Writers' Choice - Clear favorite

Johnny Come Lately by Vin Conzo (Conz) writing as I could tell you, but I'd have to kill you… hurt you really bad. - Short, Comedy - The only thing stopping a low level Hero from helping his fellow man is his arch-nemesis, punctuality. 6 pages - pdf, format

Runner ups

Mother Nature's Joke by Cameron Gray (Cammygray1983) writing as 0 - Short, Comedy, Super Hero Movie - An Iraq war veteran with PTSD reveals more than his psychiatrist was expecting. 6 pages - pdf, format

SuperMick by Glenn Doyle (IamGlenn) writing as 0 - Short, Comedy - A film crew travel to a small town in Ireland to unravel the truth behind local unpopular superhero, SuperMick.  6 pages - pdf, format

The Rest (in no particular order)
Altered Egos by David Lambertson (eldave1) writing as 0 - Short, Comedy - The fragile alter egos of Superheroes are challenged by a new arrival to their group. 6 pages - pdf, format

Fat Guy by Jordan Evans (sidetrack) writing as Koolacooho Mafessiin - Short, Comedy - Fat Guy shows off how cool his superhero power is. 3 pages - pdf, format

Heroes' Asylum by Thorsten Loos (Equinox) writing as 0 - Short, Comedy… I guess… - Just an unintentional pisser about a disgruntled superhero. 6 pages - pdf, format

Captain PC by Richard Russell (richardr) writing as T. Warning - Short, Comedy - Four people trying to answer a PC question are visited by Captain PC who never makes a mistake. 6 pages - pdf, format

The Exposer by Vladislav Bogicevic (Vlade-B) writing as 0 - Short, Comedy, Sci Fi - The struggles of a young couple make them question just how hard it is to differ between a hero and a villain. 6 pages - pdf, format

Animal Magic by Anthony Cawood writing as Johnny Morris - Short, Comedy - He can talk to the animals, walk with the animals, get them to do his bidding even... but can his power help him get laid? 6 pages - pdf, format

Swag by Hank of W writing as Hank of W - Short, Comedy - {no logline} 6 pages - pdf, format

Pillock of Society by Chris Beadnell (cbead) writing as Preston Thyme - Short, Comedy - They are crusaders of the time- space continuum, re-aligning moments of time for the betterment of humanity. Well, that was the plan anyway.  6 pages - pdf, format

FM by Will Ball (albinopenguin) writing as Stan Lee - Short, Black Comedy - A freak accident gives young Oliver a super power...or did it? 6 pages - pdf, format

Erection Man by Bill Sarre (Reef Dreamer) writing as 0 - Short, Comedy, Short, Sketch - Depressed and unappreciated, Erection Man meets up with a branding specialist to give his image a much needed lift. 6 pages - pdf, format

Nigel Cheats Death by Joe Fraser (Blakkwolfe) writing as Some Human Type Person - Short, Comedy - An alien encounter brings unexpected consequences for Nigel and his wife. 6 pages - pdf, format

Supachav, innit by Dustin Bowcott writing as Jaunty Angle - Short, Comedy - An ignorant chav doles out his own brand of justice. 6 pages - pdf, format

Vigilante by Andrew Lightfoot writing as 0 - Short, Comedy - A serum has been developed which removes the power of superheroes, can Vigilante make do without his? 6 pages - pdf, format

The Talk by Eric Wall (EWall433) writing as A Clever Pseudonym - Short, Comedy - A young girl learns she has fantastic things in store for her. Fantastic, icky things. 6 pages - pdf, format

Hand Jobs Are Easy by Gary Rademan (grademan) writing as 0 - Short, Light Yet Mature Comedy - A gang of supers help Madame Mayor save her city from Nymphites. 4 pages - pdf, format

Flying High Again by Ryan Lee (Ryan1) writing as Obadiah Stane - Short, Comedy - When a frustrated sidekick decides he can't take his arrogant superhero boss anymore, he resorts to desperate measures to get out of their one-sided relationship. 6 pages - pdf, format

Simply Super by Steve McDonell (stevie) writing as 0 - Short, Comedy - Newbie writers threaten the Simply Scripts bastion with their methods. Is there a hero out there to stop them? Well...possibly lol. 6 pages pdf - pdf, format

Local Hero by Mark Renshaw writing as Peashooter Parker - Short, Comedy - A teenager discovers he's from a long line of superheroes with quite unusual powers and a famous arch nemesis. 6 pages - pdf, format

Munchies by James McClung writing as David Stonenberg aka The Baron of Bud - Short, Comedy - Super hunger demands a super snack. 4 pages - pdf, format

The Seamstress by Jordan Littleton (Nomad) writing as 0 - Short, Comedy - When one superhero hangs up his boots, another must fill them.  But this can never happen without the approval of...THE SEAMSTRESS! 6 pages - pdf, format

Monsanto Man by Wes Chick (Wes) writing as 0 - Short, Comedy - Kirk is exposed to chemicals and radiation at a Monsanto plant giving him powers to cause plants to grow extremely fast. But can he escape from the Monsanto people before they harness him for their own greedy purposes?  6 pages - pdf, format

The Symbol by Steven Clark writing as Snatch McHappy - Short, Comedy - When a crime occurs, there's only one man who can sniff that shit out... And induce justice of orgasmic proportions. 6 pages - pdf, format

The Drug Games: Catching Fire by Alex Brauck (PrussianMosby) writing as 0 - Short, Comedy - When bum "Beverages B" is chosen as tribute for the annual Drug Games, only his whiskey-shooting coat can help him deal with the volunteering Cocaine Kid and other deadly hipsters.  6 pages - pdf, format

Making the Perfect Hero by Dan Campisi (Dan C) writing as Sarah Michelle Killer - Short, Comedy - After a Jinn gives a geeky person powers, he learns it's hard to have powers.  Very hard and at times, inappropriate. 6 pages - pdf, format

Googleman by Tim Ratcliffe (Trojan) writing as 0 - Short, Comedy - To cut down on budget costs of superhero movies, a studio creates a star with real life superhuman abilities. 6 pages - pdf, format

A Wasp In A Nursing Home by Gary Kohatsu (Abe From LA) writing as Eileen Over - Short, Comedy - Elder abuse and a lousy meal plan run rampant in a country nursing home, until the arrival of a mythical masked wrestler, known as The RED WASP. 6 pages - pdf, format

Not Today, Gucci by Dexter B writing as 0 - Short, Comedy - Super heroes, Aussies, Walmarts and eyeless crocodiles -- this is the story of the Doctor. 6 pages - pdf, format

Holding Out For by R.E. McManus (rendevous) writing as Teddy Beer - Short, Comedy - Cometh the hour... Forgot the next bit. Carl is at a bus stop. A young lady arrives. Then her boyfriend. He's a bit tense. To say the least. So tense you could camp overnight in him. Carl does what he has to do. 7 pages - pdf, format

Inkspot by Darren J Seeley (DarrenJAmesSeeley) writing as Lucas Larkin - Short, Comedy - Using a dimensional portal,An army of super-villains puts a real world city under siege. A comic book artist finds a way to stop them - by becoming a rather unexpected superhero himself. 8 pages - pdf, format

Super Singles by Mark Moore (Irish Eyes) writing as Stan Lee (a different Stan Lee) - Short, Comedy - For one night only,  Professor X seeks to spread hero-mance between the greatest, the not-so-great, and the unheard of.  7 pages - pdf, format

wow.  that's really cool.  thanks for your votes guys.

LOL. Few surprises there.

Congrats to Vin, Cameron and Glenn... and to everyone for taking part!

(and to Don/Sean for running it)

Seriously?? Wow, cheers ladies and gents for the votes, means a lot for a first timer.

Congrats Vin, also thanks to all the mods for setting it up. Great wee challenge this, definitely going for it again.

I'll definitely take that. A lot of great scripts this time around. Privileged to be a runner up. First time placing too. Thanks, everyone. Congrats Cameron and Vin.

Congrats Vin, Cameron and Glenn - well done. All solid efforts,

Where are my manners? Congrats, Vin, Cameron and Glen. To everyone else, for keeping things interesting... well done. This was a weird one.

Congrats to the winners! And everyone else! It's always a blast reading these challenge scripts. Enjoy your crappy mugs.

And thanks Don and Sean for tolerating us!

Great job everyone! There was a lot of solid writing. And a tip of the hat to the winners. I'm sad I joined the site too late to enter, I'll be in on the next one for sure.

