Script Fest?

C

ConspiracyPenguin

Nosey Penguin
There was some talk in the "Next Fest" Thread about the possibility of doing a Script Fest of some sort. It would be completely seperate from the Film Fests, of course, but I think it would be pretty cool.

Anyways, I just thought I would bring the discussion over here and see what everyone thought about it. Like would you be interested? What kind of requirements (if any) should be employed? What should the "winner" receive? etc, etc, etc...
 
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=117291
The search button is your friend ;).

But anyway, I'd love to see a script fest. Could be very interesting to see the writing talent lurking under the surface of DVXuser.
Plus, it'd give a chance to those who haven't the resources to produce a film to show off their skillZ.

I suppose the best way a script contest would "work" is if it were in direct connection to the film fest: give the usual 3 months to produce the films, but make the Script Fest "due" in 1 (it shouldn't take more than a single month to finish a script). That way, the best scripts could be "up for grabs" to be produced. There are quite a few great filmmakers here that only lack a good script. This would likely correct that.
 
StefanHaynes said:
That way, the best scripts could be "up for grabs" to be produced. There are quite a few great filmmakers here that only lack a good script. This would likely correct that.
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well put I think you guys should take a vote and see whose willing to participate and if enough people do, then do it.

I raise my hand up and say I'm in!

as long as the rules don't mention anything about 120 pages max. I know, I know, anything longer is just to long and I have to cut it, but still.

I say the winner should get feed back on how to improve it or ideas on where to cut, just basic feedback because I don't think DVXuser actually gives anything for it's contests does it? and if it does where's the money coming from? ohh... the ads okay I see never mind, I supposed you're wondering why I typed all that instead of just backspacing...because I'm tight like that.
 
pest22o said:
as long as the rules don't mention anything about 120 pages max. I know, I know, anything longer is just to long and I have to cut it, but still.
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We're talking about short scripts here - if there were a script fest it would likely be a max of somewhere around 6 pages (I'm guessing) - given that most of the DVXfests have had a max running time of 6 minutes for the films.
 
This could be cool!

Host Script Fest... then allow the filmmakers to choose from one of the top 3 Script Fest winners for the next DVXuser Fest.

That would be really cool.

:thumbup:

Cheers,

Mike
 
Great ideas, everyone. I think we should do this because there are a lot of good writers here (or at least people like myself who enjoy writing) and who would like to do this.

What do you guys think as far as like would we have a theme? Would there be a certain piece of dialogue everyone needed? Or some other requirement?

And as far as the winner goes, I saw some talk about getting their films made. That would be cool. Now, would that be the only prize, just credit for the script? Or would something else be done? Just trying to create discussion!
 
It's a great idea and definitely a good way for scriptwriters to write more, but what would determine what filmmaker got to choose? Maybe it'd be better that the SCRIPTwriter chose the filmmaker, based on style and previous work so that they could produce the best collaboration?

I'm not sure it would be a good idea to have it directly relate to the DVXuser fest, simply because we'd all know who has the best script and that might be discouraging to some filmmakers seeing as how many of us get our scripts from writers on the board. It would also be discouraging to the writers as well, thinking that their script wasn't good enough to cut it, whereas if it had no relation to the DVXuser fest - a filmmaker might say "that's awesome! I can do a lot with that!".

Anybody get what I'm trying to say or am I just babbling on?

-Kegan
 
I look at it this way... the top 3 scripts will all be great. I'm sure as filmmakers we wouldn't mind taking a stab at any of the top 3 scripts.

I really don't believe that everyone would want to make just the #1 script into a movie. I may hate the #1 script and love the writing in the 3rd place script! Who knows...

The cool thing would be seeing how all the filmmakers put their own spin on the script of their choice.


Mike
 
This is a great idea. I'd be in on it. Wish we could garuntee the winner would get their script made by a previous DVX Fest winner of their choice. That would be kew, but wouldn't work.

ps I say max 10 pages and I think it would be better for the scripts to be in a certain genre, no?
 
Actually... if it was going to be used in a DVXuser Fest it probably shouldn't be much longer than 6 pages. If at all.

And yes... maybe a genre could be part of the challenge.
 
