Theme: Estranged Relationship.

Challenge: Depict a harsh, realistic, and emotionally stirring estranged relationship between the characters. NO GORE. NO EXTREME VIOLENCE.

Genre: Open. If comedy (of any sub-genre), it has to be sarcastic which highlights the tension.

Script length: Write 1-5 pages of properly formatted script.

Characters: Two main characters (between spouses [please go beyond this one], friends, siblings, colleagues, etc.)

Criteria: You HAVE to include a THIRD VARIABLE which can be a PERSON OR an OBJECT. The third variable can be the cause of the whole situation or the solver of it - it is entirely up to you. But it must be a VITAL part of the story.

Here's the BOMBSHELL --> The THIRD VARIABLE will be present for only ONE PAGE of the entire script.

One-page disclaimer: If you introduce the third variable on any page of your script, it has to be done and completed on that page only. NEVER to be SEEN again. So it's better if you introduce the third variable at the beginning of the page.

Of course, you can mention the third variable in your dialogs.

Locations: As many as you need. (Although, budget-wise you should aim for a single location)

Time: 96 hours.

THE USUAL:

This isn't a contest - it's a challenge. There are no official prizes.

You can revise your script as many times as you wish up until the deadline.

Do not put your real name(s) on your script; this is an anonymous challenge. However, please use your real name(s) when submitting your script.

After the challenge closes you can either have your script removed or resubmit your script with your name on it.

(Don's rule)
Participants must read and comment/review in the discussion board at least 10 other scripts submitted or your work will be removed (no harm, no foul. I understand that live gets in the way.)

Please put ©2021 on your title page.

Any questions about the challenge, post them here.

There will be a review page emailed to you for you to score the scripts you read. Please only give scores to scripts that you have read.

Please do not rate scripts in your review.

Ooh, early bird Yuvraj!  

Reading through...

P.S. If I have any questions I'll post later. Getting dinner at the mo'.
P.P.S. Ha! I was on the money with Marriage Story.

Quoted from LC Ooh, early bird Yuvraj!   Reading through... P.S. If I have any questions I'll post later. Getting dinner at the mo'.

Sure.

Can we get the countdown changed please... had a panic then as I thought it said I had 4 hours left to get a script in!

Quoted from AnthonyCawood Can we get the countdown changed please... had a panic then as I thought it said I had 4 hours left to get a script in!

That's all on Don.

Quoted from Zack

No gore and no extreme violence makes Zack a sad boy

Ah, that explains the sad face.

It doesn't mean that the 'harsh, realistic, and emotionally stirring estranged relationship' can't be about what to do with the severed head in the freezer between two inbred siblings.

Damn. There goes THAT idea.

Quoted from Matthew Taylor No gore and no extreme violence makes Zack a sad boy

It really, really does.

Quoted from JEStaats Ah, that explains the sad face. It doesn't mean that the 'harsh, realistic, and emotionally stirring estranged relationship' can't be about what to do with the severed head in the freezer between two inbred siblings. Damn. There goes THAT idea.

Ha! I think you might have just given me an idea! lol  

Quoted from Matthew Taylor No gore and no extreme violence makes Zack a sad boy

I was thinking the same.

Quoted from Zack Ha! I think you might have just given me an idea! lol

Finally, you're gonna hit it!

Wouldn't severed body parts and/dead bodies still count as gore/extreme violence?

Quoted from Zack Wouldn't severed body parts and/dead bodies still count as gore/extreme violence?

They will.  

Think Zack think.    

Reasonable violence is acceptable but not something that goes above the limits and results in the stacks of dead bodies.

What if it is off-screen, like in the freezer example?

Quoted from JEStaats What if it is off-screen, like in the freezer example?

It will be fine as long as it is pivotal to the story. I want this to focus more on the relationship and the emotions.

I am opposed to the on-screen bloodshed and all the graphical details that follow.

But John - please be deliberate with this.  