Quoted from Conz wow.  that's really cool.  thanks for your votes guys.

I hope you choke on it, mate. You didn't read a single entry as far as I can tell. Probably too busy... but not too busy to check in to see if you won or not, eh.

Congrats to all who entered! And this challenge was a hoot - obviously, 34 entries and a lot of good stuff.

MY THANKS TO DON AND SEAN for running it.

That was a fun challenge and the scripts were a real joy to read. Congratulations to the much deserved top three and well done to all those who entered, there would have been quite a few on my consider list for sure.

A shout out to Don. It would appear he is doing it tough at the moment given this on the Submit Your Scripts section:

"Hi.

Due to a personal emergency, script submissions are closed until May 30th 2016. Apologies

- Don"

Hope all is going OK. I am a relative newbie here but really appreciate this fantastic site and the opportunity it affords to writers all over the world. And selfishly, the opportunities it has afforded me over the past six months.

My thoughts are with you, mate.

I'll second that. Whatever's going on, good luck Don.

Sorry to hear of the emergency, hopefully things are resolved as soon as possible.

Thanks Don  for all this - hope everything improves. We owe you a lot.

Hope everything works out well for you, Don.

Well deserved, congrats!

Congrats to the winners and I hope everything is okay Don! Sending positive vibes your way.

I think Don is just extremely busy with his day job due to a strike. Nothing bad has happened other than a LOT of extra work.

Maybe we can entertain ourselves while we wait for Don to come back? Games? Feature challenges? Brawls?  ;)

I'm already half way into a feature and I have another one planned for right afterwards. I have a chess game tomorrow and had two last night, so I'm about done for games. There's only the brawl option left. It would be nice if Conz could come up with some bullshitty excuse as to why he didn't read any of the other entries. At 6 pages a pop and the contest running for at least 2 weeks, he could have gotten through half of them easily if he read just one a day.

Poor form... very, very poor form. His win should be rescinded. All in favour?

I'd let him be. His got the most votes, so it's the best script as voted for by the people so well done him. Will agreen it is a bit crap that he didn't really join in however, hopefully he'll do it next time round.

On another note, did someone say that the runners up get a mug?? That'd be amazing if I've got something to taunt the missus with, would also hep justify sitting in front of the computer when I've got more important things to do (apparently)

Yep Cammy a mug will be on it's way, I love mine ;-)

And congrats again!

Aw man, that's pure amazeballs (example of runner up linguistic technique there). Cheers Anthony, made my morning

I got one when I was runner up, although it says 'writers really liked'. They're good mugs too. I use mine at least 60 times a day.

Christ on a bike Dustin, you must be keeping the English tea industry propped up with that kind of drinking rate!

So I get a mug?

It would appear so Glenn, congrats mate! Clear a space in the mug shelf

Don't jump to assumptions. Sometimes, the runner up has received a mug if the "winner" already have one. Don't count on one. However, Don might feel extra generous due to him being busy and delayed with everything this time.  :)

Quoted from Cameron Christ on a bike Dustin, you must be keeping the English tea industry propped up with that kind of drinking rate!

More like the African and South American coffee producers.

Congrats to the chosen few.

Pathetic that Conz commented on his own thread several times but didn't read a single entry...is that really possible?

Who were the other A-Holes who didn't read any?  Whoever they are, they should not be allowed to compete again.

So weak...

Quoted from Dreamscale Congrats to the chosen few. Pathetic that Conz commented on his own thread several times but didn't read a single entry...is that really possible? Who were the other A-Holes who didn't read any?  Whoever they are, they should not be allowed to compete again. So weak...

jesus christ, are you always like this?  one of my only takeaways from this contest was seeing your posts and thinking "jeez, this guy sure has a high opinion of himself."  you are one abrasive dude...

I don't post on this site much, I didn't think it was mandatory to read every single entry.  I honestly thought there were a few people up top who voted.  I saw the topic, saw the genre, opened a document and started plotting.  That was the extent of my thought process... so I may have absentmindly missed the rule that said i MUST read every single script and vote.  I can admit that.  btw, I also replied to my thread after the fact.

I actually did read about 8-10 of em, but I'll be honest the thought "I should keep reading more b/c i submitted one" never crossed my mind. I commented on a couple, but really had nothing of value to provide to others... not like the help you seemingly dole out - I'll get ino that shortly.  If that is the stone cold rules I probably would have opted against submitting.  I did this as a writing exercise.  That's not to say I'm belittling the challenge, I just didn't realize it was that hands on.  I'm not opposed to reading/giving notes, I do it on Talentville all the time.

you guys all seem like a tight nit group who always compete in these things. I actually felt like I was almost butting in to a private writing group.  I'm not here to upset any apple cart. I wrote a short once for one... like 4 years ago, and just so happened to stumble on this one a few days before the deadline.  I wasn't currently writing something, so it seemed like a fun exercise.

If i was just one of the random scripts that didn't win, would you even care that I didn't leave a few comments.  I can already anticipate you saying yes to that question, but I definitely don't even believe you would have noticed.  I guess I too could have left some replies like:

let's see, I'm just gonna click on a script's thread at random to see your constructive comments...

Quoted Text Your opening passage is extremely weak with many mistakes.  How can anyone "see" "the smell of stale beer and body odor"?  Really poor beginning.

Currently slogging through a whole lot of "by the book" "they say" screenwriting critiques that you once again, abrasively tell people are wrong.

Quoted Text Page 3 - The bad dialogue is going on...and on...and on.  But I'm not...I'm out on Page 3.

Quoted Text Wow...obviously a complete pisser...and quite a whacky one, too. Too whacky for this old whack, and I'm out on Page 2, as this is completely senseless.

I mean on mine - which I'd never tell you is amazing... but it won and people seemed pretty receptive to it overall - you were out on page 2, b/c of the use of "we" and us."  I don't care if you didn't like it overall, that's fine, but you read about 20% of it.  Oh, and then you took the thread on a sidetrack about yourself, mind you...  a sidetrack where you mentioned YOU DIDN'T EVEN ENTER A SCRIPT.  I'm sure you think you're speaking for the good of the board, but at least let people who lost give me crap.

and this is such a classic line:

Quoted Text I'm sorry if my words fall on deaf ears for you, but they'll help alot of peeps, whether they realize it or want to admit it

  

You think so.  I know you think so.  

back to the script...

... it's a short.  I'm not pitching it to Universal next week.  It's never getting filmed.  It's for a tiny niche topic on a message board.  You can literally tell exactly what I'm saying.  That is just typical by the book "screenwriting guru" babble.  Counter that all you want.  I'm not one of those "the rules don't apply to me" arrogant writers, I just find that type of stuff a bit over the top, and while I don't use "we" in longer scripts, I see it used everywhere.  I read scripts all the time (except here, sorry again, i know) ... but you're gonna turn around and tell me, "yeah well, once you sell a script, you can use all the 'we's' your little heart desires, etc..."

But hey, you could be a top dog in the industry for all I know.  Instead of regurgitating the same "THEY DON'T LIKE THIS" cautionary tales every other screenwriting on the internet tells, you might very well be the man on top who made those rules and chiseled them into stone.

man, I'm still writing?!  

one more thread click at random:  *skims for ski dude avatar* there!

Quoted Text OK, listen...when you have an insert, Flashback, or whatever, you need to end it and return to scene - you do not need or want to repeat the Slug you're already in.  Looks terrible, wastes space, and irritates. "who's" - Really?  Oh man...c'mon!!!

fine notes... worded poorly.  "looks terrible, irratates."  Yelling over a typo.  

this tough love approach to reviewing probably doesn't help as much as you seem to think it does.  lighten up, bro.

Actually, I literally just randomly clicked 5 scripts, and you stopped reading 4 of them.  That was usually paired with an insulting jab at the writer that all felt like they were 3 seconds away from a full on name calling session.  So in reality, you didn't read all the scripts either!*  ... ok, fair enough, you opened them all, but instead of just simply saying "not for me," you dig into people.

*I realize this is hypocritical of me, b/c this whole post in based on the fact I stopped reading the initial post in this thread after the script stipulations.  Didn't even read the "you are encouraged to read and vote part"  ... but I'm on a roll, let me ramble.

back to your regularly scheduled novel of a reply:

and look, that's your board schtick, it's apparent.  I've been a dick to plenty of "amateur screenwriters" I feel superiority over b/c I'm a slightly more advanced amateur screenwriter, but I always try to preface my "dickery" (trademark Conz) by giving them a little positive feedback as well.  A little encouragement.  I'm not trying to push anyone towards dellusion, but it doesn't hurt to give some good with the bad.  

