The October '14 One Week Challenge topic and genre are:

Topic: At sundown on October 31st the doorways to the Otherworld open, allowing the inhabitants to come into our world and also allowing humans to go to the Otherworld. Sunrise on November 1st, that door closes.

Genre: Horror Fantasy

Limitations: Only one character can have dialogue.  (Writer cannot use Voice Over, however the character can speak off camera.)


You have one week to write a screenplay between 6 to 10 pages. The screenplay must  be properly formatted (12 pt courier font) and in PDF format.  

The scripts are due on Friday, October 24th at 11:59 pm edt and must be submitted to SimplyScripts.com/owc.

There will be a Writer's Choice wherein the participants (and only the participants) will be asked to select one script he or she likes the best.



The Gist:

• 6 - 10 pages
  
• Properly formatted saved as a PDF file
  
• This isn't a contest there are no prizes
  
• Free to submit
  
• One entry per person/team (unless you think you try to slip one by me.)
  
• You can revise your script as many times as you wish up until 11:59 pm on 10/24.
  
• Participants are strongly encouraged to read and comment/review on the scripts submitted. If you are not a member of the discussion board, please contact me.
  
• Do not put your real name on your script. However, please use your real name when submitting your script. (After the challenge closes you can either have your script removed or resubmit with your script with your name on it.
  
• Please put (c) Copyright 2014 on your script
  

this is... cool.

I was going to write a script where all the characters would've been talking cats, but I guess I could do non-talking people.


Phil

I like the theme, should be interesting to read these in the end. Hopefully I can come up with something half-decent myself.

Good luck all.

Uhhh...only 1 character can have dialogue?  Like what...talking to himself?  Talking to others who can't respond?

Am I misreading something here?

So, only one character with dialogue. Additional character(s) can speak, but must be OS. Do I have that right?

Steve

Looks good.

Humans going to the otherworld.
Otherwordians coming here.

All in six to ten pages.
That alone begs challenge.

Grass is always greener...


Good luck, scream writers!

Also, is the other world actually called "Otherworld," or can we change the name of the other world to something else?

Quoted from Dreamscale Uhhh...only 1 character can have dialogue?  Like what...talking to himself?  Talking to others who can't respond? Am I misreading something here?

Quoted from SAC So, only one character with dialogue. Additional character(s) can speak, but must be OS. Do I have that right? Steve

Only one character can have dialogue.  In other words, only one character has a speaking role.   The character can talk to whomever or whatever he/she/it wishes.  However, those other characters cannot have dialogue in the script.  

Quoted from SAC Also, is the other world actually called "Otherworld," or can we change the name of the other world to something else?

You can call the Otherworld whatever you wish.

Thanks!

'Inhabitants' - sorry spelling police - can't help myself.

Retracted question. Asked and answered.

Sorry, in my defense it's early here and I just got up.

Quoted from LC 'Inhabitants' - sorry spelling police can't help myself.

I have no idea what you are talking about...  ::)

Quoted from LC Okay, to be clear -  one character only is allowed to have dialogue in the entire script? ?? Sorry, in my defense it's early here and I just got up.

Correct.  Only one character can have dialogue... in the entire script - beginning, middle and end.

And, before anyone asks.  TV, radio, robots that speak, hand puppets that speak would be considered a character.  

- Don

I invited some friends of mine (besides SS peepers) over, hopefully we can have a New Writer turnout like we never seen before.

As to the OWC itself...I got just the thing.

BTW

Quoted Text Uhhh...only 1 character can have dialogue?  Like what...talking to himself?

I see hand puppets! ;D
Yes the hand puppets from hell! (or at least one very evil Ventiloquist,)

And you (Don) answered/clarified it anyway, ta.

Quoted from Don I have no idea what you are talking about...  ::) - Don

;D

Hmm, time for some seriously rambling monologues.  

I guess one character talking with clones of himself would be cheating?  

Quoted from Ryan1 Hmm, time for some seriously rambling monologues.

Perhaps, but there are other ways to communicate. And, other ways to move a story along.

Quoted from Ryan1 I guess one character talking with clones of himself would be cheating?

Each clone would be considered a character. So, yes. That would not be within the limitations set out.

- Don

Thanks, Don.  You clarified it.  No more questions from me.

Being one that adores dialogue, this will be very tough for me.  On the other hand, for many, this will be a huge plus, as we won't have to read page after page of OTN dialogue or dialogue that sounds like it's coming from lobotomized characters in a 70's porno.

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

You get me?

Special bonus points for using that question at least 1 time in your script.

Quoted from Dreamscale You get me? Special bonus points for using that question at least 1 time in your script.

I'm making it the title!

Quoted from DarrenJamesSeeley I invited some friends of mine (besides SS peepers) over, hopefully we can have a New Writer turnout like we never seen before.

I think I'll do the same with some peeps from a filmmaker forum.

How much warning should I give them about the format Nazis? ;D

Quoted from RayW I'm making it the title!

Triple points for using it as the title.

Quintuple points for also using it as your opening line.

10 times, not sure what the actual word is and don't feel like researching it, for also using it as your closing line.

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Quoted from RayW I think I'll do the same with some peeps from a filmmaker forum. How much warning should I give them about the format Nazis? ;D

Ultimate warnings!!!!!!

Is it safe to presume that the others characters can MOAN and GRUNT and make other noises?


Phil

Deal!

Sold!



Long live Write Club!

Quoted from dogglebe Is it safe to presume that the others characters can MOAN and GRUNT and make other noises? Phil

Demon sex!

Quoted from dogglebe Is it safe to presume that the others characters can MOAN and GRUNT and make other noises? Phil

If it is generic moaning and grunting that is fine, e.g.,

STEVEN walks by a pit of MOANING zombies.

- Don

Quoted from Dreamscale Thanks, Don.  You clarified it.  No more questions from me. Being one that adores dialogue, this will be very tough for me.  On the other hand, for many, this will be a huge plus, as we won't have to read page after page of OTN dialogue or dialogue that sounds like it's coming from lobotomized characters in a 70's porno. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D You get me? Special bonus points for using that question at least 1 time in your script.

I think there is still room in this for a dialogue between characters. It is all on how one pulls it off.  

- Don

Human centipede rewrite!  Only the doctor can talk!  Lol. Game set and match

Quoted from Don I think there is still room in this for a dialogue between characters. It is all on how one pulls it off.  - Don

The Don, I think you know how in past OWC's, I laugh at the redonkulous questions peeps spout, but I have to be honest in that your quote here leaves me more unclear than before.

If only 1 character can speak, other than grunts, groans, or sign languiage of some kind, there's no real "dialogue", other than the 1 character.

I may form a new language of grunts and groans and symbols.   ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

A query Don?

Is telepathic communication classed as dialogue? I guess it would be written in italics maybe( in novels they do that) and would still be in be in the dialogue space of a formatted script?

And hand signals are a form of communication too. Or morse code.  Or hand written signs. Hmmm


Jeff, every time you drink a bottle of Jagie you invent a new language. Mostly Swahili

Quoted from Dreamscale If only 1 character can speak, other than grunts, groans, or sign languiage of some kind, there's no real "dialogue", other than the 1 character. I may form a new language of grunts and groans and symbols.   ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

It can be done, if that is the route you want to take. I do not want to sway anyone. Remind me after the challenge and I will give you my take on this.

- Don

Quoted from Don It can be done, if that is the route you want to take. I do not want to sway anyone. Remind me after the challenge and I will give you my take on this.- Don

OK, cool.  Thanks.

Quoted from stevie A query Don? Is telepathic communication classed as dialogue?

Depends on how you write it.

Quoted from stevie I guess it would be written in italics maybe( in novels they do that) and would still be in be in the dialogue space of a formatted script?

Written that way, that would be dialogue.

Quoted from stevie And hand signals are a form of communication too. Or morse code.  Or hand written signs. Hmmm Jeff, every time you drink a bottle of Jagie you invent a new language. Mostly Swahili

Depends on how you write it.

- Don

Quoted from Dreamscale If only 1 character can speak, other than grunts, groans, or sign languiage of some kind, there's no real "dialogue", other than the 1 character.

Consider something like this:

Code Censored until after the challenge       - Don

See?!
They're communicating!


++++ Don's edit  ++++


Ray has a great interpretation of the limitations, however, I want to censor this as I want everyone to come up with his/her own interpretation.   Once the challenge is over, I would very much like Ray to share his take.  Very clever.

Quoted from Don Ray has a great interpretation of the limitations, however, I want to censor this as I want everyone to come up with his/her own interpretation.

Hear, hear.

If your ideas are that good, then write them.

I've asked you not to do this in the past, Ray, but that goes for anyone.

Throwing out random ideas kind of "spoils" that idea for anyone else.  

Apologies, Don.

