Traditionally we always have an OWC in January...

Just saying. No pressure or anything, Don.  :)

When the God Queen of SimplyScriptVerse says something, it shall be done...with pressure in the form of a countdown. lol.

https://youtu.be/9jK-NcRmVcw

Please choose a genre for us instead of this open genre stuff. Challenge us to write out of our comfort zones instead of letting us choose our preferred genre. Just a thought cuz a lot of these have been open genre lately and that’s not much of a challenge, IMO.

Just waiting for the PM to come in. Lol. =)

My hot tip: The shorter OWC scripts were a breeze to read and critique, and filmmakers seem to prefer them, budget and otherwise...
Just saying.

Has there ever been an OWC where the genre is Action?

Zack

Quoted from LC My hot tip: The shorter OWC scripts were a breeze to read and critique, and filmmakers seem to prefer them, budget and otherwise... Just saying.

I was a big fan of the quickie challenge last year, I think that's what it was called.

Loved the shorter stories. Much easier to read.

Like the idea of all doing the same genre as well.

Quoted from Zack Has there ever been an OWC where the genre is Action?

Not sure... I do know it's been a long time between RomCom/Drama. The last one we had we also had to write lyrics to a song -  music was supplied. An unfavourable genre with some but the entries from most were very entertaining and a nice change of pace.

If there is one, it would be my first OWC - I am both excited and terrified

OWCs


Heaven when you do well.

Hell when you fail.


I think some good advice here is to not take bad reviews personally. It will be your choices on this occasion that are being questioned, not your credentials as a writer. Well, from most of us anyway.

I wouldn't know about your OWC comment, Dustin, since the next one will be my first attempt at one, though I do know for a fact the final two sentences from your comment are false overstatements.

Quoted from Hank I wouldn't know about your OWC comment, Dustin, since the next one will be my first attempt at one, though I do know for a fact the final two sentences from your comment are false overstatements.

I'm not sure exactly what you mean as I haven't exaggerated anything... nor have I falsely done so. What is a false exaggeration?  Wouldn't it be defined as not being an exaggeration at all? But then why bother writing it if you don't believe it is? Very strange and too difficult for me to decipher. Could you be more clear?

Yeah, I'd prefer a defined genre, but I don't like a short page limitation at all.

Bring it on!  I need to write something!!!

Since this thread exists - Can someone please inform me of proper OWC etiquette?

As in, reviewing the entries (including my own entry as to not inadvertently highlight which entry is mine), and scoring the entries.

Thank you

Matt

Basically, Matthew, don't leave your score in the post, don't specify which entry is yours and do your best to keep the criticism to a level of something that the writer could use to actually improve the script. That's your basic etiquette for the OWC.

What about an OWC that is limited to a single location and just one character. Genre: Action.

That would be challenging. ;D

Zack

Quoted from Zack What about an OWC that is limited to a single location and just one character. Genre: Action. That would be challenging. ;D Zack

I hope it's that because I have an idea for that now - In fact, even without the OWC I might write it lol I have challenged myself to write 12 shorts this year after all

Quoted from Zack What about an OWC that is limited to a single location and just one character. Genre: Action. That would be challenging. ;D Zack

Action with one character? What about a RomCom with only one character?  ;D

Quoted from FrankM Action with one character? What about a RomCom with only one character?  ;D

Narcissist. Way too easy, Frank. They call it a challenge for a reason. =)

Quoted from FrankM Action with one character? What about a RomCom with only one character?  ;D

A one man romance and he thinks he's the funniest guy in the world. It's called 'Jeff'.

Sorry, man, I couldn't help it.

BTW - Is that a picture of Glenn Close with the three hearts? I'm guessing a love triangle gone bad.

Quoted from JEStaats A one man romance and he thinks he's the funniest guy in the world. It's called 'Jeff'. Sorry, man, I couldn't help it.

HA!!  As I started reading your post, I actually said out loud, "Me!"..  Very funny...

