Next fest is: Twilightfest!!

[Beat Takeshi]

Yeah

[Chris Messineo]

I love it!

I'll be putting up a potential list of scripts from MoviePoet tomorrow. There are some amazing scripts out there in need of directors.

[Beat Takeshi]

I'm calling my partner now to start the process.
Only problem is we are shooting a feature through August and September.

[krestofre]

My Timefest entry was very rooted in the old Twilight Zone stories so in some sense I feel like I've already entered this fest. :)

Looking forward to another round of competition fellas!

[Zim]

so did they talk abut the new fest on the live stream? Anymore details

[clarkage]

Yeah, do we have any details on what the Twilightfest is about?

[Justin Kuhn]

Yes...details, please.

[Mobie540]

Essentially it's a theme where the world isn't quite what it seems (usually ends with a twist or just a plain unsettling feeling), it can be any genre (horror, comedy, romance, etc). Examples include the following series/movies: Twilight Zone, the Outerlimits, Amazing Stories, Tales from the Darkside, Monsters, Tales from the Crypt, Creepshow, Friday the 13th the series, etc. So if you're familiar with that then you know what I'm talking about.

I'm just going to recut Interface. :P

[Mobie540]

They mentioned a brief explanation during the live feed.

[ramsaur]

is this really true or are we just babbling about what kind of fest we want next??

[Luis Caffesse]

is this really true or are we just babbling about what kind of fest we want next??

It's official.

[Gord.T]

I'm calling my partner now to start the process.
...

Oooooo, Can I come down? Need something blown up? Can I blow something up? Can I, huh? Will work for beer and a sleeping bag. Pleezzzzzzzze?
And hook me up with that rapper chick when I'm down there.
Fk me, I am dowm mthrfkr.

Reality: I'm off to bed. No explosions, no babes, no beer, no fun. :violin:

[Brandon Rice]

And, I'm in.

[Luis Caffesse]

And, I'm in.

Sure you are.....
:)

[Brandon Rice]

hehehe... I AM! Already thinkin' though script ideas... got my DP on board :) things are going...

The party tonight got me inspired... I want a testing ground for shooting RED as well.

[Luis Caffesse]

I want a testing ground for shooting RED as well.

Look out boys... Brice is goin' RED!
I can't wait.

:thumbsup:

[Brandon Rice]

I can't wait.

:thumbsup:

Neither can I!

:thumbsup:

[David W. Richardson]

Excellent writer for hire. :)

[Postmaster]

Hmmm... Twilight Fest huh?

I got that project laying arround called UNZEIT...

Frank

[Simon Höfer]

So are there any other restrictions, or things that must be included in the film? Seems pretty broad... well, I am fine with it :D

[Postmaster]

The only rule is, to talk Rod Serling into showing up somewhere in your film.

And that would be mega Twilightish cause he died in 1975.

But hey, if it would be easy everyone could do it.

Frank

[Judgement]

I have a twilight script for sale only $50!

If you IM in the in the next 5 days u get a 30% discount.

[Justin Kuhn]

I have a twilight script for sale only $50!

If you IM in the in the next 5 days u get a 30% discount.

That's pretty funny.

[egyptianboxer104]

Is there a submission date for twilight fest yet?

[Mattykins]

Looks interesting, I am going to be making a few calls on monday.

Needed a writer and need a maya generalist. :)

[clarkage]

When do we get ACTUAL details though? I wanna start writing baby!!

[ConspiracyPenguin]

The announcement last night was just to throw it out there, official details will be posted including restrictions, requirements and time limits, etc...

Be patient, I'm still in LA for TimeFest, don't jump ahead of me now!

PS: If you want a script, send me a PM!

[Sacksnack]

Just started individual film thread. Posted behind the scene pics and movie poster. Wrapped up shooting, almost done with final sound and color grade. Waiting for upload instructions. Prizes?

[Mattykins]

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/17064/1215920859.jpg

Wait...So every film in this fest has to incorporate vampires and romance?

[Matt Sconce]

Just started individual film thread. Posted behind the scene pics and movie poster. Wrapped up shooting, almost done with final sound and color grade. Waiting for upload instructions. Prizes?


haha:thumbsup:

[ugafan]

Just started individual film thread. Posted behind the scene pics and movie poster. Wrapped up shooting, almost done with final sound and color grade. Waiting for upload instructions. Prizes?

looks like we're in the same boat. i wonder what the next fest after twilight fest will be?

[Beat Takeshi]

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/17064/1215920859.jpg

Wait...So every film in this fest has to incorporate vampires and romance?

I will just repackage Mordere

[ZFarms Productions]

i've got a few ideas banging around in the old noggin for TwilightFest. Waiting for the official rules before I write anything out though.

