Scriptfest VIII: Samurai Fest

[Isaac_Brody]

http://www.isaacbrody.com/scriptfest/scriptfest8samuraifest.jpg

[Isaac_Brody]

When creating threads for your script you must create a logline and poster for your project.

[Isaac_Brody]

NOTE: You don't have to be literal in your interpretation of what a Samurai is. It can be more metaphorical, perhaps a character who lives by their own code of ethics.

For example, Heat by Michael Mann is considered an interpretation on the Samurai genre. And the jedi in Star Wars are another interpretation.

Feel free to stretch it to your own definition.

[Nektonic]

Awesome. I think I can come up with something that works for this theme. If not, I can always just revert to dudes with katanas chopping each other up into itty bitty little pieces.

One question though, can we use mythological plots or themes for this one? For example, say an interpretation of a legendary or historical concept like Xenophon's March of the 10,000 or Arthurian myths, as long as we incorporate the samurai/dishonor theme?

[Isaac_Brody]

Yes you can. Mythology is kosher. It is pretty open as long as you can relate it.

[Noel Evans]

Nice Isaac.

[Charli]

Bonzai!

[4100xpb]

Whaddya say Charli, think we'll get through Samurai Fest with no deaths?;)

[Noel Evans]

I think its totally possible. This goes way beyond sword fighting and stand offs.

[Charli]

Ha ha 4100 - I didn't even think of that. That's funny. You can be dishonored and banished, so yeah. Not sure I'll enter though.

[Chris Messineo]

Very cool theme for the new ScriptFest!

[Campion Elderado]

Great theme. I love these forums!

[Noel Evans]

OK guys you all called for scriptfest - Isaac's got it going so get busy and support it :)

[4100xpb]

On it!

[kyotonils]

None shall escape my wrath. None!! There's even a samurai movie studio/theme park in Kyoto.

[KhamIsk]

I visit the site daily and just saw this thread. I wonder if others can't find it too.

One question - is it okay to let my scriptwriting friends know about the fest or even announce it on another website? Thanks.

[Chris_Keaton]

I visit the site daily and just saw this thread. I wonder if others can't find it too.

One question - is it okay to let my scriptwriting friends know about the fest or even announce it on another website? Thanks.

Sure as long as it isn't SS, we don't need those d-bags over here.... I'm only partially kidding. :)

[KhamIsk]

Sure as long as it isn't SS, we don't need those d-bags over here.... I'm only partially kidding. :)

Eh, I should have gone ahead with it and then asked! Okay - I'm totally kidding. --that makes me a d-bag then, huh...

[Hawk Teflon]

Well, I just finished my first run in a dvxuser film fest ... Might as well give this one a go... As soon as I can finally access my computer, I'll get a thread started.

[Chris_Keaton]

Eh, I should have gone ahead with it and then asked! Okay - I'm totally kidding. --that makes me a d-bag then, huh...

Hahaha, you ain't been around there long enough to develop that bad habit, if you could. :)

[Nektonic]

Sure as long as it isn't SS, we don't need those d-bags over here.... I'm only partially kidding. :)

The Schutzstaffel? I didn't know they were interested in screenwriting.

[Brandon Rice]

I'll try to get something written for this :)

[Susanne G.]

Maybe somebody will come up with a homage to "The seven samurai" by Akira Kurosawa?!

[Mobie540]

I was thinking of doing a western with that spin, "Wonder Seven" or something like that. JK

[Nektonic]

Maybe somebody will come up with a homage to "The seven samurai" by Akira Kurosawa?!

I was thinking a science fiction take would be fun. Seven Cyborgs? Or how about Cyborg 7?

Of course, there is the low budget Roger Corman flick Battle Beyond the Stars, that is a sci-fi take on Seven Samurai while also being a low budget Star Wars type film.

As for Samurai fest, I am betting someone will enter one called Ninja vs. Samurai. That could be fun.


I was thinking of doing a western with that spin, "Wonder Seven" or something like that. JK

Isn't The Magnificent Seven sort of a western version of Seven Samurai?

[ZazaCast]

Bonzai!
Aren't those very little trees? :huh:

[Mobie540]

I was thinking a science fiction take would be fun. Seven Cyborgs? Or how about Cyborg 7?

Of course, there is the low budget Roger Corman flick Battle Beyond the Stars, that is a sci-fi take on Seven Samurai while also being a low budget Star Wars type film.

As for Samurai fest, I am betting someone will enter one called Ninja vs. Samurai. That could be fun.



Isn't The Magnificent Seven sort of a western version of Seven Samurai?


Yes.

Also '13 Assassins' has some Kurosawa influence. Ninja vs Samurai, I made a joke comic with that concept. Also saw a comedic short called Ninaj vs Samurai at my old film school.