Quoted from JEStaats BTW - Is that a picture of Glenn Close with the three hearts? I'm guessing a love triangle gone bad.

Not Glen Close...

-Don

It seems popular demand worked:

Subforums: January 2019 -  One Week Challenge

Will it be an action RomCom with just one character?  ;D

It has to be a love triangle challenge but the twist is that two of three in the triangle are sex robots.

Looking forward to this. I haven’t written a good short in a dog’s age.

When is the announcement??? I'm filming a short this weekend but after that I should have some time.

Interest: Piqued.

Would also prefer a definitive genre to an open one.

Quoted from Clark Looking forward to this. I haven’t written a good short in a dog’s age.

Finally something we agree on ;D;D;D

The short scripts were a breeze to get through... I'd stick with that

A 5 page limit would be amazing.

Action romcom. Must use five locations. Only one character. ;D Bring it on.

Zack

A 5 page minimum would be amazing!!!!

Ten page limit, but a penalty of one page for each orphan in the script.

Quoted from Dreamscale A 5 page minimum would be amazing!!!!

5 page minimum or maximum?  If it's minimum, I'm writing a 93 page short.

Quoted from FrankM Ten page limit, but a penalty of one page for each orphan in the script.

Or take it in another direction. Every block of action has to end in an orphan.

Lol not a bad idea
Wazza

Quoted from stevie Lol not a bad idea Wazza

Jeff's head may explode.

Quoted from Warren Jeff's head may explode.

Mine already
has

Quoted from Warren Or take it in another direction. Every block of action has to end in an orphan.

Don’t forget to make the main (only?) character an orphan.

So, rule clarification: does a single-word line count as an orphan, such as

BANG!

Can the orphan be an aspiring writer who hates orphans?

Quoted from Matthew Taylor Since this thread exists - Can someone please inform me of proper OWC etiquette? As in, reviewing the entries (including my own entry as to not inadvertently highlight which entry is mine), and scoring the entries. Thank you Matt

You must love my entry and vote for it. That's the only rule. The challenge is to figure out which one is mine.

Quoted from MarkRenshaw You must love my entry and vote for it. That's the only rule. The challenge is to figure out which one is mine.

If the price is right I'll vote whichever way you want me to

Lol!

Also, I vote for a 2-3 page challenge. That's a real challenge, to get a story across in a very short period of time.

Enforced comedy writing?? Please! It's been going on 3 years or something!!!

If it's up and a short page count I'll be down for this shizzle, but stoopidly busy of late...let's get the lols and roflcopters out again!

I agree with Mark - they sell well afterwards too!

Whatever it may be, can’t wait to read it and see what you creative people come up with.

Gabe

Quoted from JEStaats BTW - Is that a picture of Glenn Close with the three hearts? I'm guessing a love triangle gone bad.

It's Eve Plumb - is that picture a clue? is it a Brady Bunch themed
OWC?

Quoted from AnthonyCawood I agree with Mark - they sell well afterwards too!

At MP, we used to have a 1 page comp once per year. They are harder than 5 pages.  :)

Quoted from Matthew Taylor It's Eve Plumb - is that picture a clue? is it a Brady Bunch themed OWC?

A Brady Bunch love triangle gone bad! YES!

I fixed your orphan 8)

Oy vey, I smell a George Glass Brady Bunch themed OWC coming on. For those of you who didn’t have the misfortune of watching the Brady Bunch growing up, George Glass was the mysterious boyfriend Jan made up because she was jealous that her high school crush was more interested in Marsha than her.  I am not ashamed to admit I’ve seen that episode more than once growing
Up.

Gary

George Glass also had a brief (non-)appearance in the surprisingly good feature film from the 90s.



...which does not get me closer to figuring out what that clue means.

I'd be happy with 5-10 pages.

Also, it would be cool to do a monthly five pager like MP.  We have the numbers to do a regular comp/challenge.

Good idea/bad idea?

Did somebody say OWC?

I'm a Brit - what the f*ck is a Brady Bunch?

