r/screenplaychallenge • u/W_T_D_ Hall of Fame (10+ Scripts), 3x Feature Winner • 4d ago

10th Annual Challenge - Progress Thread 1

Hello, everyone! We're two weeks in with six remaining. How is everyone doing? Have you outlined, started writing, or still in the brainstorming phase? Let us know!

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5

u/Sadyardsale Hall of Fame (5+ Scripts) 4d ago

Have a fun idea but no pages, hopefully i can get a chance to write it. 

4

u/zombiereign 4d ago

Struggling. Had an idea but it just felt too derivative, so im back to square one.

3

u/shaftinferno 4d ago

I got ten pages into an outline and kept getting feedback that my story was going to be a tough sell with its gimmick, even if I liked it.

So I’ve pivoted to a second story to try and make it more approachable. I’d love to try to do both, but if I can finish one I’ll be happy to have done that.

1

u/Reverend_Krenke 3d ago

A rough sell may still be worth it if you feel in your soul its a story worth telling

1

u/shaftinferno 3d ago

I think it's a fun concept -- at least original to me -- but the issue of whether it fits within horror is a valid concern. Whatcha think?

An alien abduction told from the perspective of a silverback gorilla.

1

u/Rox_- 9h ago

I'm guessing you're not going to be parading this around to studios, so who is it a hard sell for?

My advice is write the one YOU are passionate about. If you don't even write like you don't have a budget (or other constraints), then if someone does someday give you the money, you will only ever aim low. Why would anyone else fight for your vision when you're not even willing to do so??

3

u/Cerveza-Psych-Puck 4d ago

Just finished act one. The idea is a bit out there and I may be adding too many elements - but that’s what second drafts are for!

1

u/Reverend_Krenke 3d ago

Amen! 

My draft is also getting a bit... dense, lets say. But that fit csn be trimmed later. Right now, you gotta let the story feel itself out

3

u/thenewmrtate 4d ago

About 25 pages into a rough draft. Finally had a breakthrough last night as to what it should actually be about lol

2

u/Reverend_Krenke 3d ago

The best stories are the ones which keep even you, the writer, in suspense to the very end

3

u/Fortunado1964 4d ago

I'm 37 pages in.

I'm not disgusted with it but im not satisfied either.

2

u/Reverend_Krenke 3d ago

Itd a rough draft, my friend. You do not have to feel either way yet. You will continue to make progress and find the story you are meant to tell

3

u/Own_Magician8337 4d ago

I have the outline of solid story, some basic characters, and done a bunch of research, but I don't have all the key plot elements laid out. I've written lots of stories before and even a novel but never turned a story into a screenplay. So not feeling confident that I even if I get the story right, I'll get it molded into a script in time.

3

u/Tlevan Hall of Fame (5+ Scripts) 4d ago

15 pages in with a general outline laid out. It’s the most I’ve written in over a year so that’s fun.

2

u/PitifulExperience212 4d ago

Just hit the 20 page mark. Elfing my way through that first draft but liking how it’s taking shape

3

u/divinerebel 4d ago

I wrote the first four pages today.

1

u/Reverend_Krenke 3d ago

Congrats! I find the first four pagss are both the easiest and hardest, because you gotta keep that momentum going. Just remember you started it, and you can finish it too! 

1

u/divinerebel 3d ago

Thanks!

2

u/lisalisacultjams 3d ago

Had an idea. Started to brainstorm. Watched a movie. Got inspired for a new idea I’m more comfortable with. Started an outline of a rough story structure. Hope to start writing soon!

3

u/JarJarJacobs Hall of Fame (5+ Scripts) 3d ago

I’ve bounced back and forth between like 3 different plays on the same idea but I think I’ve got it figured out. Outline is almost done, hoping to get started on a first draft this weekend

2

u/BlackJezus27 2d ago

Got an idea forming, but not sure if it's all coming together. Starting to feel like a comedic Solaris, I need to figure out how to really bring out the horror aspect

2

u/Reverend_Krenke 3d ago

I got an outline going and got a bit of a head start on writing. Its going to need some tweaking in the second draft, but I like what I got so far! It has been an honor to do research into a country I find deeply undderated and want to represent well in my story

1

u/sassmeister 3d ago

I'm still brainstorming, the original idea I had was too much of a stretch with the prompt so it's back to the drawing board

1

u/doot99 2d ago

Still hoping for a Subject and Condition!

I don't know if it's too late by this point. I noticed someone else in the r/horror thread still hoping for those too, if anyone feels like helping out a couple people make a later start (here and here).

1

u/ImaginaryNickname 2d ago

Got an outline done after bouncing between ideas for awhile. Still a bit unsure if it stretches the subject too much.

1

u/Rox_- 10h ago

Mine went until it didn't.

I have the first 25.5 pages and the last 6.5. I have a flashback sequence and still haven't written the final scene of the sequence, so when that's done I'll probably have about 35 pages.

That still leaves me with the middle half of the movie TBD and I have ZERO inspiration right now.

I don't outline, I'm a pantser.