More inspiration for the October One Week Writing Challenge. Three days left to write.

Black Christmas – October 19, 2005 numbered draft script by Glen Morgan (based on the film “Black Christmas” directed by Bob Clark and written by Rob Moore) – hosted by: Horrorlair – in pdf format

An escaped maniac returns to his childhood home on Christmas Eve, which is now a sorority house, and begins to murder the sorority sisters one by one.

Information courtesy of imdb.com

More scripts, horror and otherwise, on the Movie Scripts page.

A writer’s work is never done. Let’s see, where were we? Oh – that’s right. Marketing you and – most importantly – your SCRIPTS.

You got yourself an online presence. TICK.

You’ve used some of the handy sites we mentioned last time to garner feedback, and improve upon perfection. TICK.

So – here you stand (or more likely sit): armed with a finished, polished script. But now who’s going to make it? And how will they learn of its existence?

Well, our third article is here to help you out – providing you, the writer, with a host of sites and services especially geared to get your script out there. To be seen – and hopefully filmed. After all, that’s what we’re writing them for!

Isn’t it?

A few tips before we dive in.

• On Forums and Message Boards, make sure you follow their rules and post in the right place. Nothing’s more offensive than a writer who barges in, and doesn’t bother to get the “lay of the land.”
• Keep posts short and sweet – and watch them for responses.
• As part of the “getting to know you process”, mention any achievements you may have. EG: My script won XXX award was filmed by John Doe Director in 2014. You know, that sort of thing.
• Post your logline, and make it zing. After all, it’s the first thing a reader will react to.
• Link to your website or IMDB page etc. That gives people a chance to check out your work.
• Please note: I personally specialize in shorts, so the resources listed may be biased that way. But I’ve mentioned sites that focus on Features, too.

*Speaking of “getting to know you”, I’ve included in these listings the number of short scripts I’ve managed to option/sell/get made from the various sites. Just so you can get a sense of how active and successful they could be for you.

So onto the resources. And what better place to start, than …

Simply Scripts (SS) – http://www.simplyscripts.com/submit_your_script_new.html

Submit a logline and your script. When you do, it’ll appear in two places.

The Discussion Board – lots of screenwriters frequent SS. It’s here that they’ll take a look at your work, and offer you their thoughts. These are great free reads. Perfect to use for your next revision.

Unproduced Scripts – A round up of all scripts submitted in the previous week.

TC Note: Your script will also be findable via the sites’ search engine, various genre links and (potentially) through SS’s ‘Random Short Script of the Day’.

Simply Scripts – http://www.simplyscripts.com/category/scripts-available-for-production/

Between SS and STS I’ve had 3 scripts sold/optioned so far.

Inktip – http://www.inktip.com/

Inktip is primarily for indie, lowish budget Features. From what I’ve heard it’s got a pretty decent track record of connecting screenwriters with producers and getting things made. They also provide a host of other services including script tracking, an online magazine, a competition portal and a whole lot more. Some things are paid for, others free.

To date, I’ve gotten five shorts sold/optioned through Inktips. Submit your short for free via http://www.inktip.com/sa_short_script_listing.php

Blacklist – http://www.blcklst.com/

A site definitely geared for the Feature screenwriter. My experience of it is non-existent, but some writers have had success. Blacklist takes the approach of evaluating and scoring scripts by at least two of their readers (the site’s reader evaluations are paid for by the individual writer. Any resulting industry reviews are free.) This allows prospective film makers to get an opinion of a script in advance – though some writers have taken issue with evaluations and scores.

Reddit, Produce my script – http://www.reddit.com/r/producemyscript

There’s a forum for everything you could ever think of on Reddit, and that includes Screenwriting. The ‘Produce my Script’ forum has been set up to connect writers with filmmakers. The filmmaking side tends to be students and gifted amateurs. But give it a try. You never know where the next Tarantino will emerge from. I’ve had three successes here thus far.

WinningScripts – http://www.moviebytes.com/ws/

Sister site to MovieBytes (Great competition portal). WinningScripts offers writers a great opportunity to get their scripts listed and seen by industry professionals. One can list an unlimited number of scripts on the site for a modest annual fee (currently $29.95). Included in that is a logline, synopsis and script excerpt. Interested film makers can contact you to request full scripts. There’s also a Top 10 section based on scripts that have won or placed in competitions. I’ve not had a script success from here yet, but I remain optimistic.

Stage 32 – http://www.stage32.com/

A great online community for all aspects of film making. Once you’ve joined, you can upload loglines. People can check them out and contact you if interested. I’ve had two shorts optioned by other Stage 32 members to date.

International Screenwriter’s Association (ISA) – http://www.networkisa.org/

Upload your script’s logline and other details, which are visible via the site’s database. The site also has a ‘Jobs’ section – more on that in the next article. I haven’t had any success with this site as yet, but I have had a few read requests.

Script Boutique – http://www.scriptboutique.co.uk/

A relative newcomer from the UK. It’s similar to Inktip in that as you can list your logline and synopsis for viewing. Script Boutique is free for screenwriters from all round the world. No successes so far, but it’s a new site which will probably grow over time.

There are also some other sites/forums that I regularly post on. No luck with these so far… but then again, you never know! 😉

Screenwriter’s Market – http://bproducersseekingscreenplays.runboard.com/f2

Indietalk – http://www.indietalk.com/forum.php

Student Films – http://www.studentfilms.com/

Done Deal Pro – http://messageboard.donedealpro.com/boards/index.php

Screenwriting Goldmine – http://www.screenwritinggoldmine.com/forum/

Film Maker Forum – http://www.filmmakerforum.org/script-marketplace/

Happy writing to the STS community. And until next article – get those damned scripts out there!!

