Predominantly Blue (pdf format) by KP Mackie

A mother makes a special baby quilt.

Writing a short screenplay requires specialized skill. Hyper-streamlined language – evoking a maximum of visuals. A defined beginning, middle and (satisfying) end – contained in the tiniest of boxes.

Imagine the box just got smaller. Much like the introductory scenes of Pixar’s “Up”, Predominantly Blue has all the emotional power of a big Hollywood tear-jerker. Delivered in less than two pages. And a scant two lines of dialogue.

The script opens quietly. Karen (30s) works late into the night sewing a baby quilt. The color’s predominantly blue. Her husband Greg sneaks in to check on her. Together, they stand at the foot of their infant son Michael’s crib. The perfect family personified. But there’s a shadow of something else in the room. Remnants of something that is no more.

Within the next half a page, the full meaning behind author KP Mackie’s careful details are unveiled. Literally punching readers in the gut. Speaking as a veteran writer, I’ve reviewed hundreds of shorts. Yet Predominantly Blue has haunted me through the years. The sadness of the script never wanes. Your heart breaks over, and over again.

The perfect script for a “serious” director, PB features virtually no dialogue – relying on skilled cinematography and acting to tell its tale. Choose your talent for this one wisely. It’s sure to be a film festival favorite.

Pages: One+

Budget: Minimal. Three main characters. A house. A church load of extras. Make a small donation, and film on Sunday.

About the writer: California uber reader/reviewer KP Mackie is working hard on her animated feature.

About the reviewer: David M Troop resumed writing in 2011 after a twenty-five year hiatus. Since then, he has written about 50 short scripts, two of which have been produced. Dave would like to make it three. Born on the mean streets of Reading, PA, Dave now resides in Schuylkill Haven with his wife Jodi and their two lazy dogs Max and Mattie. He can be reached at dtroop506 (a) gmail.com.

Read Predominantly Blue (pdf format)

This screenplay may not be used or reproduced for any purpose including educational purposes without the expressed written permission of the author.

The Hunger of Pride (pdf format) by Rod Thompson

“At the height of the American Revolution, two generals share dinner in a bid for peace.”

Ever watch black and white footage on PBS, and chuckle about how the “old times” looked? Those women in long dresses and bonnets. Men in handle bar mustaches and hats. Not to mention their primitive modes of transportation: horse and buggies, old streetcars. Didn’t they realize how silly it was? Nothing like modern day. With our power suits, and cell phones… The people back then seem so quaint. Almost less than human.

Antiquated lives – separated by centuries. But are we really so different? No matter the time period, humans have always been united by our motives, and values we hold dear. Such things never change. Nor do emotions, Such as Love, Anger – and Pride. As true in 1782 as today…

As The Hunger of Pride opens, stalwart General Batchelder peers out his window. A crucial event is about to take place. Canons blast in the background; the American Revolution in full swing. The American general watches as a carriage arrives, and General Barr exits. His sworn British adversary – surrounded by a swarm of red-coated guards.

The two men adjourn to the dining room to discuss their situation. But their motives aren’t in sync. Batchelder wishes to broker a truce. Barr aims for the American’s unqualified surrender. As they tuck into a generous meal, Batchelder explains his plans for attack. The result is sure to be bloody on both sides. In order to save the lives of their men, isn’t there room for compromise? But – as with the world today – negotiation can be tricky. Will mutual interest win the day? Or will Pride goeth before one warrior’s fall?

Historical fiction can be difficult; but when done right it’s a marvelous thing: Gone With the Wind, Lawrence of Arabia, Schlinder’s List. 12 Years a Slave. The tales don’t always have to be true. But they do need to be authentic… touching on universals of the human condition that resonate through time. Confucious once declared, “Study the past if you would define the future.” The Hunger of Pride may depict days long past. But its emotions still ring true.

Emotionally gripping, and tied up in a perfect twist, THP is perfect for directors interested in something that will stay with their audience… no matter what century they come from!

Pages: 5

Budget: Moderate, only because the Generals’ costumes and the ambiance need to reflect the Revolutionary War time period. (Horses are likely optional.) Add some historically-accurate props to an interior room, and huzzah!

About the writer, Rod Thompson: I have been writing creatively since I learned how to write. There is just something about telling a story that I can never get over. Storytelling in itself is like an old flame that occasionally comes to me and just says, “Use me.” The ability to watch a movie through words, or to craft a world in such a manner is the closest to Godliness that man will ever come. True story. Contact Rod at RodThompson1980 “AT” gmail.com

About the Reviewer: California über reader/reviewer KP Mackie is working hard on her animated feature.

Read The Hunger of Pride (pdf format)

Find more scripts available for production

This screenplay may not be used or reproduced for any purpose including educational purposes without the expressed written permission of the author.

Over on the Movie Scripts page are two Horror scripts from Horrorlair.com

All The Boys Love Mandy Lane – Undated, unspecified draft script by Jacob Forman – hosted by: Horror Lair – in pdf format

The orphan Mandy Lane is a beautiful, virgin and pure teenager raised by her aunt, desired by her schoolmates and a close friend of the outcast Emmet. After the death of their high school mate in a pool party, Mandy befriends Chloe, Marlin, Red, Bird and Jake. Red invites the group for a weekend party in the isolated ranch of his family, with all the boys disputing who would succeed in having sex with Mandy Lane. They meet the henchman Garth that takes care of the ranch and he asks the group to go easy on the drugs and booze. In the middle of the night, a stranger wearing a hood attacks Marlin in the barn; when Jake seeks her out, he faces the killer, beginning a night of bloodshed and terror.

