It’s close to midnight in a seemingly ordinary suburban home, and the annual Halloween party is over. But for this particular couple, the clean-up is only the beginning of their misfortune. For after the floors are swept and the last dish is washed, a new nightmare awaits.

A Scream is heard. It could be loud. It could be barely audible. But one thing is certain – it came from inside the house. Oh, another thing is certain, too…

Only one of them heard it.

Your October 2019 One Week Challenge Theme and Genre are:

Theme: The Halloween After-Party
Genre: Horror *

You have one week to write a screenplay between 8 and 12 pages. Your screenplay must be properly formatted (12 pt courier font) and submitted as a PDF. Scripts are due Friday, October 11 at 11:59 EST and must be submitted to: https://simplyscripts.com/owc

There will be a Writer’s Choice wherein only the participants will be asked to vote for their favorite scripts. Writer’s are encouraged to read as many scripts as they can before voting. Your favorite script might just be one you did not read.

*All horror sub-genres are welcome (psychological, slasher, creature, etc.)

Writer’s Choice and writers will be revealed October 18, 2019

So…

•     8 to 12 pages
•     Properly formatted, saved as PDF
•     Free to submit
•     One entry per person
•     You can revise your script as much as you like prior to submitting
•     Please read as many scripts as you can
•     Do not put your real name on your script. This is an anonymous challenge. Only use your real name when submitting
•     Please put © Copyright 2019 on your title page

And Good Luck!!

Interesting...

Well...that's pretty open, huh?  Stevie will hate it.  HA!

But, I like it.  So I guess I'm in.

Sweet! I love it. I'm gonna bring the blood and guts for this one.

So it just has to take place at a Halloween after party and the genre is horror. Besides that, no restrictions?

Quoted from Zack Sweet! I love it. I'm gonna bring the blood and guts for this one. So it just has to take place at a Halloween after party and the genre is horror. Besides that, no restrictions?

Yes, and there has to be a scream and only one of them hears it.

Wow, the announcement was early. I usually have to wait until afternoon on a Saturday in Oz and I was barely even out of bed when this one popped up.

Steve, you mention a couple which technically is two people. Does this couple have to be a married couple or can it just be two people, unrelated etc? And, are we restricted in cast numbers, meaning these two plus whatever made that scream and obviously the thing that elicited that scream?

Other miscellaneous questions:
Why were you and Rene talking about umbrellas, and what was with the deer droppings?

Clarifying one more thing: It's set after a Halloween party, not a Halloween after-party? Jeez, I'm confusing myself now.

Okay. Couple. They could be married, or engaged or just living together. But they must be a couple, not brother and sister or anything. Hmm, brother and sister...

Cast is open. Personally, I’d keep it to a minimum for filming reasons.

Absolutely no umbrellas or deer droppings here. I believe that was all a ruse, but I went with it.

Yes, my initial vision is “after” a Halloween party has ended.

The couple can obviously have children, correct?

Can the action leave the house?

And, can it be set in a "tiny house"?  

Quoted from Dreamscale The couple can obviously have children, correct? Can the action leave the house? And, can it be set in a "tiny house"?

Sure, they can have octuplets if you want. The action can leave the house.

And they can live in a tiny house, but you are required to provide them a “tiny horse.”

Quoted from SAC . Absolutely no umbrellas or deer droppings here.

I don't know about anyone else, but if someone screamed while seeing and/or walking on deer poo after a Halloween party and fled out into the rain forgetting their umbrella...

Somebody please define the rules on horror, cause I wrote a script in the WT with blood oozing from orifices, a plane crash and a character leaving a baby to die but it wasn't horrific (horror) enough. That led me to think most of you equate horror with gore?

Quoted from DarrenJamesSeeley I don't know about anyone else, but if someone screamed while seeing and/or walking on deer poo after a Halloween party and fled out into the rain forgetting their umbrella...

How would the deer poop get inside the house?

Quoted from SAC How would the deer poop get inside the house?

Hence why someone would scream.
Or the house was one of off grid homes out in the middle of the countryside.
Or...

KILLER MUTANT DEER ON A RAMPAGE

Quoted from LC Somebody please define the rules on horror, cause I wrote a script in the WT with blood oozing from orifices, a plane crash and a character leaving a baby to die but it wasn't horrific (horror) enough. That led me to think most of you equate horror with gore?

Horror has absolutely nothing to with gore.  It can contain gore, and many times does, but as a defining element, gore has no home here.

I agree... So, define what you believe equates to horror.

Maybe I'll just write the sequel to Mother. That was definitely a horror.

