IT'S ALL IN A SONG

Write a 2-5 page script based on a song title. It can be a literal adaptation of the song's meaning or just based on how the song makes you feel or if it triggers a memory or something.

It can even be just a well crafted scene.

Open genre.

That is probably the shortest description of a OWC challenge I have seen  

I feel like this part "...or something" is up for a lot of interpretation lol

Love the low page count though.


Ahhh and now I have just realized your clue in the other thread
"Have a little... "Patience" (whistles)"

Same rules apply as all other OWCs.

I love this! Gonna start brainstorming now!

Wow. That is WIDE open. Cool. Haven't had one that would generate such varied scripts in a long time. Love it.

Agreed on all counts! Like this one a lot.

When are scripts due?

An idea just struck me!!!

Scripts will be due Friday the 8th by midnight EST.
Submit anonymously, as usual.
Glad to hear that people seem to like this so far.

That 2-5 page limit is brutal. Lol. But I suppose it wouldn't be fun if it were easy.

Quoted from Zack That 2-5 page limit is brutal. Lol. But I suppose it wouldn't be fun if it were easy.

You can always expand on it later.

Cool.

This kind of feels like an old Movie Poet challenge.

Exciting!

Quoted from Arundel You can always expand on it later.

So, it effectively could have a cliffhanger of an ending?

Anyway, based on a song title, inspired by...
Just don't replicate lyrics for your story, right?

https://www.simplyscripts.net/cgi-bin/Blah/Blah.pl?b-screenwrite/m-1182665711/

https://screencraft.org/blog/can-you-include-song-lyrics-in-your-screenplay/

https://www.reddit.com/r/Scree.....ed_to_write_a_scene/

Finally I would imagine we write on our title page the name of the song  that inspired us?

Yes, it can have a cliffhanger as an ending.

Based on the song title or inspired by is the main idea. I would just say not to quote the song or the lyrics just like you shouldn't in any other screenplay.

Finally, the idea is that the song title should also be the title of the script.

“What Should I Do?”  “I Love Rock n Roll” but...”I’m A Little More Country Than That”.
“I Have Nothing” but I do have “High Hopes” that “I’ll Think Of Something”.

Feeling “Sorry” for myself.  So I might as well go on down to
“Margaritaville” because “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere” and “Tears In My Beer” is better than “Nothing In My Head",  but “Tomorrow’s Another Day”. “I Hope You Understand”.

“Sincerely”,

“Your Truly”



P.S.  Sorry, “I Couldn’t Help Myself”

Haha! I 'm thinking this might be right up your alley, Kathy.

I miss the chat around here...
What's everybody thinking of this challenge?
Who's in?

God, there are so many song possibilities.

Quoted from kcranford “What Should I Do?”  “I Love Rock n Roll” but...”I’m A Little More Country Than That”. “I Have Nothing” but I do have “High Hopes” that “I’ll Think Of Something”. Feeling “Sorry” for myself.  So I might as well go on down to “Margaritaville” because “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere” and “Tears In My Beer” is better than “Nothing In My Head",  but “Tomorrow’s Another Day”. “I Hope You Understand”. “Sincerely”, “Your Truly” P.S.  Sorry, “I Couldn’t Help Myself”

I laughed so hard I had "Tears on My Pillow."

I'm thinking of entering. Already wrote the script but not sure how I feel about it. I've had the idea for the longest time about this specific song and now's my opportunity, I suppose.

Stay Spooked!

Sean

Quoted from LC Haha! I 'm thinking this might be right up your alley, Kathy. I miss the chat around here... What's everybody thinking of this challenge? Who's in? God, there are so many song possibilities.

Love the challenge. Not restrictive but picking a song is giving some great inspiration to write.
Really like the low page count as well.

If work is not too busy this week, I should be in

Submitted mine last night.

Steven's out of the gate, fast as usual.
Sean too. The hard part's done, so, yes you must!
Matt's a time permitting.

So many songs to chose from...
Song-writers are for the most part a gloomy lot (cathartic) I've discovered. Oh, the heartbreak.  

I won’t have time for this one with work and everything, and I don’t want to half-ass it like I did in August by writing something in the last two hours of the challenge. Hope everyone has fun

First draft is done. Looks like I'm in  

Quoted from Matthew Taylor First draft is done. Looks like I'm in

Cool.

Because the silence on this thread is deafening and Libby and I don’t like that, I am forced to say “I’m In” (Keith Urban). Because I “Can’t Help Myself” (Four Tops) so “Get On Board” (Kevin Simon) the “Party Train” (The Gap Band).  “Don’t Make Me Hurt You” (Young Buck).
“I’ll Be Back” (The Beatles) if y’all don’t “Respond” (Travis Green).

I'm currently lost in a hole of a million song titles, sure one will resonate eventually...