Kegan Sant said:
It's a great idea and definitely a good way for scriptwriters to write more, but what would determine what filmmaker got to choose? Maybe it'd be better that the SCRIPTwriter chose the filmmaker, based on style and previous work so that they could produce the best collaboration?

I'm not sure it would be a good idea to have it directly relate to the DVXuser fest, simply because we'd all know who has the best script and that might be discouraging to some filmmakers seeing as how many of us get our scripts from writers on the board. It would also be discouraging to the writers as well, thinking that their script wasn't good enough to cut it, whereas if it had no relation to the DVXuser fest - a filmmaker might say "that's awesome! I can do a lot with that!".

Anybody get what I'm trying to say or am I just babbling on?

-Kegan
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I got what your saying :grin:. I know I've said this before, but I'll say it again. This fest would have to be completely unrelated to the DVXUser Fests.

So, that being said, I guess we would just have to find a way to figure out who gets to make the film. But since it wouldn't be related to the Film Fest we could give the writers a few more pages to develop their ideas (although I wouldn't say any more than 10).

Also, one more thing, I definitly like the idea of a genre (or at leats a theme) and, similar to the Film Fests, some odd requirement. Maybe a certain line of dialogue, or an object, etc...
 
I'm in

I suggest that you announce the next Fest one month prior to when you would normally, and let the scriptwriters enter their finalised scripts by the end of that month, writing to the same specification defined by the Fest for the film-makers - e.g. same genre and 6 minute length (as opposed to 6 page length).

The scripts can then compete independently from the main film fest.

Film-makers get to negotiate with any or none of the entered scripts (whether they are placed or not), which may then be modified if necessary during production (with the agreement of the writer).

I think this would maximise the chances of getting the most scripts made, without cramping the style of the film-makers.

Thoughts?

Steve
 
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SteveDunster said:
I'm in

I suggest that you announce the next Fest one month prior to when you would normally, and let the scriptwriters enter their finalised scripts by the end of that month, writing to the same specification defined by the Fest for the film-makers - e.g. same genre and 6 minute length (as opposed to 6 page length).

The scripts can then compete independently from the main film fest.

Film-makers get to negotiate with any or none of the entered scripts (whether they are placed or not), which may then be modified if necessary during production (with the agreement of the writer).

I think this would maximise the chances of getting the most scripts made, without cramping the style of the film-makers.

Thoughts?

Steve
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I think it's a good idea, but I think that everyone pretty much agreed this should be a completely separate entity than the Film Fests. It would be interesting, though, I must admit. I guess it just depends on what everyone thinks.
 
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ConspiracyPenguin said:
I think it's a good idea, but I think that everyone pretty much agreed this should be a completely separate entity than the Film Fests. It would be interesting, though, I must admit. I guess it just depends on what everyone thinks.
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I guess the trade of is EITHER:

a) maximise the flexibility of what can go into the script (e.g. extra-length, etc.)

OR

b) maximise the chances of getting the script into production

My vote is with b). It is nice to have your script read and judged against others, but it is even nicer to think that just by entering (not necessarily winning), you have a reasonable chance of making it into production.

Personally I don't mind being forced into 6 minutes. The best writers can say more with less, so I wouldn't mind the exercise of being forced into short form.
 
SteveDunster said:
I guess the trade of is EITHER:

a) maximise the flexibility of what can go into the script (e.g. extra-length, etc.)

OR

b) maximise the chances of getting the script into production

My vote is with b). It is nice to have your script read and judged against others, but it is even nicer to think that just by entering (not necessarily winning), you have a reasonable chance of making it into production.

Personally I don't mind being forced into 6 minutes. The best writers can say more with less, so I wouldn't mind the exercise of being forced into short form.
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I agree. If you managed to set this up with option B the winners would see their scripts made into movies for sure. Of course, you could just write a few scripts for the next DVXuser Fest and offer them up for grabs. John Labonney does this and there are always a few takers.

If you do that... there goes the ScriptFest idea. I guess it depends on what your ultimate goal is. To see your script turned into a movie, or to compete against fellow writers for the best script. Or possibly both!

Win win either way.

Cheers,





:beer:
 
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