Got my idea and I'm running with it. Good luck to all.

Quoted from LC Somebody please define the rules on horror, cause I wrote a script in the WT with blood oozing from orifices, a plane crash and a character leaving a baby to die but it wasn't horrific (horror) enough. That led me to think most of you equate horror with gore?

To me, horror is something that is scary or at least trying to be scary. Simple as that.

Quoted from LC I agree... So, define what you believe equates to horror. Maybe I'll just write the sequel to Mother. That was definitely a horror.

That was definitely a "horrible" movie, but it was not horror.

Quoted from Zack Too me, horror is something that is scary or at least trying to be scary. Simple as that.

Scary, as in "horrific", which is a few notches above just "scary".

The characters/character in a horror script, are/is put through or goes through horrific things, and as the audience, hopefully, we feel their horror, as well as the horror in the piece.

Quoted from LC Maybe I'll just write the sequel to Mother. That was definitely a horror.

Mother! was a comedy. The movie was funny as all hell and it was a blast and definitely NOT horror.

Yep, when I said it was a horror I meant like Jeff said that it was a truly horrible mishmash of filmmaking. Glad you  enjoyed it, Sean. Horses for courses.

Shockingly, I have my story in my head and even more shockingly, I'm even mapping out scenes already.

Oh boy...I can't wait to see the hate of this one!  Bring it on me!!!

Please tell me if I am wrong.  The theme is Halloween After Party.  In the description, it says the party is over, after they are done cleaning the dishes and the last room is swept, a scream is heard.  It is only the couple in the house, or is it?

I have a great script for this one.  I just want to make sure I am reading this correctly.

I look forward to reading everyone's entries.

Quoted from MikeCashman Please tell me if I am wrong.  The theme is Halloween After Party.  In the description, it says the party is over, after they are done cleaning the dishes and the last room is swept, a scream is heard.  It is only the couple in the house, or is it? I have a great script for this one.  I just want to make sure I am reading this correctly. I look forward to reading everyone's entries.

Mike, it sounds like you’re ticking all the boxes.

Steven Clark:  Ticking all the boxes?

Quoted from Dreamscale Shockingly, I have my story in my head and even more shockingly, I'm even mapping out scenes already. Oh boy...I can't wait to see the hate of this one!  Bring it on me!!!

My idea hit me practically right away. I'm not gonna score any points for originality, but I'm having an absolute blast writing it.

Awesome challenge, Steven!

Does the scream need to take place at the start? Or can it happen a page or two into the script?

Steve,

Just want to clarify, the couple.  Do they have to be monogamous, Christian heterosexual couple? Or, is there some wiggle room there?

Don

Quoted from Zack Does the scream need to take place at the start? Or can it happen a page or two into the script?

based on what Steven gave us, as long as it's "before midnight", I think anywhere is good, personally.

Quoted from MikeCashman Please tell me if I am wrong.  The theme is Halloween After Party.  In the description, it says the party is over, after they are done cleaning the dishes and the last room is swept, a scream is heard.  It is only the couple in the house, or is it? I have a great script for this one.  I just want to make sure I am reading this correctly. I look forward to reading everyone's entries.

IMO, there's no need to worry about what level of cleaning they are on or have already partook,

End of a party.  A couple...at least - Steven already said there can be unlimited characters and children.

Quoted from Don Steve, Just want to clarify, the couple.  Do they have to be monogamous, Christian heterosexual couple? Or, is there some wiggle room there? Don

wiggle, wiggle...you know we'll get it.  Maybe even from me!  

Quoted from Zack Does the scream need to take place at the start? Or can it happen a page or two into the script?

That’s fine.

First draft is done. Feeling pretty good about what I've got. Gonna go pass out now.

Quoted from Don Steve, Just want to clarify, the couple.  Do they have to be monogamous, Christian heterosexual couple? Or, is there some wiggle room there? Don

It does not have to be your traditional couple.

Sounds good. But I have to check. I’m assuming all types of horror are on the table. So horror/thriller. Horror/comedy. Point being it’s not totally confined to supernatural scares? It is a huge category. And if the straight-horror police aren’t on patrol my ideas can be free to explore their potential!

Quoted from Anon Sounds good. But I have to check. I’m assuming all types of horror are on the table. So horror/thriller. Horror/comedy. Point being it’s not totally confined to supernatural scares? It is a huge category. And if the straight-horror police aren’t on patrol my ideas can be free to explore their potential!

Good point. All good horrors should have elements of other genres such as comedy/drama/romance, without them taking over the story. At the end of the day there should be no mistake - it’s Horror. And it’s scary as opposed to “laugh out loud funny.”