[Jason Ramsey]

This is not official rules here, but I can tell you one thing:

We don't really want to end up seeing 65 films with a twist at the end. Twist films are pretty common in the short format, and one may feel obligated to make a twist film with something like a twilight fest. But, I think the most creative of you will find another way to incorporate the theme fully. And, we'll hopefully spell things out for you in a way that you don't feel limited in that you must make a twist film or something like that.

The general ideas behind twilight fest, are:

Yes, kind of an homage to those old shows.

And, the idea that something isn't quite right here.

We'll get the rules posted real soon, but folks are still recovering, traveling back home, getting caught up on work, etc, etc.

Later,
Jason

[ZFarms Productions]

This is not official rules here, but I can tell you one thing:

We don't really want to end up seeing 65 films with a twist at the end. Twist films are pretty common in the short format, and one may feel obligated to make a twist film with something like a twilight fest. But, I think the most creative of you will find another way to incorporate the theme fully. And, we'll hopefully spell things out for you in a way that you don't feel limited in that you must make a twist film or something like that.

The general ideas behind twilight fest, are:

Yes, kind of an homage to those old shows.

And, the idea that something isn't quite right here.

We'll get the rules posted real soon, but folks are still recovering, traveling back home, getting caught up on work, etc, etc.

Later,
Jason

Sweet. Thanks Jason. I don't plan on doing anything with a twist, so rest easy :thumbsup:

[Jason Ramsey]

it's ok. I'm sure there will be some great films with twists as there often are in teh fests. I just don't want folks to feel obligated to do a twist film by the chosen fest.

Later,
Jason

[Kholi]

Thanks For The Ride Lady!

[David W. Richardson]

Okay, I'm confused. Twilight Zone was all about the twist endings, wasn't it? I'm not sure how you can do a 'something's not right' film without revealing at the end why it wasn't right -- and that pretty much requires a twist ending, doesn't it? Am I not understanding something?

[ConspiracyPenguin]

Okay, I'm confused. Twilight Zone was all about the twist endings, wasn't it? I'm not sure how you can do a 'something's not right' film without revealing at the end why it wasn't right -- and that pretty much requires a twist ending, doesn't it? Am I not understanding something?

That's not necessarily correct. You can have a film that showcases something that "isn't right" and is a bit eerie/supernatural without having to force a twist ending.

For example, here is the opening narration of the 1 January 1961 episode of The Twilight Zone:


His name is Arch Hammer, he's 36 years old. He's been a salesman, a dispatcher, a truck driver, a con man, a bookie, and a part-time bartender. This is a cheap man, a nickel-and-dime man, with a cheapness that goes past the suit and the shirt; a cheapness of mind, a cheapness of taste, a tawdry little shine on the seat of his conscience, and a dark-room squint at a world whose sunlight has never gotten through to him. But Mr. Hammer has a talent, discovered at a very early age. This much he does have. He can make his face change. He can twitch a muscle, move a jaw, concentrate on the cast of his eyes, and he can change his face. He can change it into anything he wants. Mr. Archie Hammer, jack-of-all-trades, has just checked in at three-eighty a night, with two bags, some newspaper clippings, a most odd talent, and a master plan to destroy some lives.

Maybe for those of you who are having trouble deciding what to do you can search YouTube for old episodes. You obviously can't take the exact idea but you will get the point of the theme. But please don't sue me if you do this, write a script, film the short and then find out the rules require somethig different than what you did. I am not a mod, I am just trying to help.

Best of luck all,

[David W. Richardson]

Okay, that gives you the beginning of a story, but it's not a story. The story is about what he does with this strange ability -- and, no doubt, how it backfires on him in the end. And that backfire is the 'twist ending'.

[Zak Forsman]

does "something isn't quite right" encompass everything TwilightZone was about? for example, i'd imagine something along the lines of Similo could have been an episode of that show, but would it fit a "something isn't quite right" theme? that implies a certain level of dread and i'm not sure that's what we're looking for.

there's a good description of the show on Wikipedia that describes it as often being a "morality play", about "people who face unusual or extraordinary circumstances, therefore entering the "Twilight Zone."

i think that connects more with the spirit of the show. but they were often about morality in unusual circumstances. which is why I thought something like Similo would be acceptable.

[pauly_the_hitman]

I love it!

I'll be putting up a potential list of scripts from MoviePoet tomorrow. There are some amazing scripts out there in need of directors.

I am looking for the perfect script to shoot for the Twilightfest. Please let me know if you can help me out.
Thanks,
Pauly

[Jason Ramsey]

Zak:

Yes, good post.

And, again... don't take my post as gospel or as the one true way to approach the fest... Just trying to shed a bit of light for those anxiously awaiting it :)

There will be many ways you can go with the twilight theme/genre.

Later,
Jason

[Larry Rutledge]

An example of a TwilightZone episode that didn't have a "twist" would be the guy who loved to read, but was henpecked and his wife wouldn't let him read (can't remember the specifics of how/why she prevented it). There was a nuclear explosion that wiped out everyone on earth but he survived somehow (was in an underground bunker or bank vault or something).

