Welcome to the February 2015 One Week Challenge:

Your task will be to recreate an urban legend in any way you see fit. This could be any urban legend in the world, no matter how ridiculous or impossible. Please note that you are not creating a new urban legend, rather you're putting your own unique spin on an existing one.

T-minus 171 hours until your OWC script is due.

Topic: Urban Legends.

Genre: Open.

You have seven days to write a screenplay between 5 and 12 pages. The screenplay must be properly formatted and in PDF format. The scripts are due on Friday, February 13th at 11:59PM EST and must be submitted to: SimplyScripts.Com/OWC..

There will be a Writers' Choice wherein the participants (and only the participants) will be asked to select the three scripts they liked the best.

Timeline:

February 6th at 9:00PM EST - Theme and Genre announced.

February 13th at 11:59PM EST - Scripts are due.

February 27th at 5:00PM EST - Names and writer's choice revealed.

The Rules:

Your story must revolve around an existing urban legend. The urban legend shouldn't just be background noise, it should be the basis for your script.

There is no genre restriction.

I will allow you to go slightly over or under the page limits I have set. Some stories need a little more, some need a little less. I'm a reasonable person and am not tied too closely to rules but don't piss me off. If I say the limit is 12 pages and you submit a 25-page script, that will be a bit irritating. Just try and be close, one way or the other.

Jargon:

5 - 12 pages.

Properly formatted & saved as a PDF file.

This isn't a contest. There are no prizes.

Free to submit.

One entry per person.

No pissers, please.

You can revise your script as many times as you wish up until 11:59PM EST on February 13th.

Participants are strongly encouraged to read and comment/review on the scripts submitted. Seriously, if other people take the time to read them and you submitted, you can too.

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 © on the bottom left corner of your title page.

Best of luck and I hope you guys have a lot of fun with this contest.

Before anybody says anything, before the idea fully came to fruition, Don had told me that we had previously done a One Week Challenge that dealt with urban legends. However, I'm not a big fan of genre restrictions (just my opinion), so I thought it might be different this time if it were a similar topic with no genre restrictions. Hence... this. Hope you all enjoy and have a lot of fun with it.

And, remember, if you'd like to reserve a specific urban legend (something you really want), PM me and let me know which one it is that you're interested in.

To send a private message, click on my name to the left of this message. Then, on that page, look to the right side where it says, "Send a Private Message". Good luck and have fun.

Wow, this is up three hours early, isn't it?

Excellent choice, Sean. Now I'll read the nitty-gritty. :)

Hmm, I thought most urban legends were 'horror'. Suppose not.

Are you saying if we reserve a specific urban legend, no one else can do it?

It's true, Libby. Normally it starts at midnight but I would not have been available then to put it up so missing the start of your own OWC is kind of a dick move. As a result, I consulted with Don to move it up a couple hours. Think of it as three extra writing hours. =)

Quoted from LC Hmm, I thought most urban legends were 'horror'. Suppose not.

Because they once were, do they have to be for all time? You're smart, you're clever and you're a writer. Surely, you can think of something else... =)

Quoted from LC Are you saying if we reserve a specific urban legend, no one else can do it?

No. However, if I get 20 messages from people all asking to do the same one, I'm going to have them select another so that the readers don't have to endure 20 scripts of the same thing. A few are fine, but if I get more than three requests for the same one, I'm going to turn them away. You won't believe how repetitive that will become and it's the one thing I'm hoping to avoid.

Short answer version: other people can do the same urban legend as you, but I'd prefer if that didn't happen... if only for the fact that there are so many cool ones out there to choose from.

LOVE IT!!!

But, Don, it's math, not "maths".  Really?   ;D ;D ;D

Quoted from Dreamscale LOVE IT!!! But, Don, it's math, not "maths".  Really?   ;D ;D ;D

It's maths.  Really.  Short for "Mathematics"

Lots to choose from here:


http://www.snopes.com/info/whatsnew.asp

Quoted from Don It's maths.  Really.  Short for "Mathematics"

No, no, no...

"maths" is like "horrors", which is also incorrect.

Maybe you're going Euro...LOL!!!

American - "I'm good at math"

Euro - "I'm good at maths"

American - "I write horror"

Euro - "I write horrors"

C'mon, The DON...really?  I think all these non Americans have influenced you...but that's not a bad thing...other than maybe Dustin - JUST KIDDING!!  Dustin's OK, for a Brit.  LOL

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

...I'm currently writing a feature loosely based on The Russian Sleep Experiment...

I also think I wrote one before about something else, but I can't remember what it was about or what it was called...note to self. Cut down on Guinness...  :(

Here's a link that might help.

http://www.snopes.com/info/whatsnew.asp

I won't be back until early tomorrow morning, but like I said, feel free to blow up my inbox (or don't. I don't care) with your requests. If you don't, don't blame me when we read 20 scripts about the Killer in the Backseat. Just saying... For the rest of the night, Jeff, you're in charge...

Yeah, right. We're better off with anarchy than your Jager-drinkin' ass as a dictator. I jest. Kinda. =)

Quoted from Grandma Bear Here's a link that might help. http://www.snopes.com/info/whatsnew.asp

No joke, that is the exact same link Libby posted just a few minutes ago. Maybe you really do need to let the Guinness go... Lol.

So no pisstakes  but it can be a comedy

Quoted from stevie So no pisstakes  but it can be a comedy

It an be a full on pisser, you Aussie short denim short wearing bloke!!   ;D ;D ;D ;D

Sean...really?  I can be in charge...damnit.  My feelings are hurt, but I am rather fragile at the moment.

Urban legends...love it...

Seriously...great OWC.  IMO, we will have a ton of different ULs and I think you done good, dude.

Quoted from Mr. Blonde No joke, that is the exact same link Libby posted just a few minutes ago. Maybe you really do need to let the Guinness go... Lol.

Sorry for being repetitive then...that was the link Cornetto posted for the last Urban Legend OWC..................  :-/

Think I'm gonna use that old Aussie urban legend about the "Creeper in the Cutoffs."  You play Helter Skelter backwards while chugging a Fosters and the Creeper appears on your doorstep looking for a new pair of Daisy Dukes.

Mine is done and submitted :) always like to stay ahead

Quoted from Ryan1 Think I'm gonna use that old Aussie urban legend about the "Creeper in the Cutoffs."  You play Helter Skelter backwards while chugging a Fosters and the Creeper appears on your doorstep looking for a new pair of Daisy Dukes.

Yeah I've heard that! Apparently Seattle has a new urban legend too: Malcolm Butler actually tripped and the Seaslugs won the Super Bowl!  Admittedly it was in an alternate universe but I guess the 12th Man will try anything.

Quoted from stevie Yeah I've heard that! Apparently Seattle has a new urban legend too: Malcolm Butler actually tripped and the Seaslugs won the Super Bowl!  Admittedly it was in an alternate universe but I guess the 12th Man will try anything.

I also heard about that old Niners Urban Legend...that they were a good team...many fucking years ago!!!!

Oh man...this is a good one. Love the open genre!!  Nice one, Sean. :)

I'm interested, but my last completed script is of a similar nature, so I'd do something a little different.

You say, "no real names." What if your username is your real name?

And what's "no pissers?" You mean no pisstakes, spoofs, satire, or whatever?

Would Bigfoot in Love be okay?  :D

Chris,
When you generate your PDF for submission DON'T put your real name on the title page, just leave the author/screenwriter space blank.

Spoofs, satire, comedies or whatever are fine.
A pisser is a pisstake, which is generally regarded as a deliberate gesture of disrespect for both the craft and peers when X pages of flippant drivel are submitted just to waste our time.
It's tantamount to a big "FUUUUUUUUCCCCCKKKKK  YOUUUUUUUUUU!!!!", which is not appreciated.