Looks more like Shirley Jones to me.

Quoted from AnthonyCawood I'm a Brit - what the f*ck is a Brady Bunch?

SitCom from the 70s, which reportedly ended when the actor for the dad quit because the show was just too stupid for him to continue working there.

The actress for mom dated the actor for the oldest son (fortunately this was NOT one of the sitcoms that used actors actually related to one another).

The clue in the page header seems like “third time’s the charm” although also note that The Brady Bunch family did have three daughters. Might be a weird reference to the youngest daughter.

Or Eve could be Eve in as Christmas Eve. New Year's Eve - etc. Hmm

You people are blind as bats! That's all I'm saying.   :P

Quoted from Grandma Bear You people are blind as bats! That's all I'm saying.   :P

It's a Bird Box OWC! Getting my blindfold out.  8)

Zack

Quoted from Zack It's a Bird Box OWC! Getting my blindfold out.  8) Zack

My typing accuracy while blindfolded is... not great.

Quoted from FrankM My typing accuracy while blindfolded is... not great.

hencjeo tje cja;;ejmh/

zacl

Eve played Jan. So New Year’s Eve leads into Jan but there’s also a lot of broken hearts on New Years .... and shit. I got nothing.

Quoted from Gary in Houston Eve played Jan. So New Year’s Eve leads into Jan but there’s also a lot of broken hearts on New Years .... and shit. I got nothing.

Pretty clever thinking

Yep, I agree, pretty clever, Gary, and more of us shoulda sussed: Jan, as in January. The broken heart symbol is made with ALT+3 and there's two of them, three plus three is six, but then a full heart, hmm... Obviously a date cause Don's written 'on'  and then: questions will be answered. Probably goes to theme as well. Valentine's Day is too far away. Could we have another hint please? I'll take a vowel... :D

Two broken hearts become one on New Years eve

Quoted from Gary in Houston Eve played Jan. So New Year’s Eve leads into Jan but there’s also a lot of broken hearts on New Years .... and shit. I got nothing.

You had something...

Quoted from LC Yep, I agree, pretty clever, Gary, and more of us shoulda sussed: Jan, as in January. The broken heart symbol is made with ALT+3 and there's two of them, three plus three is six, but then a full heart, hmm... Obviously a date cause Don's written 'on'  and then: questions will be answered. Probably goes to theme as well. Valentine's Day is too far away. Could we have another hint please? I'll take a vowel... :D

I've stared at the keyboard for 30 minutes to come up with a response and I can't come up with anything.  Too much, I give it away.  Too little, and it causes confusion.  

Had I known that anyone other than bert, me, and mr. blonde would actually want to be mod, I would have asked LC a lot sooner.  

So the hint is:

"One should take a long, hard look at what LC has written. Time is not on your side. "

- Don

Quoted from Don You had something... I've stared at the keyboard for 30 minutes to come up with a response and I can't come up with anything.  Too much, I give it away.  Too little, and it causes confusion.   Had I known that anyone other than bert, me, and mr. blonde would actually want to be mod, I would have asked LC a lot sooner.   So the hint is: "One should take a long, hard look at what LC has written. Time is not on your side. " - Don

At my age, time hasn't been on my side for about a decade

Well, the Unicode values for the broken heart and heart are 1F494 and 1F493, respectively, which doesn't tell me anything. I can't figure out how to enter emoji using my keyboard, so the shortcuts are of no use to me.

If it's a simple cipher, it'd have to be JANxxy, and the numbers that make the most sense are 119 for Jan 1, '19. Obviously, we didn't get our answer on Jan 1. Setting x as zero, y could be any digit, but we didn't get an answer on Jan 1-9.

A more complicated cipher would take the heart halves as distinct elements, giving us JANxyxyz. Taking the last two as 19 again, that's JAN x1x '19, where the only x that makes sense is a zero. But we didn't get an answer on Jan 10, either. These leaves out the possibility of z being equal to x+y.