I can't imagine you're like that in real life... man, I hope not.  I'm sure the frequent posters here are very familiar and comfortable with you at this point, and while they might humor you, I'm sure they roll their eyes - as you are probably doing at me at this moment - at your posts.

So if that longass diatribe is not a good enough excuse, I don't know what to tell you.  I'm the "a-hole" i guess.  Sorry if it's "bullshitty" Dustin.

If I decide to compete in the next OWC, I'll be sure to read more scripts.  I didn't realize I'd have my character called into question for not doing so.

I realize at this point I just spent a good 15 minutes writing up this reply, and I'm dreading your inevitable response.  You weren't even the only one to give me crap as I just noticed, but you were the aggressor, and I felt the need to stick up for myself (for way too long, clearly.)  

Carry on.  Thanks to those who voted for me, and whether you accept my apology or not, I'm sorry I didn't read every script and vote.  Don't take my mug away, I need the validation every morning with my coffee.

Quoted from Conz *I realize this is hypocritical of me, b/c this whole post in based on the fact I stopped reading the initial post in this thread after the script stipulations.  Didn't even read the "you are encouraged to read and vote part"  ... but I'm on a roll, let me ramble.

Being encouraged to read and vote should go without saying. I couldn't have a bunch of writers take time out to read my work and not try my hardest to do the same for them. I wouldn't need it spelling out for me.

Thanks for the bullshitty excuse though, at least you care that much.

Mr. Conz...where to begin, huh?

Listen...for starters, I was in Vegas all last week and the last thing on my mind was SS and this OWC from 4 weeks back.  When I returned, I had multiple Skype messages and E-Mails from peeps here who were pissed about you not commenting on entries, getting the "win", and not seeming to care about returning the favors of all the reads and comments you received, even after you were aware (and it's extremely unlikely you weren't aware of how an OWC works before you decided not to do any reading and commenting yourself).

A few of us may say everyone who enters should read all the entries, but it's obviously not that way at all.  SS has worked on a Quid Pro Quo basis since the beginning - someone throws you a bone, you should throw one right back.  It's just common human decency and courtesy.

I don't know if you read or commented on any scripts this time around, and even after you were made aware that peeps were pissed, you did nothing to change that, and instead decided to lash out at me, spending what most likely amounted to alot of time finding quotes from my reviews, even.  Quite funny, actually, but probably not achieving what you were after.

Life is give and take...don't be a taker, dude.  Try being a giver, and you may find that what you do take, tastes alot sweeter.

I apparently underestimated the magnatude of this competition.  I don't say that mockingly, I say that admittedly.  

I found out "peeps were pissed" yesterday.  I wasn't checking the forum every single day.  I came back when I got the email. The fact that you guys all seem to speak beyond this, means I am an outsider who doesn't really know the temperature of the forum.  I had some stuff here years ago, but a couple of shorts got "stolen" by some college kids and filmed them without asking.  It left a bad taste in my mouth, so I left for a while.

This competition is over.  Do you want me to go back and read them all now?  Would my "hey this is solid, I would have given it a 'consider'" do any good?

I ask this honestly, is anyone gonna go back and take the notes they got here into account and re-write these?  

I give plenty... just didn't in this case.  Again, sorry to say I feel an air of superiority radiating from your post.  like your brand of tough love "giving" is going to take all these people to the next level.  it reeks of that.

Hopefully the writers will be willing to let me live with my sin.

As I said... apologies.  thanks for the votes regardless.

Quoted from Conz As I said... apologies.

OK, guys.  He gets it.  I'm sure.  Please leave it at that.

To clarify:  There has never been any "rule" that OWC participants have to read anything...leave alone read everything.  Don has made that clear many times in the past.

Now, granted, people who read zero entries are totally showing their a$$ (IMO) -- but even that is not the case here.  Conz read a couple.

I've seen plenty of people submit, read nothing, and, in fact, never even post at all.

As least Conz had the decency to show up so he could get bitched at.  Be happy with that.

Hey, everyone.

Everyone entitled to his own opinion and I've got mine. So I'll give you my take on this:

I got 28 reads on mine. Thank you all very much. At about 15 it started getting repetitive though - the comments, I mean. It's not because you read the other comments before writing your own - I don't think that for a moment. It's because most of you take a script the same way - some things are outright wrong/right in a short and all notice - so it's essentially the same comment over and over. And maybe it's because we don't comment on OWC entries the same way we do on shorts outside of OWC. During OWC it's mostly this works and this doesn't.

Please don't think I'm ungrateful - I'm just saying the obvious.
Very often I wish you stopped commenting and offered to read the rewrite or something. And seriously, often I rewrite an OWC entry and there's no one to ask for a read since everyone else already read it.


And I know Conz read little. He said 8 to 10 and commented on 4 or 5. I'm alright with that.

I also understand those who take OWC very seriously - read every entry in full and comment in full.  You people rock and your opinions on the number of reads are fine with me as well. It's just I have my own too.

For the next time maybe we could agree on a certain number of entries we should read. We can do percentage wise - we need to read two thirds or more (or something).

Quoted from bert As least Conz had the decency to show up so he could get bitched at.  Be happy with that.

That's a lol

Roll on the next OWC, I look forward to the post results bickering almost as much as the reveals ;-)

I received a good chunk of comments on mine and I’m grateful for every single one of them. For everyone who said they didn’t like it, they said why, which gave me an idea of where I might have gone wrong. For everyone who said they liked it, it gave me hope that the story was half decent and maybe had potential. I always get a very mixed reaction on my scripts, which does sometimes confuse me lol, but I wouldn’t be able to learn without honest feedback so it is all good.

I comment on as many scripts in the owc as I can and I try to give a decent reviews as that’s my choice. Whatever anyone else does is up to them.

It’s been a good challenge and I enjoyed flexing my funny bone. Thanks to everyone who took part.

Quoted from MarkRenshaw I always get a very mixed reaction on my scripts, which does sometimes confuse me...

It really shouldn't, mate. Taste is subjective, even when talking on an individual basis. Being in the right frame of mind to be receptive to material is also a factor.

So long as some like it, you're doing the right thing. Even 1 in every 10... if 10 million people see it, one million will like it.

The only time we should worry, and perhaps even consider doing something else, is when nobody likes it.

You know how I look at it?

Yes, he should have read more.  But, he can't do that now.  If Conz has learned to give and take, and becomes an active member of this group, isn't that good?  

Look at it this way, he came into "our" house and won our competition.  I'd say that's on us, not him.  I'm not trying to create an "us" vs "them" mentality.  What I am saying is that it isn't anyone's fault save us.  Our stories weren't as good as his.

If we want one of the regulars to win, including myself, it's up to us to write better stories.  I don't resent Conz for writing his story, or for not commenting.  I do take it personally that a person who doesn't read or comment or share stuff outdid all of us (in a friendly competition way, not personally).  You beat me, and us, and that's awesome.

Next OWC, it's on us, and you, to raise our games.  You should defend your win.  It's on us to do better.  No one but Mark had any reasons why we came up short.  That doesn't mean that I'm coming down on anyone.  I put myself in that same list.  

If we all raise our skills, don't we all win?  If we want to make sure the next winner isn't someone who didn't read a lot of scripts, then isn't it on us to win?  

Conz could go on to have a successful writing career.  Who knows.  Any of us can.  We should respect that.  I think he learned that all people want is fair treatment, meaning you want me to read yours, then you should read mine.  

When I joined, I went all out to read others' scripts and didn't even ask for reads back.  People respected that.  But, what I never expected was to become friends with people.  Which, to me, means far more then who reads what.  

There are quite a few on here that I consider friends.  I'm glad.  Conz, I'm holding out an olive leaf to you.  You came into our "house" and beat us.  Congrats.  Now, defend your win, come back and try to do the same.  Please read some scripts and we'd be glad to read yours.  I will read anything you need read.  

I want to get better, and good relations are a solid way to learn one aspect of this biz.  There are a lot of great peeps on here, get to know some.

Dan

Quoted from Grandma Bear I think Don is just extremely busy with his day job due to a strike. Nothing bad has happened other than a LOT of extra work. Maybe we can entertain ourselves while we wait for Don to come back? Games? Feature challenges? Brawls?  ;)

I suggest games, features, brawls, pics of us in our underwear, remakes or sequels to work that isn't ours (I have a Frozen story), or something crazy, who wants to marry me??  