About Anthony: Anthony Cawood is a new(ish) screenwriter from the UK with two produced short films, two in post production and another seven sold/optioned. His script, A Certain Romance, recently won in the Nashville Film Festival Screenwriting Competition (short script category), and two other scripts have recently placed 2nd and 3rd in the FilmQuest Screenwriting Competition and Reel Writers Screenwriting Competition respectively. Links to his films and details of all his scripts can be found at www.anthonycawood.co.uk.

More inspiration for the October One Week Writing Challenge. Four day left to write.

-Don

Candyman – August 1991 ‘corrected’ draft script by Bernard Rose (based on Clive Barker’s The Forbidden) – hosted by: Horrorlair – in pdf format

Helen Lyle is a student who decides to write a thesis about local legends and myths. She visits a part of the town, where she learns about the legend of the Candyman, a one-armed man who appears when you say his name five times, in front of a mirror. Of course, Helen doesn’t believe all this stuff, but the people of the area are really afraid. When she ignores their warnings and begins her investigation in the places that he is rumored to appear, a series of horrible murders begins. Could the legend be true?

Information courtesy of imdb.com

More scripts, horror and otherwise, on the Movie Scripts page.

The race for the gold statue has begun (well, at least with regard to the screenwriting awards). This is the season where the studios begin posting screenplays up for award consideration to their respective sites. Universal is first out of the gate. You’ll be able to find them as they go up on the Scripts Studios are Posting for Award Consideration page.

Get On Up – undated, unspecified draft script by Jez Butterworth & John-Henry Butterworth (Story by Steven Baigelman and Jez Butterworth & John-Henry Butterworth) – hosted by: Universal Pictures – in pdf format

On route to the stage, singer James Brown recalls a life with a turbulent childhood where music was his only constructive release for his passions. A chance demonstration of that in prison led to a new friend who helped get him out and into a musical career. With his fire and creative daring, Brown became a star who defiantly created new possibilities in show business both on and behind the stage in face of racism and conventional thinking. Along the way, James would also become a peacemaker who redefined and raised the African-American community’s feeling of self-worth when it was needed most. However, those same domineering passions would lead James Brown alienating everyone around him as his appetites became ever more self-destructive. Only after he hit rock bottom with a serious mistake does Brown realize what he needs to do make his life as the Godfather of Soul truly worthwhile.

Information courtesy of imdb.com

With Halloween fast approaching and writers furiously working on his/her October One Week Writing Challenge scripts, I thought I’d add some inspiration.

-Don

I Know What You Did Last Summer – March 12, 1997 third draft script by Kevin Williamson (based on the novel by Lois ducan) – hosted by: Horrorlair – in pdf format

Adaptation of Lois Duncan’s thriller about four teenagers trying to cover up a hit-and-run. Love Hewitt plays Julie, a high school senior who goes trip with her friends and accidently hits a fisherman. They think he is dead and dump him into the waters. But later they get a strange letter that says “I know what you did last summer.”

Information courtesy of imdb.com

More scripts, horror and otherwise, on the Movie Scripts page.

Over on the Unproduced Scripts page are twenty seven original scripts for your reading pleasure. Please note that scripts submission are closed until November 1st. This is so everyone can focus on writing his/her October One Week Challenge script.

– Don

The October ’14 One Week Challenge topic and genre are:

Topic: At sundown on October 31st the doorways to the Otherworld open, allowing the inhabitants to come into our world and also allowing humans to go to the Otherworld. Sunrise on November 1st, that door closes.

Genre: Horror Fantasy

Limitations: Only one character can have dialogue. (Writer cannot use Voice Over, however the character can speak off camera.)

You have one week to write a screenplay between 6 to 10 pages. The screenplay must be properly formatted (12 pt courier font) and in PDF format.

The scripts are due on Friday, October 24th at 11:59 pm edt and must be submitted to SimplyScripts.com/owc.

There will be a Writer’s Choice wherein the participants (and only the participants) will be asked to select one script he or she likes the best.

You can follow the event on the discussion board. Self registration on the discussion board is closed, if you wish to become a member, please contact me.

The Gist:

• 6 – 10 pages
• Properly formatted saved as a PDF file
• This isn’t a contest there are no prizes
• Free to submit
• One entry per person/team (unless you think you try to slip one by me.)
• You can revise your script as many times as you wish up until 11:59 pm on 10/24.
• Participants are strongly encouraged to read and comment/review on the scripts submitted. If you are not a member of the discussion board, please contact me and I’ll get you set up.
• Do not put your real name on your script. However, please use your real name when submitting your script. (After the challenge closes you can either have your script removed or resubmit with your script with your name on it.
• Please put (c) Copyright 2014 on your script

Jon writes, The finished film has the title Finding Eric, and it played in a few film festivals in Europe

Colliteral Damage (filmed as Finding Eric) by Jon Barton (short, comedy. 13 pages – pdf format)

Most of us have to suffer for our art. Megan has to suffer for Eric’s.

Finding Eric from Red Bandit Productions on Vimeo.

VICTORIA is excited to see ERIC again after a break until she realises he’s not the man she thought he was. To complicate things, he’s not sure who he is either.

Discuss this script on the Discussion Board

Congratulations to Matias Caruso (Mr. Z) 2014 PAGE Awards Grand Prize Winner for his script Three of Swords.

Three of Swords started out as short about a tarot reading that exposes an undercover FBI agent who must escape a traveling carnival full of criminal freaks. Needless to say, it grew into something.

Congratulate Matias and talk about it on the Discussion Board.