Scriptfest 4 - Official Rules

[Isaac_Brody]

DVXUSER.COM PRESENTS SCRIPTFEST 4 – IIII
**WESTFEST**

RULES
Genre: WESTERN
(Examples: John Ford, Eastwood, you know it when you see it…)
Scene requirement: You must have a gun fight.
Length: 6 - 10 pages
Dates: February 13th – March 23rd

* 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.

BANG BANG! :)

[Nektonic]

Alright, this sounds like fun. Now I just need to come up with an idea.

One question: can we mix in other genres or time periods like some of us did with Pulpfest, or do we have to do a full on traditional western? Example: the series Firefly mixed western with sci-fi. Would that kind of thing work here?

[Ezekiel667]

I'm liking this. I was kind of hoping for a balls-to-the-wall Fest. Already getting some ideas.

Though I do agree with Nektonic, can we mix time periods?

[Bravajo]

I think it is time for me to become more active on dvxuser. Count me in.

[LadyNatasha87]

Sorry Newbie user here where do we upload them to?

[RodThompson]

Yeah, if we could get some news on time period, that would rock.

[Noel Evans]

Hmmm tough one for me. Not that I havent watched numerous westerns in my life.

Isaac wondering if I could have Australia setting? As in colonial Australia - same time period, pretty similar in all respects. Stick to all the other rules as usual - what say ye?

[Captain Pierce]

Sorry Newbie user here where do we upload them to?

Usually the upload isn't announced until close to the end of the writing period.

[Chris_Keaton]

Ah!!! Westerns suck and I live in the wild west.

[Isaac_Brody]

Hmmm tough one for me. Not that I havent watched numerous westerns in my life.

Isaac wondering if I could have Australia setting? As in colonial Australia - same time period, pretty similar in all respects. Stick to all the other rules as usual - what say ye?

Of course you can transplant setting to Australia. Have you seen The Proposition?

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0421238/

And you can blend genres, but it has to feel like a Western. A romance with a guy wearing a cowboy hat is not a Western..

[Chris_Keaton]

A romance with a guy wearing a cowboy hat is not a Western..

But that would be dreamy.:kiss:


A deadline would be nice.

[krestofre]

Giddyup!

[Captain Pierce]

A deadline would be nice



Dates: February 13th – March 13th

I'm guessing you better have it done by March 13. :)

[Captain Pierce]

Oh, and I keep forgetting to say, nice to see ScriptFest back up at the top of the page. :D

[AuditoryVisuals]

This doesn't seem too hard, not too many pages. I think I could do this.

I'm guessing it must be mid to late 1800s?

[pauly_the_hitman]

Cool I will try and come up with something.
Pauly

[Chris_Keaton]

I'm guessing you better have it done by March 13. :)

HAHAHAHAHAHA

What an idiot. Maybe I should start drinking coffee.

[Isaac_Brody]

Actually, I flubbed the due date. I meant to give a month plus change last night. This is what happens when you post after :beer::beer::beer::beer:.

Adding a little more change to the due date now...

[Noel Evans]

Of course you can transplant setting to Australia. Have you seen The Proposition?

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0421238/

And you can blend genres, but it has to feel like a Western. A romance with a guy wearing a cowboy hat is not a Western..

Got it and my idea fits.

[Noel Evans]

Can I enter this?? How do I enter??

Thanks


Sorry Newbie user here where do we upload them to?


These fests are for anyone. So just write your piece and toward the end Isaac will tell us where to upload.

[MrKilloran]

Fantastic.

[Russell Moore]

Yeeeehah!!
I think I've got an idea that'll work. I like westerns, so I'm fired up about this scriptfest.

[Brickhouse]

I think I have a pretty good idea. However, my final draft doesn't let me save to pdf. Is there another way to change a final draft document into a pdf?

[lawriejaffa]

If worst comes to worse im sure someone will convert it for you - a google search methinks!

[Chris_Keaton]

I think I have a pretty good idea. However, my final draft doesn't let me save to pdf. Is there another way to change a final draft document into a pdf?

Google 'CutePDF' its a free printer plugin that enables you to 'print' anything into a .PDF.

[Brickhouse]

Thanks Chris!!