Gotcha - I'm still thinking PG-13

Quoted from JEStaats Gotcha - I'm still thinking PG-13

Keep thinkin' yo! You will get one.

To be clear, I can have 2 or a third character only?

Quoted from Robert Timsah To be clear, I can have 2 or a third character only?

I didn't get what are you saying.

Quoted from Yuvraj I didn't get what are you saying.

Does it have just be the two people? Had an idea, but it required me bring in additional characters outside the two main.

Quoted from Robert Timsah Does it have just be the two people? Had an idea, but it required me bring in additional characters outside the two main.

Did you read the criteria?

Two main characters.

One additional character or an object(third variable). BUT it will be present for only ONE PAGE of the entire script.

One-page disclaimer: If you introduce the third variable on any page of your script, it has to be done and completed on that page only. NEVER to be SEEN again. So it's better if you introduce the third variable at the beginning of the page.

Of course, you can mention the third variable in your dialogs.

All clear?

Too constricting. Good luck everyone

Quoted from Robert Timsah Too constricting. Good luck everyone

That's the point!

Quoted from Yuvraj The THIRD VARIABLE will be present for only ONE PAGE of the entire script.

Does this mean that the third variable can only be mentioned in the action blocks on one page? Can it, in theory, remain "on screen" if it's an object?

Very interesting challenge, I might give it a shot.

Quoted from MarkD Does this mean that the third variable can only be mentioned in the action blocks on one page? Can it, in theory, remain "on screen" if it's an object?

If the third variable is a person then it can be seen as well as heard(i.e. dialogs).

If it is an object then - well it can only be seen.

Hope this clears your confusion.

Quoted from MarkD Very interesting challenge, I might give it a shot.

Go for it, Mark!

Quoted from Yuvraj That's the point!

Argh. The ONLY reason i'd do this is stroke my own ego. and, I mean only. Therefore, I may do it. Not sure. I dunno. No commitment.

I'm drawing a complete blank, but I'll have a think.

What percentage can/could your object /variable take if you only do a 1 pager?
It can take up the entire page?

Protest: Animation - no?

Quoted from Zack

Maybe Zack needs to explore another side of his personality?  The softer side.

Maybe.

Don

Hey, I got it written! Where do I post it - never done this before, I'm a major newb.

Quoted from Robert Timsah Hey, I got it written! Where do I post it - never done this before, I'm a major newb.

At the top of the page. Below the timer, link is posted.

You can also resubmit with revisions as many times as you need, till the deadline.

I'm almost done too.
An absolute masterpiece.  

That's me and Robert anyway.
Well done, mate! Look out for the onslaught.

Quoted from MarkRenshaw I'm drawing a complete blank, but I'll have a think.

Hope you'll get an awesome idea.

Quoted from LC What percentage can/could your object /variable take if you only do a 1 pager? It can take up the entire page?

NO PERCENTS, Libby. If introduced on any page, it has to be done and completed on that one only.

Quoted Text Protest: Animation - no?

No need to protest, Libby. Just that the real world's got enough problems, we don't have to jab our imaginary lobe.

Let them be happy yo.  

Quoted from LC I'm almost done too. An absolute masterpiece.   That's me and Robert anyway. Well done, mate! Look out for the onslaught.

Damn! You guys are pretty quick!

Quoted from LC I'm almost done too. An absolute masterpiece.   That's me and Robert anyway. Well done, mate! Look out for the onslaught.

I still gotta run mine by Marilyn, but it's close. She won't agree.

Quoted from Robert Timsah I still gotta run mine by Marilyn, but it's close. She won't agree.

Haha. Cracked me up.
I wouldn't if I were you.

I think this is one I can possibly participate in!

Quoted from AlsoBen I think this is one I can possibly participate in!

Go for it, Ben!

I'm out.
I don't have the time to crank it out in 4 days.
Also, I got other things going on.