Quoted from kcranford Because the silence on this thread is deafening and Libby and I don’t like that, I am forced to say “I’m In” (Keith Urban). Because I “Can’t Help Myself” (Four Tops) so “Get On Board” (Kevin Simon) the “Party Train” (The Gap Band).  “Don’t Make Me Hurt You” (Young Buck). “I’ll Be Back” (The Beatles) if y’all don’t “Respond” (Travis Green).

Haha! Luv your taste in music, Kathy.

Late to the party, who knows, maybe we'll come up with one. _ghostie gal

Ditto to that (re Kathy's comment).  

And Ant, same here. So many songs, so little time.

I can't decide on the ending... I've rewritten it 5 times already.

Happy clappy or melancholy?  

And now I hear other songs and they are calling to me to write about them...

Matthew, I do know that sad endings are often a hit with OWC audiences. That said, who doesn't love a happy ending.

Sorry, I'm no help really.

Quoted from LC Matthew, I do know that sad endings are often a hit with OWC audiences. That said, who doesn't love a happy ending. Sorry, I'm no help really.

Don't be bamboozled by that, Matt - she's very helpful.  

Quoted from LC Matthew, I do know that sad endings are often a hit with OWC audiences. That said, who doesn't love a happy ending. Sorry, I'm no help really.

If only I could nail the perfect bittersweet ending

Quoted from Matthew Taylor I can't decide on the ending... I've rewritten it 5 times already. Happy clappy or melancholy?   And now I hear other songs and they are calling to me to write about them...

I always go with Smartalecky.  That's why you get cups, and I'm always ...in no particular order.  

Anyway, if they don't feel right to you, then they're not right.  Look at it from a different angle.  Perhaps neither style is right.

Quoted from steven8 ...Anyway, if they don't feel right to you, then they're not right.  Look at it from a different angle.  Perhaps neither style is right.

Hmm, yes maybe a grisly death, or end on a cliffhanger.
P.S. Steven, they're mugs.

Quoted from LC P.S. Steven, they're mugs.

Thanks for pointing that out, LC.  Fortunately, in these modern times, I have the interweb to help me find the difference: https://themugglife.com/what-is-the-difference-between-a-mug-and-a-cup/

From the site: "As we have established, cups are petite and daintier than mugs, and they come with saucers, unlike mugs which don’t come with saucers."

P.S. - Or, they're made of paper.

Remember to not put your real name on the title page. We will be rating/reviewing once submissions are in this Friday night.

Quoted from Arundel Remember to not put your real name on the title page. We will be rating/reviewing once submissions are in this Friday night.

I'm guessing a Newb might have done this and you've asked them to resubmit?

To all those entering, time to concoct your best stage name.

Quoted from LC I'm guessing a Newb might have done this and you've asked them to resubmit? To all those entering, time to concoct your best stage name.

Nah, it just added it here because I didn't include it in the initial post like all the others do. I know everyone here knows to do that already.

Turns out this week was actually quite busy with work, shattered windscreens and randomly buying some puppies.

I have submitted whatever it is I have (can't bring myself to call it a script).

Not much activity in here so I hope some are silently crafting entries.

Matthew - randomly buying some puppies (plural)?

I gave it (a script) a go this afternoon but realised I had about three pages of establishing characters and set up and two pages left to pack the rest of the story in.

With what I selected it just sadly wasn't going to happen.
This was my second go with a different song as inspiration too.

A deceptively simple challenge cause the stories are already there for the taking.
...
I also hope the silence means productivity and look forward to reading what you all have.

Quoted from LC Matthew - randomly buying some puppies (plural)?

Yep... plural  

Quoted from Matthew Taylor Yep... plural

“Puppy Love” by Donny Osmond 1972. Slam dunk choice  

Quoted from kcranford “Puppy Love” by Donny Osmond 1972. Slam dunk choice

I was thinking more "I hate Dogs" by Hey Taxi  

Quoted from LC Matthew - randomly buying some puppies (plural)? I gave it (a script) a go this afternoon but realised I had about three pages of establishing characters and set up and two pages left to pack the rest of the story in. With what I selected it just sadly wasn't going to happen. This was my second go with a different song as inspiration too. A deceptively simple challenge cause the stories are already there for the taking. ... I also hope the silence means productivity and look forward to reading what you all have.

Per Arundel, you don't have to pack a story in.

I quote:

Quoted Text It can even be just a well crafted scene.

I have 5 pages of pure garbage and still need 2 more to finish the story I'm trying to tell. Even then, I've lost all confidence in it. Will try to salvage something today...but, it's not looking good at all.

Thing is...in my head...I like it. But, it just looks horrific on the page.

Written and submitted! Glad I got one in. I haven’t written anything iof substance in months. Not that this script actually has substance, but just saying.

I've got this thing surrounded. Looking like I'll be in.

Wasn't able to get my script down to 5 pages. Not even close. I may submit it after the challenge.