I have 2 stories to fix up.  But, I'm game for stuff.  I have a lot on my plate, and will do the best I can.

Dan

If you tally up the winners from previous OWC's and see who was a member and who was not, I would not be surprised to see the that winner was an "outsider" and has never even commented since.

I think some SS writers tend to write in a very similar vein, you've all learned from each other and thus write the same way.
You all think this is acceptable standard and going against this standard is what makes Dreamscale cream his panties, it's his thing, the one thing he likes to talk about as if he knows the ins and outs of an industry that could not care less.

Writers are the bottom of the barrell in most aspects of movie making.

I do think this is a great site, the OWC is an awesome competition ( not a challenge, everyone treats it as a competition, let's not beat around the bush, everyone wants to win) but outsiders might win more becauase they don't take as much "advice" from those  that apparently " in the know" around here.
Loads of people have been here YEARS, never had a script produced, not even a short -- and they are telling you how to write?

Just food for thought.

And Conz, well done on your win. Don't even waste time explaining yourself, you won fair and square. The losers just have to deal with it.

To add, if people are that upset, rename it the "OWC: Writers Have To Read 30-plus short scripts about the same fucking thing in a week".

Quoted Text "OWC: Writers Have To Read 30-plus short scripts about the same fucking thing in a week".

This was my laugh of the morning - thanks much. Got my day started.

Conz - congrats and hope you stick around. I will take you at your word. Although do note that in the rules of the challenge is this:

Quoted Text Participants are strongly encouraged to read and comment/review on the scripts submitted.

So - it shouldn't be a mystery. But again, I'll assume that you just missed this.  

On some future OWCs - I think it would - just for shits and giggles - to have some vote on best logline and/or best title, etc.  We wouldn't need comments - just vote on what we thought was compelling. In terms of industry reads - those items are as important as the script in some instances.

Just mulling as I procrastinate on actually writing....

I go out of my way to read all of the entries because I wouldn't feel that it was fair if I didn't. However, I would rather it that I only read the authors that took time out to do the same for me. If they couldn't for some reason or other, then a simple apology would be enough to make me want to read theirs without expecting a return read. It isn't the winning or losing that bothers me as I always write a script that I would like to see produced, it is the principle. This is a free to enter competition that runs solely on audience participation. Conz didn't read them all, so how can he have a legitimate vote? Probably voted for his own anyway. Sure, he gets a vote, but how can he know what was good and what wasn't? Even this loads the dice, somewhat, in his favour... as it does with any writer that votes without having read all of the scripts.

This time the OWC ran for longer than ever before, yet we had, it seems to me, even less writers actually participating in the reading. They all get avote, yet only have  aselect few scripts to choose from. Selecting 'didn't read' is statistically worthless. It doesn't gain any points.

If we all did the same as Conz, there wouldn't be any such thing as the OWC. It'd be a massive pile of shite.

By the way, I don't want to pile all of this on to one member. Conz stands out the most because he won... but there are others.

Quoted Text I go out of my way to read all of the entries because I wouldn't feel that it was fair if I didn't. However, I would rather it that I only read the authors that took time out to do the same for me.

I agree with your premise. But I trust that Conz's lack of reads was an omission (i.e., he did not understand the expectations).  

Quoted Text This time the OWC ran for longer than ever before, yet we had, it seems to me, even less writers actually participating in the reading. They all get avote, yet only have  aselect few scripts to choose from. Selecting 'didn't read' is statistically worthless. It doesn't gain any points.

Brings up an interesting point.  We really don't know how the results are tabulated. For example, if it is based on total recommends, then the number or reads is critical. e.g., a stellar script with 4 reads - all recommends could be swamped by an average script - 30 reads, 5 recommends.

Conversely, if it was done on average rating or percent basis then the results would flip and a script with minimal reads would be skewed the other way. In the above example, the first script would score 100% (i.e., 4 of 4  who graded gave it a recommend) and the second script would score 17% (i.e., 5 out of 30 recommends).

Quoted from eldave1 I agree with your premise. But I trust that Conz's lack of reads was an omission (i.e., he did not understand the expectations).

Perhaps so.... but he's a bright guy, it doesn't take much to figure out how this contest works.

Quoted Text Brings up an interesting point.  We really don't know how the results are tabulated. For example, if it is based on total recommends, then the number or reads is critical. e.g., a stellar script with 4 reads - all recommends could be swamped by an average script - 30 reads, 5 recommends. Conversely, if it was done on average rating or percent basis then the results would flip and a script with minimal reads would be skewed the other way. In the above example, the first script would score 100% (i.e., 4 of 4  who graded gave it a recommend) and the second script would score 17% (i.e., 5 out of 30 recommends).

Yes, that makes the most sense. Which would make me wrong regarding the value of the 'did not read' option. Indeed, being sure to click that option would be very important. It could be argued that there would be those that would simply click the 'pass' option instead, believing that it doesn't make a difference.

Quoted from DustinBowcot Perhaps so.... but he's a bright guy, it doesn't take much to figure out how this contest works. Yes, that makes the most sense. Which would make me wrong regarding the value of the 'did not read' option. Indeed, being sure to click that option would be very important. It could be argued that there would be those that would simply click the 'pass' option instead, believing that it doesn't make a difference.

I think we are beating a dead horse.  And honestly, he said he screwed up.  You're right, without reading others' scripts, no one ever gets better, no doubt there.

But, I also think that a new person like Conz can help us.  He's fresh blood.  He's got a unique way of looking at writing.  I mean, he doesn't share stories, yet, he comes in here and wins.  So, he's got talent.  Why drive him off?  Don't we need as much talent here to help all of us get better?  Isn't that the overall goal?

I was pissed off too, I even wrote asking him how he liked the other scripts b/c I knew he didn't read many, if any at all.  But, now, isn't it time to just suck it up, and try to get better for our own sakes?  After all, if a person like Conz can come in here and "win" our prize, that says a lot about us.  We need to get better.  

If anything, I want to see what else he comes up with.  And if he sells this, because we helped him get better, then so be it.  We won't know if he was sincere until the next OWC challenge anyways, so, there is very little any of us can do.

He won.  We need to get better.  That's my take from all this.  I'd love if each person read all the stories.  I know I did.  I know Dustin did.  And Jeff read many (and he didn't even enter).  Mark Renshaw read a lot of them too, and he was going through some serious stuff.  

I use to say this about Magic the Gathering card game when people would lose focus and it's worth repeating.  Writing is a job for some, a hobby for plenty more.  It isn't life.  Life comes first.  Believe me when I say you aren't guaranteed tomorrow.  You aren't guaranteed anything.  

This could be the last day you can move.  I go to bed each night wondering that.  Is this the night my spinal cord snaps?  

Don't lose track of life.  Dustin, you have a beautiful baby girl.  That's far more important then what Conz didn't do.  Sure, it's annoying.  But, man, life is short dude.  

Such ends my Hallmark moment.  Send 2.95 to...


I can't wait for the next OWC.  I'm rewriting 2 shorts now.  I learned something from Dustin.  He writes each story with the idea that it gets filmed.  I need to do that.  Shorts are generally cheap, and I know the last 2 OWC I entered won't ever get shot...

Dan

Quoted from DanC I think we are beating a dead horse.  And honestly, he said he screwed up.

I don't care what people say... people generally say what they feel they're supposed to say, what they believe is correct for any given situation, what's going to produce the least argument. I prefer to look at the evidence and make judgements from that. People are generally fuill of shit.

Quoted Text You're right, without reading others' scripts, no one ever gets better, no doubt there.

But I don't actually believe that, and I never said it.

Quoted Text But, I also think that a new person like Conz can help us.  He's fresh blood.  He's got a unique way of looking at writing.

Dan, I'm guessing you're high on prescription meds again. You may feel that Conz is able to help you, but I don't feel the same. You should perhaps just speak for yourself.

Quoted Text I mean, he doesn't share stories, yet, he comes in here and wins.  So, he's got talent.  Why drive him off?

He drives himself off... right after getting a load of reviews on his work. How can I drive off a member that isn't participating anyway? I mean... he doesn't share stories, right? Even if you felt like you could learn something from Conz, he doesn't actually post here anyway... unless it's about his own shit.