[Donatas.Kaulinis]

Good luck everybody

[Brickhouse]

Okay, and one more quick question,

can we include direction in our script. (Camera angles, etc)?

thanks

[preston]

ahh, i'm looking forward to this fest... although i don't have a clue yet what i'll write.

i'm in the midst of shooting and editing a short for loss-fest, so i won't be able to get to the writing until that's done.

good luck all!

[Nektonic]

Like preston said, looking forward to writing another script for the fest and seeing what everyone comes up with.

The only problem is deciding which 1 of my 4 ideas to use. Maybe it's time to rent some westerns and study the genre a little bit. Anybody got any good recommendations? Both traditional westerns and non-tradtional ones like sci-fi western or modern day westerns are fine with me.

[Captain Pierce]

can we include direction in our script. (Camera angles, etc)?

There isn't an official rule against it (at least to the best of my knowledge), but I would recommend that you not, because pretty much everybody who reads and comments on your script will tell you that you shouldn't have. :)

[Nektonic]

can we include direction in our script. (Camera angles, etc)?

Another factor to think about is that camera directions not only interrupt the reader's flow, but also take up more page space. Ten pages is really not a lot of space to tell a full story. Sure, it is enough space, but it is not an easy task to do so in a complete and compelling way while still filling out your fictional world and characters, unless you have a really simplified idea that can be told with a minimum of description, dialogue, and build-up.

Every word counts.

[krestofre]

But, if it's a direction that is CRITICAL to the script, then it's acceptable to include it.

[REHov520]

what qualifies as a gunfight? do both parties have to exchange fire? what if it's more of an ambush-killing with guns?

[Nektonic]

But, if it's a direction that is CRITICAL to the script, then it's acceptable to include it.

You're right, there are special scenarios where direction is needed. Callaghan's script for PULPFEST is a good example.

I think for 99% of the time, a full script can be written without any camera directions. It also makes the script's description much more enjoyable to read because it doesn't pull you into the mindset of having to block the scenes out in your head and imagine exactly what it will look like shot and edited together.

If a writer does put in an occasional camera direction here or there, then it is certainly not a the end of the world to me. I wouldn't dock anyone points for minimal camera direction unless it did get in the way of the story, or felt like they were putting it in because they couldn't come up with an actual description.

[Isaac_Brody]

I wouldn't recommend writing angles like,

Wide shot: Sheriffy Mclusky dismounts from his horse.
Medium Shot: He approaches the ravine.

Stay away from that, however, if there's a detail you need to emphasize there's nothing wrong with drawing attention to it. If it's an important story detail and you need to do it, do it.

CLOSE ON DOOR

A red skull and crossbones flanks an ornate gothic knocker.

BACK IN SCENE

[nouou]

what qualifies as a gunfight? do both parties have to exchange fire? what if it's more of an ambush-killing with guns?

I don't think that'd work. I think it has to be two or more parties exchanging gunfire. Could be wrong though :huh:

[Chris_Keaton]

I wouldn't recommend writing angles like,

Wide shot: Sheriffy Mclusky dismounts from his horse.
Medium Shot: He approaches the ravine.

Stay away from that, however, if there's a detail you need to emphasize there's nothing wrong with drawing attention to it. If it's an important story detail and you need to do it, do it.

CLOSE ON DOOR

A red skull and crossbones flanks an ornate gothic knocker.

BACK IN SCENE

Heck, you don't even need that. If..

A red skull and crossbones flanks an ornate gothic knocker.

..was set on an action line alone you are telling the director that this is the only thing the camera sees.

[Isaac_Brody]

True true. Bad example, but I might use this to draw attention to what's going on in a photo.

[Brandon Rice]

I'm looking forward to hopefully getting something entered.

[ConspiracyPenguin]

I'm looking forward to hopefully getting something entered.

I wish I had kept a list of all the times you've said this and not followed through. :evil:

You know I'm just messing, Brandon...you're busy, I understand that. Hell, this is the first I've heard of this fest I've been away for so long. I didn't realize it had been a week + and now that I have I am a little depressed. It's not like I haven't had the time, I've just been wasting a lot of it lately. :(

This theme intrigues me, though, and (especially since I didn't enter last time) I think I'll try to pull one together.