Once he came out and saw what happened he eventually got a stack of books and prepared to read them, but broke his glasses (he couldn't see a thing without them) and since everyone else was dead he couldn't get them fixed.

It's been a long time since I've seen the episode, so I'm really pulling deep from memory, but that's the basic story .. and isn't a "twist" ending.


But please give us just a couple days to recover from the trip and we'll get all the details, information, explanations, rules, etc posted and then you can questions for more clarification from there, but at least we'll have a common point of view to begin from.

[Mark Harris]

yeah, that is a great one.

Another good one is with Shatner pulling into a small town and becoming obsessed with fortunes from a fortune-telling machine. Or Jack Warden on the asteroid falling in love with the robot, or telly savalas with the talking tina doll.

I REALLY hope we ebrace Zak's wikipedia def, because that truly defines the show: Extraordinary circumstances used to reveal and highlight very human traits. That's why it's been famous for so long.

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

An example of a TwilightZone episode that didn't have a "twist" would be the guy who loved to read, but was henpecked and his wife wouldn't let him read (can't remember the specifics of how/why she prevented it). There was a nuclear explosion that wiped out everyone on earth but he survived somehow (was in an underground bunker or bank vault or something).

Once he came out and saw what happened he eventually got a stack of books and prepared to read them, but broke his glasses (he couldn't see a thing without them) and since everyone else was dead he couldn't get them fixed.

It's been a long time since I've seen the episode, so I'm really pulling deep from memory, but that's the basic story .. and isn't a "twist" ending.


But please give us just a couple days to recover from the trip and we'll get all the details, information, explanations, rules, etc posted and then you can questions for more clarification from there, but at least we'll have a common point of view to begin from.
I love that one. I would still count that as a twist ending though. TZ always seemed to end in an unexpected way and it usually wasn't good. :)

Mike

[Drew Ott]

An example of a TwilightZone episode that didn't have a "twist" would be the guy who loved to read, but was henpecked and his wife wouldn't let him read (can't remember the specifics of how/why she prevented it). There was a nuclear explosion that wiped out everyone on earth but he survived somehow (was in an underground bunker or bank vault or something).

Once he came out and saw what happened he eventually got a stack of books and prepared to read them, but broke his glasses (he couldn't see a thing without them) and since everyone else was dead he couldn't get them fixed.

It's been a long time since I've seen the episode, so I'm really pulling deep from memory, but that's the basic story .. and isn't a "twist" ending.


But please give us just a couple days to recover from the trip and we'll get all the details, information, explanations, rules, etc posted and then you can questions for more clarification from there, but at least we'll have a common point of view to begin from.


I love that episode, but I think that is considered a twist.

It's like... "Oh, great, he gets to read for eternity so it's not that bad!"

then the glasses break

"Now he's in eternal misery all of the sudden"

[Kholi]

A Comedic twist on this would definitely be THE SCARY DOOR (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rwUdL9qXjk).

[Mark Harris]

Well, you can call it a twist, but it's more an ironic twist of fate. There are many twighlight zones with what we think of as a twist, but this isn't really one of them.

This one doesn't really fall into the M. Night twist like: "They're not really aliens, but WEREVOLES!" "TO SERVE MAN," a later episode is more in line with that kind of twist.

[Kholi]

And, yes, I'm with Harris on that one. But, is it Irony or Coincidence?

[Mark Harris]

I think it's probably meant to be irony...

[Kholi]

I was really asking if it was or not... I get the two confused often.

[Blaine]

Irony, schmirony...it's time to start writing...:Drogar-BigGrin(DBG)

[Mark Harris]

Well, in the dramatic sense, it is very much irony. Which is basically an outcome opposite what he intended.

Coincidence can certainly be the engine of the irony in that one.

[ConspiracyPenguin]

Irony, schmirony...it's time to start writing...:Drogar-BigGrin(DBG)

Start? I just finished! I am going to send the script to Larry and demand that the mods write the rules/reqiurements around it.

By the way, it was great meeting you Blaine! (Even if you did utter the worst insult known to man: that you thought Como and I were the same person :evil: Don't worry, I know you were joking...I hope. :undecided) I enjoyed the conversation you, I and Shawn had at the after party about writing, etc and I look forward to the next time I make it down.

Oh, yeah, TwilightFest...:D

EDIT: Harris, just saw your post, was glad to finally meet you as well. I'm just glad you didn't kick my ass :grin:

[Zak Forsman]

Zak:

Yes, good post.

And, again... don't take my post as gospel or as the one true way to approach the fest... Just trying to shed a bit of light for those anxiously awaiting it :)

There will be many ways you can go with the twilight theme/genre.

Later,
Jason

i'll tell you, for a split second friday night you had me in my own private twilight zone for about half a second when you introduced yourself as The Como.