Quoted Text Don't we need as much talent here to help all of us get better?  Isn't that the overall goal?

Not for me, no. My overall goal is to glean advice for my in-story choices. I'm not here to learn from anybody. Once one has learned the format then there isn't much we can learn from other writers, as I've said on numerous occasions a writer is the sum of their education and life experience. Not, how long they've posted on an on line website.

Quoted Text I was pissed off too, I even wrote asking him how he liked the other scripts b/c I knew he didn't read many, if any at all.  But, now, isn't it time to just suck it up, and try to get better for our own sakes?  After all, if a person like Conz can come in here and "win" our prize, that says a lot about us.  We need to get better.

The way you look at things is really weird, almost childlike. You're using 'we' as though we aren't individuals. Speak for yourself. Conz got the most votes from a handful of writers on a website, that doesn't make him a better writer over all. Your thinking is skewed.

Quoted Text If anything, I want to see what else he comes up with.  And if he sells this, because we helped him get better, then so be it.  We won't know if he was sincere until the next OWC challenge anyways, so, there is very little any of us can do.

He catered a script for this OWC, to impress a bunch of writers. Impressing producers with the same script will not be as easy. It just won't be as relevant to them.

Quoted Text He won.  We need to get better.  That's my take from all this.

And it's the completely wrong take.  

Quoted Text I'd love if each person read all the stories.  I know I did.  I know Dustin did.  And Jeff read many (and he didn't even enter).  Mark Renshaw read a lot of them too, and he was going through some serious stuff.

I actually find what you did almost as bad. The thing with Mark, you know what he was going through because you talked with him about it during the OWC. You, no doubt sympathised, and this shows in his review of your work. You do realise that? Many of the positive reviews your work got was through courting members and making them sympathetic towards you.

Quoted Text I use to say this about Magic the Gathering card game when people would lose focus and it's worth repeating.  Writing is a job for some, a hobby for plenty more.  It isn't life.  Life comes first.  Believe me when I say you aren't guaranteed tomorrow.  You aren't guaranteed anything.

Wow... that Magic Gathering card game sounds like some serious shit. Seriously sad shit.

Quoted Text This could be the last day you can move.  I go to bed each night wondering that.  Is this the night my spinal cord snaps?

So?

Quoted Text Don't lose track of life.  Dustin, you have a beautiful baby girl.  That's far more important then what Conz didn't do.  Sure, it's annoying.  But, man, life is short dude.

What the fuck are you talking about? You honestly think I find what Conz did more important than my life because I made a couple of posts about it? You're seriously fucked up, mate.

Quoted Text Such ends my Hallmark moment.  Send 2.95 to...

You honestly feel that you've shared some epic words of wisdom.

Quoted Text I can't wait for the next OWC.  I'm rewriting 2 shorts now.  I learned something from Dustin.  He writes each story with the idea that it gets filmed.  I need to do that.  Shorts are generally cheap, and I know the last 2 OWC I entered won't ever get shot...

Stop making excuses. This site isn't going to make you a better writer. Draw from your life experiences. Bring what's real and you can't go far wrong.

I don't want Dave's point to be lost in this quagmire of bullshit, so I'm going to bring it up again. If Dave is correct in that the score is attained by percentages of likes to reads, then this should stop a lot of arguments as the system will be as fair as it can get. It doesn't matter if a writer doesn't read all of the scripts as only the percentage of likes from actual reads count anyway. if one guy likes your script and he's the only one to have read it then your score will 100%, and number 1 script. 10 people read another script and only 5 like it, despite it having 5 votes, it actually only has 50%, so comes in lower than the guy with only one read.

What would be even better is if we all had access to those stats, or even just the final percentages. Probably a little more work for the Admin, but it would help us better determine just how well a particular story has done. It would also help give us a more realistic view on whether a script really is worth working on or not.

Quoted from DustinBowcot I don't want Dave's point to be lost in this quagmire of bullshit, so I'm going to bring it up again. If Dave is correct in that the score is attained by percentages of likes to reads, then this should stop a lot of arguments as the system will be as fair as it can get. It doesn't matter if a writer doesn't read all of the scripts as only the percentage of likes from actual reads count anyway. if one guy likes your script and he's the only one to have read it then your score will 100%, and number 1 script. 10 people read another script and only 5 like it, despite it having 5 votes, it actually only has 50%, so comes in lower than the guy with only one read. What would be even better is if we all had access to those stats, or even just the final percentages. Probably a little more work for the Admin, but it would help us better determine just how well a particular story has done. It would also help give us a more realistic view on whether a script really is worth working on or not.

Just to clarify - I didn't say I knew how they were tabulated. Instead, it was a comparison of how the results would vary depending on two different tabulation methods (i.e., average of recommends vs. total of recommends).

As a note, there are more methods that could be used. As an example, assign 5 points for a recommend and 3 points for a consider - total that number and divide by the number of reviewers  for an average score (i.e., that way, receiving a consider would also garner some value). This could also help with tie breakers. As an example, let's say a script A received 10 recommends, 6 considers and 4 passes  from 20 reviewers.  That would result in an average of 3.4 per review. Let's say Script B received  10 recommends, 4 considers and 3 passes  from 20 reviewers. That would result in an average rating of 3.1. i.e., Script A wins because it tied with B in recommends, but had more considers.

You  could have other rational parameters. e.g., a minimum number of ratings required, a DQ for voting for your own scripts, etc, etc. Heck - you could even have two winners - the best average points and the most total recommeds.

The point being, as it stands now it really is unknown what the impact of non-reads/non-votes is. We also don't know if there is any correlation between readers comments and the number of votes.  i.e., does 20 comments mean 20 votes or are there many readers that do no post comments??

Anyway - Don et al put a ton of uncompensated work into this so I am not looking for new work for them. Grateful for what they do.

However, before the next OWC, I do think it might be helpful to agree on a scoring system, any guidelines to be added (e.g., minimum reads for each participant, etc) - or whatever before we actually start the next one. There should be a thread where we can hash it out. In terms of the scoring work, I am pretty good at Excel Worksheets and am willing to volunteer to sit out the next OWC and create a scoring template and tabulate the votes if that helps out (don't really think I could participate and be the score keeper - because, you know - I would win anyway :)  

A couple points that need to be made - let's hope I'm not deleted again, as it appears the majority of my posts here were deleted, which makes alot of this discussion seem wierd with nothing leading up to it.

First of all, Conz is not a new member or "outsider".  He's been around since 2011 and he clearly has been aware of the OWC's for a long time, but kept on missing them.  He knew how they worked, so reviewing 3 scripts and then taking the tude he took after the fact is on him.

We don't know how Don "scores" these challenges and my bet is that some on here are taking things a bit too far in assuming the voting is based on anything more than which scripts received the most recommends...but, as I said, we don't know.

The beauty of the OWC is that, in theory, at least, no one knows who wrote what, so reviews are based on the actual writing on display, not the person who wrote it.  Everyone should take this to heart and understand negative reviews are not meant to hurt the writer...they're merely the reader's opinions on what they read.  If you make mistakes, be happy someone points them out to you.

Finally (and in line with the previous paragraph), mean spirited comments, aimed at individuals, should not be tolerated - yes, I'm looking at you, Dustin!  Say whatever you want about a script and what it contains, but why try and put down and hurt an actual person?  Especially when that person already has a bunch of shit going on in their lives.  Just very low class personality traits rearing their ugly head once again.  

Quoted from DustinBowcot I go out of my way to read all of the entries because I wouldn't feel that it was fair if IConz didn't read them all, so how can he have a legitimate vote? Probably voted fo r his own anyway. Sure, he gets a vote, but how can he know what was good and what wasn't?.

Here ya go, Dustin. Consolation prize just for you...



quit your crying.

James

I guess a bad habit of mine is when I quote something, I also include comments from others so not to write too many things.  

Dustin, clearly, you and I look at life a different way.  What works for you.  I know I've been quite humbled by what has transpired in my life.  

And I honestly doubt anyone, and I mean anyone, on this site gives me any sympathy votes at all.  If my project is bad, it's bad.  I've never asked, nor will I ask, for sympathy.  I'm sure each person on here knows that.  

And honestly, how could anyone give me sympathy votes or comments when no one knew what I wrote?  I think I surprised some people this time around.  It wasn't horror or gory.  So, not sure where you think I get sympathy from anyone here.