So, be funny, but don't be disrespectful to others.  :)

I seriously think it's the best OWC we every had - and I wasn't around the other Urban Legend one... so, Sean, you rock - very nice, thanks.

I wrote one in the past, submitted it to MP and it went down well by the way. I'll go ahead and read Libby's link then.

Lalalalallalalalaaaaaaa

Quoted from Mr. Blonde Before anybody says anything, before the idea fully came to fruition, Don had told me that we had previously done a One Week Challenge that dealt with urban legends.

Hasn't been the first time some themes have been done again.
Won't be the last.

Quoted from khamanna I seriously think it's the best OWC we every had - and I wasn't around the other Urban Legend one... so, Sean, you rock - very nice, thanks. I wrote one in the past, submitted it to MP and it went down well by the way. I'll go ahead and read Libby's link then.

I wasn't around at that OWC either. Can't remember what i was doing at the time. But I did write a short based of an urban legend before that OWC and the OWC happened shortly after the short was filmed.

It's funny though. I was studying up on Rock N Roll Urban Legends earlier today because a lot of ninkompoops were ranting about Katy Perry's Super Bowl antics these past few days.

Looks like I'm going to have to Google 'Urban legends'. We don't really deal with scary stories where I'm from. The ones I have read are just silly.

Quoted from DustinBowcot Looks like I'm going to have to Google 'Urban legends'. We don't really deal with scary stories where I'm from. The ones I have read are just silly.

Genre is open, Dustin. In fact I think from what Sean said to me, he's hoping we don't all go with horror.

Quoted from LC Genre is open, Dustin. In fact I think from what Sean said to me, he's hoping we don't all go with horror.

After looking through Google I can't find any urban legends that aren't meant to be scary.

Quoted from DustinBowcot After looking through Google I can't find any urban legends that aren't meant to be scary.

The one I wrote was about a bday surprise. A guy who got very upset when his wife and daughter forgot about his birthday. So he answers positively to his secretary's invitation to go to her place and celebrate. The secretary leaves for a min and he removes his pants. THen the secretary, his wife and daughter and mother reappear with a cake.

Maybe if you find that one online there'll be a list of others as well. I'll look for it too.

Looked through - same source gave me plenty and here's mine I talked about:

http://www.snopes.com/love/betrayal/surpriseparty.asp

Quoted from khamanna The one I wrote was about a bday surprise. A guy who got very upset when his wife and daughter forgot about his birthday. So he answers positively to his secretary's invitation to go to her place and celebrate. The secretary leaves for a min and he removes his pants. THen the secretary, his wife and daughter and mother reappear with a cake. Maybe if you find that one online there'll be a list of others as well. I'll look for it too.

Thank you very much for that advice. Simply adding 'humorous' to the search has yielded some results. I'll try other search terms now too.

I've got the concept... and it's a good one. Now it all comes down to my execution. Hopefully I can write it Monday, or maybe later tonight.

Could always come up with an "origin" story. You could make the most frightening legend a drama, a comedy...

Excellent OWC! All the best to all who enter and contribute with reads.


  

Urban Legends... personal favorite genre of mine.  

I already have a concept in mind.  Something fresh.  Based on something "real".  Should be good.  I'm going for something not many folks have heard of before.  It's somewhat of an "obscure" Urban Legend.

Quoted from khamanna I wasn't around the other Urban Legend one...

It was only a couple of years ago....

I remember that I was disappointed I missed it, but I think that was during my hiatus. That would've been my kind of OWC, too. Now, to atone for that mistake.

Got my concept.

IN.

Four participants have made their picks so far. I've got faith that this is going to be a really fun contest. =)

Nice topic. Looking forward to see what people come up with.

Quoted from ChrisBodily I'm interested, but my last completed script is of a similar nature, so I'd do something a little different. You say, "no real names." What if your username is your real name? And what's "no pissers?" You mean no pisstakes, spoofs, satire, or whatever? Would Bigfoot in Love be okay?  :D

When you submit, use your real name.  However, do not put your name on your script that you submit.  This is an anonymous challenge.  Once the challenge is over, you can resubmit your script with your name on it.

Quoted from DustinBowcot Looks like I'm going to have to Google 'Urban legends'. We don't really deal with scary stories where I'm from. The ones I have read are just silly.

Some urban legends aren't scary.  Some are silly or stupid or just boring like coke disolving teeth, gum taking seven years to pass through your digestive system or the single bullet theory...

I'll see what I can do. Besides I have leg up already. Lol. Can't wait to read these.

Are we going to pillory or burn at the stake all who mistake urban myth for urban legend?
Or will close enuf B good enuf?

We handing out "Participation" merit ribbons?


And how unheard of or obscure can these urban legends be?
Any litmus test?

Just remember, the Department of Urban Myth Banishment (D.U.M.B) is watching you...

http://www.simplyscripts.net/cgi-bin/Blah/Blah.pl?b-OWCUL/m-1325523295/

;D ;D ;D

Quoted from Don or the single bullet theory...

Don, Oliver Stone is an insane person. When he speaks or touches something, assume it's all a lie, especially when we have those inconvenient things known as "fact"... Lol. =)

Quoted from Mr.Ripley I'll see what I can do. Besides I have leg up already. Lol. Can't wait to read these.

Nice try, Gabe. You're not allowed to re-enter your Clown Statue script... If you want in, pick a new one. Lol. =)

Quoted from RayW Are we going to pillory or burn at the stake all who mistake urban myth for urban legend? Or will close enuf B good enuf? We handing out "Participation" merit ribbons? And how unheard of or obscure can these urban legends be? Any litmus test?

No. Yes. No. Very (so long as they already existed). No. Respectively. =)

I'm really excited, guys. We're currently at nine participants and counting. I think this is going to be really fun. =)

Oh no, Mr. Blonde. I wasn't mentioning that. Lmao. I just meant I've already handled one so how bad can it be. Lol. I already have a legend selected...different from the clown statue one. Another short under my belt. If I could just do the se with features.

I know, I was just messing with you. If you want to PM me the topic, I'll throw your name on the pile. It's not a requirement, but it's helpful. =)

Was keen to enter this but having trouble finding an urban legend I can do comedy with. I googled a heap of stuff but nothing worthy go my brain ticking.  The Bunny Man one could be a choice but I dunno.

If anyone has any ideas would love a PM!  Maybe something they are doing but I could do the comic version lol.

Have been really out of writing mode for awhile now though work has been busy and Ive been very tired. Have revisited an old horror feature I started 4 years back and it's a cool concept so keen for that.

I don't read OWC scripts if I don't enter as a rule but will read a few this time if I don't get one in.

Quoted from stevie Was keen to enter this but having trouble finding an urban legend I can do comedy with. I googled a heap of stuff but nothing worthy go my brain ticking.  The Bunny Man one could be a choice but I dunno.

Bunnyman: Origins!

Quoted from Don Jargon: 10 - 15 pages

this threw me, sorry. 5-12, right (with the leeway you mentioned)?

If I write one...mine will be around five pages. Not sure on this yet. But I hope others will try to write light too. Easier for reading. :)

Quoted from Pale Yellow If I write one...mine will be around five pages. Not sure on this yet. But I hope others will try to write light too. Easier for reading. :)

Hmm, that would be nice wouldn't it. I think this OWC might break records in terms of number of entries. I may well be a no-show, not inspired so far even though there are a gazillion to choose from.  :-/

Thursday night something will coallesce and Friday evening you'll be rushing to pound out an idea that'll bleed out to a dozen pages despite best intentions. ;)

So true. We'll see...

Had inspiration while mowing the lawn!  I'm in

See.
That's how it'll go.

Busy doing something else when lightning strikes.