[Jason Ramsey]

heh, heh... I thought about doing that all night long, but figured once I was introduced on stage at the screening that wouldn't hold up :)

Later,
Jason

[Weston]

With Twilight Zone...twists are the show. I don't see how anything thats supposed to be like a Twilight Zone would not have a twist.

If its just a feeling of "theres something not right here" the only way there won't be a twist is if you never get to find out what.

[Jason Ramsey]

no one said you can't do a twist :)

Later,
Jason

[Zak Forsman]

With Twilight Zone...twists are the show. I don't see how anything thats supposed to be like a Twilight Zone would not have a twist.

If its just a feeling of "theres something not right here" the only way there won't be a twist is if you never get to find out what.

if you really watch the show (and read this thread) you'd know the show didn't rely exclusively on stories with twists.

doesn't mean you can't do one.

[Weston]

if you really watch the show (and read this thread) you'd know the show didn't rely exclusively on stories with twists.

doesn't mean you can't do one.

I have read the thread and all the twilight zone endings people have mentioned sound like twists to me. Though I havent seen every episode...so i guess I don't know.

[Zak Forsman]

please re-read the conversation in posts #44 to #54.

[David W. Richardson]

Well, in the dramatic sense, it is very much irony. Which is basically an outcome opposite what he intended.

Coincidence can certainly be the engine of the irony in that one.

See, I would consider it irony if he'd caused the end of the world somehow -- then the outcome would, indeed, be opposite of what he intended. But in this story, he was just the survivor of a catastrophic event who thought somehow he would now be happy -- but cruel Fate stepped in, with tragic results.

It might still be irony, though. Perhaps I'm applying too narrow a definition to it.

[David W. Richardson]

no one said you can't do a twist :)

Later,
Jason

True. But we're discussing whether or not it's possible to even DO a film with a 'Twilight Zone' feel if it doesn't have a twist of some kind. I personally don't think it is.

[David W. Richardson]

if you really watch the show (and read this thread) you'd know the show didn't rely exclusively on stories with twists.

doesn't mean you can't do one.

Can you point us to a resource for scripts from the show? Because honestly I haven't seen an episode mentioned yet that I was familiar with that didn't have a twist. I'd like to read scripts from those episodes mentioned that I haven't seen.

[Zak Forsman]

True. But we're discussing whether or not it's possible to even DO a film with a 'Twilight Zone' feel if it doesn't have a twist of some kind. I personally don't think it is.

keep an eye on my entry. i'll show you how it's done. :2vrolijk_08:

[Zak Forsman]

Can you point us to a resource for scripts from the show? Because honestly I haven't seen an episode mentioned yet that I was familiar with that didn't have a twist. I'd like to read scripts from those episodes mentioned that I haven't seen.

netflix?

[David W. Richardson]

Scripts, not films. :)

I did find this site, which should resolve the issue for anyone interested.

http://tzone.the-croc.com/twilight1.html

I do see that occasionally there are some stories which don't have dramatic twist endings. However, far and away most of the stories do end with a twist. I think that twist is the primary hallmark of a 'Twilight Zone' story. It is for me, anyway.

Good luck to everyone!

[Ben Sliker]

i was initially a little disappointed with the idea of twilight fest. I'll, of course, hold out final judgement until the rules are revealed, it just seems a little more restrictive (comparatively speaking to a timefest or lovefest) and we'll end up getting a lot of entries that look like they are made out of the same cookie cutter.

Almost like when I heard the required element for Timefest ...

Ben : "please don't let it be a clock, please don't let it be a clock" *checks DVXuser* "aww ... poop."

[David W. Richardson]

keep an eye on my entry. i'll show you how it's done. :2vrolijk_08:

I look forward to seeing your film!

[Mattykins]

I feel as if this might result in 80 films with the same general idea.

I feel as if this might turn into twist fest. Twilight zone has pretty much eaten up most ideas. I mean, I had an idea for my thought, monster fest, which never happened. I might try to adapt it. I don't know. I'm not saying this can't be done without a twist. But I have a feeling twilight is synonymous with twist. And thus most entries will include twists.

I am concerned. But hey, it might be good to see it play out.

[Zak Forsman]

I feel as if this might result in 80 films with the same general idea.

I feel as if this might turn into twist fest. Twilight zone has pretty much eaten up most ideas. I mean, I had an idea for my thought, monster fest, which never happened. I might try to adapt it. I don't know. I'm not saying this can't be done without a twist. But I have a feeling twilight is synonymous with twist. And thus most entries will include twists.

I am concerned. But hey, it might be good to see it play out.

i don't want to speak for those who will decide the thematic requirements, but i would call the presence of a "monster" an unusual circumstance for your main character.

[Mattykins]

Yeah, we shall see what happens in the coming days. I do intend on entering. With what, I haven't a clue. Though I don't think I need one before the rules have been announced.