Quoted from MikeCashman Steven Clark:  Ticking all the boxes?

I’m assuming you’re American and Steve is UK based like me. Ticking = checking as in check things off the list.

So he means you’re hitting the brief!

Quoted from MikeCashman Please tell me if I am wrong.  The theme is Halloween After Party.  In the description, it says the party is over, after they are done cleaning the dishes and the last room is swept, a scream is heard.  It is only the couple in the house, or is it? I have a great script for this one.  I just want to make sure I am reading this correctly. I look forward to reading everyone's entries.

Yes, you read everything correctly.

I haven’t written anything for quite a while, and nothing decent for a v long time, but I am glad to say my old habits haven’t gone away.

I’m Way over thinking this...my head hurts. And I still haven’t got a lead.

Can the couple be something other than humans?

And very nice challenge, Steve!

Quoted from khamanna Can the couple be something other than humans?

Like what? Aliens?

Quoted from SAC Like what? Aliens?

Aliens, Vampires, ghosts, Franky and his bride  etc I think is where they were going.
Since you say "couple" I think that's open for interpretation, so long as they are a couple.
Anyway, there's something said about the guidelines which is open for interpretation,
and I'm starting my outline using said exploitation. Actually, I'd be stunned if at least one other joker other than myself had the same thought regarding this exploit.

I'll think I'l PM you on the exploitation.

Quoted from khamanna Can the couple be something other than humans?

Really?  C'mon now, peeps.

Does only one person hear the scream because the other one was vacuuming in another room?

Quoted from irish eyes Does only one person hear the scream because the other one was vacuuming in another room?

It's because 1 of the couple has to be deaf.

I'll be sitting this one out. Will try read as a many of them as I can. I think I read that only people taking part will be able to score so I I'll just read and comment.

Hope to read some cracking scripts

Quoted from Dreamscale It's because 1 of the couple has to be deaf.

Yeah I was gonna go down that road but I figure every other script might have a deaf person.
I can only see mine come out as a comedy    Trying hard for horror

I’m out too as my feature is the priority right now (very excited about it as it’s pretty high concept and could be the one lol)

Will read AMAP entries too

Quoted from irish eyes Does only one person hear the scream because the other one was vacuuming in another room?

If u so please

Quoted from stevie I’m out too Will read AMAP entries too

SHOCKER!!!!!

Quoted from khamanna Can the couple be something other than humans?

But in all seriousness, I never specified humans but that’s kinda what I was thinking. So humans.  

It goes without saying that I'm loving this challenge. I hope you guys have as much fun reading as I had writing. Lol

Can't wait to see how everyone else approached this challenge.

Hello

Silly question time, and I don’t think it has been asked so far.

It’s a question re timeline.

The main script has to be set after the party etc, and this is core to the criteria, but can we move around with the time, like flash forwards, flash backwards?

I would like to say this will help my script a lot, but since I have nothing but a selection of appalling ideas, it’s not guaranteed.

Ta

I haven't put words on a page yet, but I do have an idea and title mapped out.

Quoted from Reef Dreamer It’s a question re timeline. The main script has to be set after the party etc, and this is core to the criteria, but can we move around with the time, like flash forwards, flash backwards?

Good question.

I’d say only if it’s essential to your story. Sure.

I haven't come up with anything original yet. Every idea has been done a thousand times before. But I'll get something.

Quoted from ReneC I haven't come up with anything original yet. Every idea has been done a thousand times before. But I'll get something.

Screw trying to be original. Just write a fun horror script.

It's very quiet here.  WTF?

Quoted from Dreamscale It's very quiet here.  WTF?

I just took it as it’s the weekend and everyone’s busy doing real life stuff. That or we’re only getting three entries!

As I started to write, I found me another loophole in the OWC, and I'm going to exploit it.
Hopefully peeps will too.

Slight oversight on my part. Forgot the scream had to come from INSIDE the house. Gotta rethink this now.

Quoted from DarrenJamesSeeley As I started to write, I found me another loophole in the OWC, and I'm going to exploit it. Hopefully peeps will too.

To clarify...

One couple cleaning up.
One scream.
Only one of them hears it.

So...

Uncle Billy Bob could be passed out on the couch and Aunt Matilda could be taking a crap upstairs on the toilet. There is no character limit.

If that helps people that’s great. I’d figure peeps would take creative initiative and run wild! Hope you all do.

Quoted from Zack Slight oversight on my part. Forgot the scream had to come from INSIDE the house. Gotta rethink this now.

You will.