Bert, don't recall being asked to not do this in the past, but my memory's pretty shoddy.
Apologies to you, as well.

Quoted from RayW Apologies, Don. Bert, don't recall being asked to not do this in the past, but my memory's pretty shoddy. Apologies to you, as well.

Ray,

It's all good.  I hope you can wrap another 5 or so pages around your idea.

Don

I like the challenge - the idea came to me almost immediately. I wonder if it's a good thing though.

I'm not bothered about the no-dialogue thing... it's the portal to the underworld that bugs me. It's very specific. I'm going to have to think on this a while.

Ok, only one person can talk. Bit limiting but let's see. Reminds me of the gecko out of Tangled.

Otherworld.  Hummm. I assume the other world can be anything you like, just not as before. So if the lingerie department at Walmart Mart was your idea of another world, you could end up there...possibly.

Horror fantasy. Not comedy. Don't go there.

Oh and 10 pages.....not 12. Made that mistake before.

I have an early idea, but it's a bit dull. Time to think.

Quoted from Reef Dreamer Horror fantasy. Not comedy. Don't go there.

Wait, did it specifically state "can't be a comedy"? I think horror fantasy can be a comedy, it can be anything you want. Unless there's a rule written out for this OWC here.

Is there?

Quoted from khamanna Wait, did it specifically state "can't be a comedy"? I think horror fantasy can be a comedy, it can be anything you want. Unless there's a rule written out for this OWC here. Is there?

Horror Fantasy is the genre.

Not Horror Comedy Fantasy.


So..Horror with Fantastical elements.


Hellraiser, Mama, Evil Dead.

Quoted Text Horror is a genre which is intended to, or has the capacity to frighten, scare, or startle its readers by inducing feelings of horror and terror. Literary historian J. A. Cuddon has defined the horror story as "a piece of fiction in prose of variable length... which shocks or even frightens the reader, or perhaps induces a feeling of repulsion or loathing."[1] It creates an eerie and frightening atmosphere

Quoted Text Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary plot element, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic and magical creatures are common.

So...a story intended to scare, with a creepy, eerie and frightening atmosphere that probably takes place in a magical/supernatural setting with magical characters.


Apologies...I tend to be pedantic when it comes to genre in the OWCs. Phil always used to say you were to imagine a production company was asking you for something specific...genre for me is absolutely critical. If a Producer asks for a horror, and you send a comedy...it totally fails the challenge for me.

Rick

So.... Don't know if this is a silly question, but what exactly is the "otherworld"? Is it anything specific? Or can we give our own interpretation of what it is?

What about The Witches of Eastwick? It's a horror fantasy. And a comedy.

I'd prefer to hear from Don if comedies are out of the question

Witches of Eastwick would be primarily a comedy with fantasy elements and horror elements (though any horror elements are extremely thin on the ground, it's not scary in any way, nor designed to be).

A Comedy Fantasy Horror....if you will.


I'm happy for people to write what they want, but if that's the case, we should stop putting a genre up.

Hmm yep, I'm with Rick on this one and all due respect K, but I think comedy would likely result in too many pisstakes and the horror element being greatly diminished. It's too much of a mix imh.

Quoted from IamGlenn So.... Don't know if this is a silly question, but what exactly is the "otherworld"? Is it anything specific? Or can we give our own interpretation of what it is?

Glenn, I would think that's entirely up to your own interpretation. 'Otherworld' to me means the supernatural/fantasy element within the horror.

And, of course the Halloween element of this i.e., those dates, are supposedly when the dead come back from whatever realm they now inhabit.  Do a search on Halloween/Day of the Dead etc. and it'll be pretty clear what folklore says.

Have a look at this for starters:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Day_of_the_Dead

Quoted from LC Hmm yep, I'm with Rick on this one and all due respect K, but I think comedy would likely result in too many pisstakes and the horror element being greatly diminished. It's too much of a mix imh.

About pisstakes:
I'm against pisstakes but to be fair there's no notion of them not being allowed. So, I think they'll crawl in. Unless Don puts it up there that pisstakes are not allowed I guess. Or is it in there and I missed it?
But if a pisstake states it's a pisstake I wouldn't mind it being in the pile. I'd just go around it when reading the entries.

Quoted from khamanna About pisstakes: I'm against pisstakes but to be fair there's no notion of them not being allowed. So, I think they'll crawl in. Unless Don puts it up there that pisstakes are not allowed I guess. Or is it in there and I missed it? But if a pisstake states it's a pisstake I wouldn't mind it being in the pile. I'd just go around it when reading the entries.

You're probably right there. Based on experience they tend to creep in anyway.

I still think horror/fantasy/comedy is one too many, but again that's up to the boss...

Well if you have the approval of the Don...

Time for Scoob to make his escape.

All the best,

Quoted from Scoob Well if you have the approval of the Don... Time for Scoob to make his escape. All the best,

There's no approval yet, Scoob. We'll know later, in couple hours - it's night in the US right now.

Quoted from khamanna There's no approval yet, Scoob. We'll know later, in couple hours - it's night in the US right now.

Um, I could be mistaken but I think they're talking about something else, K. ?? Anyway, I'll bow out of this one for now.

Khamanna,

My last two OWC entries both got slammed for having too much comedy in them.

My 2 pesos: keep the entry straight horror fantasy.

Quoted from LC Um, I could be mistaken but I think they're talking about something else, K. ?? Anyway, I'll bow out of this one for now.

Oh, okay, got it. That's funny))

Quoted from RayW Khamanna, My last two OWC entries both got slammed for having too much comedy in them. My 2 pesos: keep the entry straight horror fantasy.

Maybe I was not going to write a comedy. I like reading them and I don't mind them.

I think Horror Fantasy can be a comedy, drama, dramedy (whatever is the difference between the drama and the dramedy). But let's hear from Don.

First draft done.

I'vr seen plenty of horror films that were funny too. Just make sure you don't write a comedy with some horror.  

Maybe if I finished that mason jar of moonshine tonight, I'll come up with something.  Excellent OWC, btw! 8)

"First draft done" dig this style. I'm going to try to come up with something - have an idea.

Have quite a few scripts to read though.

Man! I love life. Loving some October/Halloween. Digging this challenge.

I'm struggling with the "Otherworld" also.  I usually nix my first 10 ideas even if I like them. They're usually the most obvious. I'll sit on it a few days and write something at the last minute, as usual. LOL.

I simply try to think of an original concept in the first place. Instantly discounting anything that feels unoriginal. Sometimes it can take me a few days, but I'm fresh off writing a horror feature, so maybe that helped on this occasion. Plus I do like writing horror. Not usually one for the fantasy aspect (of any genre) but I can work with it when needs must.

Quoted from DustinBowcot I'm not bothered about the no-dialogue thing... it's the portal to the underworld that bugs me. It's very specific. I'm going to have to think on this a while.

Quoted from IamGlenn So.... Don't know if this is a silly question, but what exactly is the "otherworld"? Is it anything specific? Or can we give our own interpretation of what it is?

I used "the Otherworld" rather than "the underworld" specifically because it left room for interpretation.  

- Don

Don

Character can not use voice over? Not sure why when there is one one character, seems a bit too restrictive.

Anyway, I assume this still applies to his thoughts, reading something etc even though it is one voice and he is in the scene? It's not off screen.

If not let me know, as it may be helpful.

Cheers

Ps can the other world be the brain of my mother in law - it certainly seems like an other world sometimes . Also has a touch of horror and fantasy all mixed up. ;D

Dustin - cocky bastard , I'm still lost in an idea conundrum vortex  >:(

well... to sound even cockier, I've started on a new feature too. I've never written an xmas script. Got an idea today and I'm running with it.

I have this trumpet. I'm not sure how to blow it. Can anyone give me a hand?

R

Quoted from Grandma Bear I'vr seen plenty of horror films that were funny too. Just make sure you don't write a comedy with some horror.

That makes sense - thanks Pia!

Think I have an idea.. Gonna start writing tomorrow hopefully.

Another couple of noob questions.. Why does the title have to be in capitals?
And...
Why do we not put our name as the writer on the title page?

Quoted from IamGlenn Why do we not put our name as the writer on the title page?

Well that's the fun part, Glenn. It's anonymous - least for the first week of reviewing. As a result reviews are done without prejudice - unless of course you can pick somebody's writing style.

Nobody knows who wrote what until the big reveal.  ;)

Quoted from IamGlenn Think I have an idea.. Gonna start writing tomorrow hopefully. Another couple of noob questions.. Why does the title have to be in capitals?

Title in caps is just a screenwriting convention.  I'm not going to toss a script just because the title isn't in caps.  (I will toss the script if it begins with "We see...")

Quoted from IamGlenn And... Why do we not put our name as the writer on the title page?