Quoted from Pale Yellow If I write one...mine will be around five pages. Not sure on this yet. But I hope others will try to write light too. Easier for reading. :)

My thought, too. I'd much rather have someone give attentiion to my 5- to 7-pager than feeling it's a chore to plow through 12 to 15 pages.

Now, let's see if I can deliver on that. I don't even know where I'm going with mine yet. Maybe I'll have...nothing.

Quoted from RayW See. That's how it'll go. Busy doing something else when lightning strikes.

A poor guy did get hit by lightning last weekend Ray, here on the Gold Coast. He had just finished voting in the state election. A massive storm hit and he and his young family had to take shelter in a nearby park. lightning hit a tree nearby and he took the full force, died in the ambulance.

Very sad.

Quoted from Stumpzian this threw me, sorry. 5-12, right (with the leeway you mentioned)?

That's odd. I could have sworn that I fixed that. But, yes, it's 5-12 with leeway. A little shorter, a little longer, but don't make it so long that people will hate you when they find out who wrote it... Lol. =)

Quoted from Mr. Blonde And, remember, if you'd like to reserve a specific urban legend (something you really want), PM me and let me know which one it is that you're interested in.

I was gonna ask for Goatman, but then I remembered the last OWC  ;D
So I'm going to ask for something else.

The one I chose has a lot of good stuff in it- would make an excellent subject for a feature length script.

Darren, please check my PM when you see this. Thanks.

Done and in  ;D

(I was going to do Richard Gere "An Officer and a Gerbleman" - but thought better of it.). Too much of a pain in the ,,,,,,

Dave, is that to say you're keeping it a surprise? It's fine if you are. Just wondering.

Quoted from Mr. Blonde Dave, is that to say you're keeping it a surprise? It's fine if you are. Just wondering.

I'm done and submitted  - are we allowed to say what we wrote?

No, I meant if you want to let me know in a PM what it was so that, if someone else picks it later, I can let them know that someone's already doing it and see if they want to do something similar or a different idea.

Quoted from Mr. Blonde No, I meant if you want to let me know in a PM what it was so that, if someone else picks it later, I can let them know that someone's already doing it and see if they want to do something similar or a different idea.

Got it - already submitted script and just PM's you the topic - thanks

Quoted from eldave1 I'm done and submitted  - are we allowed to say what we wrote?

Don't tell us, please.

Quoted from eldave1 Done and in  ;D (I was going to do Richard Gere "An Officer and a Gerbleman" - but thought better of it.). Too much of a pain in the ,,,,,,

Jeff auditioned for the part of the gerbil in that film but missed out as he wasnt furry enough ( and he's allergic to sticky tape). Pity as apparently he was already familiar with Mr Gere's rear.

Quoted from eldave1 Got it - already submitted script and just PM's you the topic - thanks

Wow! Submitted already? Some people are such smartarses.  ;D
Dave, don't forget you can submit changes up until the deadline time on the 13th, not saying you'll need to necessarily, just saying...

Are you kidding, Libby? Dave's gonna win it in record time, just to spite all us slow writers... Lol. =)

This brings up something.
Is there any safeguard against somebody entering something they've written BEFORE the competition? Not saying this about Dave, just wondering in general. I suppose the answer is No.

Morning, folks.

I read the description before the theme and genre were posted yesterday and expected something a lot more complex. Nothing pops into my head now, I'll go looking and see if I can come up with something.

Here's another good link I just found that hasn't popped up on the thread yet: http://urbanlegends.about.com/

A question - How will the readers know which urban legend the writer had a go at? Should they be submitted along with a link to the urban myth?

Interesting event, Mr. Blonde. :) Good luck all.

Quoted from Stumpzian This brings up something. Is there any safeguard against somebody entering something they've written BEFORE the competition? Not saying this about Dave, just wondering in general. I suppose the answer is No.

I'm thinking, Honour Code.

Sean, of the PM's you received so far is there a mix of genres?

That is so weird. I just typed a whole message and when I submitted, it disappeared and I lost it. The thing never appeared in the thread. I'm not going to retype it all, so I'll give the Cliff Notes.

Stumpzian, we're on the honor system. There are no prizes, so no point in playing that game. It's called a challenge for a reason.

DS, I'm collecting the urban legend link pages as people request them, so no one has to do any work on that end. I'm already taking care of it.

Libby, mainly horror, some comedy, a couple psychological thriller. That's all.

Ah, right -- that makes sense. Cheers.

Quoted from eldave1 I'm done and submitted  - are we allowed to say what we wrote?

I confirm that ElDave1 has submitted his OWC script.  

Are we supposed to put a link to the source of the urban legend we're basing our script on? I mean in case that urban legend wasn't that popular?

By the way, it really puzzles me why some choose to submit 5 days before the deadline. I mean I would milk evey minute to try hone the script to perfection.

I'll take care of the links. You can find anything on the internet if you look hard enough.

Plenty of reasons. Submitted so it was there and he doesn't have to worry about forgetting. Maybe it's a shorter one and already corrected. Anyway, the reason doesn't really matter. Anyone who doesn't submit right at the deadline will not have milked every minute from it that they could. =)

These urban legends are creeping me the hell out. And I just read one about a cursed pop-up add with a red door, and now every time I come back on this thread, a youtube pop-up comes up and creeps me out.

I have yet to figure out why this is happening...

I have my idea. So How do I confirm no one else has it?

You PM Mr Blonde.

Thanks

i assume its not a condition that the idea must be verified...


not that i have a single idea...yet

Quoted from Bill i assume its not a condition that the idea must be verified

I just had this conversation with another writer this morning. I believe it should be verified, as it is, anything and everything seems to be linked to an urban legend, so at that point we are basically submitting a short based on anything... so where would the challenge be if our entry was not verified as to where it came from.

That's just my opinion and my opinion is always right except with the wife.

Mark

Quoted from Stumpzian This brings up something. Is there any safeguard against somebody entering something they've written BEFORE the competition? Not saying this about Dave, just wondering in general. I suppose the answer is No.

I'm guessing the answer is generally - no, there isn't. In terms of me, I've never written a short before (hell, I've  only written two longs). I decided to because it seems like a fun exercise to do. Being retired, every day is an off day for me. Yesterday I wrote 8 pages in 6 hours - that seemed really slow to me.  I didn't mean to raise a red flag. Sorry If I did.

Quoted from eldave1 I'm guessing the answer is generally - no, there isn't. In terms of me, I've never written a short before (hell, I've  only written two longs). I decided to because it seems like a fun exercise to do. Being retired, every day is an off day for me. Yesterday I wrote 8 pages in 6 hours - that seemed really slow to me.  I didn't mean to raise a red flag. Sorry If I did.

Unless you have already posted in on SS or on another site, there is no way anybody would know if you wrote it before the competition and if it falls under the parameters of this OWC then you are good to go.
And again you could simply say it was based on an Urban legend... which strengthens my point as to why we should verify where it came from.

Maybe we should put a link on our title page? ... watcha think Sean?

Mark

Quoted from realxwriter Are we supposed to put a link to the source of the urban legend we're basing our script on? I mean in case that urban legend wasn't that popular? By the way, it really puzzles me why some choose to submit 5 days before the deadline. I mean I would milk evey minute to try hone the script to perfection.

No puzzle. It's because you can re-submit as may times as you like up to the deadline. So, why not get your idea on record - if you want to make changes you can - i.e., there is no downside to submitting early - hope that solves the puzzle.

Quoted from eldave1 No puzzle. It's because you can re-submit as may times as you like up to the deadline. So, why not get your idea on record - if you want to make changes you can - i.e., there is no downside to submitting early - hope that solves the puzzle.

Dave, you can do whatever you please, bro, but the reality is that the vast majority of "early" OWC submissions turn out to be riddled with mistakes and clearly rushed.