Quoted from SAC I just took it as it’s the weekend and everyone’s busy doing real life stuff. That or we’re only getting three entries!

Well, we'll have 1 from Zack and 1 from me, so minimum of 2!  HA!!  

Don't worry. People always bow out, but somehow, they just magically manage to enter a script. Me? No. I'm way too busy for this shit!  

Quoted from Grandma Bear Don't worry. People always bow out, but somehow, they just magically manage to enter a script. Me? No. I'm way too busy for this shit!

This "shit"?  WTF?  Pia, we need the old blood in here.  October is the classic OWC.

You need tp get your Swedish rump in this gig.  You get me?

Quoted from SAC Uncle Billy Bob could be passed out on the couch and Aunt Matilda could be taking a crap upstairs on the toilet. There is no character limit. If that helps people that’s great. I’d figure peeps would take creative initiative and run wild! Hope you all do.

If ol' Auntie Matilda does the scream while taking a dump...
well, I won't write that.

Quoted from DarrenJamesSeeley If ol' Auntie Matilda does the scream while taking a dump... well, I won't write that.

I would.

Count me in. Been watching this silently from the sidelines until something sparked. It's a weak flicker but, damn, I'll call it a spark. Maybe it's a stroke. There's a story there...

So far, this looks like the first time I'm going to watch the page count. It's going longer than expected. Time to trim some fat!

Just finished reading over my first draft. Pretty good for a first draft. I haven't really looked over typos and spell checking yet. The story flows quite well and I love my characters.

Obviously, there's plenty more work to do, but I'm off to a nice start.

Quoted from Dreamscale It's very quiet here.  WTF?

I think this means you're the one who didn't hear the scream.

Quoted from Zack Screw trying to be original. Just write a fun horror script.

Indeed. I was worrying about originality but screw it. Halloween is fun - so I'm in.

Yeah, I came up with something fun. I'll write it later today and see how it turns out.

Quoted from Anon Indeed. I was worrying about originality but screw it. Halloween is fun - so I'm in.

Now we’re talkin

Quoted from ChrisBodily Just finished reading over my first draft. Pretty good for a first draft. I haven't really looked over typos and spell checking yet. The story flows quite well and I love my characters. Obviously, there's plenty more work to do, but I'm off to a nice start.

What you just said, made me start having flashbacks. I posted something similar to what you said.  Which you've been around, this is for any newbies entering. Try not to make stupid mistakes, and don't assume as I did.  It's nothing like regular SS.  This is the first review my eyes landed on about my script.

Quoted Text Logline has me worried, as this is supposed to be a comedy and we know a dog is going to die?    Well...again, let's see. Title page very poor, as you didn't take the time or effort to delete the garbage on there. You don't have your pages numbered, which is a problem, and you didn't take the time or effort to delete Page 6, which just looks sloppy. OH boy - opening Slug has a time element of "CONTINUOUS"?  WTF?  Horrible beginning. Writing style is very irritating right away.  You're using a smartass sort of vibe and it ain't working.  You've used, "we watch", "close on", and "we see", all in 1st 4 passages. Wow, so many mistakes, spelling, punctuation, proper English.  Not good. Sorry, but this is so poorly written, it's almost like I'm reading a pisser that is written as poorly as possible for comedic effect. Terrible.  The tone is completely fucked.  The writing is awful.  This kind of thing actually pisses me off. Story - weak and dumb Characters - poor Dialogue - awful Prose - lowest possible score Criteria - barely in a sewer.  In fact, it's so minimal, I'm not even going to give you the points for it, as this script doesn't warrant more than a 1.0 score, and that's pushing it.

I had heartburn for three days after reading that.   Take my advice, and you won't wake up
to one of these.   Just kidding, you probably will.   Lol.  

Kevin,

Everybody gets the Jeff special. It's like going to Denny's. In the end, no matter what you order, you're getting some variation of the Grand Slam.

Not saying you didn't deserve it. You may have, you may not. I've gotten it both ways, deserved and undeserved. (Maybe I should say it this way: some I've agreed with, some I haven't.)

I'm just saying, you can't judge the OWC experience on a Dreamscale review.

But, I agree. If you're going to survive a OWC, you do need to have a plan for surviving his reviews. The first couple hit pretty hard. After that, you learn better where to categorize them.

PK

Kevin,

Only time I entered the same person trashed my script completely. Said I didn’t know how to write screenplays then argued with anyone that thought different. That script won.