Looking forward to seeing what everyone comes up with.

Quoted from Zack Wasn't able to get my script down to 5 pages. Not even close. I may submit it after the challenge. Looking forward to seeing what everyone comes up with.

Pick your favorite 5 and send it in. Laugh at all the notes: "This is too disjointed."

Quoted from Zack Wasn't able to get my script down to 5 pages. Not even close. I may submit it after the challenge. Looking forward to seeing what everyone comes up with.

Just delete every other word. Genre = abstract

Ahem.  Back from the dead and in.

Most expected comment on my script:  Were you on crack when you wrote this?

Quoted from Gary in Houston Ahem.  Back from the dead and in. Most expected comment on my script:  Were you on crack when you wrote this?

GARY!!!!

Getting ahead of the pack here...were you? I mean, not that there's anything wrong with it...

Submitted.

That was fun, thank you. Oddly destructive to my week. But, fun.

Quoted from Gary in Houston Ahem.  Back from the dead and in. Most expected comment on my script:  Were you on crack when you wrote this?

Good to see you, Gary.

Anyone else going to be listening to the songs as they read the entries?

Out of available writing time, so I just submitted.
This OWC was not as easy as anticipated. I wasted
more time trying to find a song. I guess I'm not the
only one. The variety of entries should be interesting,
if not entertaining.

Quoted from PKCardinal GARY!!!! Getting ahead of the pack here...were you? I mean, not that there's anything wrong with it...

Cannot answer that as I was blackout while writing this script (and after reading it back, it shows)

Quoted from Gary in Houston Cannot answer that as I was blackout while writing this script (and after reading it back, it shows)

I thought PK was asking if you were really dead.

Quoted from steven8 I thought PK was asking if you were really dead.

Can neither confirm nor deny

Quoted from Matthew Taylor Good to see you, Gary. Anyone else going to be listening to the songs as they read the entries?

Thanks Matthew -- and yes, I'll at least be hearing the song in my head as I'm reading.

Quoted from Gary in Houston Thanks Matthew -- and yes, I'll at least be hearing the song in my head as I'm reading.

I have purchased a bouncing ball to help me along the reading journey...

Quoted from Zack Wasn't able to get my script down to 5 pages. Not even close. I may submit it after the challenge. Looking forward to seeing what everyone comes up with.

I knew someone was going to have that problem lol... Will be interesting to see what the outcome was once you're ready to release it.

The scripts will be posted by midnight, Saturday, September 9th.

- Don

What’s the over/under on scripts submitted? I think it may be a high turnout. Anyone?

12

Can't help you there, Steve.
I hope it's a good turnout.

Quoted from LC Can't help you there, Steve. I hope it's a good turnout.

I think it’ll be a good turnout.

That said, I can see by the comments lots found this difficult, and I think the real key to a good story is cohesiveness with a clear beginning, middle and end. Something I didn’t come up with. But anyone who achieved that then kudos to you.

Quoted from SAC I think it’ll be a good turnout. That said, I can see by the comments lots found this difficult, and I think the real key to a good story is cohesiveness with a clear beginning, middle and end. Something I didn’t come up with. But anyone who achieved that then kudos to you.

A five page limit is tough. I found myself going back and slicing dialogue and character development more than once. What was left could be woefully described as “skeletal remains”. Oh well, it is what it is. Shorter does not equate with easier and this OWC is proof.

Quoted from kcranford A five page limit is tough. I found myself going back and slicing dialogue and character development more than once. What was left could be woefully described as “skeletal remains”. Oh well, it is what it is. Shorter does not equate with easier and this OWC is proof.

There used to be a place called MoviePoet that ran a comp every month and it was always a five-page limit. Some amazing stories came out of those.  

A nice sunny Sunday.

I'm ready to read!
And listen.  

I'll be judging your song choices too.
And seeing if any of you picked my final choice which didn't get off the ground cause of the deadline.

Quoted from SAC I think it’ll be a good turnout. That said, I can see by the comments lots found this difficult, and I think the real key to a good story is cohesiveness with a clear beginning, middle and end. Something I didn’t come up with. But anyone who achieved that then kudos to you.

Non-Clear endings were approved by Arundel:

Quoted Text Yes, it can have a cliffhanger as an ending.

Quoted from steven8 Non-Clear endings were approved by Arundel:

Yea, no, that’s cool. Just saying that, personally, stories that have a clear structure are usually the ones I like best. In this challenge that may have been hard to do, but definitely look forward to seeing what everyone came up with.

Quoted from SAC Yea, no, that’s cool. Just saying that, personally, stories that have a clear structure are usually the ones I like best.

I can definitely say then that mine will be low on your list!

Quoted from Gary in Houston I can definitely say then that mine will be low on your list!

Are you doing that SS thing of completely playing down your entry but you’ve actually smashed it out of the park?