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SimplyScripts Screenwriting Discussion Board  /  November, 2021 OWC  /  The November 2021 theme
Posted by: Yuvraj, November 12th, 2021, 12:02pm
Theme: Revealing A Secret.

Challenge: Character A hides a secret from character B. Now is the time to finally reveal it to character B. This will have deadly consequences. But, character A has no choice left.  

Here's the STUNNER --> Character A is UNABLE TO VERBALLY tell the secret to character B. Character A leaves clues for character B to piece together and figure out the ultimate secret.

Genre: Open.

Characters: Two main characters + desired number of supporting

Supporting characters can know the secret. But only after character B has figured it out.

Script length: Upto 10 pages.  

Locations: As many as you need. (Although, budget-wise you should aim for a singular location)

Time: 168 hours (7 days).


Submit scripts to simplyscripts.com/owc

THE USUAL:

This isn't a contest - it's a challenge. There are no official prizes.

You can revise your script as many times as you wish up until the deadline.

Do not put your real name(s) on your script; this is an anonymous challenge. However, please use your real name(s) when submitting your script.

After the challenge closes you can either have your script removed or resubmit your script with your name on it.

(Don's rule)
Participants must read and comment/review in the discussion board at least 10 other scripts submitted or your work will be removed (no harm, no foul. I understand that life gets in the way.

Please put ©2021 on your title page.

Any questions about the challenge, post them here.

There will be a review page emailed to you for you to score the scripts you read. Please only give scores to scripts that you have read.

Please do not rate scripts in your review.
Posted by: SAC, November 12th, 2021, 12:09pm; Reply: 1
Get your thinking caps on! This IS a challenge! Well done, Yuvraj!
Posted by: MarkRenshaw, November 12th, 2021, 12:12pm; Reply: 2
Interesting! I will have a think!
Posted by: Gum, November 12th, 2021, 3:27pm; Reply: 3
Oh man, quite the challenge, Yuvraj! I'll probably need a week just to come up with an idea, let alone writing 10 pages!

Got a good snow dump on us last night, so nothing to do but sit around and ponder this quagmire...

btw... what was the 'hex code' clue? I was racking my brain thinking the answer was buried in there somewhere... less that was a Red Herring, lol.
Posted by: khamanna, November 12th, 2021, 4:30pm; Reply: 4
I keep reading the requirements as I read and forget.
One keeps a secret from the other then he has to tell the secret but can’t just blurt it out and has to hint on it in any form he’s able to.

I’ll think about it. Let’s see
Posted by: LC, November 12th, 2021, 4:43pm; Reply: 5
Questions, Yuvraj, for clarification:

The deadly consequences after revealing the secret are deadly to Character A, B, or the supporting character?
Someone has to die?

Only three characters? One supporting character only?
Does the supporting character know the secret?

Oh, what a tangled web we weave...


Posted by: Yuvraj, November 13th, 2021, 12:28am; Reply: 6

Quoted from SAC
Get your thinking caps on! This IS a challenge! Well done, Yuvraj!


Told you.


Quoted from MarkRenshaw
Interesting! I will have a think!


Go for it.
Posted by: Yuvraj, November 13th, 2021, 12:33am; Reply: 7

Quoted from Gum
Oh man, quite the challenge, Yuvraj! I'll probably need a week just to come up with an idea, let alone write 10 pages!

Got a good snow dump on us last night, so nothing to do but sit around and ponder this quagmire...


Get going.


Quoted from Gum
btw... what was the 'hex code' clue? I was racking my brain thinking the answer was buried in there somewhere... less that was a Red Herring, lol.


Actually, the first clue:

6e6f74206b6e6f776e206f72207365656e206f72206e6f74206d65616e7420746f206265206b6e6f776e206f72207365656e206279206f74686572732e

is a hexadecimal code, which is a computer programming language.  

Put in the hexadecimal to text converter and it will reveal the literal dictionary meaning of secret.
Posted by: Yuvraj, November 13th, 2021, 12:35am; Reply: 8

Quoted from khamanna
I keep reading the requirements as I read and forget.
One keeps a secret from the other then he has to tell the secret but can’t just blurt it out and has to hint on it in any form he’s able to.

I’ll think about it. Let’s see


You got it.