And anyone who knows me knows that I want the truth, the real truth, no matter how harsh they think.  I'd rather hear it from them, then from a person who could determine my fate in a contest or with an agent/producer.  

you're welcome to believe whatever you want, but, the truth is very different.  

And my tiny bit of advice was to not be so serious about things and be more focused on life.  Each day people lose things that can't ever be gotten back, and they realize it too late what's most important.

Magic can be a wonderful game.  It opens up a whole world of teamwork, adversity, out-of-the-box-thinking and so much more.  Some get too consumed as with any sport, and lose perspective on life.  You can make a living playing magic.  I was good enough at one time to win everything that I needed to play, no need to put my own cash up, I'd just use my winnings.  Many are more successful then I was.  Again, it was a great life lesson and exposed me to a ton of cool stuff.  It certainly isn't for everyone, but, those that do go far rarely say a bad word about it.  

You seem angry or something.  So what if Conz won.  It's over.  I look forward to writing better.  Perhaps you know every aspect to writing, but, there are a ton of things that I don't know, or that I can get better with.  I get the feeling that plenty are like me.  Learning, reinforcing, trying new stuff.  I can get that here.  

Dan

Oh, and one more thing, just because I don't get bent out of shape over a contest and I try to find something positive doesn't make it childish.  I just deal with life's surprises better.  I have no clue what you've been through in your life, but, you also don't know half of the story either.  Don't confuse balance with childish.  Don't confuse control with weakness.  

Quoted from DanC And I honestly doubt anyone, and I mean anyone, on this site gives me any sympathy votes at all.  If my project is bad, it's bad.  I've never asked, nor will I ask, for sympathy.  I'm sure each person on here knows that.

You don't need to directly ask for sympathy. You ask for it by telling people how hard you've got it.

Quoted Text And honestly, how could anyone give me sympathy votes or comments when no one knew what I wrote?

You already admitted that several people knew what you wrote.

Quoted Text And anyone who knows me knows that I want the truth, the real truth, no matter how harsh they think.  I'd rather hear it from them, then from a person who could determine my fate in a contest or with an agent/producer.

What makes you think they will know as much as an agent or producer? Your 'friend' could hate it, yet an agent love it. Two producers could believe it is the worst story they've ever seen, a third could think it's genius. Your friend, could actually fuck it all up for you if you were to follow their advice. In short, if you don't know yourself and have to rely on your friends to figure out what's good and what isn't, then you're pretty much fucked.

Quoted Text you're welcome to believe whatever you want, but, the truth is very different.

How often bullshit becomes truth? How often do we lie to ourselves and each other to make ourselves feel the way we believe we're supposed to feel? To massage our egos? Yo manipulate certain situations? It's a natural part of our psychology that you have to be tuned in to to be aware of, else it just runs in the background without us realising. Like computers, riddled with spyware.

Quoted Text And my tiny bit of advice was to not be so serious about things and be more focused on life.  Each day people lose things that can't ever be gotten back, and they realize it too late what's most important.

You equate being serious with not being focused on life. The more serious one is, the less focused on life they become. This is wrong. Indeed, the more serious you are about anything you do, the more focused you will be upon it.

Quoted Text You seem angry or something.  So what if Conz won.  It's over.

The point you seem to be missing is that I don't care about Conz winning. I care about he not reading any of the other scripts. The winning part bothers you, because you haven't shut up about it.

Quoted Text I look forward to writing better.

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Quoted Text Perhaps you know every aspect to writing...

It's pretty simple. You just tell stories. That's all there is to it. If you're good at telling stories, all you have to do is get the words onto the page. It's really not hard at all. There isn't anything to learn that you don't already know. What you need to do now is write stories that people like.

Quoted Text Oh, and one more thing, just because I don't get bent out of shape over a contest and I try to find something positive doesn't make it childish.

I didn't say that was what made you sound childish.

Quoted Text I just deal with life's surprises better.

I have no idea how you've arrived at this conclusion, but thanks for sharing.

Quoted Text I have no clue what you've been through in your life, but, you also don't know half of the story either.

Well, as it is my life, I kinda know the full story. I've been there through it all. Admittedly, there are parts that I can't remember. Especially the first three years, but you can't call that half.

Quoted Text Don't confuse balance with childish.  Don't confuse control with weakness.

I'll try not to, thanks.

Quoted from DustinBowcot You don't need to directly ask for sympathy. You ask for it by telling people how hard you've got it. You already admitted that several people knew what you wrote. What makes you think they will know as much as an agent or producer? Your 'friend' could hate it, yet an agent love it. Two producers could believe it is the worst story they've ever seen, a third could think it's genius. Your friend, could actually fuck it all up for you if you were to follow their advice. In short, if you don't know yourself and have to rely on your friends to figure out what's good and what isn't, then you're pretty much fucked. How often bullshit becomes truth? How often do we lie to ourselves and each other to make ourselves feel the way we believe we're supposed to feel? To massage our egos? Yo manipulate certain situations? It's a natural part of our psychology that you have to be tuned in to to be aware of, else it just runs in the background without us realising. Like computers, riddled with spyware. You equate being serious with not being focused on life. The more serious one is, the less focused on life they become. This is wrong. Indeed, the more serious you are about anything you do, the more focused you will be upon it. The point you seem to be missing is that I don't care about Conz winning. I care about he not reading any of the other scripts. The winning part bothers you, because you haven't shut up about it. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz It's pretty simple. You just tell stories. That's all there is to it. If you're good at telling stories, all you have to do is get the words onto the page. It's really not hard at all. There isn't anything to learn that you don't already know. What you need to do now is write stories that people like. I didn't say that was what made you sound childish. I have no idea how you've arrived at this conclusion, but thanks for sharing. Well, as it is my life, I kinda know the full story. I've been there through it all. Admittedly, there are parts that I can't remember. Especially the first three years, but you can't call that half. I'll try not to, thanks.

I admitted to people AFTER they already commented.  And if you believe that people would vote for my story if it didn't deserve it then you have no belief in the people in this site.  I seriously doubt ANYONE has ever, or will ever, give me a sympathy vote.  EVER.  Nor would I want one.

You seem to confuse explaining my health with looking for sympathy.  I don't.  Sympathy won't win me anything.  However, if people respect what I am able to accomplish in spite of all this, then that's awesome.  However, I think I can safely say that most people on this site respect me for me, for my attitude towards life no matter what, and for the stories that I write.  

Your advice is a double-edged sword.  Sure, my friend could love it and people hate it.  The reverse could also be true.  I'm willing to bet that movies are done each day that you'd hate the screenplay if you read it.  Yet, they get done.  What I'm trying to say isn't whether a person loves or hates it, but, they point out something, be it inconsistencies, plot, character issues, holes, whatever.  That's what all of us need to get to the next level.  

I think I read there has never been a perfect first draft of any story, ever.  And there won't ever be.  Perhaps you get the idea that I'm talking about people loving a story, I'm not.  It's about making it the best that it can be.  Of course, a person that might buy it might hate those changes, that's why it is up to each person to know what they want to do with their story or not.  

Mark and I went for about 4 days on his story that was amazing.  In the end, it's his story.  He knows the scope.

You say that you don't care that Conz won.  But, the truth is, you care that he won AND didn't read a lot of scripts.  If he didn't win, you wouldn't care less how many scripts he won because you didn't single out anyone else who didn't read all that many scripts.  So, you can say you don't care, however, your actions speak louder here.  

You are also wrong about the more serious the more focused you are.  This is incorrect and unhealthy.  You can burn out like a falling star in Earth's gravity if it is unchecked seriousness.  You remind me of me when I was younger.  Life is full of failure and as the TV commercial says, success is just failure that hasn't happened yet.  Being too focused on the end prize means that you miss out on the mundane things that make life special, and just like I burnt myself out more then once, it can happen to you.  There are tons of people in the world who were just as focused as you, perhaps even more so, yet, they flamed out by not having a balance to their lives.  

When Thorsten started talking to me, he hated Evil Genesis and was afraid to tell me b/c he thought that I'd be upset and not want to talk to him or help him anymore.  So, yes, people know about my struggles, but, I seriously doubt that there is one person on here who would use that, or be psychologically affected by it, when dealing with my stories.  I want the harshest fairest criticisms of the story b/c as I've stated a zillion times, I'd rather hear it from here or them for free, then pay to have it tossed aside by an important producer etc for the exact same reason.  So, I reject the premise that anyone here ever gives me sympathy anything.  