To think you have a polished, well thought out script, less than 24 hours after the challenge was announced is hard to fathom.

Considering you have all this free time, I see no reason why you'd want to submit a first draft so quickly.  IMO, it's a rookie mistake, we've all seen many, many times.

But again, choice is yours and I mean no offense.

Like I said, guys, I can find the link to any urban legend that is on the internet, if given enough time. However, I haven't had to worry about that, yet, because everyone's has been readily available thus far. Admittedly, I think it's more fun when people pick well-known ones so that we can see how theirs differs from the original. On the opposite end, I like ones I've never heard of before because you're less likely from knowing how it ends since you're seeing it for the first time.

So far, 18 confirmed reservations. Could be more who aren't sharing (which, I want to state, is perfectly fine. The whole reservation thing was designed to avoid too many copycat ideas), so I think the turnout is going to be quite high. Getting very excited. =)

Quoted from irish eyes I just had this conversation with another writer this morning. I believe it should be verified, as it is, anything and everything seems to be linked to an urban legend, so at that point we are basically submitting a short based on anything... so where would the challenge be if our entry was not verified as to where it came from. That's just my opinion and my opinion is always right except with the wife. Mark

Sorry, I think I have been a classic writer, and not made sense  :P

I meant that it doesn't need to be approved in advance,  but I accept it has to be related to an urban legend. Mind you I could make one up myself, may be I have, maybe I HAVENT, maybe you used mine...it's possible  8)

Quoted from Mr. Blonde Like I said, guys, I can find the link to any urban legend that is on the internet, if given enough time. However, I haven't had to worry about that, yet, because everyone's has been readily available thus far. Admittedly, I think it's more fun when people pick well-known ones so that we can see how theirs differs from the original. On the opposite end, I like ones I've never heard of before because you're less likely from knowing how it ends since you're seeing it for the first time. So far, 18 confirmed reservations. Could be more who aren't sharing (which, I want to state, is perfectly fine. The whole reservation thing was designed to avoid too many copycat ideas), so I think the turnout is going to be quite high. Getting very excited. =)

Not sure I would worry about copy cat scripts.

History has shown that VERY specific criteria have resulted in VERY different scripts.

Just to clarify, Sean -- our script doesn't need to essentially track the urban legend we're using as the basis for our story. We obviously can change things up to make the legend our own as long as most of the main ingredients are there -- e.g., as you stated above, maybe the ending is done differently, or, as in the case of mine, we add additional material after the urban legend ends.

Gary

From doing my research it seems that the original concept of the urban legend - mostly horror ones about mysterious creatures and murders etc - has been diluted somewhat by modern day quirky little anecdotes. One I read yesty was about a parking attendant who took money for 25 years in England then vanished presumably with a fortune as they discovered he hadn't been hired by the local council or the company site lol.

Quoted from Gary in Houston Just to clarify, Sean -- our script doesn't need to essentially track the urban legend we're using as the basis for our story. We obviously can change things up to make the legend our own as long as most of the main ingredients are there -- e.g., as you stated above, maybe the ending is done differently, or, as in the case of mine, we add additional material after the urban legend ends. Gary

You can change things, yes, but the essence of the story should be the same. For example, if you do one with the girl alone in the house and the guy peeks in through her window then she finds out later from the cops that the guy was actually in the house with her, you should keep the essential elements of the story but you can expand it out in any way you choose. Like I said in the instructions, make their story your own, don't make your own story. This OWC is hard to explain (but I have a hard time explaining anything) which is why I'm giving a lot of leeway. Just do your best and have fun. That's what it's all about. =)

I'm not reserving anything... that's just silly. If that's what I have to do then I'm out.

Then, don't. I'd prefer to have more people in but I don't want anyone to feel obligated or pressured.

Quoted from Mr. Blonde Then, don't. I'd prefer to have more people in but I don't want anyone to feel obligated or pressured.

I don't feel obligated or pressured. The choice is simple for me and doesn't affect me in the slightest.

Quoted from Stevie From doing my research it seems that the original concept of the urban legend - mostly horror ones about mysterious creatures and murders etc - has been diluted somewhat by modern day quirky little anecdotes. One I read yesty was about a parking attendant who took money for 25 years in England then vanished presumably with a fortune as they discovered he hadn't been hired by the local council or the company site lol.

I remember this story, that guy had balls :D

I also read that Villa scored a goal over the weekend... there's an urban legend for you ;D

Mark

Quoted from irish eyes I remember this story, that guy had balls :D I also read that Villa scored a goal over the weekend... there's an urban legend for you ;D Mark

Yeah another 2 woulda been good bro.


Speaking of balls, every time I see the thread title -The Final Cut - it reminds me of Jeff's giblets

Another resource:
http://paranormal.lovetoknow.com/Scary_but_True_Urban_Legends

Quoted from stevie Speaking of balls, every time I see the thread title -The Final Cut - it reminds me of Jeff's giblets

That's scary, bro...really scary!

Why are you thinking about my nutsack, anyway?

Quoted from JC Cleveland Why are you thinking about my nutsack, anyway?

Apparently, it's Urban Legend ;D

Quoted from Dreamscale That's scary, bro...really scary! Why are you thinking about my nutsack, anyway?

Your buddies at the YMCA in San Antonio emailed me pics of it.  Horrible....just...horrible

Not saying I'm definitely in, but PM'd you Sean.

Quoted from stevie Your buddies at the YMCA in San Antonio emailed me pics of it.  Horrible....just...horrible

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

Hilarious, bro.  Very fucking funny.  Laughing here.  Thanks.  Fucker...

Just finished and submitted mine. You're in for a treat.  ;D Can't wait to read the other scripts.

It's to many to choose from!! And that's a big big problem for me. Too many - I can't make my choice so fast. I don't want to be tied to my choice so early.

If I finally come up with something for this (which is very likely as I already had couple of ideas) I decided not to read all of them but rather give a really good thorough read to a 10-15. Careful reading would benefit me and hopefully the writer as well.

I'm going to write mine anyway... but I can't enter as it won't be eligible. I don't think it's an urban legend yet. I looked into what urban legends actually are and decided to make one up of my own. Something more fitting to the modern age.

So thanks for the inspiration there.

I'll probably read a few after the comp when I discover which ones were written by the regulars.

Good fortune to all who sail on her.

No excuses, big D.


You are a prolific writer...you can get an entry in on time...no question. ;)

If you mean me mate, it's not time that is an issue. I can write a story like this in 48 hours, including several edits. It's the constraints of having to copy an old Urban Legend and also having to reserve it. Those limitations see me out of this.

For one thing, I cannot be bothered reading lots of urban legends to find one to copy. Most of the ones I've read have been exceptionally shite. I also don't like to copy.

I have an excellent idea for an urban legend, unfortunately though as it is a new one, it doesn't fit the criteria so I'm not allowed to enter. It was the idea I got earlier in the thread. It was only later I realised I have to copy another story (albeit with my own 'twist') and even then (as I could easily lie and say it's simply an obscure one) I must reserve it that prevents me from cheating. I can't see a way past it.

One good thing to come from it though is that I actually have an excellent idea for a short. Although I will also admit that the fire I had to write it has dampened somewhat.

Right around the halfway point. How's everyone coming along with theirs?

Submitted this morning. Will probably take another couple of swings at an edit before the deadline. Good OWC, Sean!

Gary

Quoted from Mr. Blonde Right around the halfway point. How's everyone coming along with theirs?

Haven't even started serious homework on the subject, only dickin' around snooping.
Tonight/tomorrow are looking better.  ;)

I doubt I'll be in. I'm travelling for two days, new job etc so time has gone. But I also feel a bit like Dustin in that I could create a new urban legend, or one similar, but I'm finding the using an existing one to be a turn off.