[Captain Pierce]

People who didn't enter the last ScriptFest suck...

Oh, wait... :undecided

[Brandon Rice]

Nick my friend! I entered the last Scriptfest! :)

[Mailliw87]

So the deadline is march 23rd? It used to say 13th, just making sure here.

I've got my idea, hopefully nobody else got it as well, Lol.

[Chris_Keaton]

So the deadline is march 23rd? It used to say 13th, just making sure here.

I've got my idea, hopefully nobody else got it as well, Lol.

Nope, sorry, I already have your idea. Yep, stole it right out of your cranium.

[Mailliw87]

son of a...

It's not worth much anyway, there's hardly a plot :D

Me and my shitty ideas.

At least I've got till march 23rd.

[Noel Evans]

Ok, got a concept Im happy with. Im going the traditional western approach. Good luck to everyone.

[ConspiracyPenguin]

Nick my friend! I entered the last Scriptfest! :)

Wha--!? :huh:

I suck...:( Sorry, Brandon, the one time I don't pay attention you follow through. Sort of ironic, haha.

[lawriejaffa]

Well i love historical fiction the most - so looking forward to yours Noels!

[GGF NYC]

Hello everyone. It's been some time. I will be participation in this Fest being that I have some extra time to work on a project. Last Fest I did was the very first Scriptfest and that was alot of fun. Great people giving insight on what they thought on the entires. It def. helps those out who are just starting out like myself. I look forward to the Fest and to reading what you all have come up with. I'll still be using my demo of FD7 haha! Havent written a feature (no time to, need to work and pay too much debt off) so I haven't found it necessary to purchase the full version, so just bare with the watermarks. Anyway good luck everyone just thought I'd drop in.

[themightyshrub]

If the watermarks are annoying you, try downloading Celtx. It's free, and I personally found it a lot easier to work with than FD7, and there's no watermarking. You just have to remember to turn of the function that puts (continued) at the top and bottom of every page!

[Captain Pierce]

Well i love historical fiction the most

You know what's weird? I keep trying to sit down and write a traditional, late 1800's, completely normal Western...

...and my damn subconscious keeps twisting it to sci-fi!

WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY?!?

[lawriejaffa]

...and my damn subconscious keeps twisting it to sci-fi!



Oh its just my personal taste i mean heck it won't effect how id mark scripts etc - there will be guys here who probably hate traditional 'set' westerns but find the whole theme of that style of storytelling accessible via say a science fiction setting etc.

On the other hand i also think that a traditional interpretation of setting for this style of story seems unsettlingly 'plain' hehe to some for a short film competition. However I'd say a good story supercedes a good 'angle' if you get my jist - not that im suggesting any deriaviation of setting is merely superficial! Mines is set in Scotland afterall!

[seansshack]

OK. I'm in.

[GGF NYC]

If the watermarks are annoying you, try downloading Celtx. It's free, and I personally found it a lot easier to work with than FD7, and there's no watermarking. You just have to remember to turn of the function that puts (continued) at the top and bottom of every page!

TYVM Shrub. I will look into it!

[Nektonic]

You know what's weird? I keep trying to sit down and write a traditional, late 1800's, completely normal Western...

...and my damn subconscious keeps twisting it to sci-fi!

WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY?!?

Same here. I just can't think of a decent plot or concept for a good old traditional western story, even though I like some of the good old traditional western flicks.

lawriejaffa, your avatar has vanished!!!!!!!!

[bwind22]

I read through this whole thread and didn't see the answers to these questions, but they may be located somewhere else on the site that I'm not looking. Sorry if these are redundant, but I'm thinking about entering this contest and want to make sure I know what's going on before I start on a script....

Is this a free contest?
Who are the judges?
Roughly how many scripts do you expect to be entered?
Are we competing for bragging rights or do the winners receive something?
Do all of the entries receive coverage/feedback?

Sorry if these have been asked already and I'm just not seeing them. Thanks. Brian

[Jason Ramsey]

yes, it is free as are all of our fests.

judges are usually your peers (the members of this site)

Isaac can answer.