This is so we can play, "Guess who wrote what," wherein writers try to guess who wrote what script.  This is also why a number of writers will publicly declare that they will not be participating and then turn around and write a script.  

However, when you submit, please use your real name and real email address. (If the email address bounces, I have to delete the script.  That is because if a BIG NAME producer with a WAD of CASH and a MOUND of cocaine wanted to make YOUR script and I couldn't get in touch with you that would be a shame (and a waste of a mound of coke).

Don

Quoted from Don (and a waste of a mound of coke). Don

Personally I prefer Pepsi.

R

I will not be participating this time.  Sorry.

Or...maybe I will be participating this time.  Sorry, as well.

Quoted from khamanna What about The Witches of Eastwick? It's a horror fantasy. And a comedy. I'd prefer to hear from Don if comedies are out of the question

What Pia said.  Namely,...

Quoted from Grandma Bear I've seen plenty of horror films that were funny too. Just make sure you don't write a comedy with some horror.

I see..
So I, and everyone else, will be totally anonymous until a week in?

Sounds like fun
:)

Sounds good.  interested to see how folks work around the dialogue issue.  Time to put on the thinking hat and dig out the drinking boots...

To reiterate, for those who missed it earlier (and deletions may occur, as have a few this morning):

Quoted from Don I want to censor this as I want everyone to come up with his/her own interpretation...

Quoted from bert If your ideas are that good, then write them. Throwing out random ideas kind of "spoils" that idea for anyone else.

Discussion is great, but if you wish to impress with your cleverness, show us in your script....not here.

Personally, I interpret the topic's outline, as if there has to be a thematically reason why living terrestrial humans can meet characters who are not (whatever those are). So, the doorway is just a point that connects those parties. The doorway could be anything, a dream, a curse or sth. Still the events have to happen between sundown October 31st to sunrise on November 1st. Also it's legit to play at one of those sides only, otherworld or our world.

If I'm wrong with some or all points, and have to take the topic word for word, please correct me.


Anyway, when it comes to Horror, my problem is the ending. Horror, similar to the Action genre, works with very little meaning or message out of pure live-impression, entertainment, and art of course. I usually go with a kind of - after the script(film) experience, something we think about and take with us, sth. that works on a different level within the script.

To me, it's a very straight genre and the hardest with regards to endings. You just have tension, tension, tension; there's no other way to finish. Even irony at the end doesn't work so well.

I hope to serve something this time.

Good luck and have fun everybody.

While you lot have spent all this time yapping about writing, I've written one short and am 5 pages into a new feature.

So, should I say write on

or join, or nothing because you don't want to yap ;-)

I've written my short this morning. But the ending sucks. I think I take one scene from the outline...

I don't mind yapping... whether you me or anyone else. I'm simply pointing out how productive I've been while all this procrastination has been going on.

Glad to hear you've written yours already... so when you said this:

Quoted from PrussianMosby I hope to serve something this time.

It was an attempt at disinformation. Bit of a waste of time now though, eh.

Good luck. Hopefully you create something that is picked up and sold. That's what this game is about, after all.

Quoted from Don (I will toss the script if it begins with "We see...")

^^Helllloooo Pet Peeve..... ;D  

By the way, while you guys were yammering away about writing I've done 5 loads of laundry, given myself a pedicure, made egg salad, had sex twice (both with multiple O's), ran to the store for milk and still had time to comment on these threads.

Quoted from DustinBowcot It was an attempt at disinformation. Bit of a waste of time now though, eh.

No, it wasn't meant that way. It was meant to convey that I want to make it better than I did with some of my OWC shorts.
Because,
I connect the term "to serve" to a certain kind of quality, and not in a way that I probably will submit something anyway.

Quoted from mmmarnie ...had sex twice (both with multiple O's)

You think I can have a few minutes of your partners time?

You know, just to ask what they might have in their playbook... ;D

Shawn....><

Quoted from marniemi By the way, while you guys were yammering away about writing I've done 5 loads of laundry, given myself a pedicure, made egg salad, had sex twice (both with multiple O's), ran to the store for milk and still had time to comment on these threads.

Perhaps we should start a new thread on this? Just a suggestion.

Steve

I've got my story.

Game on.

Quoted from mmmarnie ^^Helllloooo Pet Peeve..... ;D   By the way, while you guys were yammering away about writing I've done 5 loads of laundry, given myself a pedicure, made egg salad, had sex twice (both with multiple O's), ran to the store for milk and still had time to comment on these threads.

Damn, you're a prostitute who works in a Laundrette. :o

No wonder you write in your spare time!


PrayforMarnie! :P

Quoted from mmmarnie ^^Helllloooo Pet Peeve..... ;D   By the way, while you guys were yammering away about writing I've done 5 loads of laundry, given myself a pedicure, made egg salad, had sex twice (both with multiple O's), ran to the store for milk and still had time to comment on these threads.

I yelled at the kids.
Got a headache.
Wondered why my wife was on a course today.
Poured myself a drink...now another
Got lost inside an idea that doesn't float for this challenge but won't leave my damn head.

Life is a riot in my house  ::)

Marnie,

You're beautiful.  :)

Title: YOU GET ME?

FADE IN:

EXT. PORTAL - NIGHT
We see a pair of trolls, one tall, one short.

We hear the tall one pleading with the short.

TALL TROLL
(earnestly)
You get me?

FADE OUT:


I win.
Ya'll can just quit now.

;)

Quoted from mmmarnie By the way, while you guys were yammering away about writing I've done 5 loads of laundry, given myself a pedicure, made egg salad, had sex twice (both with multiple O's), ran to the store for milk and still had time to comment on these threads.

Funny Marnie.

I actually ran to my mother for milk. Poured some to my new cat (which I recently rescued by the way from being torn apart by another cat) - he refused to drink it. Then I tried to convince my daughter to drink some - she didn't either. Then I talked a lot about good and bad foods and it looked like I was talking to a hand.

Then I realized it shouldn't be hard to write for this - I talk a lot and no one seems to reply.

D'ju say something, K?


;)








M,

Re "Just mention": LMAO!

Quoted from khamanna I talk a lot and no one seems to reply.

Just mention sex and at least 5 guys will reply.  :P

Quoted from Ledbetter You think I can have a few minutes of your partners time? You know, just to ask what they might have in their playbook... ;D Shawn....><

So I'm guessing Jeff's playbook is outdated? Like the Rams one? Lol

Speaking of old buddy Jeff, he's written 4 shorts already, all with one hand while 'collaborating' with the big fella Shawn with the other..... ;D

Great multi tasking Marnie! My best effort is: watching NFL games on seperate tellies while vacuuming, drinking coffee and with dinner cooking. All on a Monday morning lol

Marnie - you could say anything and get my attention  :D :D :D

Alas for me my idea is less enjoyable.   :'(

Anybody have one of those ideas that you like, but it doesn't really fit....like at all.

And now all I'm doing is hurting my head trying to work out how it could fit 'cos it won't let go of the bloddy thing.  ??)

Hey ho...they is always tomorrow

Sleep well folks and try not to dream too much of Marnie...I didn't say that, really, did I?  :o

Sorry Bill. Didn't realize you'd get so wound up over my egg salad. :P

Quoted from stevie Speaking of our old buddy Jeff, he's pulled my shorts down already, all with one hand while 'collaborating' on my big fella with the other..... ;D

Shawn.....><

I built a house. And had a sandwich.

No sex, I haven't got time for fiddling about. Or the toilet.

R

Right, day 1's done with and I've got FADE IN: and half of a scene heading. Right on schedule. Or something like that. ;)

Quoted from Reef Dreamer ... Anybody have one of those ideas that you like, but it doesn't really fit....like at all. ** And now all I'm doing is hurting my head trying to work out how it could fit 'cos it won't let go of the bloddy thing. ??)

Yes! I hate that. Marnie mentioned discarding ideas and letting new one's flow in, or something like that...

If only...

I get an idea and it won't get out of my head, dammit!

** Btw Bill, are you masquerading as a UK lad and really you're a California Girl?

On another note it's good to see SS with so many posts.

Quoted from DS Right, day 1's done with and I've got FADE IN: and half of a scene heading. Right on schedule. Or something like that. ;)

;D ;D

P.S. Khamanna, - you're not alone. I'm used to it.  :'( Going to use Marnie's trick in future - brilliant.  ;D

Quoted from mmmarnie Sorry Bill. Didn't realize you'd get so wound up over my egg salad. :P

This is exactly why the folks at Movie Poet would never let her out after curfew.

Quoted from bert This is exactly why the folks at Movie Poet would never let her out after curfew.

I'm only allowed out between sundown on October 31st and sunrise on November 1st.

Quoted from rendevous And had a sandwich. Nor the toilet. R

If you had a sandwich, the toilet will find you...

Confucius

Shawn.....><

Quoted from LC Going to use Marnie's trick in future - brilliant.  ;D

I feel armed! Let me go talk to some people on the street now.