If it's as LC said and it's some kind of sum, then we have JAN x+x+y, which could be 3+3+6 (since a whole heart is two halves) for JAN 12. Could theoretically be 4+4+8 for JAN 16 or 5+5+10 for JAN 20 or 6+6+12 for JAN 24 or 7+7+14 for JAN 28. Those all seem unlikely.

Since "time is not on our side" I will go with JAN 12.

Huh?  Trust you, Frank.  :P You're like my hubby - majoring in English is just not sufficient, a mathematician freak as well.

That said I wonder if I'm overthinking it (probably) by adding Brady to Jan + heart equals bradycardia - usually defined as a resting heart rate that is below 60 beats per minute. Usual is between 60 and one hundred beats.

Do anything with those numbers? Ticking clock apparently. :)
P.S. J & B equals 12  on the alphabet.

Maybe it’s much simpler than we’re making it — two broken hearts become one (21). So on Jan 21 your questions will be answered. But that’s probably not it because OWC’s are always announced on Friday’s, right?  So strike two for me.

My brain hurts. I give up

Quoted Text My brain hurts. I give up

I'm with you Dave.
The best way to figure it out... wait for the announcement ;D

I do have an alternate theory about how to determine the timing of the announcement. I’m off the airport in a bit, and it will be 16 hours before I get home, followed by me collapsing in bed.

Therefore the announcement should come in the next 24 hours :)

*Looking "a head" two broken hearts become one.

*Janus, the god of two faces, looks ahead to the future and back to the past as he makes a decision to break people's hearts in two and not hold the OWC until Valentines Day.

*Jan has broken two hearts, but will she break a third?

*Looking ahead, a half hearted attempt at finding love twice in the same month leads to a full attempt in February and Valentines Day becomes a national holiday because of it. Woo-hoo!

;D

Sandra

Quoted from irish eyes I'm with you Dave. The best way to figure it out... wait for the announcement ;D

Indeed

This January broken hearts and dreams.  The hero finds love in the end.

My guess.

I don't get the picture and it's too small for me to see. Can't enlarge it.

Probably dealing with Valentine’s Day?

i think it's most likely Stevie's broken heart when he tried to have sex with Marilyn Monroe's skeleton, and sadly, his 3 inch member cuoldn't even get through the bones...and then he was thrown in jail anyway.
  

Anyone know who the woman is in the banner? She looks like Glenn Close playing Hillary. Intriguing.

It's Eve Plumb, Chris.

She played Jan Brady on The Brady Bunch.

Don't see the resemblance to Glenn Close myself, but apparently some do.

Clear your calendars between 1/25 to 2/15.  :)

Quoted from Grandma Bear Clear your calendars between 1/25 to 2/15.  :)

Too vague. I give up.

Zack

Quoted from Zack Too vague. I give up. Zack

Clear your calendars from:


Jan  X X V (25)

to 2/15

Aha! E(X)es. Oh well, clearly read way too much into it. Or not enough smarts.

Looking forward to the reveal, Don. :)

Too close to my birthday, and my folks have a few other things going on. Argh. I guess I'll read any that intrigue me.

P.S. That's Eve Plumb? Wow. Didn't recognize her.

We had a Valentine's Day OWC a few years ago. I even rewrote that entry into something pretty good, but too expensive to justify. Now that my schedule is a little more relaxed, I hope to be in.

Quoted from irish eyes I'm with you Dave. The best way to figure it out... wait for the announcement ;D

I will toast to THAT! Because all this figuring is making MY brain hurt... where is the alcohol?

Quoted from Pale Yellow ... where is the alcohol?

It's right here, Dena.  It's always available at my house!

Jager!!

So the January OWC is going to be a Valentine's Day themed OWC?

I'll try, but writing romance is a bit outside my expertise. No one I ever dated (up to and including the one I married) was ever hung up on all the courtship rituals. Most stress I ever had leading up to a Valentine's Day was remembering the names of all my classmates in Third Grade.