[ConspiracyPenguin]

I know this is a bit late, but I want to give my 2 cents on the irony deal. That story was definitly ironic, the man finally has the chance to read but is inhibited by another factor. Some might consider it a twist, I think it is very subjective. One might think something is a twist, another might not. But as long as the twists are done well, I don't have a proble with every person save Forsman uses one. Now, if you can jump in the same boat as Zak and make a creative piece that fits the theme without a twist, more power to you!

[Zak Forsman]

maybe this isn't universal but i've always considered a "twist" to be a reveal of unknown, but existing circumstances that change the context of, and our understanding of, the preceding story. the usual suspects had a twist (verbal was improvising the story). and we all know how the sixth sense changed our understanding of the story with the reveal that brice willis had been dead all along.

based on that, I wouldn't classify the episode Mark mentioned as a twist. to me its simply a morality tale that concludes with "careful what you wish for (to be left alone so he can read), you just might get it".

[Brandon Rice]

It'll be interesting to hear the requirements, this fest has really piqued my attention.

[ConspiracyPenguin]

maybe this isn't universal but i've always considered a "twist" to be a reveal of unknown, but existing circumstances that change the context of, and our understanding of, the preceding story....

I agree completely with this. For example, in O2 the plan was for the two to die all along but we were lead to believe otherwise until the big reveal. That was a twist ending because it was something that had happened but we thought the opposite was happening until the end.


...based on that, I wouldn't classify the episode Mark mentioned as a twist. to me its simply a morality tale that concludes with "careful what you wish for (to be left alone so he can read), you just might get it".

This I am not so sure of. Was it ironic that a guy who all his life wasn't allowed to read finally had the chance but broke his glasses and thus couldn't read anyway? Absolutely. Was that as twist? I don't know. Some would say yes, some would say no. I would have to lean towards no on this one, I think. His glasses breaking was not an event that was inevitable or that was happening all along and we just didn't know. It was just anothe plot point which made the story ironic. That example is a tough one though, I can see the other side too.

---------------------------------

I think we have established what a twist is. Jason was just saying that it is possible to do this without a twist to (I think) discourage people from doing cookie cutter twist endings. That being said, a twist ending would not be a bad thing if it is done in a unique and clever way. On the other hand, pulling off a non-twist ending could be equally (if not more) creative...it could also be much worse. Let's just see what happens when the rules come in and we can go from there...

[Zak Forsman]

i think any filmmaker would be hard pressed to pull off a twist that genuinely works here because everyone in the audience is going to be looking for any little piece of evidence that one is coming. and even if you go thru the trouble of hiding all the clues, then it becomes a twist that negates the story (deus ex machina, it was all a dream, or it was all a lie like the usual suspects). and those are lame.

personally, i'd love to see the lack of a twist as a requirement. haha!

[ConspiracyPenguin]

i think any filmmaker would be hard pressed to pull off a twist that genuinely works here because everyone in the audience is going to be looking for any little piece of evidence that one is coming. and even if you go thru the trouble of hiding all the clues, then it becomes a twist that negates the story (deus ex machina, it was all a dream, or it was all a lie like the usual suspects). and those are lame.

personally, i'd love to see the lack of a twist as a requirement. haha!

Now that is an interesting thought. I think it would be a challenge, but it probably won't happen because the mods like to keep these fests open to several different stories and outcomes. Regarding the cliche twists, I said in my last post people should stay away from them because any of those would not be good. I also said that twists would not be bad if done in a "unique and clever" way although I see your point that people will be looking for twists.

I agree that the lack of a twist, if done well, would probably show more creative talent than going the expected route. I think I kind of said that before...

[Jason Ramsey]

I just watched an episode of "Tales From the Darkside" on Sci-fi, and it did not have a twist. Two kids trying to escape the wrath of a life-sucking vacumn cleaner... What? I didn't say it was a good episode :)

Anyways... looks like there is at least another hour and a half more of tales from the darkside on scifi right now.

Later,
Jason

[Kholi]

Goosebumps sounds like it qualifies

[Jason Ramsey]

current episode is a comedy. a guy and a gal playing strip poker with a mummy. Sounds like something LaBonney would come up with :evil:

Later,
Jasopn

[alignment1]

so, does my entry have to have a twist ending?








...sorry , couldn't resist

Z

[Richard J. Johnson]

so, does my entry have to have a twist ending?








...sorry , couldn't resist

Z

It will be interesting to see how many of these DON'T have twist endings.

[Mark Harris]

Well I think at the end of the day, twist or no twist, good is good. If you do it well, you do it well.

If you show up on the board two days from now and say: "Script done!" We know your twist ending will probably suck.

I will likely do some kind of examination of paranoia or some such.

[Barry_Green]

I feel as if this might result in 80 films with the same general idea.
That's what they said about LoveFest -- we expected 80 romantic comedies. That's not how it turned out. Don't sell the membership short -- embrace the idea, watch the creativity, and see what happens.


