Apologies for the delay.  Scoring irregularities. Usually the Writers' Choice (made up of only the participants) and the Readers' Choice (made up of non-participants who have read every script) match up within a few points of each other.  They did here with two very notable exceptions. Freeing Michael and Ghost of Halloween Past flipped positions among the top five.  So, I had to very carefully review each ballot to understand what, if anything, happened.  I've decided to award a Writers' Choice and a Readers' Choice. note: the scores in parenthsis are Readers' Choice scores.

3.36 - Writers' Choice (3.076923077) Freeing Michael by Robert Timsah (Robert Timsah) writing as Laurie Strode - Short, Comedy, Horror, Dark Comedy - Michael, cursed to an eternity of bad Halloween remakes, must find and brutally kill anyone who enjoys watching them on Halloween.

3.2 Black Hour by Steven Clark and Zack Akers (Zack) writing as Harry Gaeper and Don T. Gagonnit - Short, Horror - Teetering on the edge of madness, a man must decide to listen to the demonic voices in his head or risk the unthinkable.

3.18 The Devils Doorman by Kareline Castor (KCastor) writing as K.G.C. - Short, Horror - An evil pinball machine with a mysterious curse is killing off hotel guests one by one on bizarre ways.

3.1 Numbers by Anthony Cawood (Anthony Cawood) writing as Mr. Marconi - Short, Horror - A plucky bunch of nerds get more than they bargained for when they uncover an ancient evil and must fight for their lives as midnight approaches.

3.09 (3.285714286) - Readers'/Writers' Choice - Ghost of Halloween Past by Sean Elwood (Zombie Sean) writing as Moe - Short, Family, Animated - It’s Halloween, and a newly adopted pet hamster must escape his haunted cage with the help of the previous hamster’s ghost.

Dolorem Ipsum by Anthony Cawood (Anthony Cawood) writing as A Writer in a Rush - Short, Horror - A couple decide to cast a wish fulfilment spell on Halloween night and then wish they hadn't.

Phreaks by Ben Clifford (AlsoBen) writing as Allegra Chicken - Short, Horror - New to town, a teenage girl in the 1980s is introduced to phone-line hacking by neighborhood kids. What starts at bizarre fun soon becomes cursed.

MM's Nightmare Halloween by Colin Sharp (ColinS) writing as Upson Pratt and the Roaches - Short, Horror, Comedy - MM receives a letter that seriously restricts his Halloween plans.

The Grave Little Toaster by Steven Dilworth (Steven8) writing as Walt Disney - Short, Comedy - Four slices of heaven become a night from hell! 3 pages

Death by Kathy Cranford (kcranford) writing as Holly Weene - Short, Horror - A nurse’s courage is the only thing that stands between the curse of death and a young patient.

2 Seconds Until There Will Never Be Another Halloween by Lew Sherwood (Big Lew) writing as The Man In The Shadows - Short, Family - When a bunch of Middle Schoolers enjoy a Halloween tradition they cause a curse to end Halloween forever.

Fairview Plantation House by Phoebe (SleepyZillennial) writing as Sourcake - Short, Horror - A bride finds out the location of her wedding is haunted by former slaves who were tortured there.

All Hallow's Eve & Adam by Craig Swindell (Monster_of_the_Id) writing as Monster of the Id - Short, Horror - Holden is shy and a good student sans athletic ability, hence he is either ignored or bullied in High School, yet, he is determined to kiss his Dream Girl at the Halloween Fun Fair.


The Last Night by Rameses Diaz (DrFrank) writing as blank - Short, Horror - In 1960s rural Kansas, Clyde the little he has left to a dark and ancient evil.

I'll share with the cute hamsters! Congratulations to Sean and everybody for such a well entered challenge. I know I learn a lot from these. Every one of these scripts had a voice behind them that came through, even if the idea didn't. Keep working on them and keep them in your original voice.

Nicely done, all! Congrats Rob and Sean for top spots—great job! Sadly, once again a bridesmaid. But it was fun as always!

I am so thrilled!
This was the first script I've ever written, and the feedback was so incredibly helpful. I'm so excited that people liked my little story (I am an operations manager in a hotel, so... the subject matter came pretty naturally!). The constructive criticism, encouragement and feedback in general not just for my story but for all of them has really helped me understand better how to work with formatting and action lines (and to leave out the CUT TO's... idk why I thought I was supposed to have those! I saw them in a few screenplays I read and thought it was necessary. I know better now!). And it was so much fun reading everyone's work!!

Screenwriting is something I've wanted to try since I was a teenager, but always felt intimidated I guess. At 33, a little piece of me feels fulfilled and ready to really dive in on my serious projects!

Congrats Robert and Sean, awesome job!

And shout out to Kareline, amazing effort on your first script! Now you've got the bug I expect we'll see you around these parts regularly - welcome!

Quoted from KCastor I am so thrilled! This was the first script I've ever written, and the feedback was so incredibly helpful. I'm so excited that people liked my little story (I am an operations manager in a hotel, so... the subject matter came pretty naturally!). The constructive criticism, encouragement and feedback in general not just for my story but for all of them has really helped me understand better how to work with formatting and action lines (and to leave out the CUT TO's... idk why I thought I was supposed to have those! I saw them in a few screenplays I read and thought it was necessary. I know better now!). And it was so much fun reading everyone's work!! Screenwriting is something I've wanted to try since I was a teenager, but always felt intimidated I guess. At 33, a little piece of me feels fulfilled and ready to really dive in on my serious projects!