Just don't forget the consequences.
Posted by: Yuvraj, November 13th, 2021, 12:45am; Reply: 9

Quoted from LC
The deadly consequences after revealing the secret are deadly to Character A, B, or the supporting character?
Someone has to die?


As per your wish. The bigger is the mess, the greater is the fun.  


Quoted from LC
Only three characters? One supporting character only?


No. As many as you need.

I rectified this in the challenge post.  


Quoted from LC
Does the supporting character know the secret?


They can know. But only after character B has figured it out.

It is a close-knit secret between character A and character B.
Posted by: Yuvraj, November 13th, 2021, 12:58am; Reply: 10
Attention: Libby raised a fair point.

Supporting characters can know the secret. But only after character B has figured it out.
Posted by: ChrisBodily, November 13th, 2021, 4:26am; Reply: 11
Sounds intriguing. I have an idea brewing. Hopefully I can find the time to realize it.
Posted by: Yuvraj, November 13th, 2021, 4:39am; Reply: 12

Quoted from ChrisBodily
Sounds intriguing. I have an idea brewing. Hopefully I can find the time to realize it.


This is not an easy one, though.  ;D
Posted by: MarkRenshaw, November 13th, 2021, 6:02am; Reply: 13
I have an idea, I'm checking it twice. I want to know who has been naughty or nice. Wait a minute, that's for December!

Anyway, yes, I have an idea. Going to write the first draft and see how it goes.
Posted by: Yuvraj, November 13th, 2021, 7:32am; Reply: 14

Quoted from MarkRenshaw
I have an idea, I'm checking it twice. I want to know who has been naughty or nice. Wait a minute, that's for December!

Anyway, yes, I have an idea. Going to write the first draft and see how it goes.


Amazing!
Posted by: khamanna, November 13th, 2021, 10:53am; Reply: 15

Quoted from Yuvraj
Attention: Libby raised a fair point.

Supporting characters can know the secret. But only after character B has figured it out.


So, we don't get to know that a supporting character is in the know?

Because you say "supporting characters can know"
"but only after B figures it out" - meaning the supporting character will learn about it after B learns it. Or meaning we will know that the supporting is in the know after we see B figured it out?
Posted by: Yuvraj, November 13th, 2021, 11:01am; Reply: 16

Quoted from khamanna


So, we don't get to know that a supporting character is in the know?

Because you say "supporting characters can know"
"but only after B figures it out" - meaning the supporting character will learn about it after B learns it. Or meaning we will know that the supporting is in the know after we see B figured it out?


Supporting characters are UNAWARE of the secret.

The only way is if character B wishes to let them on the secret too, after figuring it out first. Until then, they are don't know anything.  
Posted by: SAC, November 13th, 2021, 12:37pm; Reply: 17
Yuvraj —

You mentioned the reveal has deadly consequences. Are you saying someone HAS to die or not?
Posted by: Yuvraj, November 13th, 2021, 1:03pm; Reply: 18

Quoted from SAC
Yuvraj —

You mentioned the reveal has deadly consequences. Are you saying someone HAS to die or not?


Not necessarily to kill someone.

Show it in your own way.
Posted by: LC, November 13th, 2021, 4:25pm; Reply: 19

Quoted from SAC
Yuvraj —You mentioned the reveal has deadly consequences. Are you saying someone HAS to die or not?

I asked for clarification on this point too, so I think it's important (for when people start reviewing later) that the deadly element be made crystal clear:

Deadly: causing or able to cause death.
If a character gets bitten by a venomous spider that's a potentially deadly situation but they might survive.

In Fatal Attraction the movie, the secret affair once confessed leads to an ultimate and deadly showdown and the actual death of a main character.

Yuvraj, you're leaving it to the writer's discretion as to whether a character dies or not, right?  
But a character (at least) must be put in a dire and dangerous situation that (a) could lead to death, but they might survive, or: (b) they do actually die, correct?

Just so everyone's on the same page.




Posted by: SAC, November 13th, 2021, 5:32pm; Reply: 20

Quoted from LC

I asked for clarification on this point too, so I think it's important (for when people start reviewing later) that the deadly element be made crystal clear:

Deadly: causing or able to cause death.
If a character gets bitten by a venomous spider that's a potentially deadly situation but they might survive.

In Fatal Attraction the movie, the secret affair once confessed leads to an ultimate and deadly showdown and the actual death of a main character.