You're also wrong in that screenwriting is just telling stories.  There are hundreds of little rules.  Hundreds of little ways to express something.  There are right and wrong ways to tell that story in screenplay format.  There are ways to show a scene.  To say that it all goes into the "telling of a story" is naive at best.  The complexity of setting up the scene is what sets the masters apart from the hacks.  If it was simply "telling a story" then everyone who gets past the first hurdle of writing the story would have oscar-worthy scripts.  Yet, few do.  Maybe you do know it all, I have no clue.  I don't.  And I don't think most of the people on here would say that they do either.

When I see a scene on TV/movies, I want to know how it was written up.  The first time we meet Joy in Inside out I want to know how that was written up.  When the sword comes down towards Anna's hand in Frozen, I want to know how it was written.  When Harry Potter walks into Hogwarts, I want to see how that was set up.  Same for Willy Wonka.  

Think about the greatest movies of all time.  What sets them aside?  In "Night of the living dead" you have the contrast of the black protagonist against the white characters, and his shocking death at the end.  It's how it's told that matters, not just that it's just told.  There are different ways to achieve this.  Clearly, Frozen used different methods then Hitchcock did in Psycho.  Both left their mark forever on cinema.  

Writing a scene is more then just the sum of the words.  It's every aspect of the written word mixed with symbolism mixed with psychology, mixed with intent, mixed with a skillful director to make the correct actor bring it to something breathtaking.  Maybe you can do that.  I can't, not yet.  I've read 2 shorts from you that were very good.  But, perhaps, there's a way to go from very good to breathtaking.  My goal is to be breathtaking.  And have good people along the way to share the journey with.  And a lot of people on here fit that category.

It's easy to become bitter and burn out without perspective to keep it honest.  I'm speaking from experience.  It's your life, but, man, I sure wish someone had told me that before walking down that part of that road when I was you...

Dan

So, when is the next one? July or September? I think there used to be one in July, am I right or am I right?
July, July...

Quoted from khamanna So, when is the next one? July or September? I think there used to be one in July, am I right or am I right? July, July...

September, September... ;)

Look, I know most of the regulars here enjoy these challenges, but all other activity is suspended. If this happens too often, it will get frustrating, no?

Quoted from Athenian Look, I know most of the regulars here enjoy these challenges, but all other activity is suspended. If this happens too often, it will get frustrating, no?

I've been here for ten years. The OWC is usually in January, April, July and October. The only reason it's slower this time is that Don is EXTREMELY busy with his day job right now due to a strike. It's normally not this slow at all here and the OWC doesn't have an effect on other SS activities. Patience and support of Don is needed now. :)

Quoted from Grandma Bear I've been here for ten years. The OWC is usually in January, April, July and October. The only reason it's slower this time is that Don is EXTREMELY busy with his day job right now due to a strike. It's normally not this slow at all here and the OWC doesn't have an effect on other SS activities. Patience and support of Don is needed now. :)

Pia, I know, but wouldn't a July challenge be a little too much this time? Submissions have been closed for one and a half month now – I bet Don will have to cope with a ton of new scripts. It seems to me a good idea to give him and the forum some room to breathe.

Quoted from Athenian Pia, I know, but wouldn't a July challenge be a little too much this time? Submissions have been closed for one and a half month now – I bet Don will have to cope with a ton of new scripts. It seems to me a good idea to give him and the forum some room to breathe.

I really don't understand why one of us can't help him out when it comes to adding content to the site?  I'd do my part.

Quoted from DanC I really don't understand why one of us can't help him out when it comes to adding content to the site?  I'd do my part.

Because you'd need root access. Not even the mods and admins here would have that. Giving that type of access to too many people can seriously mess up a forum... at least as much as the last back-up will allow.

It's unfortunate, but Don is pretty much the only person that can do it.

Quoted from Athenian September, September... ;) Look, I know most of the regulars here enjoy these challenges, but all other activity is suspended. If this happens too often, it will get frustrating, no?

I dont understand this division to regulars and not. I know your nick, Ive seen you around - youre a regular as much as any other for me.

Anyone can upload a script to dropbox and post a link here. Comment on other scripts and ypurs will be read)

Quoted from DustinBowcot Because you'd need root access. Not even the mods and admins here would have that. Giving that type of access to too many people can seriously mess up a forum... at least as much as the last back-up will allow. It's unfortunate, but Don is pretty much the only person that can do it.

I believe this to be correct, although, I can't say I'm 100% sure.

It is indeed a bit unfortunate because while this is going on, the site is slowing way down. I hope it won't go on for several more months. That might actually really hurt the site. At least the forum. I think there is definitely a possibility that the July OWC won't happen since these OWCs take up more than normal time for Don. I have no idea what Bert has access to or not.

this is still goin huh?  for the record, I didn't vote.  i'm sure that makes it worse in your eyes.  I'm awaiting sentencing.  ... but at least I didn't vote for myself.  

Quoted from Grandma Bear I believe this to be correct, although, I can't say I'm 100% sure. It is indeed a bit unfortunate because while this is going on, the site is slowing way down. I hope it won't go on for several more months. That might actually really hurt the site. At least the forum. I think there is definitely a possibility that the July OWC won't happen since these OWCs take up more than normal time for Don. I have no idea what Bert has access to or not.

Dustin, I agree with you on the fact that not that many people should have access, but, the mods should.  I mean, people like Bert and Pia are trustworthy.

Well, Bert is, I mean, Pia does advocate for violence on the site (brawls are usually a bad thing) :)

Seriously, it might be time for the mods to have greater abilities.  

I don't know who said it, but, it's also true that you can always post your script via dropbox or really anything from the cloud that you can link it to.  I've gotten reads this way.  IMO, as long as the script is read and commented on, that's the main thing.  Not how it got to the site.  Dropbox is fine IMO.

Dustin, congrats again!!  Nice job.

It's not about trust. Accidents happen. Accidents at that level can be quite chaotic. Whole forums have disappeared... even with monthly back-ups it's possible to lose a month's worth of site info that would mess with a lot of people. People that signed up during that month would no longer have accounts, this last OWC would only just be getting going.

Don will be back soon.

As stated, we can simply link to our own scripts if we choose to anyway - as Steve and I did recently. Simply upload to dropbox or your own websites/pages.

There needs to be a clear and firm demarcation between system mods and administrators. The latter deal with data that is already on the site where the former ensures the integrity and sustainability of the data already entered or to be entered. Even the best of systems can crash with one fat thumb hitting the wrong key. Long winded way of saying, if Don needs help he needs an additional administrator (i.e. Don - version 2.01). Mods are not the answer.

No there is probably workload that could be shared amongst members who wish to take on some tasks. e.g., development of OWC themes, rules and scoring as an example. But core mission functions should not be farmed out to volunteers if you want to maintain the integrity of the system.

Quoted from Conz this is still goin huh?  for the record, I didn't vote.  i'm sure that makes it worse in your eyes.  I'm awaiting sentencing.  ... but at least I didn't vote for myself.

Well, since you asked - Your sentence is to read and comment on most of the scripts in the next OWC.  

I plan on checking back for the next one... but I make no promises if the genre is something I'm not into.  *fingers crossed* for sports comedy!

Quoted from Conz I plan on checking back for the next one... but I make no promises if the genre is something I'm not into.  *fingers crossed* for sports comedy!

Too late. You asked what your sentence was. So ordered - gavel hits the desk :). Look forward your reviews.

Well we could always organize our own OWC in another forum section and just use dropbox links. Dunno if it'll actually bring more life to the forums since no new members are joining the site, but it could be fun...

It would soon get boring and we'd stop entering. If anyone has a short they're waiting to upload then use dropbox and share the link in the WIP forum, or, if you're unsure of using that, send me your .pdf and I'll host the script during the interim.

Hey - we had five new members join just  today

Quoted from DustinBowcot It would soon get boring and we'd stop entering. If anyone has a short they're waiting to upload then use dropbox and share the link in the WIP forum, or, if you're unsure of using that, send me your .pdf and I'll host the script during the interim.

Dustin,
that's very nice of you.  

Eldave
I saw that 5 new people joined today.  Lets hope they're good people who want to contribute.  

I think we should try to do more with dropbox to take some of the pressure off of Don ourselves.  I know there are tutorials.  I had to learn how to use dropbox.  I guess this is a kinda "lets help dad while he's really busy" instead of asking him to do more.  We can do it amongst ourselves.  Perhaps even start a new thread.