Information courtesy of imdb.com
Attack The Block – October 10, 2010 Final Shooting script by Joe Cornish – hosted by: Horror Lair – in pdf format

Attack the Block follows an unlucky young woman and and a gang of tough inner-city kids who make an unlikely alliance to try to defend their turf against an invasion of savage alien creatures, turning a South London apartment complex into a war-zone.

Information courtesy of imdb.com

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

– Don

*Fixed the link

How To Pronounce Hawaiian (pdf format) by Sylvia Dahlby

“A gold-digger makes a friendly wager with her sugar daddy.”

Short and sweet. Less is more. Keep It Simple, Silly (KISS.) In the screenwriting world of character arcs and complex premises, a short and funny story can often be a breath of pure, fresh air…

As it is with Sylvia Dahlby’s efficient two-pager, How to Pronounce Hawaiian. As the script opens, 56 year old Rich and his much young girlfriend Tiffany sit in a convertible, parked in a fast food drive-thru lane. They’re in Hawaii. Somewhere. As Tiffany scours the map, she wonders aloud why Rich grab his trusty GPS. But Rich insists they aren’t lost. On the contrary – he knows exactly where they are. Kealakekua.

Say what?

The word doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue. As the argument deepens, Rich and Tiffany take turns pronouncing the city’s name – each with their own garbled spin. Which inspires Tiffany to offer a small wager. Retrieving a magazine, she flips to a picture of a pearl necklace. If her pronunciation proves correct, Rich will buy the jewelry for her. If his is accurate? Tiffany whispers the offer in his ear. She’ll… well, you know. (Readers – keep those innuendos to yourself, please!)

And with that, the bet is on.

So, how will it end? Far be it from us to spoil the surprise…

Looking for a snappy punchline that’s easy to film? HTPH is your ticket. It’s guaranteed to make you (and your audience) smile. Not to mention attempt to say “Kealakekua” yourself. And Googling “Don Ho.” Say who? We won’t tell.

Pages: 2

Budget: Low, unless you fly to Hawaii and film the fast-food restaurant exterior there. (No little grass shack required.) Three characters round out this story set in paradise. Aloha. 🙂

About the Writer Sylvia Dahlby: I’m a one time advertising copywriter who has fallen in love with screenwriting. I’ve written a handful of features, one has been produced as a Role Playing Game (RPG) and made its debut at CarnageCon. I enjoy writing short scripts since it’s a fun exercise for sharpening my skills; so far one of my shorts has been produced as a student film project, and I welcome the opportunity to have more of my work produced via participation on SimplyScripts. Sylvia can be reached at sylviedahl (a) AOL.

About the Reviewer: California über reader/reviewer KP Mackie is working hard on her animated feature.

Read How To Pronounce Hawaiian (pdf format)

Find more scripts available for production

This screenplay may not be used or reproduced for any purpose including educational purposes without the expressed written permission of the author.

Focus Features is next out the gate with:

Edit Focus Features pulled Nocturnal Animals and A Monster Calls

Kubo … And The Two Strings – January 5, 2016 unspecified draft script by Marc Haimes & Chris Butler (Story by Shannon Tindle & Marc Haimes) – hosted by: Focus Features – in pdf format

Kubo lives a quiet, normal life in a small shoreside village until a spirit from the past turns his life upside down by re-igniting an age-old vendetta. This causes all sorts of havoc as gods and monsters chase Kubo who, in order to survive, must locate a magical suit of armor once worn by his late father, a legendary Samurai warrior.

Information courtesy of imdb.com

Loving – August 25, 2015 unspecified draft script by Jeff Nichols – hosted by: Focus Features – in pdf format

Richard and Mildred Loving, an interracial couple, are sentenced to prison in Virginia in 1958 for getting married.

Information courtesy of imdb.com

You will find these and more on the Scripts Studios are Posting for 2016 – 2017 Script Award Consideration page.

Run (pdf format) by Victor Miranda

A running athlete has all the motivation he needs to win a race.

This story is particularly resonant in light of the ever increasing refugee crisis.

Our protagonist Mondon, the son of an African farmer, is a runner. But a runner out of necessity when his village is pillaged by mercenaries. He saves the life of an orphaned little girl who is later able to repay the kindness when her circumstances change.

Fleeing his village he lands in a refugee camp where, despite compromised circumstances, he is still able to train. A gift from the little girl he saved gives him the tools to escape and run to something better.

This is a powerful, visceral, and poignant story.

Pages: 4 pages

Budget: Medium Budget. Stock stadium crowd footage, running track, creativity needed with mercenaries. Oh, and a few runners and a little girl.

About the Writer: Victor Miranda hails from Mexico and has a degree in International Relations. He’s written 4 short films and 2 features ones. Next year he plans to submit one of his features to the Black List. Victor can be reached at: vmmr.87 (a) gmail.com

Read Run (PDF format)

Find more scripts available for production

This screenplay may not be used or reproduced for any purpose including educational purposes without the expressed written permission of the author.

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

– Don