Quoted from DarrenJamesSeeley I'm out. I don't have the time to crank it out in 4 days. Also, I got other things going on.

Life happens...

Quoted from Don Maybe Zack needs to explore another side of his personality?  The softer side. Maybe. Don

There is no softer side. It's all hard.  

Quoted from Zack There is no softer side. It's all hard.

Two screenwriters argue about how to write the July OWC without gore, it gets ugly, things are said and done - violence occurs - only to find out there is no other screenwriter.

Having serious doubts about my 'masterpiece'.
Marilyn emailed me, said: Are you kidding me?  

Husband reading it now. He is the final litmus test.
If no-go, it will be back to the drawing board.

I'm going to have to bow out on this one, I got a gig doing storyboards for an HBO max show so I won't have time to participate. Have fun everyone! I'll have fun reading them

Quoted from Lono I got a gig doing storyboards for an HBO max show,

Congrats. Good luck!

Congrats, Lono! Sounds like a great opportunity.

Quoted from LC Having serious doubts about my 'masterpiece'. Marilyn emailed me, said: Are you kidding me?   Husband reading it now. He is the final litmus test. If no-go, it will be back to the drawing board.

As long as Marilyn doesn't get to your husband, you're in the clear.

Quoted from Robert Timsah As long as Marilyn doesn't get to your husband, you're in the clear.

I'd love to take a swing at this challenge, but as always, I'm concerned that I won't make the requisite reads on the backend. I'll sleep on it and make a decision tomorrow.

Quoted from Lono I'm going to have to bow out on this one, I got a gig doing storyboards for an HBO max show so I won't have time to participate. Have fun everyone! I'll have fun reading them

That is a way better excuse than why I probably won't get anything in.

Congrats!

I'm not going to make it. I can't come up with an idea that I like and I'm out of time. Got loads on today, it's a heatwave in the UK and next week is going to be a nightmare at work as my boss is off and left me with his workload as well as my own, so I'd struggle to do the reads anyway.

I do have one thing to look forward to. I've been assigned a professional script doctor as part of the prize for winning Euroscript. I have my first meeting with her on Tuesday evening to go over my feature screenplay. I'm looking forward to that but also terrified.

Best of luck to those who enter. I hope its another awesome OWC.

Quoted from MarkRenshaw I'm not going to make it. I can't come up with an idea that I like and I'm out of time. Got loads on today, it's a heatwave in the UK and next week is going to be a nightmare at work as my boss is off and left me with his workload as well as my own, so I'd struggle to do the reads anyway. I do have one thing to look forward to. I've been assigned a professional script doctor as part of the prize for winning Euroscript. I have my first meeting with her on Tuesday evening to go over my feature screenplay. I'm looking forward to that but also terrified. Best of luck to those who enter. I hope it's another awesome OWC.

No worries yo!

Hope you clear your hurdles. If I can call it that.  

Quoted from Abe from LA I'd love to take a swing at this challenge, but as always, I'm concerned that I won't make the requisite reads on the backend. I'll sleep on it and make a decision tomorrow.

Think...

So, I want to know who's in, not out. ?

This is a great challenge, and there's plenty of time left.

A shout out in particular to the girls. C'mon!
And you guys as well, of course.

Quoted from LC So, I want to know who's in, not out.?

See, I told you, it won't be easy.

Even then, a tally will be helpful. But no pressure guys.

Lockdown has left me with more time on my hands than normal, so...

Quoted from Warren Lockdown has left me with more time on my hands than normal, so...

Good luck yo!

Yes! Warren's in.  

And I'm sure we can count on Ant for one... or two.

Yuvraj, are you in?

Quoted from LC Yuvraj, are you in?

I MIGHT be. Not sure. Currently, stuck amidst my academics.

Yep, I have at least one idea to write in the 40 odd hours left... drama not my go-to genre but that's what I love about these challenges!