Take whatever he says with a more than a pinch of salt. And if you want his approval - just write industry standard format with NO WRILIES!! 🙂

Quoted from PKCardinal Kevin, Everybody gets the Jeff special. It's like going to Denny's. In the end, no matter what you order, you're getting some variation of the Grand Slam. Not saying you didn't deserve it. You may have, you may not. I've gotten it both ways, deserved and undeserved. (Maybe I should say it this way: some I've agreed with, some I haven't.) I'm just saying, you can't judge the OWC experience on a Dreamscale review. But, I agree. If you're going to survive a OWC, you do need to have a plan for surviving his reviews. The first couple hit pretty hard. After that, you learn better where to categorize them. PK

Hey Pk,

Mine was on the deserved side of things.  The main point I was trying to get across is just making sure you put your best foot forward. Which most people will.   I wasn't trying to scare anyone off or meaning it's some slaughter-fest. That's my fault for not elaborating better.   I posted that one cause
it touched on the really dumb mistakes I made.  My apologies if I made it sound that way.

All the best!

You don't have to agree with Jeff, but at least he's honest. Brutally honest. But Hell, that's what makes him funny.

Quoted from Anon Kevin, Only time I entered the same person trashed my script completely. Said I didn’t know how to write screenplays then argued with anyone that thought different. That script won. Take whatever he says with a more than a pinch of salt. And if you want his approval - just write industry standard format with NO WRILIES!! 🙂

I can't say the same . Everyone agreed with him for the most part.  Lol.  

Jeff has been around here a long time and may have read more scripts than anyone else. At least features. He used to be quite the reader! I think of Jeff kind of like that uncle that shows up at family gatherings, rough around the edges, tends to drink too much and stubborn as hell. Some family members wish he wouldn't come to these gatherings, but at the same time, everyone would miss him if he didn't show up for Christmas dinner.  

Quoted from Grandma Bear Jeff has been around here a long time and may have read more scripts than anyone else. At least features. He used to be quite the reader! I think of Jeff kind of like that uncle that shows up at family gatherings, rough around the edges, tends to drink too much and stubborn as hell. Some family members wish he wouldn't come to these gatherings, but at the same time, everyone would miss him if he didn't show up for Christmas dinner.

Why the hell is my Uncle Bruce calling himself Jeff now?

I've said it before and will say it again: I look forward to Jeff's review every single OWC. I don't always agree but have learned a lot from him. Let's not start a OWC without giving him the chance to piss someone off.

Come on, buddy. Push my buttons!

Quoted from Anon Kevin, Only time I entered the same person trashed my script completely. Said I didn’t know how to write screenplays then argued with anyone that thought different. That script won. Take whatever he says with a more than a pinch of salt. And if you want his approval - just write industry standard format with NO WRILIES!! 🙂

What OWC was that and which was your winning script?  I'd like to revisit it.

Uncle Jeff.  Hey, that's better than Grandpa Jeff.

Fucking 12-page limit. I'm on page 6 and maybe a third of the way in. I'm going to have to gut this thing when I'm done.

As for Jeff's colourful reviews, I love them. One thing Uncle Jeff does well is weed out the thin-skinned. I don't agree with much of what he says, but he calls it as he sees it and his point of view is legitimate. He's part of the audience, and his voice should be heard, and if you can't handle what he says you're probably better off doing something else. Because I promise you, Uncle Jeff is not the worst you will hear.

Quoted from Dreamscale What OWC was that and which was your winning script?  I'd like to revisit it.

The script was called A BEAUTIFUL DAY

It was the no dialogue challenge.

Quoted from ReneC Fucking 12-page limit. I'm on page 6 and maybe a third of the way in. I'm going to have to gut this thing when I'm done. As for Jeff's colourful reviews, I love them. One thing Uncle Jeff does well is weed out the thin-skinned. I don't agree with much of what he says, but he calls it as he sees it and his point of view is legitimate. He's part of the audience, and his voice should be heard, and if you can't handle what he says you're probably better off doing something else. Because I promise you, Uncle Jeff is not the worst you will hear.

I also like Jeff's reviews! Enjoy them even. I just think it's good to point out that you shouldn't let his candour knock your confidence - or affect you emotionally - like it obviously did Kevin. You should do what we do - enjoy the colourful reviews. And enjoy disagreeing with them! That's basically what forums are for

Quoted from ReneC Fucking 12-page limit. I'm on page 6 and maybe a third of the way in. I'm going to have to gut this thing when I'm done.

I struggled briefly with the page limit. First it was 6-10, then 7-11, but in the end it was 12 page limit because I wanted to give everyone the space to explore their ideas even if it meant a bunch of longer scripts.

I mean, really explore the space!