Well, you've all survived this long and congratulations goes out to all of you. But, it's time for week 3, otherwise known as "The Trifecta". In this round, you will all be writing three 1-page shorts. In addition to this, each short will be of a different genre. The scripts will be scored on a range of 1-5. If a script isn't entered, you'd get an automatic zero for that script so, at least, enter something. Good luck to you all.

Please submit to SimplyScripts.com/OWC

Warren
vs.
MarkItZero

stevie
vs.
eldave1

AnthonyCawood
vs.
PKCardinal

RJP
vs.
Stumpzian

Is there a missing number there?

1 - X page shorts... or do you really mean 1 page?

Is this the full assignment? Do I start writing now? Or, am I about to get a separate email explaining the scripts must be in disappearing ink, written right to left and include 7 characters, all named Jean?

I think you have to wait for your email because the match ups have to be assigned and then the genre etc.  So, I'd hold off till the clock gets announced.

Dan

So... the disappearing ink thing. Gotcha.

For some reason, this message felt different.

Quoted from Mr. Blonde Well, you've all survived this long and congratulations goes out to all of you. But, it's time for week 3, otherwise known as "The Trifecta". In this round, you will all be writing three 1-page shorts. In addition to this, each short will be of a different genre. The scripts will be scored on a range of 1-5. If a script isn't entered, you'd get an automatic zero for that script so, at least, enter something. Good luck to you all.

Is this the extent of the requirement - three one page scripts?

When are they due?

Quoted from Mr. Blonde Well, you've all survived this long and congratulations goes out to all of you. But, it's time for week 3, otherwise known as "The Trifecta". In this round, you will all be writing three 1-page shorts. In addition to this, each short will be of a different genre. The scripts will be scored on a range of 1-5. If a script isn't entered, you'd get an automatic zero for that script so, at least, enter something. Good luck to you all.

Has to be more info I imagine?

I love a one pager, not sure I'm creative enough to think of 3 in one sitting.

Will be fun but tough.

Quoted from eldave1 Is this the extent of the requirement - three one page scripts? When are they due?

Is sounded to me like each pair would be assigned three genres, so watch your PM box.

Something like Romanian soap opera, Zoroastrianism faith-based, and a horror trilogy (you still have to fit it on one page).

I'm still hoping it's a typo and Sean meant to type 1-5 pages

Quoted from AnthonyCawood I'm still hoping it's a typo and Sean meant to type 1-5 pages

I think 1-page was intentional. Though he never specified the page size

Or the font or margin sizes!

Exactly what I said. Three 1-page shorts. Different genre for each. Finish by 11:59PM on Sunday. Same timeline as the other rounds.

No other rules.

So just to treble clarify... you aren't assigning genres to us, so we wont be getting PMs?

Exactly. And nobody will know whose scripts are whose... except your own.

Thanks Sean

Ooh, this'll be interesting.

Am I out or in? I have no idea.

Until I hear otherwise, I'll assume I'm out.

Quoted from Stumpzian Am I out or in? I have no idea. Until I hear otherwise, I'll assume I'm out.

Sorry, Henry.  You are in.   I think Khamanna will agree as she fell on her sword before the voting closed officially (unless Sean sez otherwise).  

Don

Quoted from Don Sorry, Henry.  You are in.   I think Khamanna will agree as she fell on her sword before the voting closed officially (unless Sean sez otherwise).   Don

Okay, thank you. Am turning in, hoping to dream of three scripts I can write tomorrow.

Quoted from Don Sorry, Henry.  You are in.   I think Khamanna will agree as she fell on her sword before the voting closed officially (unless Sean sez otherwise).   Don

Yep, exactly, congrats Stump! Sorry that wasn't clear, in my head it was, lol.

Oh so there’s no theme or anything? No criteria at all except for one page?  That means we could write any old rubbish and it will be meaningless lol.  

How will you submt - in one file? just curious, I'm not submitting to this myself.

Quoted from khamanna How will you submt - in one file? just curious, I'm not submitting to this myself.