Yes. That is the idea... As with all of our fests, the first purpose of the fests is to be able to get your work viewed by your peers and responded to. At the very least, you should receive at least some feedback from other members regarding your work.

Hope that helps.

later,
Jason

[bwind22]

Cool thanks. I may just have to condense a story I've already got in mind down to 10 pages for this contest then.

[Randall_Oelerich]

The rules seem vague. I am new to this scriptfest thing here. The rules do not specify where to upload the scripts, who owns the rights to the scripts submitted, if there are any prizes if only by name (1st, 2nd, 3rd place winners announced), etc. Any chance of getting more info?

[Captain Pierce]

Upload details are usually announced much closer to the deadline, and there have traditionally been no prizes (other than the one-off the first time around of having the script produced by some of the site's luminaries :) ).

[Jason Ramsey]

There are winners announced.

The first ScriptFest winner had their script produced "Cold Calls" by JDS and crew... So, you never know.

This time around, I've got some extra DV Rebel's Guide Books that I will throw in to the pool.

Later,
Jason

[bwind22]

I'm a tad confused as to the scoring. Do all the site members read all the scripts and give scores to them? Is there some sort of ranking system? Does the site staff decide who wins? How is a winner determined?

[Captain Pierce]

Any member of the site with a certain number of posts (a requirement waived for people participating) can vote. The voting system is somewhat complex :), but basically you give a rating between 1 and 10, and then everyone's rating is averaged out. (The complexities come in how the ratings are averaged out to avoid stuffing the ballot box; see this post (http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showpost.php?p=1382935&postcount=31) for a better explanation.)

[bwind22]

Makes perfect sense. Thanks for the link. 1 last round of questions....

Are the entries anonymous? Or does everyone know who wrote what prior to voting? If so, is there any concern of favoritism such as friends scoring each other high but new people to the site being scored low due to lack of knowing anybody?

[krestofre]

Promotion of the script is encouraged. We know who wrote what going in.

Favoritism has rarely been a problem here. If anything I think those of us who know each other are harder on one another because of it. This is a very amicable group that will fairly critique your writing. Just for an example, I had no idea who Alex Whitmer was until his script popped up and took 3rd place in the first scriptfest (knocking my entry to 4th, and don't think I've forgotten that, Alex:)). Since then Alex and I have worked together on a couple of projects. This seems to be a place where new friends are made, not old ones undeservedly propped up.

My two cents.

[bwind22]

Good enough for me. I guess it's time to start writing then. Thanks for the info.

[Noel Evans]

Got an outline.... havent started writing yet though. Been flat out. I will get it done.

[gaer42]

Sweet... Its been a while since I posted... looks like I came back in the nick of time... Love westerns... Especially the newer "Steampunk" westerns that have been running around the independent world...

Man you can tell the last time I posted by my icon... lol

[MrKilloran]

Love westerns

I hear ya!

I have two ideas flowing, just need to work them out and see which one works better. Missed the last scriptfest, I'm not missing this one, I will make it in time.

[arroway]

definitely need more entrants. we look a little "light" right now...

[gaer42]

Just banged out 4 pages last night, who knows I might shoot this when I am done....

[Ezekiel667]

I agree with Arroway, there's not much competition as of now. Hopefully since LossFest ended, we'll see an influx of scripts from people who were working on that. There's still 2 weeks until the deadline, that's more then enough time to write 10 pages.

[pauly_the_hitman]

I am hashing out my outline right now may have to come up with a new idea the characters are a bit odd. But don't worry no Narcoleptic, necrophiliac, nympho's in this one or is there...
Pauly

[Nektonic]

definitely need more entrants. we look a little "light" right now...

Well, count one more with me. I haven't started a thread for mine yet, but I will once I've got a poster and logline together. Still working on the script though.

I'm hoping we get at least the same amount as PULPFEST had, which was around 25 - 30 entries.

[theAlchemist]

Been away from these forums since first scriptfest. I wrote a western for that fest, so this will be my second try in this lovely genre. :)

[TimCollins]

What's the official rules for font and font size of the script? Is 11 pt Courier New okay or does it have to be 12 pt? My computer only has Courier New is that a problem?

