Scriptfest Deux - Official Rules

[Isaac_Brody]

DVXUSER.COM PRESENTS SCRIPTFEST DEUX - II

RULES

Genre: Science fiction (This is broad, you can encompass fantasy or more twilight zone elements.)
Scene requirement: A character makes a mistake. What’s the outcome of their mistake? Are they redeemed or damned?
Length: 6 pages.
Dates: June 26th - August 10th

* Scripts submitted for Scriptfest are eligible for use in regular DVXfests
* Upload details will be announced at the end of the writing period.
* Scripts should be in PDF form.
* One submission per person.

Stay tuned. Writing guidelines will be posted.

[Mobie540]

Sweet...wait...already.

[Cryogenic Filmworks]

Kool, I'm there this time.

[Tom Shortridge]

As am I.

[Mark Harris]

Noice!

[Jeff Anderson]

Sweet. Going to jump in feet first and go for it. Never really written anything but have always thought about it... I figure I can at least get some good feedback this way :)

[pauly_the_hitman]

Cool I am all over this...

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

Sweetness.
Maybe I'll actually get my act together for this one.

Cheers!

Mike

[Zoidoid]

Ah man. Now that TimeFest is out of the way, I'd love to do a bit of writing. Hrm...

[Simon Höfer]

Hmm, maybe I'll give it a shot. Uh yeah, writing in english :D

[ConspiracyPenguin]

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Isaac, you the the man! I can't wait for this! Now, someone start a who's in list. I am essentially lazy and will not want to keep it updated. :thumbsup:

I like the requirement a lot. Also, does it have to be 6 pages or can it be less? Thanks!

[Isaac_Brody]

Can be 6 or less. We'll see if I can fit in this length.

[Rodney V. Smith]

i'm writing tonight, clients be damned. then i can spend the rest of the week in rewrites...

[Noel Evans]

Isaac, good to see it again. Thank you for doing all the work to make it happen.

Id like to make a suggestion. As scriptfest is about getting people writing who want to, and then I assume to tune their skills. To this end I would like to suggest that scripts need to conform to formatting rules. And the entry should contain scene numbers.

I dont think this is a lot to ask, especially considering that celtx exists as free software (mac and windows), so the ability to do it is available to everyone without any cost.

[Simon Höfer]

Isaac, good to see it again. Thank you for doing all the work to make it happen.

Id like to make a suggestion. As scriptfest is about getting people writing who want to, and then I assume to tune their skills. To this end I would like to suggest that scripts need to conform to formatting rules. And the entry should contain scene numbers.

I dont think this is a lot to ask, especially considering that celtx exists as free software (mac and windows), so the ability to do it is available to everyone without any cost.

An example-script would be really appreciated then :)

[David W. Richardson]

I'm definitely in!

[ConspiracyPenguin]

Can be 6 or less. We'll see if I can fit in this length.

I know! Damn you for not doing 7 pages! :grin: We will see how it goes. It's strange, when I write my mind seems to know the limit and it always comes out perfectly within the guidelines. Crazy.

[Gohanto]

Just curious, but the idea wasn't at all taken from "The Small Multiple" in TimeFest was it?

Probably just a coincidence my mind immediately thought of that after reading the scene requirement though.

[Gulroc]

Ok, I'm going to have to try out for this one.

[Isaac_Brody]

Just curious, but the idea wasn't at all taken from "The Small Multiple" in TimeFest was it?

Probably just a coincidence my mind immediately thought of that after reading the scene requirement though.

A character making a mistake? No, not taken from The Small Multiple. It was inspired from a mistake I made recently. I think it's more interesting when we see our heroes squirm and suffer for the decisions they make. Characters making mistakes are more interesting than characters who go through life making perfect decisions.

[David W. Richardson]

This is my first time submitting for a Fest. Are multiple submissions allowed???

[Isaac_Brody]

Only one submission per person.

[Bryce A]

just might have to give this a try... so many ideas, so little time.

[ConspiracyPenguin]

Isaac,

I had logged off and got ready for bed when this damn idea hit me in the head and I had to start writing. What I want to ask, though, before I call it my entry is: is there any word on the prize, if any, yet?

I know last time around the winning script was going to be made, but I didn't see any announcement this time. The reason I ask is because the one I am writting has quite a bit of VFX and CGI (as expected from a Sci-Fi flick) but if the prize is it gets made, then I know I will need to tone it down (if not start over completely).

At any rate just wondering if that will be the prize this time as well or if there is no prize other than bragging rights or if some other prize is in the works (like a Lenovo laptop or something, I don't know!) Let me know if you can!

Thanks,

[David W. Richardson]

Next newbie question.....

Does this have to be a brand new script? Or can we take something we've previously written and rework it to fit the criteria of the Fest?