My guess (also not submitting) is that the three scripts live independently, and readers scoring them wouldn't be told that those three were related.

Quoted from FrankM My guess (also not submitting) is that the three scripts live independently, and readers scoring them wouldn't be told that those three were related.

Oo, crazy wild mess, I like that!

I don't know how they will organize this. They will tally all of the scores on one script vs. all of the scores on the other? How do you solve the issue of a script having more people score it than the other? Last round some pairings were voted on by more people.

Quoted from RJP I don't know how they will organize this. They will tally all of the scores on one script vs. all of the scores on the other? How do you solve the issue of a script having more people score it than the other? Last round some pairings were voted on by more people.

In order to make things really hard on myself, I will be averaging all your scores, using my MP scorecard. Highest average score moves on. That's why you are strongly encouraged to write all three scripts.

Is this the final round?

Quoted from PKCardinal Is this the final round?

3 out of 5.

Quoted from Mr. Blonde In order to make things really hard on myself, I will be averaging all your scores, using my MP scorecard. Highest average score moves on. That's why you are strongly encouraged to write all three scripts.

I guess that works...ish. There will be lots of randomness. Scripts with catchy titles will be viewed and voted on more. Scripts with only 7 votes will be averaged vs scripts with 15-20. Makes a little difference. Also some harsh critics think every script is a 1/5. Those people will vote on some and not others. Everyone they didn't vote on will dodge a bullet.

Quoted from RJP I guess that works...ish. There will be lots of randomness. Scripts with catchy titles will be viewed and voted on more. Scripts with only 7 votes will be averaged vs scripts with 15-20. Makes a little difference. Also some harsh critics think every script is a 1/5. Those people will vote on some and not others. Everyone they didn't vote on will dodge a bullet.

There is a way to handle that, but Sean is making this hard on himself already.

(Basically you calculate the mean and standard deviation of scores by a particular rater, and normalize all of their scores. Then it wouldn't matter if they gave mostly 1s and a 3, or mostly 3s and a 5.)

Better to have people honestly evaluate all of the scripts. If the board can do ratings, then each writer just silently gives their own stuff 5s. If not, Sean can add those in at the end or not, it wouldn't make a difference.

Quoted from FrankM Better to have people honestly evaluate all of the scripts.

Great idea in a perfect world but I don't think this will happen, I guarantee some great scripts will get really low scores and it will get put down to personal preference.

Quoted from FrankM There is a way to handle that, but Sean is making this hard on himself already. (Basically you calculate the mean and standard deviation of scores by a particular rater, and normalize all of their scores. Then it wouldn't matter if they gave mostly 1s and a 3, or mostly 3s and a 5.) Better to have people honestly evaluate all of the scripts. If the board can do ratings, then each writer just silently gives their own stuff 5s. If not, Sean can add those in at the end or not, it wouldn't make a difference.

All due respect, but this is a writing exercise not an Oscar nomination. Is is the case with all of our challenges we trust each other to act in good faith. If somehow someone doesn't the consequence is unimportant in the grand scheme of things.

One down.

It's not great but it will have to do.

Quoted from Warren One down. It's not great but it will have to do.

So we should be on the lookout for a psychological thriller about manipulating scores in the 2018 Writer’s Tournament?

Just kidding. Kudos for getting this far and getting it done.

One pagers, three of them for each contestant… well, if that's not the supreme discipline, haha.

No, seriously looking forward what you come up with. I love the shorts short.

I just made a list who's still in because it's hard to overview where and what, searched a while myself.

So as I see it, the quarter-finalists are:


Stumpzian
AnthonyCawood
PKCardinal
MarkItZero
Warren
RJP
stevie
eldave1


Good luck and have a happy Easter holidays with few but effective writing, shouted from the sideline.

I have a parameter suggestion for this round.

Since these are one-pagers, they should be just that. One page only. No going over to Page 2, not even a few lines.