Yuvraj, you're leaving it to the writer's discretion as to whether a character dies or not, right?  
But a character (at least) must be put in a dire and dangerous situation that (a) could lead to death, but they might survive, or: (b) they do actually die, correct?

Just so everyone's on the same page.






Exactly. Like, if character A cuts a poisonous fart, and… umm… er. Sigh.

Back to the drawing board.
Posted by: LC, November 13th, 2021, 5:42pm; Reply: 21

Quoted from SAC
Exactly. Like, if character A cuts a poisonous fart, and… umm… er. Sigh. Back to the drawing board.

Yep, deadly situation that. Especially if with a significant other.  ;D
Posted by: Yuvraj, November 14th, 2021, 12:30am; Reply: 22
If you need to show a character's death then show it. If you don't want to then don't do it.

Consequences can be physical, emotional, or psychological. Or all of these.

If you have a new of showing it, go for it.

Interpret it in your own way.
Posted by: JakeJon, November 14th, 2021, 2:48pm; Reply: 23
A couple of dumb questions:
Submissions begin Monday, 11/22/2021,  correct ???
On the title page, will Ac2021 work.  I have no idea how to put a tent over an Upper Case A and a lower case c in a circle.
A title on the Title Page is okay, just no "written by" Name.  Correct?
Posted by: JakeJon, November 14th, 2021, 2:55pm; Reply: 24
NEVERMIND.
Saw the 11/19/21 noon deadline.
Posted by: LC, November 14th, 2021, 4:53pm; Reply: 25

Quoted from JakeJon
NEVERMIND. Saw the 11/19/21 noon deadline.


Jake re copyright symbol:

(c) 2021
For the written by, you can elect to leave it blank or use a pseudonym or witty name, example:

Albert Einstein, Lara Croft, Joe Blogs, or anything you choose.

However, write your real name on the submission form to Don.

There are no dumb questions.  :D
Posted by: Don, November 14th, 2021, 8:15pm; Reply: 26

Quoted from JakeJon
A couple of dumb questions:
Submissions begin Monday, 11/22/2021,  correct ???
On the title page, will Ac2021 work.  I have no idea how to put a tent over an Upper Case A and a lower case c in a circle.
A title on the Title Page is okay, just no "written by" Name.  Correct?


No, submission can begin anytime using simplyscripts.com/owc

Use, "©2021" or "copyright 2021"  

please include title and copyright 2021  and if you wish to use a pseudonym you can or just leave it blank.  It is up to you.

- Don
Posted by: Yuvraj, November 15th, 2021, 12:53am; Reply: 27

Quoted from JakeJon
On the title page, will Ac2021 work.  I have no idea how to put a tent over an Upper Case A and a lower case c in a circle.


If you have a mac, then press: 'option' and then 'G'.

If you have Microsoft, then press: 'Alt' and then '0169'.

Both of these will yield the copyright symbol.  

Posted by: SAC, November 15th, 2021, 7:41am; Reply: 28

Quoted from Yuvraj


If you have a mac, then press: 'option' and then 'G'.

If you have Microsoft, then press: 'Alt' and then '0169'.

Both of these will yield the copyright symbol.  



So that’s how you do it!!
Posted by: Yuvraj, November 15th, 2021, 8:01am; Reply: 29

Quoted from SAC


So that’s how you do it!!


Standard ASCII codes. Come in handy.
Posted by: JakeJon, November 15th, 2021, 11:28am; Reply: 30
Thanks.  Obviously my technical skills are limited.
Posted by: Zack, November 15th, 2021, 11:44am; Reply: 31

Quoted from Yuvraj


If you have a mac, then press: 'option' and then 'G'.

If you have Microsoft, then press: 'Alt' and then '0169'.

Both of these will yield the copyright symbol.  



Can't seem to get it to work for me. :(
Posted by: Yuvraj, November 15th, 2021, 1:19pm; Reply: 32

Quoted from JakeJon
Thanks.  Obviously, my technical skills are limited.


No problem.
Posted by: Yuvraj, November 15th, 2021, 1:19pm; Reply: 33

Quoted from Zack


Can't seem to get it to work for me. :(


You on mac or microsoft.
Posted by: Zack, November 15th, 2021, 1:38pm; Reply: 34
Microsoft.
Posted by: Yuvraj, November 15th, 2021, 1:50pm; Reply: 35

Quoted from Zack
Microsoft.