[Noel Evans]

Next newbie question.....

Does this have to be a brand new script? Or can we take something we've previously written and rework it to fit the criteria of the Fest?

Im not sure if its against the rules, but I would implore you to make the most of it and write something within the alloted time.

[Judgement]

aND THE wINNER IS......

[Bill Clar]

Sci-Fi? Sweet!

[Isaac_Brody]

Brand new script's only.

[Isaac_Brody]

At any rate just wondering if that will be the prize this time as well or if there is no prize other than bragging rights or if some other prize is in the works (like a Lenovo laptop or something, I don't know!) Let me know if you can!

Unless someone wants to pony up some top ramen and spam, the only prize we have so far are bragging rights and polished scripts.

[ConspiracyPenguin]

Unless someone wants to pony up some top ramen and spam, the only prize we have so far are bragging rights and polished scripts.

10 packages of roast beef flavored ramen (with extra MSG), 3 cans of spam, and 100 emails offering cheap viagra are on there way to you right now!

(I didn't know what kind of spam you wanted, so I sent both)

[mjjason]

Just to be sure, the 6 page limit does not include the Title page, right?

[Isaac_Brody]

Of course not.

[Nektonic]

Isaac, I have a question in regards to the scene requirement. Does the character that makes the mistake have to be shown making the mistake, or can it be alluded to as back story? Also, can the mistake be something small or minor? For example: a character accidentally knocks a glass of water off of a table. Not something that drives the entire plot, but something that maybe causes something to happen or illuminates the character. I guess I am wondering, does the mistake need to be the backbone of the script or can it be a minor detail?

[Rodney V. Smith]

Okay, I'm done. Time to start polishing now and get the rewrite process going.

[Noel Evans]

Okay, I'm done. Time to start polishing now and get the rewrite process going.

WOW... Im still rolling the marbles. I have a general concept.

[Nektonic]

WOW... Im still rolling the marbles. I have a general concept.

Same here. The fest doesn't officially start until tomorrow (the 26th).

[ConspiracyPenguin]

Isaac, I have a question in regards to the scene requirement. Does the character that makes the mistake have to be shown making the mistake, or can it be alluded to as back story? Also, can the mistake be something small or minor? For example: a character accidentally knocks a glass of water off of a table. Not something that drives the entire plot, but something that maybe causes something to happen or illuminates the character. I guess I am wondering, does the mistake need to be the backbone of the script or can it be a minor detail?

Isaac may say something different, but all it says is that the character has to make a mistake. I would assume this could be inthe past as long as you highlight it. Also, I think it could be minor, but I would say that it should be a pretty large part of the plot.


Okay, I'm done. Time to start polishing now and get the rewrite process going.

Rewrite? What is that? :grin: I usually procrastinate until the last week or so and do one draft and that's it. In fact, the only time I ever do more than one draft is if I am writing for someone else and they want something changed. I actually started earlier this time and stayed up late last night writing an idea I had. Not sure if I will use it yet, and I still have to integrate a mistake, maybe add a twist as long as it isn't cliche and then I'll be done...maybe.

[Isaac_Brody]

Isaac, I have a question in regards to the scene requirement. Does the character that makes the mistake have to be shown making the mistake, or can it be alluded to as back story?

This misake has to have some effect on your character. It can't be a glass of water spilled which has no consequence. It can be something small, but it has to have a consequence on the character. A mistake can be in the past, but you have to address it to the audience. It can't be something he did five years ago that never comes into play.

[Nektonic]

Thanks Isaac.

[Judgement]

10 packages of roast beef flavored ramen (with extra MSG), 3 cans of spam, and 100 emails offering cheap viagra are on there way to you right now!





Mmm- roast beef flavored ramen.

[-JunK-]

10 packages of roast beef flavored ramen (with extra MSG), 3 cans of spam, and 100 emails offering cheap viagra are on there way to you right now!

(I didn't know what kind of spam you wanted, so I sent both)

I raise your roast beef flavorted ramen, add 10 chicken flavored and 5 shrimp flavored ramen, 2 tubs of cool whip, a case of twizzlers and an email with a forged Steven Spielberg sig!

All kidding aside (although I love the ramen reward aspect) this is great hope for a lot of turnout script fests are stellar!

[realogist]

A character making a mistake? No, not taken from The Small Multiple. It was inspired from a mistake I made recently. I think it's more interesting when we see our heroes squirm and suffer for the decisions they make. Characters making mistakes are more interesting than characters who go through life making perfect decisions.

Agreed, mistakes, conflict, drama is what makes life interesting. A perfectly planned, predictable life is dull and boring.

Issac, I noticed lot of you guys are mods over at scarletuser. I joined dvx first, but became more active in scarlet, now finding my way back on dvx again.

Are all scarlet mods the same guys as dvx mods? just wondering...