But I have a feeling twilight is synonymous with twist. And thus most entries will include twists.
And "Time" is synonymous with time travel -- how many time travel films did we have in TimeFest? A few, but not a lot.

As in every fest, some people will reach for the low-hanging fruit, and some will blow us away with amazing creativity.

[Erez Henya]

Hmmm... Twilight Fest huh?

I got that project laying arround called UNZEIT...

Haha, I thought about that too :Drogar-BigGrin(DBG)

[Barry_Green]

personally, i'd love to see the lack of a twist as a requirement. haha!
I am VERY tempted to propose exactly that. In the past we've thought about banning guns, or other quick 'n' easy crutches that people reach for, just to make them stretch their creative muscles as far as possible. In the end we never do it, because we want you to have the freedom to make the film you want to make, but -- as an exercise, I'd personally love to see how people embrace such a restriction!

Maybe we'll donate a prize to "best Twilight Fest film *without* a twist ending" or something, just to get the filmmakers here to start thinking deeper about what this fest's possibilities encompass?

I mean, Shatner saw a monster sabotaging the plane's wing. Nobody else saw it, but he did. He grabbed a gun and shot the monster and saved the plane. In the end, there *was* a monster sabotaging the wing. Where's the twist in that? Sure, he got locked up in the loony bin for saving the plane, which is irony, but it's not a "twist"...

Keep in mind that the inspiration for this fest is not just Twilight Zone, it includes Outer Limits, Goosebumps, Amazing Stories, and all sorts of other shows of that ilk.

[Richard J. Johnson]

Well I think at the end of the day, twist or no twist, good is good. If you do it well, you do it well.

If you show up on the board two days from now and say: "Script done!" We know your twist ending will probably suck.

I will likely do some kind of examination of paranoia or some such.

Script Done!! (kidding) I agree with you though. Good is Good and with all the talent here I am sure we will see some incredible stuff. M. Nights or no M. Nights I can't wait for this one. I need to go back and check out some Twilight Zone, Amazing stories, etc.

[sean90291]

I am VERY tempted to propose exactly that. In the past we've thought about banning guns, or other quick 'n' easy crutches that people reach for, just to make them stretch their creative muscles as far as possible. In the end we never do it, because we want you to have the freedom to make the film you want to make, but -- as an exercise, I'd personally love to see how people embrace such a restriction!

Maybe we'll donate a prize to "best Twilight Fest film *without* a twist ending" or something, just to get the filmmakers here to start thinking deeper about what this fest's possibilities encompass?

I mean, Shatner saw a monster sabotaging the plane's wing. Nobody else saw it, but he did. He grabbed a gun and shot the monster and saved the plane. In the end, there *was* a monster sabotaging the wing. Where's the twist in that? Sure, he got locked up in the loony bin for saving the plane, which is irony, but it's not a "twist"...

Keep in mind that the inspiration for this fest is not just Twilight Zone, it includes Outer Limits, Goosebumps, Amazing Stories, and all sorts of other shows of that ilk.


There was a twist in the ambulance as I recall? But you're right, that story pretty much captured our imagination without much of a twist.

But in any event, I don't think a good twist is "low hanging fruit." I think a good twist is really hard and I barely ever see it done, and even rarer that it's done well. There are a lot of "bad twists" and even more "no twists" in short films. I think a short film without that kind of reversal is usually flat.

[Barry_Green]

It's been a while since I've seen that episode, but if there was any twist it was that he was actually right and there was a monster, right?

As for "low hanging fruit", I mean it's the first idea that occurs to people, and if they just grab that instead of reaching further, then it might limit the creative options they would otherwise be able to embrace.

All I'm saying is: don't immediately grab onto the first concept that presents itself. Push further. Maybe in pushing further you do find a twist that you want to do that would be genius. That's entirely possible, but it's not likely if it's the very first thing that occurs to you...

[ConspiracyPenguin]

I say this theme is plenty versatile, it would be a gross miscalculation to underestimate the talent and creativity of this board by suggesting this fest will produce many similar entries. Could it happen? I suppose, but this community has such talent (as we just saw in TimeFest) that I think they can pull of unique entries.

Regarding the twists (again) I think if your idea contains any cliche twists that should be an immediate red flag. Maybe it's just me, but I don't think we want to see 10 films that turn out to be a dream. I say, if you are going to do a twist, do a damn good one that no one would expect; something that pushes your ability as a creative thinker, something clever and thought out.

[David W. Richardson]

All I'm saying is: don't immediately grab onto the first concept that presents itself. Push further. Maybe in pushing further you do find a twist that you want to do that would be genius. That's entirely possible, but it's not likely if it's the very first thing that occurs to you...

Great advice!

[David W. Richardson]

I say, if you are going to do a twist, do a damn good one that no one would expect; something that pushes your ability as a creative thinker, something clever and thought out.

Also great advice!