You never know a miracle may happen, but the odds are dropping.

Page 10. I might need to go a little over 12. Hopefully not. The economy of words is also an important part of screenwriting. This is fun. I'm enjoy every line.

Halfwaypoint and about halfway through the script.

Should be done in time.

Anthony

Quoted from Reef Dreamer I doubt I'll be in. I'm travelling for two days, new job etc so time has gone. But I also feel a bit like Dustin in that I could create a new urban legend, or one similar, but I'm finding the using an existing one to be a turn off. You never know a miracle may happen, but the odds are dropping.

Sadly have to agree with this.

At first, I loved the idea, but after doing some research, uisng an actual urban legend is...well...kind of like Dustin and Reef said.

I guess I incorrectly assumed that urban legends and myths/mythical creatures are 2 completely different beasts, and I don't want to waste the time and write based on a "myth" and have peeps bitching that there's no actual urban legend.

There's also shit going on in my life that makes writing an OWC seem rather small at the moment...

...but...

as Bill said, you never know...miracles do happen.

Either way, I'll be reading and commenting on all, so be prepared, peeps!   ;D ;D ;D

Quoted from khamanna I decided not to read all of them but rather give a really good thorough read to a 10-15. Careful reading would benefit me and hopefully the writer as well.

I think that's a good idea Kham. I might do the same if I enter. Depends on how many are entered. It's definitely a chore to read 35 scripts and a lot of times, I see people just give very short reviews. It might benefit the writers better if everyone read fewer scripts, but took a little more time with each one. :)

As far as me goes on this OWC. I haven't even thought of the story yet, but I've always been an eleventh hour type person.  ;D

Guys, I'm now dropping the request part of this. I'm sure that the majority of people who were going to enter have already selected one and there were very few instances of two people picking the same topic. At this point, I doubt there'd be any carryover. So, have fun writing and we'll see what you come up with on Friday (although, really, Saturday). =)

Man, (deflated sigh) about an hour into some legit looking around for UL material to work with and these are all so lame.

Do only stupid teenagers fabricate and perpetuate this vapid rubbish?

They're all like... half ideas.




The heart of the issue I'm having is that BECAUSE the ULs I've read so far are so lame that MAKING them into an engaging story pushes them out of the UL realm which seems to be dependent upon only half-wit stories.

If you make the story EFFING COOL!!! then it no longer qualifies as soggy toast proto-creepy, thus urban legend.
If you re-fry these beans then... congratulations, you've just perpetuated the soggy toast proto-creepy urban legend.

To make a "good" UL story you must stick to lame-o UL canon.
To make a UL story "good" you must depart from lame-o UL canon.




But then again I did just watch 'Annabelle', the prequel to 'The Conjuring.' (Watched them both back to back, actually.)
Got terrible reviews, (I also thought it was lame-O), but that pig sure brought in the Benjies! Woot!
29%/39% - http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/annabelle/
$6.5M in, $255M out! - http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=newlinehorror.htm



Someone please help me see urban legend sh!t as fertilizer instead of just plain sh!t.
I need a new lens to look at this.

Absolutely agree with you Ray, on the lame, vapid crap of some of them.

Key words however are:

"...you're putting your own unique spin on an existing one."

Creative license, all that - make the story your own. That's what I'm trying to do - a bit of a hybrid, might work, might not. :)

Quoted from RayW Man, (deflated sigh) about an hour into some legit looking around for UL material to work with and these are all so lame. Do only stupid teenagers fabricate and perpetuate this vapid rubbish? They're all like... half ideas. The heart of the issue I'm having is that BECAUSE the ULs I've read so far are so lame that MAKING them into an engaging story pushes them out of the UL realm which seems to be dependent upon only half-wit stories.

I don't know about that. I found one which i'm working on right now that has some flavor, but I feel it's better served as a feature length. A 10-15 pager might not do it much justice. Also, some ULs have spun off a little from other ULs as well. There are also ULs that don't hold up under scrutiny - and that might be a problem area in writing a script around it. Yes, there might be some tropes involved. Plot holes that even an abracadabra moment can't cure.

I guess I'll start on mine.

But yeah, you guys have to remember you put your own spin on it, so it doesn't matter how bad the Urban Legend is. There's one with a guy getting into a taxi and asking the driver to take all sorts of turns, and then when the driver gets fed up, he turns around and the guy is gone. That can be translated into a thriller, horror, comedy, action, sci-fi. That's just the core of the story and that's all you have to keep.

First draft complete.

I forgot how much faster some of you guys write than I do. Still plenty of time left, so I'm not worried about it. =)

Submitted. Had a productive Monday for once. I actually applied some additional criteria to myself before the theme was even announced and I think it helped me focus in on my idea faster. Openendedness can be debilitating to me. When I can do absolutely anything, I find myself considering absolutely everything.

I'm starting to wonder whether my entry is fit for the requirements.


"Your task will be to recreate an urban legend in any way you see fit. This could be any urban legend in the world, no matter how ridiculous or impossible. Please note that you are not creating a new urban legend, rather you're putting your own unique spin on an existing one."


Are we supposed to be left with a story that is an Urban Legend in of itself? Or can the urban legend just be part of a further story?


For instance...let's take the legend about the old woman who gets a gun out and gets four youths out of her car....only to find out that it wasn't her car.

If you recreate this one....do you need to end up with a urban legend that is just essentially longer than the original, or could you have a drama that continues the story that discusses the legal consequences?

Quoted from Jean-Pierre Chapoteau There's one with a guy getting into a taxi and asking the driver to take all sorts of turns, and then when the driver gets fed up, he turns around and the guy is gone. That can be translated into a thriller, horror, comedy, action, sci-fi. That's just the core of the story and that's all you have to keep.

You're quite right. However, I'd like to ask posters to stop mentioning Urban Legends they've read about. Spoils the fun, especially if it's a topic somebody's using.

Seems to me this has been discussed enough. Sean's explanation is clear.

Either write one or don't.

Henry

Rubbish heap: http://www.snopes.com/horrors/madmen/madmen.asp

Mercifully brief synopses: http://urbanlegends.about.com/od/reference/a/top_25_uls.htm

I chose my story, now I have to write it. Should have chosen 4 days ago, but no I had to wait till the last moment... because I love it when you guys point at my dialog...

The story is good, and it totally makes sense in my head. So if it doesn't makes sense in your head - something is wrong with it (with your head) and you fix it.

The dialog (that I haven't written) is not good but maybe I'll surprise myself who knows.

@Ray, thanks for all these additional sites - that was quite helpful.

You're welcome, Kham.  :)

Glad to be of help.

Hopefully your dialog doesn't receive as much heat as Char Man   ::)  because only mental midget clowns in the corner  :o  believe their holy screenplay goes script-to-screen 100%.

Quoted from RayW ...believe their holy screenplay goes script-to-screen 100%.

Just started filming one of my short scripts and added a new scene for effect. It meant having to set up for an exterior shot when everyone was expecting it all to be indoors that day. You just never know.

One thing though I've learned about dialogue is not to let the actors have too much control over it. Have to be firm. Actors tend to want to talk. I want subtext do the talking.

Quoted from DustinBowcot ... I want subtext do the talking.

Precisely.

I've read enough original screenplays and compared with the released films, watched enough deleted scenes and alternate endings, listened to enough director/producer/actor/writer commentaries, and watched enough foreign films with subtitles on that don't match the audio dialog to notice NONE of it makes any material difference in the appreciation of the overall film/story.

Any given line of dialog can have several subtle variations without providing a material change to the story.



Bones.
Write good bones to your story, because that's all that'll remain after the screenplay pig goes through the production python.

Submitted.


I know it's early, but I have a busy week.


Good luck, all.

