Over on the Unproduced scripts page are nine scripts for your reading pleasure. And check out the Halloween OWC’s Writers’ Choice (and who wrote what)

…With the release of three scripts up for award consideration. Thanks Bob Dole for the heads up on these three from Amazon MGM Studios. For the past 24 years, I have been tracking the scripts posted by studios for award consideration and post links to them. My thanks to everyone in advance for giving me the heads up on the scripts.

– Don

Air – Undated, unspecified draft script by Alex Convery (Revisions by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon (Current Revisions by Ben Affleck, Matt Damon and Chris Tucker)) – hosted by: Amazon MGM Studios – in pdf format

AIR reveals the unprecedented partnership between rookie Michael Jordan and Nike to create the Air Jordan brand. It follows the gamble of an unconventional team, the uncompromising vision of a mother who knows her son’s worth, and one of the greatest basketball phenoms of all time.

Information courtesy of IMDb
Cassandro – Undated, unspecified draft script by David Teague and Roger Ross Williams – hosted by: Amazon MGM Studios – in pdf format

Saul Armendariz, a gay amateur wrestler from El Paso, rises to international stardom after he creates the character Cassandro, the “Liberace of Lucha Libre.” In the process, he upends not just the macho wrestling world, but also his own life. Based on a true story.

Information courtesy of IMDb
Foe – 13th April, 2022, unspecified draft script by Iain Reid & Garth Davis (Based on FOE, by Iain Reid) – hosted by: Amazon MGM Studios – in pdf format

On a secluded farm in an apocalyptic world, Hen and Junior’s quiet life descends into turmoil when an uninvited stranger appears with a startling proposal. Based on the novel, FOE is a portrait of marriage and identity that explores the nature of humanity, real and artificial.

Information courtesy of IMDb

Check them out on the Scripts Studios are posting for award consideration page.

TEARS IN HEAVEN
6 page short drama in pdf format
by Matthew Taylor

Sometimes anguish is too much to bear.

Would you know my name, if I saw you in heaven? Fans of Eric Clapton certainly recognize the iconic, haunting lines from his hit song Tears In Heaven. Lines that also serve as the inspiration for Matthew Taylor’s emotional short, dealing with the same issue that led Clapton to write the original: a father’s lament at the loss of his son. “I want their heartstrings tugged so hard that their eyes leak. But most of all I want the audience to relate to it,” said Taylor. “I don’t think there are many people on the planet who haven’t lost someone close to them and battled with thoughts of an afterlife, so I’m hoping everyone can connect with it in some way.”

Written as part of SimplyScript’s One Week Challenge series, themed around an inspirational song, Tears In Heaven, the short, uses only 6 pages to weave a deeply moving tale of grief. Despite the challenge-limited page count, Taylor takes his time with the setup, establishing an otherworldly tone from the start as a character simply named KEEPER, dressed in white, guards a village hall:

Like a statue, Keeper watches the horizon until something grabs his attention, he leans forward for a better look at…

RICHARD (27) dashing towards him in a black suit and tie.

Richard nears the hall when Keeper glides preternaturally towards him and blocks his path.

                  KEEPER
             How did you get here?

Richard quickly changes course and walks around him, heads for the hall—

–Keeper appears in front of him again. Richard stops.

                  KEEPER
             You shouldn’t be here.

Richard wants inside the hall—NEEDS inside the hall—but Keeper has a job to do. 

                  KEEPER
             Forbidden.

Richard’s agony is evident, and Keeper not without heart.

                  KEEPER
             How did you get here?

Keeper looks down. A steady flow of blood trickles from under Richard’s sleeve, drips from his fingertips.

Keeper closes his eyes, pain etched on his face. He opens them, a tear trickles down his cheek.

He steps aside, gestures for Richard to go ahead.

Inside the hall, we discover the source of Richard’s pain, and how he’s forced to confront the reality: He can’t stay here, no matter his desire. The scenes and visuals that follow are powerful as Taylor expertly spins his story. “I didn’t want to write a script about the story that inspired the song, but wanted to convey the sorrow/torment (also acceptance) that lies in Clapton’s masterful lyrics. On a personal level, and I’m sure it is the same for most parents, but the thought of losing a child is my biggest fear, which is why the song hits so hard whenever I hear it, and I wanted to manifest that fear into the script.”

It’s not an overtly religious script, but Taylor explains that there are religious underpinnings. “I tried to include some biblical elements. Such as Richard’s black clothes in contrast to Keeper’s white (suffering, death, and sin Vs purity and forgiveness)” Taylor adds, “Isaiah 1:18 ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.’ was another contrast I liked, with the dripping blood against the Keeper’s white clothes to symbolize forgiveness.”

You’ll have to read the script to see how masterfully Taylor wraps the story, but a clue can be found in one more biblical reference. “The end was inspired by the verse: Psalm 30:11. ‘You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy.’”

It’s a gut punch of an ending that will leave you smiling through tears.

Production Notes: Tears In Heaven is a challenging, yet, relatively modest short to produce, with a small cast, including several extras and one child actor, aged 4.

Locations: As described, the script opens outside a “Village Hall” situated in the middle of a vast field. The interior Village Hall shots intentionally don’t match the exteriors: a large child’s birthday party (generic enough for shooting simplicity.) The remaining location is a church interior, set up for a child’s funeral.

Read the Script and talk about it on the Discussion Board

About the Writer: Matthew Taylor is an amateur screenwriter trying to bring interesting stories and characters to the world. His focus is mainly on Sci-fi and fantastical stories, usually with some dark undertones. He has sold a few short scripts with a couple of productions and is now looking to move on to features and pilots.

About the Reviewer: Paul Knauer is a produced screenwriter with two features in early development. His main focus is thrillers and slightly absurdist comedy with heart. But, Paul believes becoming a better writer requires pushing personal boundaries, so you’ll notice a thorough mix of genres in his portfolio. Much of his work has universal appeal, evidenced by successful productions in the UK, UAE, and the US–and options in Australia, Russia, India, Canada, and Thailand. A recent feature of his was named a 2022 Nicholl Fellowship Quarterfinalist.

Over on the Unproduced scripts page are nine original scripts for your reading pleasure.

And, the Halloween One Week Challenge is on! Scripts due Friday the 20th at midnight (edt).

– Don

The Halloween One Week Challenge has begun

*photo credit PH Cook

Over on the Unproduced Scripts page are twelve original scripts for your reading pleasure.

– Don

Over on the Unproduced Scripts page are seventeen original scripts for your reading pleasure.

– Don