Dammit, I was so close on guessing on the clues!  I had the right week, and even said it’s always announced on a Friday. I feel like I should get a mug for just being in the ballpark.

Also, I’m going to enter, even though my wife claims my idea of a romantic gesture consists of putting the toilet seat down after using the loo.

Gary

Do I get a prize for getting Eve Plumb?

Quoted from Gary in Houston Also, I’m going to enter, even though my wife claims my idea of a romantic gesture consists of putting the toilet seat down after using the loo.Gary

FUNNY!

Even funnier is that I'm the one who preaches about the toilet seat being down over here! My girlfriend has gotten a Hell of alot better, but not perfect still, and when we have grandkids over, the front bathroom toilet seat ain't down unless I close it myself.

Also, my girlfriend doesn't seem to be impressed when I give her kitchen gadgets, a vacuum, or other cleaning tools for Christmas.  Am I not romantic?

Hmmm I could do romantic even though it makes me gag... gonna be a short??? or 7WC?? Cuz I do need to get a sappy Hallmark thing in my bag of scripts.

Quoted from Pale Yellow Hmmm I could do romantic even though it makes me gag... gonna be a short??? or 7WC?? Cuz I do need to get a sappy Hallmark thing in my bag of scripts.

I'll be happy if I can pull my current "serious effort in motion" draft into existence.

We share the same feelings with regard to "sappy". I just can't stomach it either and that says a lot because I'm a "too soft-too sentimental-person-" at heart.

So I don't get it.

But as far as writing out of genre?

One thing I do is try and challenge myself by studying genres that I myself don't want to write...

...Not that I'm going to write that genre, but rather, try and put myself inside that point of view. I think that challenge serves a purpose.

Sandra

If it is Valentine's Day themed, it doesn't have to be sappy or sentimental. Lots of breakups happen around then, disappointment, single people celebrating Anti-Valentine"s...

Quoted from ReneC If it is Valentine's Day themed, it doesn't have to be sappy or sentimental. Lots of breakups happen around then, disappointment, single people celebrating Anti-Valentine"s...

I'm not some kind of love/romance teetotaler, and in fact have boy-meets-girl plot points in a couple of my scripts, but none of them is anywhere near a traditional romance (for example, Glass House has a female serial killer who finally meets a guy who measures up to her high expectations... not holding my breath for the Hallmark Channel to call).

If this is a romantic theme.  The things I say are pure cheese.  In the beginning she said it wasn’t her thing.  But deep down, I know she loves it.  Or at least I tell myself that.  On the page it’ll be pure cheese.

Quoted from Sandra Elstree. I'll be happy if I can pull my current "serious effort in motion" draft into existence. We share the same feelings with regard to "sappy". I just can't stomach it either and that says a lot because I'm a "too soft-too sentimental-person-" at heart. So I don't get it. But as far as writing out of genre? One thing I do is try and challenge myself by studying genres that I myself don't want to write... ...Not that I'm going to write that genre, but rather, try and put myself inside that point of view. I think that challenge serves a purpose. Sandra

Totally agree with you on studying what you don't want to write. I am one of those writers that still has not found my niche ...but I hate most of all writing comedy but I often read it. Can learn to swim by treading deep water. (long as there are not hungry sharks) :)

Next Friday!

Sharpen your keyboards!  ;D

Wait? NEXT FRIDAY?

Quoted from Zack Has there ever been an OWC where the genre is Action? Zack

Yes, there was one such OWC a few years ago.
http://www.simplyscripts.net/cgi-bin/Blah/Blah.pl?b-june2011owc/m-1306363597/s-0/

I would just humbly ask that the powers that be make this a "normal" OWC -- i.e., one week to enter, one week to review, then results.  Maybe shorter number of pages to make it easier for us to review as many as possible.