Quoted from LC So, I want to know who's in, not out. ? This is a great challenge, and there's plenty of time left. A shout out in particular to the girls. C'mon! And you guys as well, of course.

I'm in. Just finished my first draft.

Done and submitted.

Quoted from JEStaats Done and submitted.

Same here. No more edits. I'm done. Swear.

Done and submitted... time to write another couple though

Quoted from LC Yes! Warren's in.

Didn't quite say that  

But I definitely have the time. I just need a story, a script, and something that can almost fit the criteria.

I can maybe make it work.

Haha! I know...

I was just hoping a little nudge might throw you over the line.

Done!

How on earth do you submit for OWC...?

Good for you, Ben!

The link's at the top of the page underneath the Countdown clock.

Thanks, got it!

The best word I can come up to describe my final result is...understated. Which is generous.

It's been a busy week, so I wrote it all in a few hours this evening and then went over it a few times.

Excited to hear the news of John, Robert, and Ben - looking forward to reading it.

Crickets

Robert and Ben (and other first time entrants) -

The rules are lined out pretty clear but, just to be sure, remember that this is an anonymous challenge! First-timers occasionally forget and put their names on the title page. Feel free to make up a pen name or alias (or just leave it blank). It would suck to be DQ'd (although a Dairy Queen would be awesome right now).

And don't out yourself during commenting or send a PM to someone to ask about a comment they made. There will be plenty of time afterwards to reply or rebuke a comment or review. You CAN and SHOULD review your own entry to lessen the chance of peeps figuring out which one is yours.

Good luck everyone! I missed the last one and look forward to getting back in the swing of a good challenge. Even though my entry will be hated by all. It's okay...I'm used to it.

So, John, I should really like yours as per usual then.  

Btw, I think this is Ben's second outing. If memory serves me he placed top 3 in a recent OWC, so we should all watch out.

Yep, I'm in! No point pretending not.

Yeah, after I hit Post Reply, I had a gut feeling that Ben had entered before (Oops! Sorry Ben!).

Glad to see you entered, LC!

Submitted...

I'm sure this one will do as well as my last few entries, but I got something up.

This is right in Ben's wheelhouse so I'm calling it early for him to take it out.

Quoted from JEStaats Robert and Ben (and other first time entrants) - The rules are lined out pretty clear but, just to be sure, remember that this is an anonymous challenge! First-timers occasionally forget and put their names on the title page. Feel free to make up a pen name or alias (or just leave it blank). It would suck to be DQ'd (although a Dairy Queen would be awesome right now). And don't out yourself during commenting or send a PM to someone to ask about a comment they made. There will be plenty of time afterwards to reply or rebuke a comment or review. You CAN and SHOULD review your own entry to lessen the chance of peeps figuring out which one is yours. Good luck everyone! I missed the last one and look forward to getting back in the swing of a good challenge. Even though my entry will be hated by all. It's okay...I'm used to it.

Thanks. My name is nowhere to be had on it.

I think you might need to lower your expectations,Warren! Haha

Haven't been on SS in a while. Life got hectic. In a good way. But had to cut short my self-imposed exile to dip my head back in and say Yuvraj, hope you have a good turn-out.

Ghost

Quoted from AlsoBen I think you might need to lower your expectations,Warren! Haha

We'll see

Quoted from ghost and_ghostie gal Haven't been on SS in a while. Life got hectic. In a good way. But had to cut short my self-imposed exile to dip my head back in and say Yuvraj, hope you have a good turn-out. Ghost

Well, I'm glad it was hectic in a good way.
Hope you're in, Ghostie!

Yuvraj, any word on when Don's putting the scripts up?
I know he's not even awake yet... But just wondering...

Excited to read the entries!

I threw in one of mine as well.

It will probably be a BIG STINKER. And that's a fact. I will end up at the bottom.    

Quoted from LC Yuvraj, any word on when Don's putting the scripts up?

He'll post the scripts by midnight.