[Isaac_Brody]

Are all scarlet mods the same guys as dvx mods? just wondering...

Nope. Just a few of us.

[yzmotoxer807]

Im in!

[Brandon Rice]

So, where are the writing guidelines, or are they just what you've already put up?

[Mike Insane]

Exciting! I'm in!

[ConspiracyPenguin]

So, where are the writing guidelines, or are they just what you've already put up?

There was a lot of talk about being more strict around format, but I don't see any guidelines other than the page limit and requirement.

[Isaac_Brody]

It's coming. I'm spending time with family this week so I'm not spending that much time online. I'll have format and guidelines up next week.

[ConspiracyPenguin]

It's coming. I'm spending time with family this week so I'm not spending that much time online. I'll have format and guidelines up next week.

Uh oh. Hey, I'll send you my script and you can create your guidelines around that, okay? :thumbsup:

[Isaac_Brody]

Uh oh. Hey, I'll send you my script and you can create your guidelines around that, okay? :thumbsup:

You can stand for the delay, you just need a month to write right? :thumbsup:

[ConspiracyPenguin]

You can stand for the delay, you just need a month to write right? :thumbsup:

:grin: I don't know, it may take longer, what with my several thousand rewrites I have to do for a six page screenplay. :evil:

[Adam J McKay]

I think I might just try and enter. And by try I mean enter, and by enter I mean...dance?

[oxrs]

I think I might just try and enter. And by try I mean enter, and by enter I mean...dance?

You're going to enter and dance? Dance and enter? Dance and dance? I'm confused as to what's getting replaced there. :P Either way, there's some dancing going on and that can't be bad... Right?

[ConspiracyPenguin]

BREAKING NEWS:

After a long and thourough analysis by writer/actor Nick Lane, it has been determined that Adam McKay, in regards to DVXUser's ScriptFest II, plans to "enter and dance." We now return you to your regularly scheduled program, already in progress.

[pauly_the_hitman]

Hey guys new to the scrip fest. Can the script be shorter then 6 pages or must it be the full 6?

[mjjason]

Hey guys new to the scrip fest. Can the script be shorter then 6 pages or must it be the full 6?
Yes, it can be shorter than 6. The max is 6 so anything under is fine.

[pmark23]

How "Sci-Fi" does it have to be? One of my ideas is more "Twilight Zone" than sci-fi (a revisionist history), but certainly fantasy.

[Blaine]

How "Sci-Fi" does it have to be? One of my ideas is more "Twilight Zone" than sci-fi (a revisionist history), but certainly fantasy.


RULES

Genre: Science fiction (This is broad, you can encompass fantasy or more twilight zone elements.)Twilight Zone was specifically called out...:thumbsup:

[pmark23]

So, to make things clear, it doesn't have to be strictly sci-fi but can also be fantasy or "twilight zone" (in other words, the TV-Guide definition of sci-fi)...

[David W. Richardson]

Have the formatting rules been announced yet?

I've got my script done using my screenplay template in MS Word, and it's right at 6 pages. I don't own the full Adobe Acrobat, only the free reader. When I have my Word doc converted to PDF via one of the free websites, it comes out at just OVER 6 pages -- about 6 lines end up on page 7. Also, the page numbers are wrong. In my Word script, I start page numbering on the 2nd page -- the 1st page being the title page. But the PDF file starts page numbering on the title page.

Of course, having only the reader, I can't change any of these things. Any ideas?

[David W. Richardson]

Solved the PDF problem -- just used a different online converter site. Now all is well. :)

[David W. Richardson]

Okay, when will we be able to upload our scripts?

[Steveo68]

Hey people,

I'm new to this forum and very glad it was brought to my attention. I'm looking forward to "deadlines" to actually complete stuff. I'm very excited too about this new "scifi" script fest. I'm not too sure what to expect from it, but I can't wait to find out.

Steveo68

[chaconkevin]

is this seperate from the recently announced twilightfest?

just wondering if there now counted together or if there seperate?

[David W. Richardson]

This is separate from the TwilightFest, although I think any script you write for this Fest could be used to produce a film for TwilightFest.

Good luck!

[David W. Richardson]

STILL waiting for an answer on those formatting rules. And would also like to know when we'll be able to start uploading.

[Mark Harris]

Okay, am I stupid(don't answer that) but what does it mean when it says:

Dates: June 26th - August 10th

That means we are due on the 26th? And voting goes to the 10th?

[Blaine]

It means you have to start ON or AFTER June 26th and COMPLETE it by August 10th...:beer:

[krestofre]

If it's due on June 26th, then a bunch of us missed the deadline. :)

I think it means start writing on the 26th, upload on the 10th of August.

EDIT: To slow on my part. :(

[Mark Harris]

Oh, sorry I was reading JULY 26th, this Saturday.