[David W. Richardson]

I am VERY tempted to propose exactly that. In the past we've thought about banning guns, or other quick 'n' easy crutches that people reach for, just to make them stretch their creative muscles as far as possible. In the end we never do it, because we want you to have the freedom to make the film you want to make, but -- as an exercise, I'd personally love to see how people embrace such a restriction!

Maybe we'll donate a prize to "best Twilight Fest film *without* a twist ending" or something, just to get the filmmakers here to start thinking deeper about what this fest's possibilities encompass?

I mean, Shatner saw a monster sabotaging the plane's wing. Nobody else saw it, but he did. He grabbed a gun and shot the monster and saved the plane. In the end, there *was* a monster sabotaging the wing. Where's the twist in that? Sure, he got locked up in the loony bin for saving the plane, which is irony, but it's not a "twist"...

Keep in mind that the inspiration for this fest is not just Twilight Zone, it includes Outer Limits, Goosebumps, Amazing Stories, and all sorts of other shows of that ilk.

Making a rule that essentially bans a twist at the end is a bad idea. While it's true that there were good TZ episodes that didn't have twists, by and large the franchise is known for twist endings. To say we CAN'T have a twist ending puts a severe handicap on making a 'Twilight Zone'-style film, and an unfair one, I think. If you want to do that, then change the name of the Fest to somthing else and give it a different theme. The AlternateFest -- where the story takes place in an alternate reality or parallel universe -- would be an idea. But if it's TwilightFest, then twist endings should be allowed, encouraged and embraced as homage to that show.

My 2 cents.

[Judgement]

just finish writing my Twilight script!

[Zim]

just finish writing my Twilight script!


You should wait for the rules. I know they are calling it the Twilightfest after the Twilight Zone but they will probably put a twist in the rules!!!

Here are the rules the way I see it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzlG28B-R8Y

[sean90291]

I agree that attempting to pull off a twist at the expense of everything else might be a bad idea, and we might get tired of watching a festival full of shorts desperately and unsuccessfully trying to pull off a twist. But whether it's a TZ-inspired story or any short film story, I think that a reversal on the dramatic expectatons is one of the strongest storytelling techniques in the short form. Most of us usually find shorts without a twist (whether it's drama or comedy or sci-fi or horror) to be somewhat unsatisfying. A great twist is absolutely golden. But it takes a great idea and some great writing to deliver it successfully. Sometimes a twist is a bit more obscure too. I loved Zak Forsman's short "I F**king Hate You" and in my mind there is a twist in it. The ending is a surprising reverse of the direction it was going. But it wasn't a twist that changes the entire world of the story (like many Twilight Zone twists do so well).

[David W. Richardson]

just finish writing my Twilight script!

I'm waiting to hear the rules before attempting a script. But I've got LOTS of story ideas that fit the general criteria.

[Mattykins]

I have everything lined up (if the rules don't mess me up). Waiting on that greenlight and then I have a lot of calls to make.

[Lawsuit_Boy]

Twilightfest? How cool! I want in on this (My new short just might qualify, too!)

[David W. Richardson]

I wrote a script for TimeFest, but never produced it. Any reason why I can't use the same script for TwilightFest?

[ConspiracyPenguin]

I wrote a script for TimeFest, but never produced it. Any reason why I can't use the same script for TwilightFest?

It's possible. Here is a quote from the TimeFest rules, this type of rule has been in every fest I have seen:


All films must be made between February 26th, 2008 and June 16th, 2008 and must not have been publicly screened prior to the start of viewing.

I guess the question is whether writing the script is considered part of making the film; if so, then you probably can't, although honestly (and I am not supporting breaking the rules, just posing a question), who is going to know? I think that when the rules are announced you should ask for clarification of this rule or maybe one of the mods wants to shed some light on it before then.

[David W. Richardson]

Thanks Nick. People probably would know because I posted a basic tease about the script's storyline back in the Timefest days. But you're right -- we'll wait for the official rules.

Patience is a virtue.......grrrr!!!!

[Dustin R. Rogan]

Thanks Nick. People probably would know because I posted a basic tease about the script's storyline back in the Timefest days. But you're right -- we'll wait for the official rules.

Patience is a virtue.......grrrr!!!!

after hanging with the JDS most of the weekend, its been known that the script I have was written in the Timefest era, and hes said its ok, so you should be golden

Rogan

[Richard J. Johnson]

I joined around the time that Timefest started and I am pretty new to how the fests work. Have all the past fests been 6 minutes in length??

[David W. Richardson]

after hanging with the JDS most of the weekend, its been known that the script I have was written in the Timefest era, and hes said its ok, so you should be golden

Rogan

Great! Thanks Rogan.

[Simon Höfer]

I joined around the time that Timefest started and I am pretty new to how the fests work. Have all the past fests been 6 minutes in length??

No, not all. Timefest was 6min 2 sec. Lovefest was 6min. All Hollowsfest was 5 min. Ad fest was I think 30 sec? And older fests were mostly 6 minutes I think.

