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SimplyScripts Screenwriting Discussion Board  /  The Halloween 2021 One Week Challenge  /  Scripts of the Halloween 2021 OWC
Posted by: Don, October 16th, 2021, 11:15am
Fourteen scripts by 15 and a half writers. 9 Horror, 1 Sci Fi, two Dark comedy and 2 Drama.  I note interesting interpretations and emphasis on the three key aspects of the  theme - the Villain, the 'twist', and the season

Dark Spaces by XXX7377283 - A brother and sister must spend the daytime in a closet, but what could possibly be after them?  Short, Horror

Butterfly by Justin Grave - A patient must convince a psychiatrist he's not a danger to society.  Short, Horror

Just another day in NYC by Professor James Moriarty - A Senator, who feels he was setup gets pushed to the edge.. literally!  Short, Drama, Dark Comedy

For Satan by Bobby Pickett - A group of thrill-seekers explore a creepy old house on Halloween night. Think you know this story? Think again.   Short, Horror

The Body by When the Bodies Hit the Floor - A couple of wannabe serial killers haul a body to a rendezvous at a secret destination when they encounter a hiker with murder on his mind.  Short, Comedy, Dark Comedy

The Great Zantini and The Chamber of Death by Aby Cadabra - A magician finds the spotlight turned on him when the final act of his Halloween special goes horribly wrong.  Short, Horror

The Parkton Girls by Hubie Marsten - On the night of Parkton's firework show, will the growing number of missing teenage girls be added to?  Short, Horror, Thriller

Good Neighbors by Kana Karr - A combat veteran learns that a society where everyone is friendly may be more perilous than the battlefield.  Short, Sci Fi

Paramedic by The Amityville Vampire Witch Demon - Notice how there is a snake in the paramedic emblem. This is why.  Short, Horror

Terracotta Terror! by LatentLoon - In the garden of the Cherished Chestnut retirement home, two residents hide.  Short, Horror

Mercy Dash by Henry Ford - A Soccer Mom's undertakes a midnight mercy dash.  Short, Drama

Toil And Trouble by Broom Hilda - An aging man's first Halloween without his wife turns out to be his last -- in spectacular fashion.  Short, Horror

Place Your Seatbacks And Tray Tables In The Upright Position by The Mad Hatter - A Mile Hi Wedding Hits some Stormy Weather.  Short, Drama

Halloween Spirit by Two Men And A Pen (Story by Two Men And A Little Lady) - A super employee and a super fan face a dark choice when their dreams of a year-round Halloween store gain momentum after unique but sinister animatronic displays mysteriously appear.  Short, Horror
Posted by: Zack, October 16th, 2021, 11:40am; Reply: 1
Awesome turnout! Thanks for hosting this challenge, Don. I know we all say it all the time, but you truly are the man! Thank you for everything. :)

Now... Time to dive into these bad boys. ;D;D;D
Posted by: SAC, October 16th, 2021, 11:47am; Reply: 2

Quoted from Zack
Awesome turnout! Thanks for hosting this challenge, Don. I know we all say it all the time, but you truly are the man! Thank you for everything. :)

Now... Time to dive into these bad boys. ;D;D;D


What he said.
Posted by: AnthonyCawood, October 16th, 2021, 12:47pm; Reply: 3
As above, times a million!
Posted by: IamGlenn, October 16th, 2021, 1:09pm; Reply: 4
Thanks, Don!

Looking forward to jumping into these..
Posted by: khamanna, October 16th, 2021, 8:56pm; Reply: 5
Wow, look at the writing writers - lots of scripts this time round. I'll try to read a few.
Posted by: MarkRenshaw, October 18th, 2021, 7:32am; Reply: 6
Finished reading/reviewing and had a blast, as always. A very mixed bag (as always) with a couple that really stand out for me but I'll sleep on it and vote tomorrow. Thanks to all who entered and Don for making all this possible.
Posted by: Matthew Taylor, October 18th, 2021, 9:33am; Reply: 7
I've noticed a lot of comments along the lines of "The bad guy was obvious to me"...

I thought the brief was to make a villain that the other characters didn't suspect, not the reader? of course the bad guy is going to be obvious to the reader, the brief has made you look out for them...

Posted by: Don, October 18th, 2021, 11:22am; Reply: 8

Quoted from Matthew Taylor
I've noticed a lot of comments along the lines of "The bad guy was obvious to me"...

I thought the brief was to make a villain that the other characters didn't suspect, not the reader? of course the bad guy is going to be obvious to the reader, the brief has made you look out for them...



I knew this would happen and I didn't see a way out of it so I left it to each writer to interpret as they saw fit.  

- Don
Posted by: SAC, October 18th, 2021, 11:32am; Reply: 9
Far be it from me to give recommendations, but try not to read other reviews before you post your own. Now, I know this is up to each of you, and of course you can do whatever you want. Personally, I think your review comes through as much more organic to how you actually felt about a particular script. Quite honestly, it's lazy, and some peeps, in the past anyway, just telegraph what they've read from previous posts, and it's obvious.