Sex,

Khamanna

Hmm, not sure you should take it to the streets,  :o you might get arrested! But at least now Khamanna, we know how to get the attention of the guys here.   ;D

Sorry, a question that may have already been covered:

Though the instructions say 'writer cannot use V.O.', does that also apply to the one character with dialogue? As in:

1. can the character allowed to speak also occasionally use V.O.?
2. OR, if no onscreen characters speak, can there be an offscreen V.O. (a narrator, in effect)?

More fussed about point 1 than point 2. Not that I'm writing anything, or whatever...

No narrating.

No voice over, V.O.

The speaking character must be "on the scene" but not necissarily on camera while recording audio/dialog.

Example: Bob recites the Lord's prayer OFF SCENE, O.S., behind the camera while walking ON SCENE to the open grave in the center of the scene, he falls in, screams, and resumes reciting the prayer OFF SCENE, O.S.

No narrating V.O. reflection of "that time I fell into an open grave."

Ohhh Marnie and Khamanna mentioned sex.



:D

Quoted from JonnyBoy Sorry, a question that may have already been covered: Though the instructions say 'writer cannot use V.O.', does that also apply to the one character with dialogue? As in: 1. can the character allowed to speak also occasionally use V.O.? 2. OR, if no onscreen characters speak, can there be an offscreen V.O. (a narrator, in effect)? More fussed about point 1 than point 2. Not that I'm writing anything, or whatever...

No VO at all. No narration.

Don

I hope others are doing better than me because I'm drawing a blank. Bit disheartening really as I'm usually ok with these challenges and I really want to enter.

The combination of combining with another world - so a two way process - yet just one able to speak is throwing me.

If I can't  break the code tonight I will throw in the towel as I have other things to do. Shame.

Even the lack of VO is a hurdle that clashes with this eiders I do have.

Hey ho, have to keep thinking

Hurdles are a good thing. Come on man, these things are what show your real talent as a writer. I notice one of your shorts made it to the QF of Shore Scripts. You must have something.

I'm with you Bill. This is a tough one. There are a few easy and obvious ways to open the "otherworld". For me, the hardest part is trying to stay away from those.

By the way, Bill's done way better than QF's in Shore Script. Grand Prize winner of London Film awards comes to mind.  :)

The challenge is tough but I am enjoying watching back to back horrors to get in the mood. (with one eye on the football games of course)

There is a bit of "chimps grabbing too many bananas" scenario going on.

The V.O. ban I'm good with.
The one character with genuine dialog I'm good with.
The timing of the "crossover portal" event I'm alright with.
But the back and forth part across the portal is kinda giving me too much rope to hang myself with.

I find it challenging to spend <11 pages on encompassing us going there - PLUS - them coming here in a non-contrived way.

One or the other would be easy-peazy lemon squeezy, but to do both in an effective manner is a humdinger.

Hmm...

Quoted from RayW ...the back and forth part across the portal is kinda giving me too much rope to hang myself with. I find it challenging to spend <11 pages on encompassing us going there - PLUS - them coming here in a non-contrived way. One or the other would be easy-peazy lemon squeezy, but to do both in an effective manner is a humdinger. Hmm...

Hang on there, I took that to mean that people can pass in either direction - humans to the otherworld, or people from there into our world. Not that people HAVE to pass both ways.

Lol, this will be the most relaxed I've been for an OWC prolly ever.  I originally was gonna skip it as I honestly wasn't getting anything from the theme.

Then a tiny idea came to me and about 10 minutes later the whole thing was visualised beginning to end in my head. It will a basic little horror but might be ok.

Normally I'm panicking to get it done but I can cruise along now. And it doesn't bother me if it ends up average (but it won't) as I can not enter in an emergency.

I guess the trip to Turkey next year is all encompassing for me at the mo. Lol

Quoted from JonnyBoy Hang on there, I took that to mean that people can pass in either direction - humans to the otherworld, or people from there into our world. Not that people HAVE to pass both ways.

Jon,

That was my intent, also.  

Don

Correct, not that they have to go both ways, but only if a writer wanted to maximize available options, thus the chimp with too many bananas.

Might just have one or the other.

Started writing mine tonight. Coming along nicely.

Curious.. When do people start submitting?

Quoted from IamGlenn When do people start submitting?

When they are done -- totally proofed, and good as they can make it -- and not a minute before.

Does the "otherworld" have to literally be something like another dimension or can it just be a "world" that the protagonist has never seen?

Quoted from bert When they are done -- totally proofed, and good as they can make it -- and not a minute before.

Sounds good.

So, it can be any time this week?

Right, any time up until Friday night.  But take your time on the submission and get as many edits and rewrites as you can.

Quoted from Ryan1 Right, any time up until Friday night.  But take your time on the submission and get as many edits and rewrites as you can.

Will do, thanks.

:)

Quoted from Mr. Blonde Does the "otherworld" have to literally be something like another dimension or can it just be a "world" that the protagonist has never seen?

Yes to both. I like the latter interpretation. It didn't dawn on me, but that would be cool to explore.

Don

Quoted from IamGlenn Sounds good. So, it can be any time this week?

Yes, any time. If, after submitting, you find an issue, just submit again and again unti 11:59 edt on Friday. I will post the last version I get from you.

Don

Quoted from Don Yes.

That wasn't a yes/no question. Lol. I'm guessing you mean it can be either, though, I hope. Right? =)

Quoted from Mr. Blonde That wasn't a yes/no question. Lol. I'm guessing you mean it can be either, though, I hope. Right? =)

Yes.






;)

This is starting to remind me about MP. Chris could post the most simplest comps, but people still had a million questions. "All your characters have to be cats", then people would ask questions like "but what if the cat has a bird friend, is that bird allowed to speak?". And the funny thing is that after all these wacky questions were asked, in the end, no scripts were ever submitted where these questions ever even came up. In other words, there were never any scripts where the cats had a speaking bird friend. I don't get it. The assignment was simple, IMHO.

"Topic: At sundown on October 31st the doorways to the Otherworld open, allowing the inhabitants to come into our world and also allowing humans to go to the Otherworld. Sunrise on November 1st, that door closes.

Genre: Horror Fantasy

Limitations: Only one character can have dialogue.  (Writer cannot use Voice Over, however the character can speak off camera.)"

How hard is this to grasp? Not trying to sound cranky, I'm just perplexed, I guess.  :)

All I want to know is if this mysterious other world thing has to be an actual other world. Then again, if it's not listed in the limitations, is that actually part of the contest?

Quoted from Mr. Blonde That wasn't a yes/no question. Lol. I'm guessing you mean it can be either, though, I hope. Right? =)

I went back and edited my response. I meant that, yes, it could be a 'world' the protagonist has not been to. I think there is some cool stuff you could explore here.

Don

Quoted from Mr. Blonde All I want to know is if this mysterious other world thing has to be an actual other world. Then again, if it's not listed in the limitations, is that actually part of the contest?

It does not have to be an actual other world. It could be a metaphorical Other world. And, I think it would be cool to explore that. I didn't think of that at the times wrote the challenge.

Don

Quoted from Mr. Blonde All I want to know is if this mysterious other world thing has to be an actual other world. Then again, if it's not listed in the limitations, is that actually part of the contest?

Something different than our reality here on earth. Not a different geological place the protag's never been to. A world that is different from ours. A place where the laws of nature might be different. A place where supernatural characters might live. Anything that is different than our world we know and see every day. Having said that, it doesn't have to be a huge difference from our own dayly world. Maybe in "my" otherworld everything is exactly like my real world except for my dog speaks to me...in Italian.  ;D

Missed Don's comment. I can delete mine if it doesn't fit.  :)

Okay. Thank you for clearing that up. If I can get it written, I'll be in. =)

Quoted from Grandma Bear Something different than our reality here on earth. Not a different geological place the protag's never been to. A world that is different from ours. A place where the laws of nature might be different. A place where supernatural characters might live. Anything that is different than our world we know and see every day. Having said that, it doesn't have to be a huge difference from our own dayly world. Maybe in "my" otherworld everything is exactly like my real world except for my dog speaks to me...in Italian.  ;D Missed Don's comment. I can delete mine if it doesn't fit.  :)

What Pia said. My other world is the once a year trip to a dinner out of my cultural comfort level.

Don

The Otherworld = Jeff and Shawn's shared dirty laundry basket...

Who cares what it means? Just interpret it however you want and write the story. If everyone's underworld, overworld or otherworld were the same then it would make for a pretty boring contest.

I have an idea and I'll write it. Don't know if I'll submit though. Depends on at the end of the week whether I feel like having the ass end ripped out it.

Quoted from RJ I have an idea and I'll write it. Don't know if I'll submit though. Depends on at the end of the week whether I feel like having the ass end ripped out it.

