Found this on
Mr David Bishop's blog, who has very kindly linked to me and said nice things. He has edited 2000AD and The Megazine (I'm a subscriber, of course, why aren't you?), written comics, and bucketloads of novels and audio dramas. He also has quite a terrifying goatee, and may possibly be
The Master.
So, it's a short film competition (
clickyclicky here). The deadline is this Saturday 15th, but you'll only be doing a one or two page script, so it should be manageable. The challenge: write a short script, featuring a specific 16 words of dialogue (in that order, no changing words, no extra words, no leaving words out), starring a man and a woman (no extras, just them), and only one or two pages long. Can be about anything at all, but has to stick to the rules.
The five best scripts will be made into five short films, starring the same two actors. Winners get writing credit, a share of future profits, and fifty US dollars - but the best part of the prize is having your short made, and schlepped round to festivals. Worth a go, eh? One or two pages? Dialogue's already written, it's only two characters. Go for it - it's free and easy to enter, and should be fun. I'll have a go too - if we all do it, we can post our tiny scripts on our blogs, give feedback, and have a big lovefest or something. It's easier than posting sections of scripts, the whole story is there for all to see in one easy to read chunk.
As the page count is so small, you'll have to keep the idea simple, strong, clever, and preferably with some sort of twist or reversal at the end (my personal preference, of course, but those types of short stand out in the crowd). See if there any small, interesting, funny or scary little moments from your day that would work as an ultra-short. Or, you know, make shit up. Have at it! Fly, my pretties, fly!
Update: If you're accepting the challenge, and why wouldn't you, then let me know or leave a comment, just so I can track you all down if you try to wriggle out of it, you slippery eels.
Update 2: Well, I've done mine, but it's rubbish. It was all I could think of, and is extremely predictable. For a much, much better one, check out Dan's entry
here. He's pulled off the twist very well, I wasn't expecting it at all - very nicely done, sir! Here's my piss-poor attempt:
INT. TRAIN STATION - NIGHT
The concourse is empty. In one corner is a passport photo booth. The curtain is closed.
INT. PHOTO BOOTH - NIGHT
A young WOMAN sits on the stool, fiddling with the height. She adjusts the stool again, and checks it. There is a screech as the curtain is yanked open. She jumps.
A young MAN looks in.MAN
Hi!
WOMAN
Hey.
The Man comes all the way in, and they sit down together. The Woman fusses with the Man’s hair, nervously.
MAN
You nervous?
WOMAN
A little.
MAN
Why?
He grabs her hand to stop her messing with his hair.
WOMAN
It’s my first time.
The Man is surprised and amused.
MAN
Really, you’ve never-
WOMAN
No!
Embarrassed, she peeps out the curtain to make sure nobody heard. The Man smiles, and closes the curtain fully. He nods at the coin slot. The Woman puts some money in, and they sit, patiently waiting. The machine beeps. They glance at each other. The Man nods at the Woman.
MAN
OK...
INT. TRAIN STATION - NIGHT
From inside the booth comes the sound of four flashes as the pictures are taken.
There is a pause.
The Woman steps out quickly, alone, closing the curtain behind her. She hurries away, leaving the station.
We get closer to the photo booth. We can just see the legs of the Man below the curtain.
There is another pause.
With a click, the photos appear in the tray outside. They show the Man’s throat being slit by the Woman, with a straight razor.
With a thud, the dead Man falls out of the booth, covered in blood.
THE END