Just my two cents.
Gary

Quoted from Gary in Houston I would just humbly ask that the powers that be make this a "normal" OWC -- i.e., one week to enter, one week to review, then results.  Maybe shorter number of pages to make it easier for us to review as many as possible. Just my two cents. Gary

The "save the date" was for a three-week period, so sounds like this will be fairly close.

Not sure why I'm posting this here. It has absolutely nothing to do with the upcoming OWC at all. None. Zero. No chance. I promise, but it is funny...  ;D

Quoted from Grandma Bear Not sure why I'm posting this here. It has absolutely nothing to do with the upcoming OWC at all. None. Zero. No chance. I promise, but it is funny...  ;D

Seems legit.

Hmm, I wonder...

Wasn't a huge fan of M.Mc, but this movie won me over. Love physical comedy and she does it so well.

Looking forward to the announcement, Pia. Very curious about this one especially on the back of a comment which was quickly withdrawn. Yes, I saw it...  :o  :D

Quoted from Grandma Bear Not sure why I'm posting this here. It has absolutely nothing to do with the upcoming OWC at all. None. Zero. No chance. I promise, but it is funny...  ;D

Looks good

Quoted from LC Looking forward to the announcement, Pia. Very curious about this one especially on the back of a comment which was quickly withdrawn. Yes, I saw it...  :o  :D

:o

I deleted it because the video link was not the right one.  ;)

I hope you guys show up for this OWC. You all have requested a challenge, so that's what it'll be.  :D

Quoted from Grandma Bear Not sure why I'm posting this here. It has absolutely nothing to do with the upcoming OWC at all. None. Zero. No chance. I promise, but it is funny...  ;D

An Identity Theft OWC would be writing in someone else's style, which would make the who-wrote-what guessing portion particularly entertaining.

Quoted from FrankM An Identity Theft OWC would be writing in someone else's style, which would make the who-wrote-what guessing portion particularly entertaining.

I think the only one I could tell who didn't write it would be
Jeff.

Mine would be pretty easy to guess -- it would be the one with all the negative reviews.

Do I even have a style?  :-/

Just noticed that the timer is wrong. The OWC will be announced tomorrow Friday at 10pm EDT. Not 11am...

Quoted from Grandma Bear Just noticed that the timer is wrong. The OWC will be announced tomorrow Friday at 10pm EDT. Not 11am...

The only place where "EDT" might apply in January is Peru, and they wisely avoid the whole Daylight Savings Time fiasco.

Perhaps EST? :)

Quoted from FrankM Perhaps EST? :)

Of course.

Love MM .. writing a dramedy with her character in mine already :) haha

Lol!!!

It will be announced 11pm EST today.

You guys have asked for a traditional OWC and you will get it.

You've also asked for more of a challenge. You'll get that too.

See you then.  ;)

SHOW ME WHAT YOU GOT!!!!

LIIIIEEEEESSSSS!!!

You can't go against the sanctity of the timer. It is irrefutable. It IS the law.

...unless you're a little late submitting...

But otherwise, it IS the LAW!

Time is relative...  ;D

I'm sticking to tradition here, so 11pm EST it is.

Quoted from Grandma Bear Time is relative...  ;D I'm sticking to tradition here, so 11pm EST it is.

Pia has spoken...

Quoted from ReneC You can't go against the sanctity of the timer. It is irrefutable. It IS the law. ...unless you're a little late submitting... But otherwise, it IS the LAW!

I got 11 am and 11 pm mixed up.  

Apologies.  

- Don

Pia is the LAW!!!

Pia is love. Pia is life.

Zack

You can’t spell One Week Challenge without Pia.

Well, you can, but I wouldn’t want to.

Quoted from Don I got 11 am and 11 pm mixed up.   Apologies.   - Don

So glad it's not just me...

Quoted from Don I got 11 am and 11 pm mixed up.   Apologies.   - Don

Resetting the timer was a smart move.

I probably would have just hit the snooze bar eighty times.

Pia is Pia!!!!

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

Pia is the angry bear of the simply scripts forest and queen of the OWC! :)

Can't wait for the unveil tonight!