Wouldn't worry about it. Actually, that's half the fun. Those that do indulge in ripping ass ends, a phrase I use sparingly, are often talentless hacks who can barely read or write themselves.

Afterwards, you get to rip them right back.

The other side is you may get some good advice, from those that can.

And who knows, someone might like it enough to make it. It certainly won't happen if it just stays on your hard drive.

Best of luck with it

R

Quoted from rendevous Wouldn't worry about it. Actually, that's half the fun. Those that do indulge in ripping ass ends, a phrase I use sparingly, are often talentless hacks who can barely read or write themselves. Afterwards, you get to rip them right back. The other side is you may get some good advice, from those that can. And who knows, someone might like it enough to make it. It certainly won't happen if it just stays on your hard drive. Best of luck with it R

Agreed. I feel the only way I'll ever get better is by posting my work on here. There are a lot of knowledgeable people around here that give great thoughts and tips on your work.

I don't see the point in writing something and not posting it. How would you ever know where you're going wrong?

Would you believe,..first draft done.

I'm aiming to submit the script that Ray hates most and thinks is the least likely to be produced. Oh yes, bring it on...mind you with these criteria I could have some challengers

Script wise, it is definitely average, but something to work on.

Glad something came to me. Don't want to miss these.

Quoted from Reef Dreamer I'm aiming to submit the script that Ray hates most and thinks is the least likely to be produced. Oh yes, bring it on...mind you with these criteria I could have some challengers.

LOL!

Yeah... well...

I haven't the slightest idea where Scoob got the notion about me producing anything with this go round, or even reviewing them "as a producer might." That was last year's October OWC.
I had some material changes in my life that have kicked down the road the April OWC production I wanted to take from script to screen.

For this one I'm reading just for strict entertainment value.
- No budget considerations.
- No production considerations.
- Light spec screenplay format observations.
- Key story element construct.

Not even really considering if it pass/fail meets the given criteria.
Literature in screenplay format = All good!

:)


I'm still stewing over my own story construct.
My Friday's booked, so early Thursday is make-it-or-break-it for me.
Won't start getting edgy until late Wednesday.

GL with your story, tho!

I’m totally diggin’ the OWC theme this time around, and its right on par with something I was brewing for this season; however, the whole dialogue restricted to just one character thing… man that really throws a monkey wrench into the engine. It took me two ½ days of banging my head to even come up with a concept that could/should work…

It’s starting to take shape now (in my head, lol), and when all is said and done, I can easily see myself  creating unnecessary dialogue,  just so I can slice and dice it to bits in order to bring the proper page count…

Read: neurotic

Anyways, best of luck I say. I’m curious to see what repressed evil is lurking about this board …

I'm done with my 1st draft too. It's a pretty weird story. There's weird action and weird people in it. Weird wording, weird dialog.
Even the formatting is weird.

And there's no sex in it.
I need to get some sex in. It might save it.

Quoted from khamanna I need to get some sex in.

Oh my...

Some pretty weird sex.



Ghost humping.


What's the sound of two vapors slapping?

There will be no sex or foul language in mine because I find that sort of thing offensive.

See...two guys responded to your sex comment Khamanna. :P

I finally landed on an idea I liked. Glad you got one going Bill!!  

Quoted from Grandma Bear There will be no sex or foul language in mine because I find that sort of thing offensive.

And as evidence of the above, your honor, I will submit this shower scene from her movie "Dead Ringer."

;D

Gary

Quoted from Gary in Houston And as evidence of the above, your honor, I will submit this shower scene from her movie "Dead Ringer."

You're a bully and want nothing else than people to hate me!!!!!  :P

Quoted from Grandma Bear You're a bully and want nothing else than people to hate me!!!!!  :P

Pia, the last thing anyone could ever do is hate someone as talented and successful as you... but I do dare anyone to watch that scene without feeling equally aroused and horrified!  :o

Quoted from Gary in Houston And as evidence of the above, your honor, I will submit this shower scene from her movie "Dead Ringer." ;D Gary

Submit it then! I'd love to see it - the clip, I mean.

First draft complete :)

I feel good!

Yeah I'll take a stab at the contest. I hope I kill.

Quoted from Gary in Houston I do dare anyone to watch that scene without feeling equally aroused and horrified!  :o

Now that's a compliment!!!!!!  ;)

Quoted from LC Submit it then! I'd love to see it - the clip, I mean.

It will be on Showtime in the near future.  :)

Pia is going to roll her eyes at this...but I have a question. Is texting, computer chat room talk, Facebook messaging considered dialog? Typed by a second character, not spoken out loud.  Sorry Pia. LOL

It surely would fall under this same category: ??

Quoted from Don And, before anyone asks.  TV, radio, robots that speak, hand puppets that speak would be considered a character.

  

Be nice if this were exempt but I somehow doubt it. I was hoping to use a newspaper headline banner - wonder if that's allowed?

What if it's a puppet that texts?  :P  I was thinking "speaks" meant out loud. I don't know how I confused myself all of a sudden. LOL.  Over thinking as usual. Thanks LC and Pia.

Imo texting/chat room messages are dialogue. It's having a conversation with someone which would be the definition, whether spoken out loud or not.

A newspaper headline on the other hand is just a newspaper headline, a prop. Pretty sure that would be allowed, but who knows.

Haven't made much progress, been throwing a few ideas around in my head, but I haven't come up with anything that stands out. A few average ideas with a few average executions. While I find the theme very interesting, I'm struggling to write on it. I think I'll just try to get started on something and get a rough first draft in and hope to get a better idea of something unique to add.

The one character dialogue rule seems to be complicating coming up with something for me rather than assuring me that hey, at least I've got one. Got the idea of writing that rough draft without dialogue, get some kind of a story down and see where I can fit the dialogue in when I'm done.

Grats to everyone that's finished their first draft or has the outline thought of. You've got the upper hand. ;)

Very phantasmastic, boooy!!! I mean, umm, Don.

Have not come up with an idea yet....not sure I'll be able to pull this one off this year. Brain dead...but I think it's a cool challenge. A challenge should be challenging. ;) Kudos to Don!

As I put fade out on this puppy, didn't break the law but a serious wtf on its way. Flags will be thrown.

Looking forward to reading everyone's stuff!

Quoted from mmmarnie Is texting, computer chat room talk, Facebook messaging considered dialog? Typed by a second character, not spoken out loud.

Don’s responses in this thread, particularly this exchange on post 30...

Quoted from stevie And hand signals are a form of communication too. Or morse code.  Or hand written signs. Hmmm

Quoted from Don Depends on how you write it.

...lead me to believe ‘dialogue’ is to be taken from more of a formatting perspective. So I think there’s a little room for interpretation here. Unless he corrects me, I’ll continue with that assumption.

Dialogue, in script terms, is when a character speaks.

There are loads of ways characters can communicate without speaking. Jeez, even dogs can communicate without barking.

I think the idea is use your imaginations. You've been challenged. Stop asking questions and start trying to work out your own answers. You may come up with something good. Or not. Others shall be the judges.

R

Quoted from EWall433 Don�s responses in this thread, particularly this exchange on post 30...

Quoted from rendevous You've been challenged. Stop asking questions and start trying to work out your own answers. You may come up with something good. Or not. Others shall be the judges. R

I went through all 11 pages of questions first to make sure I didn't miss a texting question. Wasn't sure, since texting is not actually spoken out loud, if it counted as dialog. I think people should be able to ask questions without being ridiculed. Really A-holish to make people feel stupid for it.

If someone is speaking via text, it is a character speaking! Only one character's dialogue is allowed!

If you use FD and you have to use two different character names in the dialogue, you've failed!

Yeah. I get it. Sorry I was a freakin dumb ass. Jesus Christ. Lighten the freak up. I think it may have been the first question I asked since I've been doing these OWC's. Can't stand the judgement in this place sometimes. Really off putting.

Quoted from mmmarnie Really A-holish to make people feel stupid for it.

I'm not ridiculing you. Simply pointing out that if Don thinks handwritten signs can work, that has to be applicable to text as well. If I couldn't reference Don, I wouldn't post anything cause my opinion means squat.

Quoted from mmmarnie Pia is going to roll her eyes at this...but I have a question. Is texting, computer chat room talk, Facebook messaging considered dialog? Typed by a second character, not spoken out loud.  Sorry Pia. LOL

Marnie,

It depends...

Depends on how you write it.  

In War Games, I believe the computer was written as a character with dialogue.

However, if it is texting, that really depends, e.g., this is ok:

JOHN looks at is phone. The screen reads, "Meet me at the playground."

As opposed to having a conversation which I would write as dialogue.  

Clearly, I don't have a clear cut answer other than to say, if the conversation is written as a dialogue exchange, then no, it wouldn't be permitted.  However, if the answer comes in the action block, then that would be ok.