As per my knowledge, it should work.

I do it all the time, irrespective of the windows version.

In case you are using the numeric keypad on the right of the keyboard, do make sure that the 'Num Lock' button is on. The one besides the backspace key.

It should work.
Posted by: Zack, November 15th, 2021, 2:04pm; Reply: 36
After further research, it appears that you need a number pad lock key to access symbols. Bummer. :(
Posted by: Yuvraj, November 15th, 2021, 2:12pm; Reply: 37

Quoted from Zack
After further research, it appears that you need a number pad lock key to access symbols. Bummer. :(


I think you mean it is not working. Right?

Then I don't think it will work.

But you can make the title page in Microsoft Word. For copyright symbol; go to INSERT --> SYMBOL, on the right-hand side, besides EQUATION. The copyright should on the first line, the third element.

Hope that works.
Posted by: MarkRenshaw, November 15th, 2021, 6:37pm; Reply: 38
I just search for copyright symbol on Google then copy and paste it.
Posted by: Zack, November 15th, 2021, 6:58pm; Reply: 39

Quoted from MarkRenshaw
I just search for copyright symbol on Google then copy and paste it.


That works. Good thinking, Mark. :)
Posted by: Don, November 15th, 2021, 9:40pm; Reply: 40
In the olden days, one would type "c 2021" and then pull the paper out of the typewriter and hand draw the circle around the "C".

< mic drop >

- Don
Posted by: Yuvraj, November 16th, 2021, 12:42am; Reply: 41

Quoted from Don
In the olden days, one would type "c 2021" and then pull the paper out of the typewriter and hand draw the circle around the "C".

< mic drop >

- Don


Good old days. Look on the bright side, copy pasting is more convenient.
Posted by: Don, November 16th, 2021, 9:28am; Reply: 42
(c) 2021 would also be acceptable.

- Don
Posted by: MarkRenshaw, November 16th, 2021, 9:49am; Reply: 43
I've managed to write the first draft but the result does not reflect the idea I had. I'm disappointed with it. I'll work on it some more and see if I can get it to read better. I'll submit whatever I have on Friday no matter what, you guys are spot on with telling me what's working and what isn't and it may help save this idea if I can't do it justice myself.
Posted by: Zack, November 16th, 2021, 3:21pm; Reply: 44
Not much longer. Who all is getting something in this go round?
Posted by: Zack, November 16th, 2021, 8:31pm; Reply: 45
Crickets. :(
Posted by: LC, November 16th, 2021, 8:46pm; Reply: 46

Quoted from Zack
Crickets. :(

Which often means writing... Let's hope so.

Sadly I got nada at the moment.
What about you, Zack?
Posted by: Zack, November 17th, 2021, 1:03am; Reply: 47
Still waiting for something to come to me.
Posted by: JEStaats, November 17th, 2021, 11:59am; Reply: 48
I'm struggling. Parameters are killing me. I think I'm going to miss another OWC. Sad face.
Posted by: Zack, November 17th, 2021, 12:24pm; Reply: 49

Quoted from JEStaats
I'm struggling. Parameters are killing me. I think I'm going to miss another OWC. Sad face.


Not looking good for me, either.  :'(
Posted by: MarkRenshaw, November 17th, 2021, 1:15pm; Reply: 50
My cunning plan to win by default may actually work this time!
Posted by: SAC, November 17th, 2021, 4:45pm; Reply: 51

Quoted from Zack
Still waiting for something to come to me.


I’m sure something will come to you. Keep at it!
Posted by: Grandma Bear, November 17th, 2021, 8:24pm; Reply: 52

Quoted from Zack
Crickets. :(


I'm way too busy. I'm sorry. Got a 5 yo's BD party to plan for on Saturday and then family descending for the week of Thanksgiving. Then there's the Jan -21 Project to work on.
Posted by: Yuvraj, November 18th, 2021, 12:01am; Reply: 53
See, I told ya all it won't be easy.