[Jarrett P. Morgan]

I might try writing something, though I have NEVER written any script ever....
I can never come up with ideas. But there is no better time to learn than now, right?

[BennyWhiskers]

Eh, I should have gone ahead with it and then asked! Okay - I'm totally kidding. --that makes me a d-bag then, huh...

Actually it's called a v-bag since your a girl.

sorry, I stand corrected, it's douche - vag(pronounced vaj)

[vcassel]

Damn, I'm just now seeing this. Does it have to be a Samurai driven, or can it just feature them to some degree?

[Noel Evans]

Does it have to be a Samurai driven, or can it just feature them to some degree?

The fest theme is dishonour - it doesnt have to have samurai at all.

Let's explore that. Well in a Samurai sense it forms part of Bushido - the way of the warrior where honour is considered one of the highest of all virtues.

So what about in modern life, a guy cheating on his wife could be deemed dishonourable as could virtually any crime where the person feels they have dishonoured themselves in the eyes of others. I guess thats a key point with dishonour IMO - the person needs to feel the shame of their dishonourable action.

For example a guy who's sleeping with his brothers wife could be deemed dishonourable, but without him feeling the shame of his actions he's just an A hole? Thinking aloud here as well. So does dishonour relate to someone incapable of feeling shame at their dishonour? IMO, No, it doesn't.

How can dishonour be used to drive a story? Again IMO.

Well the protagonist commits an act they feel shameful of - thats the obvious one. An antagonist undertakes a dishonourable act that effects the protagonist and how they then deal with that. I think also theres some other opportunities to explore here. An antagonist that undertakes a dishonourable act that positively effects the protagonist in some way - they have to come to terms with their gain at the cost of someone else for example. Or how about an antagonist whose dishonourable act effects the protagonist to do something they normally wouldn't as in that becomes one of the catalysts for change in our protagonist.

Again this is all just thinking aloud.

[vcassel]

Perfect, Noel! Thanks.

[Chris_Keaton]

It just has to have a Samurai type theme with a betrayal. So you don't need to exactly have Samurai in it.

[mookid]

damn, i have no ideas although i've read that hagakure book just recently.

[NickClapper]

Hello!

I'm new here and wrote a screenplay about a Samurai (kind of ;) ) which might be fun to enter. Just wondering whether it's ok that I wrote it before and have filmed it (although it has not and may never see the light of day)?

Cheers,
Nick

[Isaac_Brody]

Has to be written for this fest.

[jwmemmer]

Is it frowned upon for new users to submit for the fest if it's not their typical area of expertise? I'd like to write a script for this, but I'm not quite sure how current standards for formatting should look because I don't have a scriptwriting program. I have some older Word formats to use - is that ok or is there a particulare Word format I should use?

[Chris_Keaton]

Formatting isn't hard just check out some scripts from the previous fests. The hard part is the craft and that takes script after script and feedback, plenty of feedback and ultimately that is what contests like this is all about. Getting better at the craft.

[Anthony Todaro]

@ jwmemmer Write it and enter. New comers totally welcome here and encouraged. If you make an effort at getting into the proper format people will notice that. I personally would love to read your story. There are lots of free formatting software choices. CELTX is one of them. < http://celtx.com/

It will do most of the work for you. Hope to see your script! If you need help with a poster, please send me a PM and I can help you with that.

[jwmemmer]

@ jwmemmer Write it and enter. New comers totally welcome here and encouraged. If you make an effort at getting into the proper format people will notice that. I personally would love to read your story. There are lots of free formatting software choices. CELTX is one of them. < http://celtx.com/

It will do most of the work for you. Hope to see your script! If you need help with a poster, please send me a PM and I can help you with that.

Thanks!! I really appreciate the link and info! I came up with an idea while driving to work this morning and fleshed it out while driving back home. I just completed a rough outline, so we'll see if I can put something together shortly. I did search the forum and found videos from previous contests; however, is there a place to also review previous contest winning scripts? I have no idea how a 6-10 page script should be managed.

[Anthony Todaro]

No problem. When you are looking at past fest threads, just look for the VIEWING NOW OPEN sticky. In that post there is usually a link to the scripts.

Here's the last fest's scripts...
Hitchcock Fest 2011 (http://www.dvxfest.com/scriptfestVII/)

[Chris_Keaton]

I was just going to post that link!

[Anthony Todaro]

I may have drank too much coffee. Okay, I did.

[Saharanturtle]

Will there be a new contest after this one? I just saw this thread :/ I don't think I can write a script (it also being my first time writing one) in one week

[KhamIsk]

The Hitchcock fest took place in Feb-March of last year.

[Saharanturtle]

Damn, so that means only one contest a year?

[taylormade]

So, do we upload today? First time at this - I don't want to miss the deadline.

[Isaac_Brody]

We are sorting out upload on our end so you have time to keep improving and revising until our link goes up. Larry's on it.