Does this help at all?

Don

Quoted from LC It surely would fall under this same category: ??    Be nice if this were exempt but I somehow doubt it. I was hoping to use a newspaper headline banner - wonder if that's allowed?

A newspaper headline isn't a character, so I would say this is ok.

Unless one character is having a conversation with the newspaper and the newspaper was responding.

Don

Quoted from Don It depends... Depends on how you write it.   In War Games, I believe the computer was written as a character with dialogue. However, if it is texting, that really depends, e.g., this is ok: JOHN looks at is phone. The screen reads, "Meet me at the playground." As opposed to having a conversation which I would write as dialogue.   Clearly, I don't have a clear cut answer other than to say, if the conversation is written as a dialogue exchange, then no, it wouldn't be permitted.  However, if the answer comes in the action block, then that would be ok. Does this help at all? Don

So, I'm getting that in some cases it would be okay. I wish people remembered it before dismissing a script when they see a script that used messaging. I mean messaging that's been thought through to fit the challenge.

FINALLY!

Story foundation coalesced and roughed out.
Detail fleshing out this evening then FADE IN: begins maybe tonight, certainly tomo.

Dance ticket already full.

Oh, yeah: SEX!

It's not the same when you say it, Ray.

Thank God.


:D

Quoted from oJOHNNYoNUTSo I bit a puppy on the ass, didn't break the law, but a serious wtf on its way. Flags will be thrown. Looking forward to eating everyone's stuff!

??? You get weirder by the day, bro.  Too much time at sea.

Quoted from DustinBowcot It's not the same when you say it, Ray.

Quite.

Quoted from StevenClark ??? You get weirder by the day, bro.  Too much time at sea.

Makes perfect sense to me.

Mind you, I'm quite fond of the sea.

R

Quoted from SAC So, only one character with dialogue. Additional character(s) can speak, but must be OS. Do I have that right? Also, do satanic erections count as dialogue? And if so, can they send a text message to other erections? Steve

You're telling me, bro. Lay off that margarine!

Quoted from oJOHNNYoNUTSo You're telling me, bro. Lay off that margarine!

Eh? Even I'm getting a little lost now.

Surely you mean butter. Not salted, obviously.

R

I'm not sure he'd be all that upset anyway. Cleese I mean.

It might be Judith Charmers.

To be honest, I actually think this OWC's theme is good enough for a feature.  Lots to be done with this idea.

Damn...Dead by sundown Oct. 31st. I have a whole lotta sinning to squeeze in. Not sure I have time for this OWC now.

Don't forget the non-procreational sex.

Quoted from RayW Don't forget the non-procreational sex.

That's my favorite kind! Especially fun on Sundays! ;D

Back on track with this thread...I finished my first draft despite the negative vibes in here. It started out fun...all sex and egg salad. I don't know what went wrong.  :-/

Quoted from RayW Don't forget the non-procreational sex.

Quoted from CalebHart No thanks

No "non-procreational" sex = special times with a sock puppet.

Are sock babies kinda like finger mittens?

I apologize for two off-topic posts, but I fear there will never again come a time when this video is quite so germane to the preceding conversation.

Quoted from Heretic I apologize for two off-topic posts, but I fear there will never again come a time when this video is quite so germane to the preceding conversation.

:o  Holy Sockbaby!  :o  Hey...If I'm being condemned to die for saying "Jesus Christ", what about these guys for creating the Sockbaby Jesus?  

I thought it was saying Jehovah that got you into trouble.

I was out the other day and got distracted by this unusual woman. She was threatening me with mace. It looked suspiciously like air freshener. Anyways I departed, just in case, the scene I mean, not this life.

I went about my errands and came across this fella all in black who kept on saying Jesus Christ. Then something about the Corinthians. Another band I expect, similar to Kasabian no doubt.

Then he sends round this basket and expects everyone to put cash in it!

All I got in return was this little wafer. I'm not going there again. I was only looking for the post office.

R

Quoted from rendevous I'm not sure he'd be all that upset anyway. Cleese I mean. It might be Judith Charmers.

Judith  :D :D :D

Made me laugh, even if that one wouldn't travel the Atlantic, or the channel for that matter

It wouldn't even past mustard with teenagers either. Still, they're all busy wearing their pants badly. And what the fuck is going with their hair? Half the lads look like they're trying to mimic Bobby Charlton.

I do miss the old orange woman. Bless.

Good to know I made you laugh, RD.

R

Quoted from mmmarnie That's my favorite kind! Especially fun on Sundays! ;D Back on track with this thread...I finished my first draft despite the negative vibes in here. It started out fun...all sex and egg salad. I don't know what went wrong.  :-/

What do you do with egg salads?  :o :o :o

If there is a script where a character communicates by smearing egg salad over their body, we'll know it's yours  8)

Quoted from Reef Dreamer What do you do with egg salads?  :o :o :o If there is a script where a character communicates by smearing egg salad over their body, we'll know it's yours  8)

You just asked her what she did with it, then told her what she does with it, all in one post. Wow. If I didn't know any better I'd think you were perched in a tree, armed with binoculars while looking through her kitchen window.

Quoted from DustinBowcot You just asked her what she did with it, then told her what she does with it, all in one post. Wow. If I didn't know any better I'd think you were perched in a tree, armed with binoculars while looking through her kitchen window.

I suppose writers are meant to have imaginations...or large binoculars

Quoted from rendevous It wouldn't even past mustard with teenagers either. ... R

Thank God he didn't pass mustard. I reckon that'd sting. ;D
Your predictive text going all wobbly, R?

Quoted from DustinBowcot You just asked her what she did with it, then told her what she does with it, all in one post. Wow. If I didn't know any better I'd think you were perched in a tree, armed with binoculars while looking through her kitchen window.

Bill and I are from two very different and far away Jersey's. Don't think there are binoculars big enough to reach.   ;)

He did use his imagination on the smearing part of the egg salad. He was close though...we did smear it on crackers.

You haven't seen his binoculars.

Think I'm just about done.

I've surprised myself. Thought there'd be a lot more scampering around at the last minute to get it done.

Nice to see the blasphemy judge sits with his gavel. Reminds me, I must buy a burqa.

Now then, and to be back on topic, how goes these scripts. I'd tell you how mine is going, but I'm too busy deleting all the bloody dialogue all my other characters keep saying. The over talkative babbling feckers.

So how goes it, or are you ready to grab a towel and getting ready to launch it like me?

R

Quoted from IamGlenn Think I'm just about done. I've surprised myself. Thought there'd be a lot more scampering around at the last minute to get it done.

Nice, grats!

Quoted from rendevous So how goes it, or are you ready to grab a towel and getting ready to launch it like me? R

A decent idea hit me last night, think I managed to come up with something unique. Got the outline down in my head, finished the beginning and end. Now I've just got to write the middle, hoping to get that done by tonight. After that it shouldn't be more than making a few small adjustments.

Sock puppets and mentions of Jesus have been avoided so far, so I figure I'm not off to a bad start.

Gl with your entry too, R.

Likewise, DS.

And I would say well done to IamGlenn, but I'll reserve my judgement until I read. 'Congrats on completing the OWC' sounds a bit too hollow these days.

I do this every bloody time. I get half an idea once I read the criteria, then I stand outside sans drink but with cigarette mulling it over. Then I think, right - time to start writing. I get halfway, read it back and say, Christ, I'd better fix the fecker. Then I get depressed and steal a car. Driving around usually calms my nerves. Mind you, they get frisky when I rob a few gas stations. After I've lost the cops I usually calm down a bit and get struck by inspiration, if not one of these frigging citizens trying to perform an arrest. Once I've taken them out I start writing. The helicopters put me off though. They're like bees and wasps - no matter how fast you move they're just behind you.

I really must stop playing GTA. This is getting out of hand.

R

Finished mine, pretty much,...but then decided it would be a better story told from a different point of view. So I'm back to square one.

If it's getting out of hand you might consider paying a lass to do it.
Two handed, of course.  





1/3 way done w rough draft, BTW.

They won't take my money!

Apart from that blonde on Friday by the docks. She took it, the money that is, then legged it. Ran away I mean. The clever girl. I chased her. But it was like a three legged daschund chasing Obama Bolt, sorry, Usain Barack. Oh dear. I'll leave it there.

I only wanted to buy a sausage. I mean hot dog.

R

Thanks DS for the grats.

And thank you Rendevous for refraining to grats me right now.

Much appreciated. Now here's hoping the thing is at least halfway decent! :)

Quoted from mmmarnie :o  Holy Sockbaby!  :o  Hey...If I'm being condemned to die for saying "Jesus Christ", what about these guys for creating the Sockbaby Jesus?

Sock Hell, clearly! Which may or may not be behind the dryer.

