still 'in'??

I sent mine out for a read yesterday. It's currently 88 pages. He promised to give me notes by Sunday, so maybe I'll have some time to tweak before posting.  :)

So 3 days left... I finally finished my first feature in 4 years... woohoo

Mark

Congrats Mark!!

So, do we have 4 finished so far?

I got my coverage back yesterday and I'm working on a rewrite.  :)

Not finished...working against the clock.

Thanks, guys. Sorry I missed this.

Great job Mark + Pia + James + everybody else who's finished! You can do it Dena. :)

I won't be completing this, but I have had some interesting work develop because of it.

My intention is to begin reading the scripts asap when they're posted. I'll try and give my honest.

Good on everyone who finishes!!!  :) :) :)

Sandra

Although I had finished the first draft I haven't had a lot of time to re-write and to be honest I'm a bit hesistant to send it in now - it's pure vomit - every scene has been just added to the last without going over what was already there.

I'll send it in to meet the challenge, but good luck to anyone who reads it. Hope you can get through it ok.

BFLW, you should submit yours. Most of the entries will be vomit drafts. The point of the 7WC is to just spit a first draft out, get comments and then rewrite. Then, voila, you have another feature under your belt. Don't worry. All the scripts will be a bit tough to read, but we'll read them because we know we'll get feedback on our own script in return.  

Congrats!!  8)

The final day is among us..

So how many do we have?

Mark

Done and dusted.

Thanks Pia. It's kind of sad, but I relaxed a hell of a lot more after thinking that others are probabyl in the same boat - I don't want to be alone, lol. As you said, it's good that we can all help each other to finish a feature.

:)

Renee

Congrats to everyone who completed their 7WC. Unfortunately I ran into some problems along the way and will not be able to finish my script on time but I will take the time to read everyone elses script.

Best of luck guys.

- Dirk

I'm on page 20...steady working today. Not sure how far I'll get with it ...but may submit what I have by the deadline...10pm?? Wish I had the weekend...

Wait a minute, Dena. You're going to try to write at least 55 pages today? Lol. Good luck. =)

I'm working on my rewrite today, but I won't finish so there might be some things that don't make sense. I worked on the first 33 yesterday. Made a lot of changes so there are some things that doesn't make sense later in the script because of that.

Anything's possible in the world of Simplyscripts. lol.

Don't ever underestimate a person's efforts in completing a feature or a short under a time constraint.

Absolutely not, Gabe. I'm hoping she, and everyone else, finishes this in time. Best of luck to everyone. =)

Quoted from Grandma Bear I got my coverage back yesterday and I'm working on a rewrite.  :)

Being nosey, what did they say? If you don't wish to share that's no problem, i understand these things are private.  Always an education to hear the comments they provide.

I think the idea of getting an early draft to coverage is pretty sound - i always thought i should wait until it was in its best form, but have now changed my mind. Just need to write one now, but for some reason seem to have lost my mojo for writing a feature. Life tends to get in the way, thats my feeble excuse.

It said it was decent for a first draft, but reminded him too much of Fatal Attraction, Single White Female and The Roommate to be any good. I have never seen The Roommate, but have seen FA and SWF. I certainly wasn't trying to be like any of those. Pretty hard to do a stalker script and not include some of those same ideas.  :-/

As far as coverage goes, I didn't used to bother with them at all. I used to think SS feedback was just as good. I still do, but nowadays I'm more careful of throwing first drafts up here.  Besides, I feel bad asking friends to read first drafts. I feel better about someone reading it for money, not just trying to be nice. First drafts can be really tough to read. I'm trying to save my friends.  :)

Quoted from Grandma Bear It said it was decent for a first draft, but reminded him too much of Fatal Attraction, Single White Female and The Roommate to be any good. I have never seen The Roommate, but have seen FA and SWF. I certainly wasn't trying to be like any of those. Pretty hard to do a stalker script and not include some of those same ideas.  :-/ As far as coverage goes, I didn't used to bother with them at all. I used to think SS feedback was just as good. I still do, but nowadays I'm more careful of throwing first drafts up here.  Besides, I feel bad asking friends to read first drafts. I feel better about someone reading it for money, not just trying to be nice. First drafts can be really tough to read. I'm trying to save my friends.  :)

i can see where they got the FA aspect but i was taken with your desire to go down the Misery line which i thought had good potential.

PS i'll still be your friend, even though i read a vomit draft :D

Quoted from Grandma Bear As far as coverage goes, I didn't used to bother with them at all. I used to think SS feedback was just as good. I still do, but nowadays I'm more careful of throwing first drafts up here.  Besides, I feel bad asking friends to read first drafts. I feel better about someone reading it for money, not just trying to be nice. First drafts can be really tough to read. I'm trying to save my friends.  :)

Well spoken...and I have a tendency to throw my vomit up there and I really shouldn't expect anyone to read it in the shape it's in...I don't have money for coverage...so I'll go it alone til I get a more polished draft this time. I'll still post mine in soonish time.

Great job to everyone who knocked one out!

To be a writer...one first has to write!!! Write on friends!!

Quoted from Grandma Bear First drafts can be really tough to read. I'm trying to save my friends.  :)

Agreed. I tend to only inflict vomit drafts on writing partners. :)

Regards,
E.D.

While I'm off trying that career thing...
I hope everyone makes their deadline tonight!

Good luck, guys!

Regards,
E.D.

I just sent mine in.  :)

It's still a little on the short side, but I'm hoping you awesome people will have great suggestions.   :K) 8) :P ;D ;)

Quoted from Electric Dreamer Agreed. I tend to only inflict vomit drafts on writing partners. :)

Noticed I haven't send you anything anymore?   :P

Interesting fact, Chad St.John, writer of The Days Before, apparently only sends his script to one or two of his closest mates and then makes minimal(?) changes based of that. He said something about it in an interview which I thought was pretty interesting. I've read both his scripts and was surprised at the amount of spelling errors seen throughout, even though the scripts were pretty impressive.