Henry

Quoted from PrussianMosby One pagers, three of them for each contestant… well, if that's not the supreme discipline, haha. No, seriously looking forward what you come up with. I love the shorts short. I just made a list who's still in because it's hard to overview where and what, searched a while myself. So as I see it, the quarter-finalists are: Stumpzian AnthonyCawood PKCardinal MarkItZero Warren RJP stevie eldave1 Good luck and have a happy Easter holidays with few but effective writing, shouted from the sideline.

Thanks, buddy

Quoted from Stumpzian I have a parameter suggestion for this round. Since these are one-pagers, they should be just that. One page only. No going over to Page 2, not even a few lines. Henry

Well, I'm not writing but there was a one-page challenge back at MP (another site) and if anyone ever went over a page he would be automatically disqualified. I think it was a fair practice.

This is so much less work, I'm lovin' it! Almost done with number two.

No idea if they're actually any good but that's what cash bribes are for.

Quoted from Stumpzian I have a parameter suggestion for this round. Since these are one-pagers, they should be just that. One page only. No going over to Page 2, not even a few lines. Henry

What kind of scumbag would go over the page limit?

Quoted from khamanna Well, I'm not writing but there was a one-page challenge back at MP (another site) and if anyone ever went over a page he would be automatically disqualified. I think it was a fair practice.

It was hardcore, I once wrote the words 'The End' on the sixth page, got disqualified.

Three done, I'm just gonna keep writing them until I run out of ideas and post the 'best' three.

Quoted from AnthonyCawood Three done, I'm just gonna keep writing them until I run out of ideas and post the 'best' three.

Different genres?...

First three are, my fourth is a repeat so will have to pick one...

I'm surprised no one has asked yet... so I will, sub genres... horror and horror-comedy, one genre or two?  

Quoted from AnthonyCawood First three are, my fourth is a repeat so will have to pick one... I'm surprised no one has asked yet... so I will, sub genres... horror and horror-comedy, one genre or two?

Was wondering myself, so I'm going 3 distinct genres, just to be safe.

Punted a pretty good overall concept, too, in the abundance of caution.

Okay dokay - blew out three - booked all day tomorrow - going to submit now.

Best of luck to all.

Dave, Anthony and Warren I would have bet my money on to be here. You're all stable; don't see it in a negative sense.

James is the lone favorite.

Stumpz and Stevie is wildcard, I hope they cause havoc.

Cardinal and RJP I don't know yet

shouted from the sideline

Quoted from PrussianMosby Dave, Anthony and Warren I would have bet my money on to be here. You're all stable; don't see it in a negative sense. James is the lone favorite. Stumpz and Stevie is wildcard, I hope they cause havoc. Cardinal and RJP I don't know yet shouted from the sideline

Thanks, mate.  I certainly don't mind being stable.

Some of my favorite writers got bracketed together - bad draw. In each round there were several scripts that, in a vacuum, were certainly good enough to move on but they happened to be up against an equally strong script.

Thanks Prussian, happy to be stable

I'm enjoying the challenge and writing shorts again...  

Don;t think I'll get past this round but happy to have made it this far,

Quoted from PrussianMosby Dave, Anthony and Warren I would have bet my money on to be here. You're all stable; don't see it in a negative sense. James is the lone favorite. Stumpz and Stevie is wildcard, I hope they cause havoc. Cardinal and RJP I don't know yet shouted from the sideline

Not entirely sure what stable means, but if Dave and Anthony are in that bracket I'll take it.

Thanks, Alex.

Perhaps Alex meant staple?

Hey hey, stable to me means sovereign, reliable. In other words, you write on a level that is screenwriter all-day level; I must correct; you act as engaged all-day screenwriter ---

Me? I'm the favorite? Whoever told you that I think was playing some sort of sick practical joke lol.

Yes, to me you are the favorite.

Khamanna was on the list too. She took herself back; unexpected move, I think.

Whatever… All stable :-) now.

Number two is in the bag.

I'm really struggling this round, I think it might be the end of me.

Written six, now time for a break!

One page is hard. In the end you're already winners. If you'd want an advice: feelings. Focus on feelings.

Quoted from AnthonyCawood Written six, now time for a break!

I hate you so much right now!