I guess Twilight fest is going to be 6 min, because alot of people complained that 5 minutes are to short.

[Richard J. Johnson]

No, not all. Timefest was 6min 2 sec. Lovefest was 6min. All Hollowsfest was 5 min. Ad fest was I think 30 sec? And older fests were mostly 6 minutes I think.

I guess Twilight fest is going to be 6 min, because alot of people complained that 5 minutes are to short.

Thanks for the info.

[Simon Höfer]

No prob :)

[FDL film music composer]

composer available for twilightfest
i've scored reprieve for timefest
www.fdlfilmusicomposer.com

[Richard J. Johnson]

My film will be Black and White. Anyone else going this route?

And could some one please tell me how to edit the name of my film thread? It say "joystick Films Presents...." now I have a title and want to add that but I can't figure out how to edit it. If I click modify it allows me to change the title and the body not the Thread Title.

[Erez Henya]

My film will be Black and White. Anyone else going this route?I love your approach!

There is something very stressful about black and white films because certainly one of your abilities to distinguish between things is lost. This will probably be very useful at a horror film.

Also, using this technique is likely to give it an interesting classical effect, Hitchcock-esque in a sense, especially if manually noised a bit.

Another alternative would be going for a well-lighted, modern artistic black and white, see:

http://media.outnow.ch/movies/images/2005/SinCity/movie.ws/18.jpg
http://media.outnow.ch/movies/images/2005/SinCity/movie.ws/16.jpg
http://media.outnow.ch/movies/images/2005/SinCity/movie.ws/17.jpg ...which is also very interesting, though I think not as scary, that's of course, assuming you're really into a horror film.

However, no matter which method you take, it can be easily ruined, as I see it, by coloring certain motives in the film, as done at Sin City and a bit at Schindler's List for instance. I find it drawing too much attention. Seriously, you've been working so hard to get the audience inside, to make them believe that the illusion they watch is in fact real, but then, out of nowhere comes some color which abruptly awakens parts of their consciousness and get them out of this illusion. Some may agree, some may not, but it is merely my own point of view.

:)

Either way, I cannot wait to see your movie!

[Simon Höfer]

You can't change it yourself. You have to ask a mod to change it for you...

[Jason Adams]

OK SO SOMETHING LIKE THIS ???????


http://www.dreamoncreative.com/%7Efiletransfer/dvxuser/twist.jpg

[Erez Henya]

OK SO SOMETHING LIKE THIS ???????

YEAH! SOMETHING VERY MUCH LIKE THIS! haha.

I love it, especially those stylish boots :grin:

[Richard J. Johnson]

LOL Genius. I am going to try this thing with no twist. But twists can be great If you NEVER see them coming. My film is not Horror by defintion but I think B&W would work. Great post though.

[Richard J. Johnson]

You can't change it yourself. You have to ask a mod to change it for you...

Thanks for the info. You helped me out a lot today. Now if you could tell me where I can find a big bag of money to buy a RED?

[Charlie Anderson]

I'm in, already have a script for it.

[Larry Rutledge]

Remember, TZ (and the other similar shows) were really a mixture of fantasy, sci-fi, horror and comedy. The episodes were often designed to speak to the social consciousness of the day, to discuss topics that were not always easy to openly discuss (e.g. racism, etc) in a way that diffused the situation before it began. The twist then was used to reveal what that "truth" was without explicitly saying, "Hey this is a show about racism".



My film will be Black and White. Anyone else going this route? I was reading the introduction to the book Visions From The Twilight Zone. In there is a quote by Director of Photography George T. Clemens to Rod Serling when under pressure to begin using the new "color film" available at the time. He told him: "I can’t give you what we feel is the Twilight Zone feeling in color as I could in black and white."

So maybe you are on to something :)

[Dick Campbell]

I plan to do B&W. A stark hospital room.

[Tom Marshall]

http://www.silentstormmedia.com/dvxpics/twilight_mark.jpg

[ConspiracyPenguin]

Re: Tommy's discovery

My God it's true...every word of it!

[Lingothree]

NO CHUBBY CHECKER?

No matter. I'm in.

[Mark Harris]

NO CHUBBY CHECKER?

No matter. I'm in.

Yeah baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Lingothree]

YEAH BABY!!!!!!!!!

OMG guys I'm such a slut!

Joe said that to me 'bout ten times last night and I didn't know what he was talking about.

[Mark Harris]

YEAH BABY!!!!!!!!!

OMG guys I'm such a slut!

Joe said that to me 'bout ten times last night and I didn't know what he was talking about.

Um, I was just happy you're making a film.

But if you feel the need to call yourself a slut, I suggest you see a therapist.

[Lingothree]

Oh, I didn't mean I'm entering the fest. That's what men cheer when... oh nevermind.

OMG guys I'm such a slut!

[Lingothree]

I'll stop now. This is inappropriate.

I AM SRSLY IN.