By Friday, February 12th, 11:59 pm est, you must write a script (properly formatted) 8 – 12 pages (courier 12 point font) on the following theme and genre:

Theme: The Dark – A complete story that sheds light into the darkest reaches of the mind, into deepest shadows of the imagination and into the blackest void at the end of the universe.

Genre: horror, supernatural thriller, fantasy, or science fiction

Your script must be submitted using this form. More complete information on the Challenge can be found here. Questions about the challenge can be submitted on the Discussion Board.

This is not a contest, it is a challenge, so with that being said, up to six scripts submitted will be selected for production and distributed on the Machinima.com network (upon approval by the author of the work). The only compensation will be a “Written By” credit.

The challenge is not supported nor endorsed by machinima.com or moviestorm.com.

Timeline The scripts must be received by Friday, February 12th at 11:59 pm e.d.t.. All submitted scripts will be posted anonymously for a few weeks before the writers are revealed. Please put “(c) Copyright 2010″ on your script.

This is completely Free to enter.

The Schedule:
2/5 – theme and genre revealed
2/12 – submissions due 11:59 pm edt
2/14 – 12/21 – scripts posted without author’s names review, critique, comment, guess who wrote what
2/21 – Author’s names revealed.

Thanks João for the heads up on another screenplay up for award consideration.
The Hangover - September 30, 2007 unspecified draft script by Jon Lucas & Scott Moore – hosted by: WarnerBros – in pdf format

A Las Vegas-set comedy centered around three groomsmen who lose their about-to-be-wed buddy during their drunken misadventures, then must retrace their steps in order to find him.

Information courtesy of imdb.com
You can find links to many scripts up for award consideration here. – Don

The February One Week Challenge is coming. This is a free challenge, open to anyone. On Friday, February 5th at 10:00 pm est, the genre and topic of the challenge will be release. Writers will have one week to write an 8 to 12 page script on the selected genre and topic. Can you do it? – Don

The Oscar Nominations are out. Here are the nominations for screenplays.

Adapted screenplay

Neill Blomkamp and Terri Tatchell (District 9)
Nick Hornby (An Education)
Jesse Armstrong, Simon Blackwell, Armando Iannucci, Tony Roche (In the Loop)
Geoffrey Fletcher (Precious)
Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner (Up In the Air)

Original screenplay

Mark Boal (The Hurt Locker)
Quentin Tarantino (Inglourious Basterds)
Alessandro Camon and Oren Moverman (The Messenger)
Joel and Ethan Coen (A Serious Man)
Bob Peterson, Pete Docter, Story by Pete Docter, Bob Peterson, Tom McCarthy (Up)

A few of the nominated scripts are available on the Oscar Page.

“Better Be Good” by Tim Westland ~ First Place
When a young boy finds Santa’s lost bag of toys in a nearby forest, his first thought is to return it. His big brother has other ideas, though, which might prove life changing for both of them.

“Mea Culpa” by Sally Meyer ~ Second Place
An old lady pays a visit to a prisoner, with surprising results.

“The First Hit” by Micah Ricke ~ Third Place
An aged hit-man wants out of the business, but a young up-and-comer stops by for some pointers and slowly reveals the intent of his visit is not a friendly one at all.

Each month, Movie Poet runs a free online five page screenplay contest. On the first of each month a new contest is announced. During that month, you can enter your script. During the next month, you can read, vote, and comment on all the entries. Finally, during the third month, the results are announced.

Head on over to Movie Poet and give it a go. – Don

Mike Shelton hosts the SimplyScripts Radio Cold and Flu Edition.

Podcast rated R for “F” bombs, Cheeseheads and Boobs.

 

 SimplyScripts Radio - Cold and Flu Edition 1/29/10 [33:29m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (427)

In this episode, the panel of Pia, Sean, Michael and Mike dig into the SimplyScript Radio mail bag.

The panel also discusses:

Dialogue – How do the writers on the panel ensure their characters have separate voices? Not necessarily different dialects but separate people. One of my biggest frustrations is having fellow writers suggesting my characters sound alike. Any recommendations on reading or writing exercises?

Up The Stakes – How do you recommend checking your script for enough action or twists? Any tricks or tips?

Loglines – Tricks and tips.

SimplyScripts Radio is produced by Michael Cornetto and hosted by Mike Shelton.

Music provided by Incompetech.com.

Interested in joining the panel? Send an email to radiosimply (at) gmail.com

Mike Shelton hosts the SimplyScripts Radio – Squirt Edition.

Pocast rated R for use of the ‘F’ bomb and phlegm

 

 SimplyScripts Radio 1/15/10 [35:47m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (652)

Tyler Higgins joins tonight to discuss his web series Squirt about Dan who is quite abruptly endowed with the power to squirt a jet of water from his index finger.

You can watch the first episode below. You can also read a draft of the first episode on the discussion board here.

Tyler is joined by Pia, Michael Cornetto, James and Phil

They all discuss their love of Mystery Man on Film

James talks writing features and the past 7 Week Challenge

Phil talks about his feature Bad Penquin.

Pia talks writing a reality series.

Watch Squirt: Too Much Citrus

SimplyScripts Radio is produced by Michael Cornetto and hosted by Mike Shelton.

Music provided by Incompetech.com.

Interested in joining the panel? Send an email to radiosimply (at) gmail.com

Soulshadows II is a weekly supernatural anthology series. Join Tanis, each week, as she highlights an item from her collection – each one containing the shadow of a very special soul.

Next up is Key To My Heart by Jeff Bush (dreamscale), Tanis by Robert Newcomer.

Logan sure loves the girls. You could say he’s a real lady killer. Wait till he gets a load of Maia. 26 pages (pdf format).

Rated NC-17 for language, extreme and very graphic violence, brauts and cheese hats
Listen to the Script – read by iScript.com

 

 Soulshadows II: Key To My Heart [30:30m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (332)

Discuss this script on the Discussion Board

If you have a moment, check out ScriptShadow’s script review of Kick-Ass about a comic-book fanboy who decides to take his obsession as inspiration to become a real-life superhero.

Like a lot of people, I was quite taken with the trailer for the movie. Shows promise.