Quoted from Scar Tissue Films Submitted. I know it's early, but I have a busy week. Good luck, all.

Good luck, mate.

Unfortunately, I'm gonna be backing out (nothing new).  I had a concept, wrote the concept, but hated the concept.  This keeps happening.  Can't write squat without it sucking.

I'd rather not waste anyone's time with it as I'm sure there will be plenty of scripts to read.

Consider me a reader only.

Quoted from Leegion Consider me a reader only.

Me too.  Reader only.  Not going to get anything entered here, sorry to say.

Quoted from Dreamscale Me too.  Reader only.  Not going to get anything entered here, sorry to say.

Yeah, I've heard that one before.  ;D
And while we're on that, me too. I thought this would be easy...  :-/

Don't you hate it when you can't get the plug to fit into the socket?  You have a story, you've got it all down in front of you, then you get another idea and voila, mind elsewhere, lol.

Anyway, gives me more time to read and less time to review "reviews".

Got mine finished tonight.

Gonna sleep on it now and have a look again tomorrow. Probably make some changes and hopefully submit it.

Was tough coming up with something I liked. Hopefully it's not awful.

Anyway, goodnight :)

Well, I've still got nothing. Most of these urban legends are just tedious to read crap. Still 48h to go, maybe I'll come up with something.

Will be interesting to see how everyone handled basing a script on an urban legend. Not sure if it's just me, but despite the large number of possibilities, the two in their very own concepts don't seem too far off from being mutually exclusive.

Congrats everyone that's managed to come up with something!

Almost there.
Tried to work in a twist subplot, a 2 UL in 1, but it won't fit in. So I'm just sticking with one that makes for a stronger story. My timetable is sometime Friday.

Well, there's still almost two days left. We'll see what happens. =)

So tomorrow night is the deadline and then the reads and reviews begin. I always look forward to the different takes on the challenge, particularly comedy and I know there are a few entries.
What I don't look forward to is a peep labeling a comedy as a "Pisser" after 2 lines and casting it aside.
Here's why:

I joined SS about 4 or 5 years and thanks to my buddy Jeff helped me navigate my way around the site. My first objective was to review OWC scripts, I enjoyed it and waited for the next challenge. So it came around and I joined in. I love comedy and love writing it whether it's funny or not to others and so i wrote a comedy. I stayed in the parameters, did some research and had a story from start to finish... it was liked by a few, while one or two labelled it a "Pisser". Back then I didn't know what a "Pisser" was, but 5 years later... i still don't know what a "Pisser" is. :)

To me, a Pisser has become a lazy peeps term for "this ain't funny". It's one thing if it isn't funny to you, but as we know comedy is subjective and makes it a harder genre to write.
This has happened quite a few times over and over again in the OWC. Recently Coop's script got bashed as a pisser, even though it was well thought out action/comedy. It followed more parameters than most of the drama/thriller/horror scripts that were around.

All I'm saying is peeps, before you decide to jump on the "pisser" bandwagon for every attempt at a comedy... just remember Comedy is a genre and in itself has roughly 19 genres.

   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comedic_genres

So just ask yourself what a pisser is before you label it. Is it an obvious lack of effort? Over the years I've read drama/Thriller/ Horror OWCs with very little effort put in, but they don't get categorized like a comedy.

I can be hypocritical and say Yes I have myself wrote a "Pisser"... I did and I even went as far as naming it "Dreamscale the Pisser" can't be more obvious than that, wrote in 6 hours on a friday night.

So can you please give me your own definition of a Pisser, before the reviews start, so then I'll know what to look out for.

Tough going here finding the time. Got construction going on, I'm dog sitting all week and I'm helping my daughter and her husband move to their new house.

I'll try, but...

For what it's worth, I think you picked a good one Sean.  :)

Quoted from irish eyes So tomorrow night is the deadline and then the reads and reviews begin. I always look forward to the different takes on the challenge, particularly comedy and I know there are a few entries. What I don't look forward to is a peep labeling a comedy as a "Pisser" after 2 lines and casting it aside. ...

I think the early SS pisstakes were easily identifiable because characters were typically named after SS members. Not so in recent years.

My interpretation is that they are usually silly, overblown, satirical, often in bad taste, exaggerated and often really bad dialogue/situations, to the point of obvious send up of the theme, genre. Still, sometimes this definition is exactly the same as a bad comedy - or some might say a good comedy - depending on your tastes.

Sometimes it's hard to tell. I interpreted one script in the last OWC as being a pisstake (my apologies to that person - he knows who he is) and likewise a few thought my own entry was one and sent the discussion off on a tangent I wasn't overly fond of - unlike the rest of the discerning reviewers who praised it.  ;D.

Btw, it wasn't Coop - which script was that?

If it makes you laugh then review it as you would a comedy. If it makes you laugh but also groan then it might be questionable...

I'm certainly going to be more careful about labeling something a pisstake and if in doubt I'll likely not review it.

Quite a few people have voted for pisstakes in the past - in the end it all comes down to opinion and personal taste, like I said.

We're writers not everyone is going to appreciate our material. Surely we just have to cop it on the chin.

A pisstake deliberately breaks all the rules of storytelling... IMO. Doesn't have much to do with genre, but it gets lumped in with comedy. Wrongly.

Quoted from irish eyes So tomorrow night is the deadline and then the reads and reviews begin. I always look forward to the different takes on the challenge, particularly comedy and I know there are a few entries. What I don't look forward to is a peep labeling a comedy as a "Pisser" after 2 lines and casting it aside. Here's why: I joined SS about 4 or 5 years and thanks to my buddy Jeff helped me navigate my way around the site. My first objective was to review OWC scripts, I enjoyed it and waited for the next challenge. So it came around and I joined in. I love comedy and love writing it whether it's funny or not to others and so i wrote a comedy. I stayed in the parameters, did some research and had a story from start to finish... it was liked by a few, while one or two labelled it a "Pisser". Back then I didn't know what a "Pisser" was, but 5 years later... i still don't know what a "Pisser" is. :) To me, a Pisser has become a lazy peeps term for "this ain't funny". It's one thing if it isn't funny to you, but as we know comedy is subjective and makes it a harder genre to write. This has happened quite a few times over and over again in the OWC. Recently Coop's script got bashed as a pisser, even though it was well thought out action/comedy. It followed more parameters than most of the drama/thriller/horror scripts that were around. All I'm saying is peeps, before you decide to jump on the "pisser" bandwagon for every attempt at a comedy... just remember Comedy is a genre and in itself has roughly 19 genres.    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comedic_genres So just ask yourself what a pisser is before you label it. Is it an obvious lack of effort? Over the years I've read drama/Thriller/ Horror OWCs with very little effort put in, but they don't get categorized like a comedy. I can be hypocritical and say Yes I have myself wrote a "Pisser"... I did and I even went as far as naming it "Dreamscale the Pisser" can't be more obvious than that, wrote in 6 hours on a friday night. So can you please give me your own definition of a Pisser, before the reviews start, so then I'll know what to look out for.

A Pisser is when someone has deliberately not tried to follow the rules set by the challenge...usually it's an outright parody.

Comedy, like everything else is subjective....but when the Challenge Genre is, for example: Horror, Thriller, Drama...a serious topic...then comedies will generally seem like Pissers to many...because they are not a serious attempt to stick to the parameters of the challenge.

My take on what counts as a pisser is…

1. The script fails to meet the criteria in such blatant and obvious ways that you suspect it was done intentionally as a joke.

2. The comedy consists almost entirely of jokes that make no sense outside of the context of the challenge. If I have to know the criteria of the challenge and a few of the board member’s names and personality traits to get more than half of the jokes, I don’t consider it a serious effort. Or at the very least, it’s an effort that is intended to end as soon as the challenge does, so what’s the point giving a thought out review?