An intriguing concept sunk its way into my noggin last night.

Hm...

Twelve hours and no chit chat.

Folks must be busy.

Post-rough proofing mine but giving it a rest til tomo.


G'nite & g'morning!

Like you Ray I'm letting my breather for 24 see if I still think it's acceptable tomorrow.

I will be interested in seeing how others have coped with this one.

The restrictions are often tight and we all moan, but this one seems harder

Same here.

I try to leave it alone for a day and reread. Have no idea what I'll think about it tomorrow.

I really hope there won't be 30 plus entries for me to read. On the other hand I may not submit mine after all. Probably I won't. Let's see...

In either case I'm going to contribute to reading.

Quoted from Reef Dreamer I'm letting my breather for 24 see if I still think it's acceptable tomorrow. That's my OWC gold standard: To see if it can survive 24hrs and not stink in the sobriety of daylight. I will be interested in seeing how others have coped with this one. I hope some imaginative conversations and communications have been designed. The restrictions are often tight and we all moan, but this one seems harder Indeed. It's been a lot of criteria to EFFECTIVELY juggle.

Good luck, RD!

Quoted from khamanna I try to leave it alone for a day and reread. Have no idea what I'll think about it tomorrow. Yup. "B-b-b-but it seemed so clever last night?!" Yeah, well... that was last night. LOL! I really hope there won't be 30 plus entries for me to read. On the other hand I may not submit mine after all. Probably I won't. Let's see... Aww!  :'( PLEASE submit yours, too.  :) I'm the least pleased with my entry for this challenge than I have been with any other. Be fearless! Glean what you can from what you've written. In either case I'm going to contribute to reading. Same.

Good luck to you, as well, Kham.

Quoted from Reef Dreamer The restrictions are often tight and we all moan, but this one seems harder

This has been easier and far more enjoyable to write than the shark one for me.

Kind of in a bundle with writing the middle... Not sure exactly how pleased I am with it and I'm somehow struggling to push the page count to 6. Wanted to come up with something short and effective, don't think I can get around adding more plot or dragging a scene out which kind of seems like a shame.  :-/

Think I'll take a breather till tomorrow and see what I can come up with then. And I was already hoping not to put it off to the last day.

Good luck to everyone else still going as well!

Fire in the hole!

Ray - I love that clip. Brilliant.

Dustin - I suppose that's how it goes. Some we find easier than others. I thought you knocked up the shark script within 48hrs or soemthing? You certainly don't seem to hang around, I'll give you that.

This one got to me, but I have a script which will be entered, which is better than bailing out.

I had a cool idea, but it didn't fit...at all. Not sure how I would pull it off anyway, but I love the concept. One to think about.

If anyone has a low cost entry I will be fascinated to see how they pulled it off - it's just escaped me. I couldn't resist a Stars wars style opening. You know, space ship battles off a far planet - just the ticket

Quoted from Reef Dreamer I thought you knocked up the shark script within 48hrs or soemthing?

I might have done, I really can't remember. I had this one down a few hours after reading the requirements. Since then I've been editing and actually stripped two pages off the original. I've submitted already as I'll be too busy to write anything tomorrow, I have to drive to London to pick up the master file for our first short film, All About Janet. It's actually taken longer in post than it did to produce it.

Quoted from Reef Dreamer If anyone has a low cost entry I will be fascinated to see how they pulled it off - it's just escaped me. I couldn't resist a Stars wars style opening. You know, space ship battles off a far planet - just the ticket

Ah, man, Reef.
I so dodged the budget bullet with zero intent.

I was really, really, really looking forward to casting all financial practicality out the window, write something that would cost $100k per screen minute, but I completely drew scratch on that.

The story I wrote wouldn't cost all that much to produce.

I am personally quite disappointed in my conservative approach.

Major futz.



Whatchagonnado?
I gots what I gots.  :-/

...almost there...
but this might be close to the last time Iwrite in the horror genre.
I think I will have to pick a psydonym and become a phantom of sorts so I can write a faith- based rom com with mimes and nobody would be the wiser.

You might wanna read the Bible again.

It's chock full of horror stories, from both the antags and protags.

Lotta material there.

Quoted from DustinBowcot This has been easier and far more enjoyable to write than the shark one for me.

Thank God, bro!  Your shark script was a complete disaster.  Hoping this one is much, much better!

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Kidding, bro...Just fucking with ya.  You get me?

JEFFFFROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Thanks, Ray.


I'll reread mine today, check for grammar and submit. Good Luck to all submitted.

Or I may not even reread. Because if I reread I'll get these second thoughts. Grammar shmammar, you check my grammar for me, okay?

I'm sexy, what do I have to lose.

I would say I've done mine. Finished. Complete. Finito. End of.

But I haven't. This is frankly typical. Slack, no slick. Sucks socks.

R

Quoted from khamanna I'm sexy, what do I have to lose.

You're so sexy Kham, you could miss 20 commas and no one would notice.  ;) ;D

Quoted from Dreamscale Thank God, bro!  Your shark script was a complete disaster.  Hoping this one is much, much better! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D Kidding, bro...Just fucking with ya.  You get me?

I don't think anyone did well with that one... even Samebito was more a piece of literature than something ever likely to be filmed.

entered.

Now folks be easy on...

1] crap logline - they are always rushed and a load of bollocks

2] writing imperfections - some of us take time to get a scipt up to par

3] pushing the boundaries a little - does the script make a decent stab at it rather than be perfect

if i need anymore favours and excuses ill post them later  :P :P :P

hope the turnout is decent without being an over load.

Submitted!

Right up until now I've been making little changes a couple of times a day to fine tune it.
Read it again this morning and thought "what the heck" and submitted it. I'm pretty happy with how it turned out.
As for you lot liking it, well here's hoping :)

Also, I agree with Reef Dreamer, go easy ;)

Look forward to reading everyone's attempts!

Mine is in.

No doubt I've managed to miss a league of technical errors, but it's a good script. Would make a lovely little horror film, and may well do one day.

Good luck, everyone.

Rick

Quoted from DustinBowcot I don't think anyone did well with that one... even Samebito was more a piece of literature than something ever likely to be filmed.

Speak for yourselves. Mine was great. No matter what anyone says. Yeeeesh.

R

I finally wrote "Fade in" last night, I woke up this morning and it's still there. Sadly no other words followed, so I'm out, busy day ahead.

Good luck to everyone that enters and you'll be pleased to know there's one less pisser to read ;D

Mark

Quoted from irish eyes Good luck to everyone that enters and you'll be pleased to know there's one less pisser to read ;D Mark

Alas!

Quoted from DustinBowcot I don't think anyone did well with that one... even Samebito was more a piece of literature than something ever likely to be filmed.

I don't know. There were quite a few I really liked in that challenge. I didn't even hate mine, for a change. And it earned me my favorite mug!!!

This challenge however...I love horror but I suck at writing it. It comes out feeling like a Scooby Doo episode.  ::) And of course it will be mistaken for a pisser.  :-/  But I'm going to enter. I'll be brave.

Quoted from mmmarnie This challenge however...I love horror but I suck at writing it. It comes out feeling like a Scooby Doo episode.  ::)

A g-g-g-g-ghost!

Finished mine - Will submit right when I come up with a decent logline, drawing a blank there at the moment.

Quoted from DS A g-g-g-g-ghost! Finished mine - Will submit right when I come up with a decent logline, drawing a blank there at the moment.

Firing blanks? It's easy. Just think of something you couldn't have said in said script. Tell not show, for once if you've behaved. One of the few chances you get to do so!

R

Can I submit a script twice if i'm unsure I submitted it correctly the first time?

Quoted from RaphaelH Can I submit a script twice if i'm unsure I submitted it correctly the first time?

As far as I know, you just re-submit it and say it's a revised version in the other info section..

Quoted from DustinBowcot I don't think anyone did well with that one... even Samebito was more a piece of literature than something ever likely to be filmed.

Never say ever, mate! We here in the squirrel's den always have our fingers crossed lol!  :P

Quoted from irish eyes I finally wrote "Fade in" last night, I woke up this morning and it's still there. Sadly no other words followed, so I'm out, busy day ahead.

Aww, rats, man.

Pretty sure we all understand the disappointing feeling.
Sorry that happened.

Quoted from RaphaelH Can I submit a script twice if i'm unsure I submitted it correctly the first time?

Correct, just as if you were submitting a revision.

When you get a confirmation email you'll know you're good. :)
(I just checked my email, seems I uploaded e Celtx file instead of the PDF. Dumb Dora.
Seems we're in the same boat.  ;D)

Submitted!

Whether or not anyone likes it, I’ve already had fun with it. My characters seem to be bantering as much as they ever did. Strangely enough the date was the hardest part of the criteria for me to square. Seems kinda superfluous to the story as it stands.