Can you email me the worst one? I'll use it.

The bigger issue is 3 loglines.

They almost seem pointless for one page.

Quoted from jayrex It was hardcore, I once wrote the words 'The End' on the sixth page, got disqualified.

I'm assuming Javier, that you wrote The End on the next page not the sixth?  

P.S. I wrote two one-pagers in my sleep last night just for the challenge. A cinch, right?  

Agree Warren, do we need loglines for one pagers... they could actually spoil the stories... and no

Quoted from PrussianMosby One page is hard. In the end you're already winners. If you'd want an advice: feelings. Focus on feelings.

Not quite feeling that

Quoted from eldave1 Not quite feeling that :)

Call me Coach Carter :-) . You will evoke feelings.

Use the logline as exposition to establish the setting, save a precious line or two in your script.

Okay, I've got 3 entries.

Quoted from Warren Okay, I've got 3 entries.

Atta boy - good luck!

Quoted from eldave1 Atta boy - good luck!

Haha no promises on the quality.

Good luck, Dave.

Good luck to everyone.

Quoted from Warren Haha no promises on the quality. Good luck, Dave. Good luck to everyone.

Gracias

Quoted from PrussianMosby One page is hard. In the end you're already winners. If you'd want an advice: feelings. Focus on feelings.

Feelings?  Feelings?  I tried that last round and it got me knocked out!!  So, I don't know how good that advice is.

I am almost glad that I did get knocked out because the idea of writing a 1 page story looks scary.

Not that I wouldn't mind the trial.

I should say, trying to write a 1 page GOOD story seems daunting.  Even more daunting is to not make it a skit..

Dan

Quoted from DanC ... I should say, trying to write a 1 page GOOD story seems daunting.  Even more daunting is to not make it a skit..Dan

And then you'd have to write three of them.

Quoted from LC And then you'd have to write three of them.

Yes. It's a try-fecta

Quoted from jayrex It was hardcore, I once wrote the words 'The End' on the sixth page, got disqualified.

The parameter set in stone - we never even complained!

Dan, actually a skit would be a comedy. and some of them made second and third places at MP one-page comp.

I don't know if posting three comments in a row is allowed but I'll go for it as a really revolutionary thought occurred to me and I must share it with you.

I think that technically you don't have any parameters this round (except for page limit) because voters wouldn't know if you broke the genre parameter or not and Sean is known to be very tolerant towards any parameter breaking.

Quoted from LC I'm assuming Javier, that you wrote The End on the next page not the sixth?   P.S. I wrote two one-pagers in my sleep last night just for the challenge. A cinch, right?

You're right!

Quoted from khamanna The parameter set in stone - we never even complained!

Yeah you just have to accept it.

Quoted from khamanna I don't know if posting three comments in a row is allowed but I'll go for it as a really revolutionary thought occurred to me and I must share it with you. I think that technically you don't have any parameters this round (except for page limit) because voters wouldn't know if you broke the genre parameter or not and Sean is known to be very tolerant towards any parameter breaking.

Writing a complete story in one page is quite tough.  One of the hardest challenges.  But what will Sean ask for in the next two rounds?  

Quoted from khamanna I think that technically you don't have any parameters this round (except for page limit) because voters wouldn't know if you broke the genre parameter or not and Sean is known to be very tolerant towards any parameter breaking.

I'm hoping this is monitored somehow as it is one of only 2 parameters. It's a lot easier to write 3 scripts in your genre than having to branch out in to areas you're less comfortable with, that's what makes it interesting.

I think one of the scripts should be disqualified if it is the same genre as another.

I agree with you Warren, but assessing the genre is tricky business (comedy for instance).

And I'm pretty sure Disqualifier Sean is not.

(high hopes for some hysteria at the end of the round!)

I do love hysteria

I assumed that Sean/Don would post them as trios, so my three would be all together and make genre differences obvious.

I fully expect the usual genre debates to erupt though, they always do

Well that's 3 scripts submitted. I'm not looking at them again, they're starting to do my head in

Bring on round 3!