* Add a liberal dose bad formatting, bad grammar, or general absurd craziness to help seal the deal.

I’ve only ever thought one script was a pisser only to have the author later claim it was a serious effort. And even then... I kinda disagreed.

Mark raises some good questions.

What is a pisser, really?

For me, they can be several different things.

In the past...the dark ages of SS...a pisser IMO was something written so poorly, it's actually funny.  This includes the actual technical writing, grammar, structure...everything.  It also includes redonkulous plot points, stories, characters, etc.  And to top it all off, all of this is done on purpose.

I think the "pisser" has morphed a little bit into a redonkulous comedy/parady with everything being so silly and over the top, you not only roll your eyes, but also laugh out loud at crazy visuals and situations you've never seen before.

Finally, IMO, a pisser is not to be taken seriously.  If one finds it funny, that's great.  If another doesn't, oh well.

A perfect example of a classic pisser, in movie form, is "The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra". If you haven't seen it, you owe it to yourself to take a look.  It's truly hilarious in all the classic pisser ways.

You can also read the wiki article about the movie which will answer most of your questions about what a pisser is, I think.

A pisstake is someone making fun of the OWC assignment itself. A protest. That's how they started out.

This is gonna sound stupid but...

Is there a specific place we have to upload these? I know there was for the October OWC..

Can't seem to find it this time around.. Maybe I'm being thick.

Quoted from IamGlenn This is gonna sound stupid but... Is there a specific place we have to upload these?

Errm...from post #1

Quoted from Don You have seven days to write a screenplay...and must be submitted to: SimplyScripts.Com/OWC..

(I kidd...of course....I just love an excuse to use that image, though :) )

Quoted from Grandma Bear A pisstake is someone making fun of the OWC assignment itself. A protest. That's how they started out.

I disagree, Pia.  Who did that?

Submitted. Joined this site quite a long time ago and haven't been around at all since really. Hope to change that, now that my life isn't so distracting, and what better way to start? Look forward to seeing what people conjure up.

Quoted from bert Errm...from post #1

As I thought, me being thick. It's been a long day.

Cheers Bert.

I'm back and entering - whoopee.  ;D ;D ;D

Managed to find the time, and a passable idea appeared. Not the best, but something. However, i do agree that the urban legend idea whilst a decent option, almost felt constraining to me - somehow. Weird i know.

Inevitably i've had to face the decision that many do.

Do i enter a lesser standard script?  ??)

Of course i do. Life's too short. The OWC is one of the best competitions around and I've got to take part.

So, in advance i ask for sensitivity. Lets be honest, we all agree the scripts are rushed but then review as if we had all the time in the world. Me included. :'(

So may i recommend we have a 'best reviewer' award   :K) - this may help with folk being gentler. I wish.

Now... back to work i have 24 hrs to polish this turd, so to speak  :o :o :o

Submitted ;-)

Quoted from Bill So, in advance i ask for sensitivity. Lets be honest, we all agree the scripts are rushed but then review as if we had all the time in the world. Me included. :'(

People are always going to review as if the writer did in fact have all the time in the world. Some will also point out dumb typos like 'it's' when you kick yourself you didn't see it but in the rush it made the cut.  :o

Quoted from Sarre So may i recommend we have a 'best reviewer' award   :K) - this may help with folk being gentler. I wish.

I sorta liked this idea when it was slated last OWC, but really - what, we need to offer an incentive to people to be kinder/offer balanced reviews? What prize do they get, a best and fairest mug? I don't think so.

The same people who were balanced before will be balanced this time around imo, and the critics who love the OWC  because it's anon and offers the perfect opportunity to be - shall we say - less than subtle in their reviews, they'll review the way they always have with great authority and sanctimoniousness - hey, I'm not immune - I'm sure I've cast an insensitive comment along the way, but I try not to. Some will also offer their unique breakdowns, grading, and star systems.  ;)

I kinda like it that way when all is said and done. It's nothing if not entertaining. ;D But no award. That's kinda like offering colourful lollies to misbehaving terrible-twos - at some point, all that sugar, they're going to blow anyway.

Writers reviews are never going to be pretty. Leave that to professional reviewers whose job it is to butter things over and be more diplomatic.

One good thing to come from it is a thick skin. If you can take the shit thrown at you from writers, by the time you get to work with producers, they won't be able to touch you.

I can tend to be a bit brusque myself during the OWC's...in the rush to get your ideas down across the board, some comments can seem harsh.

I really think it's a case of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" with this board though. The cumulative reviews are outstanding. Overly negative ones should just be used as inspiration and encouragement to write the very best you can.

There's the danger of sanitising things to a level where reviews are polite or even politic, instead of honest. You see that happen elsewhere....Zoetrope for instance. It's never a good thing for people who actually want genuine criticism.

Speaking of reviews - as a rookie to this site having never heard of OWC until last week - is there a standard format or approach for the reviews? Grades? Just comments?  

Dave, just review as you normally would on the boards - give your opinion primarily on 'story' whether it worked for you and if it adhered to the criteria.

Typically some OWC entries will be a bit slapdash and unpolished because they're last minute. Perhaps take that into account if you're feeling generous. You'll discover some people do take it into account and others are merciless.

A few people grade out of five, not many though. Above all have fun... if you can.  ;)

Quoted from LC Dave, just review as you normally would on the boards - give your opinion primarily on 'story' whether it worked for you and if it adhered to the criteria. Typically some OWC entries will be a bit slapdash and unpolished because they're last minute. Perhaps take that into account if you're feeling generous. You'll discover some people do take it into account and others are merciless. A few people grade out of five, not many though. Above all have fun... if you can.  ;)

Thanks much for the tips

Hole in the fire!




:D

Lol, Ray, you keep posting this on the OWC thread everytime.

Yeah, 15 hours till the war begins. To think that I could lay down and keep my entry to myself... but nooooo I can't do that, can I.

You guys can do it. Have some faith in yourselves. However, if you decide that you can't do it, that's perfectly okay. This won't be the last OWC we ever do... *fingers crossed* ...so there will always be another one for your writing enjoyment.

As for a grading system, there really isn't one. Everyone has their own way of doing it. I try and give story notes because to give notes on grammar and spelling issues, for scripts done in a week, is exhausting and almost counter-productive since, if they try and film them later, they'll want notes on content, things that'll appear on the screen. I also use an A+ - F grading system.

Quoted from Mr. Blonde ... because to give notes on grammar and spelling issues, for scripts done in a week, is exhausting ...

If there are that many mistakes in grammar and spelling that it becomes exhausting to point them out, perhaps the 'writer' would be better doing something else. Carpentry, perhaps.

Or, they could be a fine writer and need to hire a proof reader. You really think they should quit if they aren't spelling experts?

Quoted from Mr. Blonde You really think they should quit if they aren't spelling experts?

This is the age of the spell checker. There isn't any excuse for spelling so bad that it would be exhausting to point out all the errors. That has no relation to 'expert' whatsoever. I made no mention of expert... whatever that is in terms of spelling.

Quoted from DustinBowcot If there are that many mistakes in grammar and spelling that it becomes exhausting to point them out, perhaps the 'writer' would be better doing something else. Carpentry, perhaps.

Carpentry? Carpentry? Have you seen my hands?

But seriously - writers can't stand grammar flops, but producers may not be that grammatically savvy.

Here we go again...

If a script is poorly written, any and all readers should be honest and say that.

It doesn't matter if a script is written over a year's time or over a single day.

As Dustin notes, pretty much any screenwriting software that I'm aware of has a spellchecker.  Hell, even good old fashioned word has spellchecker and also checks for grammar mistakes.

If you want to be a writer, learn how to fucking write!

There will always be mistakes in anything and everything, but c'mon peeps, get a clue...if you enter a poorly written script, you're going to hear about it...and IMO, you should want to.