Good to see that Mark and Steve are at it. Go for it amigos!
Posted by: Gum, November 18th, 2021, 1:37pm; Reply: 54
Sub – and – mitted… and with only 22 hours to go, whew! If I read it again… I’ll change it, so the best decision is to post it before it’s FUBAR, mind you, it may be already. Hopefully I got all the right criteria checks in place…  :X

OK... could have sworn I was at 700+ posts, now it says: 666

Someone has a ghoulish sense of humor... or I'm losing my mind, lol!
Posted by: Yuvraj, November 18th, 2021, 1:54pm; Reply: 55

Quoted from Gum
Sub and mitted and with only 22 hours to go, whew! If I read it again I'll change it, so the best decision is to post it before it's FUBAR, mind you, it may be already. Hopefully, I got all the right criteria checks in place  :X


Way to go!


Quoted from Gum
OK... could have sworn I was at 700+ posts, now it says: 666

Someone has a ghoulish sense of humor... or I'm losing my mind, lol!


You aren't losing it.

Don actually removed a lot of scripts from the site (at the request of the authors) and deleted the discussion threads on them.  

That's the reason.
Posted by: Gum, November 18th, 2021, 2:12pm; Reply: 56

Quoted from Yuvraj


You aren't losing it.

Don actually removed a lot of scripts from the site (at the request of the authors) and deleted the discussion threads on them.  

That's the reason.


Yes... I remember that happens from time to time. Just found it amusing it landed me on 666!

Well... now 667, lol.
Posted by: Yuvraj, November 18th, 2021, 2:19pm; Reply: 57

Quoted from Gum


Yes... I remember that happens from time to time. Just found it amusing it landed me on 666!

Well... now 667, lol.


Yeah. Now, focus on increasing it again. :)
Posted by: khamanna, November 18th, 2021, 2:51pm; Reply: 58
Gonna miss this one as well. Too bad for me.
And for you all cos I could have had your collective backs.

Well, now you all are on your own.

But I'm about to quit my job. And if I don't learn what the podcast is and not start one I'll participate in future OWC's. At least that's the plan for now.

Good luck all! I may read some of you
Posted by: Yuvraj, November 18th, 2021, 3:04pm; Reply: 59

Quoted from khamanna
Gonna miss this one as well. Too bad for me.
And for you all cos I could have had your collective backs.

Well, now you all are on your own.

But I'm about to quit my job. And if I don't learn what the podcast is and not start one I'll participate in future OWC's. At least that's the plan for now.

Good luck all! I may read some of you


Not to be sorry, Kham.

Go ahead with your future plan. Embrace the change in your hobbies. It is really interesting. Gives you the opportunity and sometimes quite a surprise in discovering a new taste in life. Opens a whole new world.

Best of luck.
Posted by: MarkRenshaw, November 19th, 2021, 8:59am; Reply: 60
I submitted mine with 3 hours to spare. Now I can sit back, relax, and await the abuse!

I thought this was going to be easy as an idea came to me early on but it's been one of the toughest writing challenges for me in ages and I'm not really happy with how it came out. However, this is just draft 1 as far as I'm concerned and I can do a re-write after the challenge.
Posted by: Yuvraj, November 19th, 2021, 10:07am; Reply: 61

Quoted from MarkRenshaw
I submitted mine with 3 hours to spare. Now I can sit back, relax, and await the abuse!

I thought this was going to be easy as an idea came to me early on but it's been one of the toughest writing challenges for me in ages and I'm not really happy with how it came out. However, this is just draft 1 as far as I'm concerned and I can do a re-write after the challenge.


You can't expect easy from me.
Posted by: Gum, November 19th, 2021, 10:33am; Reply: 62
Wait, just re-read the challenge parameters. Can A character give B character clues 'verbally', as in alluding to without actually saying what the secret is?
Posted by: JEStaats, November 19th, 2021, 10:38am; Reply: 63

Quoted from Gum
Wait, just re-read the challenge parameters. Can A character give B character clues 'verbally', as in alluding to without actually saying what the secret is?


Gum - I think if you're able to get something on paper and entered into this OWC, no one will disqualify your entry for nits.

I hail all that enters this challenge. I came up totally blank. Good luck!
Posted by: Gum, November 19th, 2021, 10:44am; Reply: 64

Quoted from JEStaats


Gum - I think if you're able to get something on paper and entered into this OWC, no one will disqualify your entry for nits.

I hail all that enters this challenge. I came up totally blank. Good luck!




Encouraging words... think that's all I needed to hear, thanks!
Posted by: Zack, November 22nd, 2021, 1:24pm; Reply: 65
Finished reading! Solid bunch of scripts. Well done to all who entered. :)

When can we start guessing?
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