Dan

ps, oh again, congrats Dustin.

Hey guys,
    I didn't know where to post this, but, it's July.  Isn't it time for the July OWC?  I know last year there was the 7WC.  So, are we doing something?

I know I've barely been on, but, I like to try to keep track of these fun events.

Dan

I'm game.

I think Don's been very busy. There might be something in August. As far as a 6WC or 7WC goes, I cannot run one. I have too many obligations on my plate at the moment. Plus, I just got permission to write an adaptation of a novel. Stoked about that!!! Anyone else willing to run a feature challenge is welcome though.  :)

I'm always up for an OWC but if it's a feature one then I'll struggle...

Pia - congrats on the adaptation!

Quoted from Grandma Bear I think Don's been very busy. There might be something in August. As far as a 6WC or 7WC goes, I cannot run one. I have too many obligations on my plate at the moment. Plus, I just got permission to write an adaptation of a novel. Stoked about that!!! Anyone else willing to run a feature challenge is welcome though.  :)

Pia, that's wonderful news.  Congrats.  Let me know if you need any extra eyes.

As for the 7WC, I'm fine with not doing that.  I'm also okay with an Aug OWC.  Heck, I'd be willing to help out.  I think some others would too.  

Can anyone tell us what is required for the OWC so that we could help Don?  

Thanks
Dan

Quoted from AnthonyCawood Pia - congrats on the adaptation!

Dan and Anthony, Thanks! I'm thrilled! Second time I've asked authors' permission and got it. First time ended up not working out because my agent at the time insisted I get the rights to the action figures as well...

OWC - I wait for the moment  but I assume it will be after the summer

My shorts in these OWCs don't do very well... but I'm always up for it. A feature would be out of the question though.

Oh... before I forget, congrats Pia. Hopefully it works out and the script gets sold and produced. All the best.

Thanks Dustin! I think it will. Why? The story is great! All I have to do is adapt it. It's pretty short, 200 some pages so it seems perfect for a feature.

Although I can't really talk about this particular project at the moment, I can tell you for sure that having a few imdb credits sure helps when contacting a publisher about something like this. I don't think I would've got permission otherwise.

Another thing I want to point out is that it seems rather easy to get permission to adapt smaller writer's work. S. King, Patterson, Ludlum, Grisham and the like, forget it, but these smaller writers, they seem to love the opportunity to maybe have their work become a movie.

Just putting this out there for those who read a lot and one day encounter a book they just love and see as a perfect movie. Don't be afraid to ask to adapt the book. You might be surprised at the answer.  :)  

Quoted from Grandma Bear Thanks Dustin! I think it will. Why? The story is great! All I have to do is adapt it. It's pretty short, 200 some pages so it seems perfect for a feature. Although I can't really talk about this particular project at the moment, I can tell you for sure that having a few imdb credits sure helps when contacting a publisher about something like this. I don't think I would've got permission otherwise. Another thing I want to point out is that it seems rather easy to get permission to adapt smaller writer's work. S. King, Patterson, Ludlum, Grisham and the like, forget it, but these smaller writers, they seem to love the opportunity to maybe have their work become a movie. Just putting this out there for those who read a lot and one day encounter a book they just love and see as a perfect movie. Don't be afraid to ask to adapt the book. You might be surprised at the answer.  :)

Huh, never really thought about that.  I actually know a writer personally.  She's published and writes a great fantasy series about a female horse turned into a human.  I should ask her if she's be interested in letting me write a screenplay for her story.  I haven't read it in years, but, from what I recall, it was a fun story.  It has magic, love, betrayal etc.  All the classic stuff for a movie.

The problem is, I have nada in terms of credits.  So, I don't know why anyone would ever let a novice do something so big.  Lets face it, these smaller writers only have one chance, right?  And since she writes fantasy, we're talking big budget.  

What do you guys think?  Should I approach her?  We recently reconnected on facebook (we didn't date or anything like that, we met at a con and were pretty good friends for years, and I even read a story she was working on, so, obviously she trusted me).

Cons can be great places to meet people.  I try to stay away from the snooty people and spent some time with the other stars that people didn't horde around.  

Dan

"What do you guys think?  Should I approach her? "

Dan... my advice is: look at Don's signature!!

The last few months have been all over the place for me, and my life in general took a pretty unexpected twist. Writing just hasn't been happening, trying to get back into it. If another OWC pops up, I'll definitely do my best to participate.

Also, I've not been around a lot but would like to read what everyone's been writing. So if anyone wants another pair of eyes and my opinion on a piece, please send it on.

Thanks Glenn, I'm rewriting mine - I'll shoot you a pm as soon as Im done.

Sounds great, Kham. Please do.

I need some motivation...when is the next writing challenge?????

Quoted from Pale Yellow I need some motivation...when is the next writing challenge?????

I second the motion!

My vote is for an OWC (as opposed to 7-week feature).

Well it looks like there's a new discussion open under August One Week Challenge, just no content yet!

Well spotted... Suspense is building!

Woot Woot!!!!

Damn, I hope this is a decent topic this time.  No fucking super heroes, no micro budgets.

I need to write something!!!

Quoted from Dreamscale Damn, I hope this is a decent topic this time.

I heard the term 'midget porn' being bandied about. Probably not a definite, but my mind is already turning over several possibilities.

Quoted from DustinBowcot I heard the term 'midget porn' being bandied about. Probably not a definite, but my mind is already turning over several possibilities.

Midget porn would definitely be a short

Yes! My first OWC! There is literally no topic too absurd or difficult to write that I would skip entering. Although if the topic is midget porn with no dialogue allowed and only one character and taking place entirely inside a space satellite plummeting towards earth... I would at least have a moment of doubt.

Quoted from eldave1 Midget porn would definitely be a short

funny, made me chuckle

otherwise, great news..

:) YAY I need to write something!

I don't have time for this, but I'm such a sucker for the OWC that would probably do one or more all nighters to get one done.

I didn't last time, because I really despise superheroes, sorry Sean. Except for Pippi Longstocking...hm, didn't occure to me at the time, but I could've used something like that.  :-/ As usual, I'm slower than a slug!  ;D

Funny thing - I was too busy to participate in the last OWC.... but ended up writing my superhero idea later.  :/

Don't know if it's been brought up, yet.  But how about an OWC about getting trapped in a taxi?  (Pia, Don and Sean know what this is about.)  :P

Like the idea of an owc on getting trapped in a taxi. :)

Cool - then I already got my title. "Taxi Dermy"

Trapped in a taxi could be fun. Low budget, eh? A lot of different people/creatures could be trapped for a lot of different reasons. Would be fun to explore.
Me yes.

A taxi?  Who the Hell takes a taxi?  Not me.  I don't think I've been in a taxi in 25 years...and don't plan on ever being in one again.

That's the kind of challenge that would make me sit out yet again.  Terrible idea!

With all the talk of diversity, we should do something in that area. The protag MUST be black, crippled, gay, transgender, bullied at school, dyslexic, suffering from ADHD, OCD and ginger.

Quoted from DustinBowcot With all the talk of diversity, we should do something in that area. The protag MUST be black, crippled, gay, transgender, bullied at school, dyslexic, suffering from ADHD, OCD and ginger.

And trapped in a taxi - right?

Quoted from eldave1 And trapped in a taxi - right?

With a bigoted, white, heterosexual, male driver.

I'll start working on it now - working title is Come to the Cab-array

And the driver must be called.... Jeff...cos he don't take cabs ;-)

I don't care what it is, I treasure the challenge

I just hope it's soon, I'm away last two weeks with no connection, which would be tricky.

I'm leaving next Thursday for my Mom's Memorial Service in WI...so, if it's not announced like real soon, this kid will be out again.

Quoted from Dreamscale A taxi?  Who the Hell takes a taxi?  Not me.  I don't think I've been in a taxi in 25 years...and don't plan on ever being in one again. That's the kind of challenge that would make me sit out yet again.  Terrible idea!

Maybe trapped with your Uber. :)

I was just going to say this is an Uber idea but now someone has beaten me to the pun by 9 minutes. :-(

The Uber angle is what makes the taxi idea interesting. Taxi drivers hate the fuck out of Uber and a few have perpetrated some occasionally creative but usually just nefarious/destructive acts against Uber drivers. This dynamic hasn't been explored much in fiction, if at all, as far as I can tell, but there's definitely a lot to go on at this point. Whether the vehicle is Uber or taxi seems much less interesting/consequential IMO.