Potential LossFest Scripts at MoviePoet.com

[Chris Messineo]

It all starts with a story.

MoviePoet.com (http://www.MoviePoet.com) is a free screenwriting site with over 800 hundred 5 page scripts in their database.

In the past, several DVXUser films have been created from MoviePoet scripts including the third place winner in TimeFest, "The Small Multiple", and the third place winner in TwilightFest, "Teacher's Pet".

I realize 800+ scripts can be a little overwhelming to read through, so I thought I would list some scripts that might be interesting for LossFest.

"The Baptism Of Dawson Parish (http://www.moviepoet.com/script.aspx?scriptid=862)" by Rustom Irani
14 year old Dawson Parish, plays judge, jury and executioner as he pursues the man who murdered his family.

"Happy Birthday (http://www.moviepoet.com/script.aspx?scriptid=187)" by Antonio Gangemi
A young boy receives the best birthday wish a son could ask for.

"Just One Dance (http://www.moviepoet.com/script.aspx?scriptid=411)" by Sally Meyer
A red dress. A birthday cake ... and one last dance.

"Losing Teeth (http://www.moviepoet.com/script.aspx?scriptid=677)" by Brad Huffman Parent
A father prepares a special treat for his daughter's first lost tooth.

"Mr. Wobber's Flight Plan (http://www.moviepoet.com/script.aspx?scriptid=214)" by Kirk White
A thoroughly broken woman goes through photos of a trip to San Francisco; the weekend she was supposed to get engaged.

"Polaroid (http://www.moviepoet.com/script.aspx?scriptid=776)" by Travis DeStein
A husband and wife struggle to survive when their son falls victim to a mysterious epidemic.

"Pure Sextacy (http://www.moviepoet.com/script.aspx?scriptid=506)" by Matt Burns
The "morning after" sends a man's mind into hyper-overdrive, fearing that the sex may not have been the safest it could have been.

"The Raven (http://www.moviepoet.com/script.aspx?scriptid=636)" by Chris Messineo
Lonely and despairing for his lost love, Edgar begins to realize that he is not alone.

"Remembering Dartmouth (http://www.moviepoet.com/script.aspx?scriptid=89)" by Wes Worthing
A loving couple undergoes a memory deleting procedure to improve their health. An unexpected deletion leads to a life changing outcome.

"Steeple (http://www.moviepoet.com/script.aspx?scriptid=856)" by David D. DeBord
Frail, elderly Emily has to reach the top of the narrow dusty stairs.

In Production - "Time in a Bottle (http://www.moviepoet.com/script.aspx?scriptid=138)" by Aimee Parrott
A woman keeps a promise she made to her best friend.

You will need to register (it's quick, easy, and free) to read the scripts. If you find one you like, please contact the author directly to arrange for the rights.

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.

[gabrielflorit]

Thanks Chris! Looks like my evening will be devoted to reading scripts. Keep them coming.

[Chris Messineo]

Honestly, we probably have about a hundred scripts that could work with the theme of loss.

These are just some of my favorites. As I think of more, I will definitely add them.

Also, if someone is looking for a certain type of script (genre, actor, location, or whatever), let me know, and I will see if we have something that fits.

[Chris Messineo]

I added new Script Search (http://www.moviepoet.com/search.aspx) functionality at MoviePoet today.

In addition to searching by genre, cast size, and production status you can now search by Contest Winners and Honorable Mentions. This will limit your results to scripts that have reached a certain standard of excellence.

[Robbie Comeau]

Been waiting for this, already found one I liked. Thanks Chris.

Robbie

[Chris Messineo]

Awesome. I can't wait to hear which one it is.

As usual, just make sure you clear it with the writer first.

[Robbie Comeau]

She hasn't responded.

"Time In A Bottle."

Robbie

[Chris Messineo]

If you don't hear from her in a day or so and you want me to reach out to her, let me know. She's a great writer and I'd love to see that film brought to life.

[Robbie Comeau]

No response, Chris.

I'm sure she's just busy or something, if you can do something differently to contact her, than sure!

I wanna talk about the story as well, seeing if she wouldn't mind tweaking things.

Thanks,

Robbie

[Chris Messineo]

I've reached out to her and hopefully you will hear back soon.

[Chris Messineo]

Since Robbie scooped up one of the ten scripts I listed, I added a new one "Pure Sextacy". This is a comedy and deals with a very different kind of loss, the loss of a condom. You can follow the link up above if you want to check it out.

[Chris Messineo]

Another MoviePoet script is going into production for LossFest, "Invalid Directive (http://www.moviepoet.com/script.aspx?scriptid=785)".

[Robbie Comeau]

Oh, I wasn't really digging that story, BUT, it fits the theme perfectly!

Robbie

[Ted Arabian]

Hey Chris,

Thanks for this great resource!

I am feeling a bit dumb here but I can't figure out how to read a script. I registered, signed in and read the FAQ but I still can't get a script to come up.

Any help?

Thanks,

Ted

(again, thanks for this great resource!!!)

[Chris Messineo]

Ted, Thanks for checking out the site.

To read a script you just click on the script's title and it should open as a PDF.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

[Ted Arabian]

Thanks Chris.

I have not been able to successfully open a script until just now. It was like the 4th I've tried. (a script from 2002 that I found in the FAQ section)

Am I doing something wrong? Or are certain scripts not available? (like when they get picked up)

Thanks,

Ted

[Ted Arabian]

hmmm... I am obviously doing something wrong. I can't get a script to open. Every time I click on the title of a script, I am taken to "what's new."

[Chris Messineo]

You might want to make sure your browser is up to date as well as adobe reader (you need that to open a PDF). Also, you can try the magic computer reboot (that always seems to fix things). :)

[Ted Arabian]

I just switched to Firefox and now when I click, I get an option to open or save a "pdf.aspx" file.

This file opens in Dreamweaver but is gibberish.

I am not sure what is wrong. I guess I will continue to play with this.

[Chris Messineo]

My guess is that you have an old version of adobe reader as you should not be getting any prompt; the PDF should just open.

You can get the latest version (for free) here: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html

[Ted Arabian]

well, let me give that a try. my mcp is usually up to date with software... but I am trying it now.

thanks,
ted

[Ted Arabian]

well, I don't know what is going on with this. I don't usually have trouble with pdf files or such.

I installed the latest reader but no change.

With Safari, I go to a "what's new" page.

With Firefox, I get this message...

http://lightwritepictures.com/moviepoet_msg.jpg

Neither opening or saving this will reveal a script.

If someone figures out what I am doing wrong, let me know.

thanks!

ted

[Chris Messineo]

I wish I knew what the problem was. Our scripts have been read over 50,000 times by over 1,200 different members and I've never heard of anyone else with this issue.

One last question. Did you try the magic reboot? :)

[Ted Arabian]

no... i didn't want to have to close down my windows.

I will try that later.

Thanks. I don't know what my issue is. I report my mistake when I discover it.

[pauljaw]

You need to set firefox to open the file with adobe reader. Where it says open with - set it to - adobe reader - not dreamweaver

I had a problem with safari at first - but I found that you need to right click on the title of the script and then left click on "save linked file to desktop" - in the pop up menu which appears. I can then read the script in preview.

Im on a mac btw

and it is a great resource.