If it's 95 percent clean, I wouldn't say a word.

Less than that, I might say something. If it's really bad, I'll definitely say so.

BUT -- Under no circumtances will I do one of those line-by-line mistake lists. I think that's what Sean means by "exhausting."

Henry

Pointing out the grammar and spelling thing is having a dig at the reviewers that like to point those out as though his way is somehow better. How does Sean know his opinion is worth anything? For all he knows, his opinions on what does and doesn't work with the story could be completely off base and worthless. Whereas a format review makes the difference between a producer being able to read it... therefore actually being more useful.

I'm actually very, very easy to please. So long as it is written well I will generally sit back and enjoy the story... and I can say what I think does or doesn't work. However, to get that far, it has to be written well.. or I will get bogged down with the errors and lose the story altogether. To my mind, bad writing does not translate to great story telling. It says the opposite.

If some people like to focus on the technical aspects and others concentrate on the story...you get a perfect mix.

As someone who started out on this site in -06 and didn't have a grasp on writing in English at all, I can say that people like Breanne who would comment on my grammar and typos helped me immensely in improving my English. My English was atrocious back then. Some older members here might remember. ;D  However, no one has ever said that my stories were boring. So for me, and probably everyone else non native English speaking person here, and there are quite a few, those readers that take their time to point those typos and grammar errors out are much appreciated. Nowadays, most people tell me my scripts are a easy to read with hardly any errors. I have also become one hell of a speller and often beat my family members at scrabble. :)

Quoted from Scar Tissue Films If some people like to focus on the technical aspects and others concentrate on the story...you get a perfect mix.

Yes, but when the technical aspects are so extremely poor, the writer won't get much of anything, because most won't get further than the first page.

And Dustin's right again in saying that someone's opinion on story/plot/whatever, doesn't mean much of anythign, other than that person liked or didn't like it.

Each writer needs to take their feedback for what it's worth, and it's very clear that some feedback is worthless, while other is gold.

Does your fundamental story entertain me, yes/no?

When your story's up on screen your splelling 'n glamaticle errorrers really don't matter.
Your black and white cast ratio doesn't really matter.
Your specific locations and much of your dialog doesn't matter.

Will people look at this story and want to watch your next films?

(P.S. In filmmaking marketing is more lucrative than content, so get over yourselves little writers. ;) )

In the OWC, I don't have time to make a list of grammar/spelling mistakes ( and I catch most of 'em). Not when I'm reading 20 to 40 scripts (sometimes twice) in an effort to make a fair assessment.

Now, reviewing in general? That's different.

Quoted from RayW Your black and white cast ratio doesn't really matter.

12 Years a Slave... just make all the actors white. What does it matter about ratios?

Quoted from RayW Your specific locations and much of your dialog doesn't matter.

Who else is going to write it? The actors? Through my limited experience I have learned that allowing actors to ad lib too much is not a good idea. There's a reason we're writers and they are actors.

Locations, I'll give you. They can change at will.

Quoted from RayW (P.S. In filmmaking marketing is more lucrative than content, so get over yourselves little writers. ;) )

Marketing is more lucrative to a point... as the product must still deliver in the end. It's pretty much how pirating works. If you make a great product as an indie filmmaker then it may be an option to release the film to the torrent sites. What you lose in profits you save in marketing costs and gain in reputation, which equals £s later down the line... maybe even a big budget for your next project.

Quoted from Grandma Bear So for me, and probably everyone else non native English speaking person here, and there are quite a few, those readers that take their time to point those typos and grammar errors out are much appreciated.

For me too - I always go "thank you" when I see grammar stuff.
Although I do manage to come up with something new in my scripts - not that I don't learn, but I'm a bit more "inventive" in the grammar department than you, Pia. At any rate - pointing at grammar, telling me my mistakes makes me thankful.

And for that reason perhaps, when I point at grammar in someone else's work, I think that I'm being extra nice))

Well, couldn't think of a feature idea for this challenge and since I've vowed not to write another short...I'm out. I'll definitely be reading though. Curious to see what everyone came up with. :)

I was going to work on it for another two hours but unfortunately can't... so have to submit what I have so far.

I'll be reading as much as I can too... but alas, I'm not in this one. Good luck to all that enter.

I'm done, at least for the time being. I think it turned out better than I thought it would. I'm tempted to change some stuff, but I'll wait for the responses.Now the trick is figure out a logline.

Hang in there, peepers.

Quoted from DarrenJamesSeeley I'm done, at least for the time being. I think it turned out better than I thought it would. I'm tempted to change some stuff, but I'll wait for the responses.Now the trick is figure out a logline. Hang in there, peepers.

ah ha, the old longline problem

you can always tell my script - bad use of coma's and a crap longline  :D

anyway, I've entered and i didn't expect to. i suppose that's plus…until it gets shredded  :'(

Just submitted. I had the bright idea to let it develop in my head all week and bang it out in a couple of hours today.

12 hours later. I've got something readable but I'm far from happy with it. This one stumped me for some reason. Thought it was gonna be easy.   :-/

The excuses are pouring in already... looks like this is going to be a good one.

I'm not in. Going to be a reader. Will still write and submitmy idea afterwards.

Quoted from Dustin The excuses are pouring in already... looks like this is going to be a good one.

Mine's great  ;)

Quite like mine too, not an excuse in sight ;-)

Quoted from Reef Dreamer you can always tell my script - bad use of coma's and a crap longline  :D

Comas are useful in any script. ;)  

Won't be entering this time, but I look forward to reading some twisted tales.

I'm in. There are still hundreds of minutes to milk, but it's 2:26 AM here and I'm about to pass out. Can't wait to read your stuff guys and gals. Good luck everyone.

I'm off for the night because I've got an early morning, so I bid you all adieu. It had better not turn into a free-for-all in here tonight or I'm gonna start kicking some asses. Oh, who am I kidding? Just don't bash each other on a personal level for the next eight or nine hours. Hope you enjoyed part 1 of the OWC. =)

Quoted from Ryan1 Comas are useful in any script. ;)

Yes. I'm using the fact I was in a bit of a coma  :o far as inspiration goes as the reason there will be no entry from me in this OWC.

But I will read quite a few - (guessing there will be quite a few too) especially Anthony and Glenn's excellent entries.

Looking forward to it.

P.S. For those of you who think 'spell-check' is a miracle worker - beware of those homophones.

Quoted from Mr. Blonde I'm off for the night because I've got an early morning, so I bid you all adieu. It had better not turn into a free-for-all in here tonight or I'm gonna start kicking some asses.

Don't worry. Bert will be keeping an eye out. Me, I'm having a few so, who knows. I might start something.  ;D


Didn't enter anything. Fully intended to, but I was running behind on other work and had to make a decision. Will definitely try to read some though.  :)

Just read through my entry (submitted earlier today) and found a mistake. A somewhat well-known name. Maybe no one will notice.

I must have gone over the script 20 times. Then, after submitting, and having a few (as Ms. Bear puts it), I see it right off the bat. Right there. Plain as day.

A lesson there. Of some kind.

Quoted from Stumpzian Just read through my entry (submitted earlier today) and found a mistake. A somewhat well-known name. Maybe no one will notice. I must have gone over the script 20 times. Then, after submitting, and having a few (as Ms. Bear puts it), I see it right off the bat. Right there. Plain as day. A lesson there. Of some kind.

See, I bet you used spell-check.  ;D Just kidding, obviously not that kind of mistake.

Henry, you can upload the corrected draft to Don up until the deadline, I believe.  Still an hour thirty to go going by the countdown.

Libby -- Thank you. I'll do it.

Boom!  That is is.  31 scripts submitted.  Stay tuned to Sunday when they will be posted.

- Don