[chris f]

just read this thread today and wrote a script, consider me in

I have one question though, is there any leniency on the 6-10 page rule? I have a full 5 pages that is jam packed, with little dialogue. The screen time would probably be equivalent to around 7-8 pages I'm guessing. Would that work or do I need to find a way to expand the story?

[nouou]

just read this thread today and wrote a script, consider me in

I have one question though, is there any leniency on the 6-10 page rule? I have a full 5 pages that is jam packed, with little dialogue. The screen time would probably be equivalent to around 7-8 pages I'm guessing. Would that work or do I need to find a way to expand the story?

6-10 pages...

[Keth Andril]

I think most writers are happy if they get to add on to their script instead of cut away from it.

[chris f]

I've re-read it a few times and I'm not sure if I've got anything of substance to add to it.


6-10 pages...

Yea I read that, I was just curious if there was any leniency on the under because I am used to doing the DVXFests that have no minimum requirements, only max.

[nouou]

I've re-read it a few times and I'm not sure if I've got anything of substance to add to it.



Yea I read that, I was just curious if there was any leniency on the under because I am used to doing the DVXFests that have no minimum requirements, only max.

six to ten pages = 6 - 10 pages

i'll let you figure it out.

[chris f]

oh ok, now I get it. The whole numbers/letters thing threw me off. A simple yes or no would work, but thanks for your help.

Isaac, care to elaborate on the minimum rule?

[Noel Evans]

Sorry folks Im out. I just havent had enough time to put my all into this one and Im a long way from finished. This ones on the backburner for me, will be sure to read as many as I can when they are released. Good luck.

[TimCollins]

Any word on what the font/size rules are?

[Russell Moore]

Not sure what the official font/size rules are. Try sending Isaac a PM, I'm sure he can tell you.
Noel, sorry to hear you won't make this one.

[Chris_Keaton]

How about industry standard. Courier/Courier New 12. One inch margins on the top and bottom, 1.5 on the left and 1 on the right.

[Russell Moore]

I'm hoping that - 23rd means that we have through the 23rd to finish writing and we upload at midnight.

[TimCollins]

Just a couple of questions. This is my first scriptfest so bear with me...

How long is the reading/responding/voting period?

How does the voting work? Is there a rating system or do we just pick our top favorites?

I could probably just wait and see but I'd rather know what I'm doing ahead of time rather than running around looking for answers like a lost puppy when I should be reviewing/voting.

Thanks!

[Chad_from_Chad]

Of course you can transplant setting to Australia. Have you seen The Proposition?

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0421238/

And you can blend genres, but it has to feel like a Western. A romance with a guy wearing a cowboy hat is not a Western..
better yet, Quigly Down Under

[Captain Pierce]

How long is the reading/responding/voting period?

How does the voting work? Is there a rating system or do we just pick our top favorites?

1. Yet to be announced.

2. Assuming this Fest uses the now-standard DVX Fest voting system, and I have no reason to believe it won't, you assign each script a rating from 1 - 10. These are not supposed to be absolute (in other words, you're not supposed to give your favorite a 10 and your least favorite a 1), but rather simply a ranking, on a scale of 1 - 10, of how good you thought the script was. You don't have to give any 10's, any 1's, any of any score.

[Russell Moore]

We usually have about ten days to read the scripts and give them ratings.

[deckardScott1980]

how do i upload my script? where do i go?

[krestofre]

They will post information soon with upload details.

[TimCollins]

Let the festivities begin!

[Isaac_Brody]

It's coming soon, take advantage of the time you still have to polish. :)

[Kmaia]

Looking forward to reading some scripts. I am a new member so I am still reading up on how everything works. When and how can we read these scripts? Some look very exciting.

[Isaac_Brody]

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=166008

[LadyNatasha87]

With this fest is there like categories for winners? Or is it just 1st place?
When will the winner/s be annouced. And is it me or are there some really talented writers on here. :beer: Good Luck to everyone :D

[TimCollins]

And is it me or are there some really talented writers on here. :beer:

Hell yeah, I was blown away

[Luis_]

Amazing Scripts! wow.... !

When does the rating begin and end, and where?

_