The Handmaid’s Tale – November 29, 2015 “writer’s draft” script by Ilene Chaiken (Based on the novel by Margaret Atwood) Revised by Bruce Miller – hosted by: LA Screenwriter – in pdf format

Set in a dystopian future, a woman is forced to live as a concubine under a fundamentalist theocratic dictatorship.

Based on the bet-selling novel by Margaret Atwood, this series is set in Gilead, a totalitarian society in what used to be part of the United States. Gilead is ruled by a fundamentalist regime that treats women as property of the state, and is faced with environmental disasters and a plummeting birth rate. In a desperate attempt to repopulate a devastated world, the few remaining fertile women are forced into sexual servitude. One of these women, Offred, is determined to survive the terrifying world she lives in, and find the daughter that was taken from her.

Information courtesy of imdb.com

Find other teleplays on the Teleplays and TV Scripts page.

Over on the Original Scripts page are fifteen scripts for your reading pleasure.

– Don

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

– Don

Over on the Unproduced Scripts page are twenty three original scripts for your reading pleasure. If you are interested in producing one, please drop the writer a line.

– Don

The Teaser for Warning Shot has been released!

All I can say is, “Damn.”

Back in December of 2015, long time contributor to SimplyScripts, Breanne Mattson announced that her feature length thriller Warning Shothad been officially cast with Bruce Dern in a pivotal role. Here’s what the press had to say:

The character-driven drama/thriller Warning Shot starts filming in Los Angeles in early 2016 with Bruce Dern heading its cast. The project was brought to Dern by veteran Casting Director John Jackson, known for his work on the award winning films The Descendants and Nebraska. Dern, who was nominated for an Academy Award for his performance in the film Nebraska, can also be seen this December in Quentin Tarantino’s The Hateful Eight. In Warning Shot, Dern will play a dying businessman whose legacy is in jeopardy.

The story centers on a single mother and her young daughter struggling to make ends meet until they inherit a farmhouse. When a family business rival sends armed men to take the water rights to the farm’s creek by force, the situation spirals out of control.

Written by Breanne Mattson, the script was a Nicholl quarterfinalist in 2011. Dustin Fairbanks will make his feature debut as director with Ross Otterman (Gutshot Straight, Excision) producing. Executive Producing is DJ Dodd, whose film 10,000 Saints premiered at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival.

Warning Shot IMDB page.
Warning Shot Facebook page.

A few weeks ago we had a One Week Challenge. Writers have a week to write a short script on the theme chosen. The theme was “Apocalypse”, the genre was open. There were 31 entries. Led by Pia we were fortunate to have Carson Reeves of ScriptShadow review the loglines and titles and rate them. We also had “Pia’s friend in the industry” read and rate each of the scripts. Lastly each participant was allowed to rank the scripts on a five point scale. Exciting, considering that this isn’t a contest.

The results. Vin’s The 5th Horseman was the writer’s choice with an average score of 3.5. Steve’s Play Dead was briefly writer’s choice because I typed 4.43 instead of 3.43.

And, lastly. Taylor Scott’s (VancityTaylor), writing as Insert Name Here, entry Everyone Has Their Demons was sold before the writer’s names were revealed.

So, if you are looking for a short script about the Apocalypse, check out the scripts of the April One Week Challenge and drop the writer a line.

– Don

ScriptFest / Great American PitchFest is coming.

You can get 10% discount by visiting ScriptFest.com/home/register/. This discounted offer is only available until May 15. Just use the discount code WRITERJUDY10 for 10% off.

All Events to be held June 23-25, 2017 at the Los Angeles Marriott Burbank Airport (2500 N Hollywood Way, Burbank, CA 91505)

– Don

Welcome to Original Script Sunday for April 23rd. I present the scripts of the eleventh annual April One Week Challenge. The Topic was: Apocalypse (before, during or after). Genre was open.

I normally wait until the writer’s names are announced before posting these, however I thought I’d give any potential producer/director a sneak peek at these scripts as OWC scripts very often get snatched up.

– Don

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

Note that script submissions are closed this week. If you are a member of the discussion board, I invite you to try your hand at the April One Week Challenge.

– Don