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SimplyScripts Screenwriting Discussion Board  /  December 2021 One Week Challenge  /  A Midnight Clear - OWC
Posted by: Don, December 17th, 2021, 4:12pm
A Midnight Clear by King James - Three Wise Men long for their missing Savior.  Short, Comedy
Posted by: DarrenJamesSeeley, December 17th, 2021, 7:24pm; Reply: 1
That's it? A lot of space on page four.  
Oh well. Challenge didn't say anything about page count.

If The Wise Men talk like cliched Mafioso I'm not sure what the point of it was, as they could nothing to a pair of vandal pranksters.  (note: New Baby Jesus also speaks in the same tone) That's not saying some lines are amusing, though the best funny line is said by Mary ("They grabbed my ass!") , A simple skit with a little too mich on'just thens' 'Now " . Action happens as we see it unfold. Now and Just Then are unneeded extra words.

As for  Old Baby (?) Jesus having his digits cut off with the exception of the middle finger, hey, "stoners" did it.  Give Jesus a joint.

read was quick and merciful.
written fast...
Posted by: RolandJ, December 17th, 2021, 8:58pm; Reply: 2

This reminds me of an old Saturday Night Live sketch. Short. Lively. And lots of punch lines. The dialogue was the focus (Mafioso speech) delivered in a deadpan face.

The religious element at Xmas was a switch that added the stoners and the drug element.

This was a short sketch that would work in any environment and/or era.
Posted by: ghost and_ghostie gal, December 18th, 2021, 4:37am; Reply: 3
Was it Monty Python, or Crenshaw, who first said, "I've suffered for my art, now it's your turn?" Just messin' witcha ;D

Ummm...you've got a nice warped sense of humor there Writer. The average person (I'd hazard to opine) will see it as comedy, so I think your tone is right on. Interesting you went with the mafioso lingo, but the dialect coming out of Baby Jesus’ mouth doesn't sound right. Idk - I'm thinking why have Baby Jesus  speak at all. I know people will interpret the script differently - just like The DaVinci Code (did I just throw say that - barf...)  Your ideas are always entertaining and I enjoy them. Your previous works more so. I liked it, but not as much as your previous works.  Good job. Best of Irish luck! :)
Posted by: LC, December 18th, 2021, 10:46pm; Reply: 4
Someone must have been in a bit of a hurry. Fade Out or at least The End will make it look more Pro and like your tale is finished. As is, I keep thinking you're coming back to add a bit.

Mary's line made me chuckle...

Not much in the way of an accompanying message. Not that you have to have one.

Could make for a funny sketch. Maybe tweak it just a bit. I did like the contrasting tough-guy voices against the backdrop of the Nativity scene

I just felt it was missing something... like a surprise punchline on top of the reveal.

Overall a bit of light fun and I enjoyed it.
Posted by: Matthew Taylor, December 20th, 2021, 4:54am; Reply: 5
Hi Writer

It was fun and made me smile.

Personally, I would have just finished at the bottom of page 3.

Seth and Franco? You hoping for Seth Rogen and James Franco to play this? A Pineapple Express Christmas special... I would watch that.

Good effort
Posted by: MarkRenshaw, December 20th, 2021, 6:54am; Reply: 6
That was short and sweet. Made me smile and chuckle more than once. More like a sketch as there's no story as such and it just kinda ends but thanks for making me smile!
Posted by: Heretic, December 20th, 2021, 11:47am; Reply: 7
Good concept and funny despite not going anywhere.

Made me think of the Mr. Bean sequence where he's messing around with the nativity.
Posted by: JakeJon, December 20th, 2021, 1:53pm; Reply: 8
sorry, like an old SNL skit, yup old,  Not funny then; not funny now.
Posted by: Rob, December 20th, 2021, 2:03pm; Reply: 9
I liked this. Funny to think that a nativity scene would be populated with Sopranos wise guys and two Jesus babies--one Chinese and the other full of tattoos. I'd leave it as it is.
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