Anyway, that's my take on that. :)
Posted by: Zack, October 18th, 2021, 12:40pm; Reply: 10

Quoted from SAC
Far be it from me to give recommendations, but try not to read other reviews before you post your own. Now, I know this is up to each of you, and of course you can do whatever you want. Personally, I think your review comes through as much more organic to how you actually felt about a particular script. Quite honestly, it's lazy, and some peeps, in the past anyway, just telegraph what they've read from previous posts, and it's obvious.



Well said. It's very annoying to read an obviously regurgitated review.

Also, peeps really need to watch the spoilers in their reviews! I've been bad for this in the past, but I'm really trying to be more careful with how I word my reviews.
Posted by: irish eyes, October 18th, 2021, 4:44pm; Reply: 11
That was fun!

Thank you Don for all that you do :)

A few great scripts in the mix

Toll and trouble
The Great Zantini
For Satan  

The top 3 for me in no particular order
Posted by: MarkRenshaw, October 19th, 2021, 8:04am; Reply: 12

Quoted from Matthew Taylor
I've noticed a lot of comments along the lines of "The bad guy was obvious to me"...

I thought the brief was to make a villain that the other characters didn't suspect, not the reader? of course the bad guy is going to be obvious to the reader, the brief has made you look out for them...



Personally, I'm not downvoting anyone if I guessed the villain but I will award extra points if they fooled me without it just popping out of left field. I will be less forgiving if the villain appeared early and not towards the end.
Posted by: Yuvraj, October 19th, 2021, 10:09am; Reply: 13
All read and commented. Best of luck to all.
Posted by: Yuvraj, October 19th, 2021, 10:25am; Reply: 14

Quoted from SAC
Far be it from me to give recommendations, but try not to read other reviews before you post your own. Now, I know this is up to each of you, and of course you can do whatever you want. Personally, I think your review comes through as much more organic to how you actually felt about a particular script. Quite honestly, it's lazy, and some peeps, in the past anyway, just telegraph what they've read from previous posts, and it's obvious.

Anyway, that's my take on that. :)


Well, it proves that you have been reading others' reviews, Steve.  ;D
Posted by: SAC, October 19th, 2021, 10:55am; Reply: 15

Quoted from Yuvraj


Well, it proves that you have been reading others' reviews, Steve.  ;D


Haha. Well, I never said I didn't read others reviews. I'll read some reviews early on just to see what people are saying, but I never write a review immediately after scouring prior reviews of said script.

Basically, if I'm confused by a certain script, I don't want to clear it up by reading a review. I trust my own instincts (to a point), and if I'm confused or I think something isn't working for me, then it isn't working and I'll leave it at that. It's not foolproof, but it works for me!
Posted by: Yuvraj, October 19th, 2021, 12:19pm; Reply: 16

Quoted from SAC


Haha. Well, I never said I didn't read others reviews. I'll read some reviews early on just to see what people are saying, but I never write a review immediately after scouring prior reviews of said script.

Basically, if I'm confused by a certain script, I don't want to clear it up by reading a review. I trust my own instincts (to a point), and if I'm confused or I think something isn't working for me, then it isn't working and I'll leave it at that. It's not foolproof, but it works for me!


You got a point there.

Plus, I sometimes feel like I don't need to comment at all. You know when you have read something and it has everything good going for it, according to one's self, and you just see no reason to review and comment on the work at all. Even your own thoughts feel as if mundane in regards to the story and they add nothing substantial to improve it any further. Just let it be what it is.

Although, a little praise is always appreciated.    
Posted by: LC, October 19th, 2021, 5:47pm; Reply: 17
Just a heads up to those who are kindly providing feedback but no entry, to PM Don to request a voting ballot
(I know I will be).   :D

Some fine entries in this OWC, and very entertaining.
Posted by: khamanna, October 19th, 2021, 7:36pm; Reply: 18

Quoted from LC
Just a heads up to those who are kindly providing feedback but no entry, to PM Don to request a voting ballot
(I know I will be).   :D

Some fine entries in this OWC, and very entertaining.


I might if I finish all on time. I read 4 and all 4 were very good. It’s a nice one, October is always fun
Posted by: MarkRenshaw, October 20th, 2021, 5:51am; Reply: 19
Voted. My favs are Butterfly and The Great Zantini.
Posted by: Matthew Taylor, October 20th, 2021, 7:19am; Reply: 20
I don't think I have read them all yet but the quality on display in this challenge is insane
Posted by: Yuvraj, October 20th, 2021, 7:48am; Reply: 21
Voted. For me, the best ones are: Butterfly and Terracotta Terror.
Posted by: LC, October 20th, 2021, 4:54pm; Reply: 22
Voted!

I have a top 3 which I marked as Excellent (they will remain nameless at the moment), but also a few VGood too.

Quality stuff, guys, and a hoot to read.  :D
Posted by: Zack, October 20th, 2021, 5:35pm; Reply: 23
Voted. :) When does the guessing begin?
Posted by: SAC, October 20th, 2021, 6:07pm; Reply: 24
Finished and votes in. I had three 4 star scripts (very good on the ballot) and four 3 stars. So yes, quality all around!
Posted by: IamGlenn, October 22nd, 2021, 11:39am; Reply: 25
All read, votes are in.

Congrats to everyone who entered, some real enjoyable reads.

Good luck to all.
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