ScriptFest XII: AlienFest

[Chris_Keaton]

A question regarding the threads for each entry - can we write about the process / concept in the thread prior to posting the script or does that violate the spirit of the script page limit? So if we noted things about the setting in the thread does that compromise the entry.

I think you can post about your process, but any detailed back story would be in bad taste (violating page count). But my big concern is that your audience (who've read your thread) could be biased against your story before they even start reading it. I think that is the only outcome, they either hate your idea or they are really excited about how THEY would do it and when they read your script they would be disappointed (unless of course you knock it out of the park).

My recommendation would be to stick with a poster, logline, and maybe a tagline.

[Craighoit]

Makes sense Chris, especially about giving away too much story.

One thing that would be cool, though, might be when the scripts are submitted, or perhaps even after the voting is to have a thread where we can discuss issues we all faced. This has been a great project, because there are some unique challenges. Some of the ones I've wrestled with:

How do you best, in such a short script, describe an alien life form?
Just how human is that alien (to make them relatable) vs how alien - for lack of a better word - are they?
Do they speak English? If so, do you explain this away, or just sort of leave it be and not worry too much about it? (Lots of films do). Or do you do something cool like give them an alien language and subtitle everything? (I suspect this would be better in idea than in actual execution).
Alien names - what's up with that?
And finally, why do alien females go crazy for short, movie-loving, glasses-wearing, writer guys? I just can't keep them away with a stick.

I think this could be a great learning experience - after everyone has wrestled and (hopefully solved) their own issues....

[DarrenJSeeley]

I have decided to upload the required 8 page version, even though I felt that my 11 page version was far better in spades. In short, I had to play censor. I cut out F bombs, two gore extended scenes, one semi-nude scene...unless it turns out to be a case of less is more.... The full length version, however, will be on other script-related sites I go to. I also put up an Inktip SS listing for it, so if folks inquire, it will be the 11pg yarn they will get for that is the intended version.

[Craighoit]

Well, I certainly hope you kept in a couple of fully-nude scenes then. ;-)

We still have a few days to finish and upload, right?