Is Adobe Acrobat PDF?

Quoted from RaphaelH Is Adobe Acrobat PDF?

Yeah.

Quoted from mmmarnie You're so sexy Kham, you could miss 20 commas and no one would notice.  ;) ;D

Thanks, Marnie.  I deffinitely missed 20 commas. But wait, there are another 20 or so commas that don't belong - that should even out the missing 20.

I still haven't read mine. I'm just not strong enough.

I didn't even write FADE IN, so that makes 2 less pissers this go round.

I know everyone is very disappointed to hear this, but I just don't have the time, am not in the proper frame of mind, and really didn't like the 1 character only dialogue.

But, don't worry, kids, I will be reading and leaving glowing reviews whenever remotely possible.   ;D ;D ;D  You get me?

I gotta agree with Jeff on this one.

I couldn't write mine without the 1 character who could speak revealing what the telepathic other character was saying through expository dialogue.

Maybe next time.

Quoted from RaphaelH Can I submit a script twice if i'm unsure I submitted it correctly the first time?

You can submit the same script as many times as you wish.  The last one I receive will be the one posted.

-Don

Stamped, sealed, submitted.

I'm not going to guess how I did, I'll let the glowing reviews of why everyone closed it after reading the first two lines speak for that. ;)

A belated congratulations to everyone that's posted here that they've finished and a congratulations to everyone else that's done and hasn't posted.

To everyone else still going - best of luck and hope you make it by the deadline!

I'll try my best to get through all of the entries next week. Wonder how many there will be. What kind of a turnout is everyone expecting with ~10 hours to the deadline? I'll put my bid at 25.

6 page short... I'd say 48

Well, I reread mine but I'm not going to submit it.
Oh, wait. I may have already submitted it. I can't remember.


if I did - hold to your chairs when reading it. It's terrifying.


Good luck to everyone entered.

Starting on it now. Because of time restrictions, it's T-minus five hours and counting. Hope to see dozens of other sucking it up like mine. Lol. =)

Trying to think up a logline. I'll figure it out.
Made some minor changes.
Debate on if i want to keep a morbid scene.

Hate to cut out less than an hour after saying I was going to do it, but the script is just not lending itself to the rules. That's okay, though. Best of luck to everyone who is able to pull through this go around. =)

Quoted from Leegion I couldn't write mine without the 1 character who could speak revealing what the telepathic other character was saying through expository dialogue.

That sounds so bad, lol. Glad you didn't enter something like that.

Wasted some time messing around with numerous ideas before coming right back to the one I started out with.  After several pages of frivolous monologue and rampant comma abuse I’m in.

Fire in da hole, part deux!




I think commas instead of periods are sexy!


I don't think ANYONE thinks periods are sexy. ;)

Quoted from Don You can submit the same script as many times as you wish.  The last one I receive will be the one posted. -Don

It's this type of attitude that makes me come back here. And stay well away from other internet giants. Well, there's that and the massive tax avoidance.

Quoted from RayW I think commas instead of periods are sexy!

Women can't have commas instead of periods, you idiot, At least I think they can't.

They always run away before I can find out. Fast buggers, I tell you. And slippery.

I should buy more suitable shoes. And a big net.

R

Quoted from RayW I don't think ANYONE thinks periods are sexy. ;)

Vampires maybe.

I guess 35 entries

Including one by Jeff

Secondary competitions...

1) grumpiest reviewer of the month

2) least likely to be produced - that's mine by the way  8)

3) most popular description

4) most irrelevant description - we all have one, don't we?

5) best inclusion of egg salad - that one is marnie's

All the best folks. Hope you enjoy.

As Ray said, time for the 'Fire in the hole'...are we back to periods  :o :o :o

OK, I feel bad.  I admit it.  I feel shitty, especially after seeing Bill's last post.

I give so much shit to peeps, I'm so critical, so "mean" at times.  How could I pass up our anual October OWC?  Really?  I can't, damnit.

So, I just started writing, and don't worry, this isn't an excuse for a shit entry, nor will it be a pisser.  I'm going for it, and I hould be able to finsih in plenty of time...I hope.

I'm tentatively in...oh fuck...that's not cool, either...I'm in, damnit!  Drinking my patented Sweet Tea Vodka, Simply Limeaid, strawberry moosnshine, and frozen raspberries...with Jager shots on the side of course.

No fucking around, as I say, seriously, congrats to all who enter, as it's a tough challenge, IMO.

Here we go.

Quoted from mmmarnie Vampires maybe.

Eww.
Fetishist vampire.


Reef,
With no producer-esque hat on and format Nazi on ban I'm gonna shoot for 'kindest reviewer'.
I promise to try to read every submission with all the positive rose colored vision in which it was intended (or not) to be received.

Someone whup up a big batch O' pancakes.
Ray's bringin' da syrup!




Jeff,
Go, man. Go.
Good luck.

On page 2...

No dialogue yet.  No V.O.'s yet.  No SUPER's yet.  Setting it in Seattle, as an homage to the Pacific Northwest OWC I came up with.

No killings yet, either...but a great early sex scene   ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

My first entry at an OWC and it's a rushed job. Not how I wanted to come in, but hey it's whatever.

I can already see the "but why??" comments...

Sigh...

Oh well, I hope you guys somewhat enjoy it.

But I gotta go. It was a fun write.

I like the new addition on the portal page.

No pressure, indeedy.

R

Ok...call me crazy but I just got home..gonna try to shit six pages. I know...yall hate me for it...but I don't want to be out ...this is where it all started for me :)

Quoted from Reef Dreamer 5) best inclusion of egg salad - that one is marnie's

Sh1t Bawls...I forgot the egg salad!!

Quoted from Jean-Pierre Chapoteau My first entry at an OWC and it's a rushed job. Not how I wanted to come in, but hey it's whatever.

Welcome to your first OWC, JP. Hold on to your dreads...it's nothing like Movie Poet.  ;D

Go Dena, go!!  

Indeed. There's nothing at all around here like MP.


This is Wright Club.

Quoted from Pale Yellow Ok...call me crazy but I just got home..gonna try to shit six pages. I know...yall hate me for it...but I don't want to be out ...this is where it all started for me :)

Love that avatar, what is it? Good luck btw. I need it too - down to the wire... maybe in, maybe out. :)

Ryan and I had planned a pisstake but it fell through! So,nada from both of us.

Will try and read a few. If you want yours read specifically, pm me

Liked the idea of this OWC, but had too busy of a week to manage to write anything. Will try to read though.  :)

Quoted from Dreamscale OK, I feel bad.  I admit it.   .

Don' worry. Once you read my entry, you'll be your old self again. You know--out in three pages  :X

I mean that in a lighthearted way. ;D

Quoted from stevie Ryan and I had planned a pisstake but it fell through! So,nada from both of us. Will try and read a few. If you want yours read specifically, pm me

Yeah, that one went to the pisser graveyard, RIP.  I'll read as many entries as I can though.  

Quoted from LC Love that avatar, what is it? Good luck btw. I need it too - down to the wire... maybe in, maybe out. :)

Done and gonna enter. I'm sure many will mistake my for a pisstake but I've never yet tried to write a pisser even though errr..well...some of mine have been called such.

The avatar I have no clue...a creepy blinky thing :) I feel creepy this time of year...but I'm as harmless as a dove.

Tick-tock tick-tock.
Time is running on the clock.

Got in with 50 seconds to spare.

I was trying, really trying to rush a reread of it, but wasn't going to make it in if I did - so first draft in - let the daggers reign down on me now.

Really should have had this done at the start of the week, but after discovering my personality is INTP - I'm finally understanding why I stagnate on too many ideas and then push everything to last minute.

All I have is: Sorry :(

(had to get something in though - been longing to get something in)

Quoted from oJOHNNYoNUTSo 6 page short... I'd say 48

6-10, Johnny. And, I'm telling you right now mine ain't 6 pages. Sorry 'bout that, folks.

With you on the turnout though, I think it'll be big.  :o

So how does this work? We get to review them?  Who chooses the winner?

Do I get to see my reviews during the contest or have to wait until it's over? Do all the scripts get the same reviews or do some go by without getting any?

The scripts are already being posted.  Usually in batches of five to ten.  Each script gets its own thread and yes you get to see the reviews as soon as they're posted.

Quoted from Jean-Pierre Chapoteau So how does this work? We get to review them?  Who chooses the winner? Do I get to see my reviews during the contest or have to wait until it's over? Do all the scripts get the same reviews or do some go by without getting any?

I'm going to start posting the scripts.  You will see the reviews as you go.  This isn't a contest.

Later you'll get an email from me on how you do the "Writer's Choice Voting".  In the meantime, read and review.

Don

Here are the scripts - http://www.simplyscripts.net/cgi-bin/Blah/Blah.pl?m-1414210839/

Don