Short scripts are a great way to start screenwriting, imo. I say that because I began with a full lengther and, what a mistake. Lol

Make sure you use a good screenwriting program such as final draft, arc studio pro, etc.

Youmescript.com allows you to write and save scripts directly to and from your Google Drive.

Congrats Robert & Sean - very deserving you two. Hats of to everyone else for entering so pretty good scripts. :)

Congrats, Robert and Sean!

And to everyone who got an entry (or two in - here's looking at you, Ant)  ;D.
You guys and girls are what makes the OWC a success, and a lot of fun to boot.

Shout out to Kareline, Kathy, and Phoebe! Terrific OWC debuts.

P.S.
I think Ant wrote Dolorem Ipsum and I'm going for Ben for Phreaks.and
Kathy for Death.
Three out of three, not bad.

Quoted from LC P.S. I think Ant wrote Dolorem Ipsum and I'm going for Ben for Phreaks.and Kathy for Death. Three out of three, not bad.

Well done Libby, though kudos to 'ghost and_ghostie gal' as they somehow managed to guess both my entries!

Quoted from Robert Timsah Short scripts are a great way to start screenwriting, imo. I say that because I began with a full lengther and, what a mistake. Lol Make sure you use a good screenwriting program such as final draft, arc studio pro, etc. Youmescript.com allows you to write and save scripts directly to and from your Google Drive.

That’s the plan! I am using Arc Studio Pro and really enjoying the functionality of it!

Quoted from LC Congrats, Robert and Sean! And to everyone who got an entry (or two in - here's looking at you, Ant)  ;D. You guys and girls are what makes the OWC a success, and a lot of fun to boot. Shout out to Kareline, Kathy, and Phoebe! Terrific OWC debuts. P.S. I think Ant wrote Dolorem Ipsum and I'm going for Ben for Phreaks.and Kathy for Death. Three out of three, not bad.

You were dead on LC!  Good calls. Congrats to Robert and Sean on the winning entry and to everyone who participated. Great stories and great Halloween fun. Thanks for letting me participate - I had a great time and appreciated the chance to concoct a quick story.

Congrats Robert for the win! And to everyone who participated and put in their best. Big ups!

Congratulations, Robert, and everyone who entered.

This was a great surprise sprinkled in what's been a really shitty month. I'm happy everyone enjoyed the hamster story. I had fun writing it. Congrats to Robert too, and applause to everyone who entered.

Phreaks was my favorite. Great job, Ben.

Sean

Congrats Robert and Sean, great shorts.

Sadly, my Michael just didn't have a voice :)

Well done to all that entered, especially the three debutants.

Congrats to all the top finishers! I didn't have time to jump into this one, but I can't wait to read some of the scripts. Especially looking forward to reading scripts from the new faces. Can't wait to read about an evil pinball machine! Sounds like a fun script.

Reminder to the new writers who didn't get scores... the scripts without scores are listed in no special order. So, just because your script shows up at the end of the list doesn't mean that's where it finished.

Quoted from ColinS Congrats Robert and Sean, great shorts. Sadly, my Michael just didn't have a voice :) Well done to all that entered, especially the three debutants.

Fascinating how similar our scripts were. Great minds think alike they say lol

Quoted from Robert Timsah Fascinating how similar our scripts were. Great minds think alike they say lol

Lol - I must admit though, on second reading, yours was actually more fun and set for a broader audience -  Well done, deserved the win, buddy :)

Quoted from KCastor I am so thrilled! This was the first script I've ever written, and the feedback was so incredibly helpful. I'm so excited that people liked my little story (I am an operations manager in a hotel, so... the subject matter came pretty naturally!). The constructive criticism, encouragement and feedback in general not just for my story but for all of them has really helped me understand better how to work with formatting and action lines (and to leave out the CUT TO's... idk why I thought I was supposed to have those! I saw them in a few screenplays I read and thought it was necessary. I know better now!). And it was so much fun reading everyone's work!! Screenwriting is something I've wanted to try since I was a teenager, but always felt intimidated I guess. At 33, a little piece of me feels fulfilled and ready to really dive in on my serious projects!

I really loved your script.  Please, please, please keep writing!

Congratulations to all the winners.  I really enjoyed this OWC.

Damn, missed another one.

Well done on the writer's choice, Robert. and on the reader's choice, Sean.

I love seeing some new names on that list as well.

Quoted from KCastor I am so thrilled! This was the first script I've ever written, and the feedback was so incredibly helpful. I'm so excited that people liked my little story (I am an operations manager in a hotel, so... the subject matter came pretty naturally!). The constructive criticism, encouragement and feedback in general not just for my story but for all of them has really helped me understand better how to work with formatting and action lines (and to leave out the CUT TO's... idk why I thought I was supposed to have those! I saw them in a few screenplays I read and thought it was necessary. I know better now!). And it was so much fun reading everyone's work!! Screenwriting is something I've wanted to try since I was a teenager, but always felt intimidated I guess. At 33, a little piece of me feels fulfilled and ready to really dive in on my serious projects!

That was a helluva good debut entry.

congrats to all!  I just read two of the choices. One had references to SS - that's always fun.

Apologies for not reading any, I've been on vacation, flew to my country and back during the challenge.
I also wrote 4 lousy pages and got reminded how hard writing is. Hoping to start writing again some day.