Wow, and not one of you took the opportunity to call me stupid...

[conrad_johnson]

you're stupid.

[preston]

so when you say six pages, how strict is that? sometimes it takes seven or even eight pages to write six minutes...

maybe a 5-8 page range would give some leeway to those of us struggling with a six-page maximum.

just a thought.... :)

[ConspiracyPenguin]

Very strict. That is THE limit. Anything over will not go in as far as I know, anything less and you get a free high five from me.

[EKIPS]

Hey all, I'm new to this site, excited about these competitions got going, script one and the twilight one, wish I knew about this earlier...

[MiataFilmSomething]

I haven't seen this anywhere yet, so I thought I'd ask.

I see that there is a 6 page limit. Does that include a title page? Most, if not all scripts, have a title page with the title and author and a few other small details. Does this count as one of our pages?

[krestofre]

Does not include title page.

[mjjason]

I haven't seen this anywhere yet, so I thought I'd ask.

I see that there is a 6 page limit. Does that include a title page? Most, if not all scripts, have a title page with the title and author and a few other small details. Does this count as one of our pages?
No, the title page does not count as one of the six pages. I ask the same question earlier in this thread and one of the mods replied.

[alex whitmer]

Wow, and not one of you took the opportunity to call me stupid...

Has the deadline passed on this?

a

[David W. Richardson]

Has the deadline passed on this?

a

I don't think so. But I'm wondering when we're going to be able to upload our scripts.

[ConspiracyPenguin]

I don't think so. But I'm wondering when we're going to be able to upload our scripts.

What I am wondering is when we will have the guidelines. I mean I have my script but I want enough time in case I need to change anything, especially because I have so much stuff to do right now for the fest, etc. I was going to write another one or two and coose the best, but I don't know if I will have time now.

[Mark Harris]

Has the deadline passed on this?

a

The statute of limitations never runs out on this one. Just ask my girlfriend.

[AJ Brooks]

Is the upload happening on the 10th or will it be open before then? Just curious because I will be away from my computer over the weekend.

[ConspiracyPenguin]

Shit! The deadline is the 10th? I totally forgot! It looks like my entry is going to be the one I have now. :)

[Noel Evans]

Im done. Need some upload details as I am heading away tomorrow working til Sunday - being Aus though I should have time still when I get back.

[pauly_the_hitman]

When is the upload info coming?

[ConspiracyPenguin]

I guess there aren't going to be format guidelines this time around. I didn't realize we were so close to the deadline. It looks like I will be going with my current script, good thing I got everything taken care of so you weasels can't steal my ideas. :grin: I will be making a thread shortly, before the scripts are available for reading.

[MrKilloran]

Does the 6 pages include the Title Page?

[ConspiracyPenguin]

Does the 6 pages include the Title Page?

NO NO NO

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

When/where do we upload?

[ConspiracyPenguin]

Deadline is tomorrow, isn't it. I'd better brush through the script tonight.

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

Where do we upload it to?
No formatting rules either?

[ConspiracyPenguin]

Where do we upload it to?
No formatting rules either?

Formatting rules were never announced, so I guess they didn't have time to get to them, which means essentially anything goes as long as it loosely resembles a script (yes, even my crazy ass novel style of yester-fest :grin:)

As far as upload details, those too have yet to be released. I guess we just have to wait and see if the system is up tomorrow. I have a PM out to see if I can get information but until then everyone needs to just sit tight and be patient.

We will know what to do in due time, do not worry. You aren't going to miss the train, I will make sure that doesn't happen. :)

[Noel Evans]

Seems a lot of people are reading expecting FULL sci fi so I wanted to point out that genre spec in the rules

Genre: Science fiction (This is broad, you can encompass fantasy or more twilight zone elements.)

[ConspiracyPenguin]

Seems a lot of people are reading expecting FULL sci fi so I wanted to point out that genre spec in the rules

Genre: Science fiction (This is broad, you can encompass fantasy or more twilight zone elements.)

Did you consider mine FULL sci-fi? Sci-fi is NOT my genre and, in fact, this was my first attempt at it.

[RodThompson]

No formatting rules either?

I would always assume that basic formatting rules apply unless otherwise stated, (i.e. on page 15, put the word MONKEY behind every use of the word THE.) Lol.

[ConspiracyPenguin]

I would always assume that basic formatting rules apply unless otherwise stated, (i.e. on page 15, put the word MONKEY behind every use of the word THE.) Lol.

Yes, but people work in different ways and we were told we would get formatting guidelines this time around. Isaac just didn't have enough time, which is cool, you guys can just deal with my longer-than-necessary descriptions. :grin:

[Larry Rutledge]

There is a pre-defined screenplay format. In future fests, unless otherwise directed, assume we expect the standard format.