Feature - Round 3 of 3 - August Contest

MJ Hermanny (Level 5) ~ 8/7/2012 7:28 AM

I hope it's OK to create this thread - I found it very useful last time I was in this competition. The Movie Poet community helped and supported me enormously and I thought others might benefit from it this time too.

I'm about 30 pages into mine but I'm writing another script for my MA - I thought I could use the same one, and I could have, but this other story was literally just bursting to get out of me and I had to follow my gut instinct and write it for my final piece. I may well have to drop out of this but I'm going to try my hardest not too, especially as I want the Marathon Achievement badge!

How's everyone else getting on?

Reginald McGhee (Level 0) ~ 8/7/2012 7:59 AM

"In the first round, writers submitted their title and logline. In the second round, the top 30 writers submitted their first ten pages. In this final round, the top ten writers submit their finished scripts."

OFF-TOPIC COMMENTS WILL BE DELETED!


Okay. I think these feature length contests will be a challenge to review. I haven't reviewed much, but I'm guessing it will be a fun ride.

Rod Thompson (Level 3) ~ 8/10/2012 6:51 AM

I want to slit my wrists...

I've kicked to revision mode, but now my time is little to none to touch the script. I'm too the point that I am honestly just accepting that this won't get done due to my current circumstances...but I have to fight through. Less sleep. More words.

Whether it's win-worthy or not...I WILL BE FINISHED by the last day of the month.

Caroline Coxon (Mod Emeritus) ~ 8/10/2012 7:23 AM

You're not alone, Rod!

David Birch (Level 5) ~ 8/15/2012 5:51 PM

i don't know if this happened last year, but two years ago some of the entries had a little trouble posting at the last minute...so (as i look in the mirror) don't wait until the witching hour to submit!!

Rod Thompson (Level 3) ~ 8/16/2012 2:51 PM

I'm out.

There is no way for me to possibly finish the script due to the time constraints of being on deployment and working 18 hour days, 7 days a week. I'm pissed beyond all belief right now, but it is what it is.

To the remaining contenders...good luck. (spoken like the Albanian bad guy in TAKEN, filtered.)

David Birch (Level 5) ~ 8/16/2012 8:46 PM

...i'm going to defcon 2 to make every effort to do this...see you guys 9/1/12...

Sally Meyer (Moderator) ~ 8/17/2012 9:57 AM

If I don't do this thing, feel free to hang draw and quarter me. Twice.

Masoud Soheili (Level 4) ~ 8/27/2012 5:05 AM

1 entry so far...
Seems easy to be in winners list for those who enter in this contest :)

Chris Messineo (Founder) ~ 8/27/2012 2:25 PM

"1 entry so far...
Seems easy to be in winners list for those who enter in this contest :)"

It seems easy, but the tricky part is actually finishing the script. :)

Reginald McGhee (Level 0) ~ 8/27/2012 2:31 PM

"It seems easy, but the tricky part is actually finishing the script. :)"

It took me a year to write a 3-page essay paper.

Dan Delgado (Level 5) ~ 8/28/2012 12:06 AM

www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NKMk8IpcV8

An encouraging, little ditty you can play to help you finish your scripts.

No need to thank me.

Sally Meyer (Moderator) ~ 8/28/2012 10:58 AM

But I must thank you, Dan. That really moved me along I am about done now!

Dan Delgado (Level 5) ~ 8/31/2012 11:14 PM

Good luck.

Turn them in even if they're not completely cooked.

That's what I did. (I hear you saying: "Yes, Dan, we know.")

Tough work.

Did I mention, good luck?

David Birch (Level 5) ~ 8/31/2012 11:48 PM

hate to say it, but i'm not going to make it...20 pages away, but in the end, i didn't want to submit something that wasn't presentable. I hope - soon - that it will be finished...good luck to all those who complete this wonderful journey...

Chris Messineo (Founder) ~ 9/1/2012 12:09 AM

I've said it before, but it bears repeating - writing a feature length script is a marathon. My sincere congratulations to those five writers who crossed the finish line.

Meanwhile, here are the five who didn't make it:

"Meat Puppet" by Martin Lancaster
"Polaroids" by Chris Messineo
"Screaming Butterflies" by MJ Hermanny
"Slumpbuster" by David Birch
"The Last Voyage of the USS Mahan" by Rod Thompson

Brian Wind (Level 5) ~ 9/1/2012 1:09 AM

Wow, those are some heavy hitters that missed the deadline. Nice work to everyone that finished their script! It's no small feat! Best of luck to the 5 finalists!

MJ Hermanny (Level 5) ~ 9/1/2012 6:47 AM

Apologies for not being able to submit. I'm afraid Butterflies fell by the wayside as my MA had to come first. Good luck to all those who made it - can't wait to read them all!

Bill Clar (Level 5) ~ 9/1/2012 3:21 PM

Chris, I think you should consider having alternates for those that don't enter. It gives more of us a chance to be read and it pushes more people to write.

Anita Lindawaty (Level 0) ~ 9/1/2012 4:18 PM

i really love to review this month.
it's time to learn about feature :)

every entries is my lesson.
umm... 5 entries only, i hope enough to become my worthy lesson.
i must join feature contest next month ;)

feel free if wanna teach me about feature.
anyone?

Bill Sarre (Level 4) ~ 9/2/2012 2:05 PM

Chris,

I have this feeling this has been discussed before, anyway, here goes.

Just wondered, have you ever considered giving more credits for a feature review? At the moment one feature review equals a one pager or a logline review.

Doesn't bother me, but I know someone wanting to be active here, this month, and if they review five features they get a whole five credits!!

If it was worth, 3,5 etc may attract new entrants to read these more. Could be abused but maybe worth a try.

Just a thought.

Anita Lindawaty (Level 0) ~ 9/2/2012 7:11 PM

dear Bill,

"more credits for a feature review?"
sound interesting idea :)

i just download first feature and get ready to read then review & vote it.
oww.. man! suprising me, it's 113 pages haha. But don't worry i will never back off to review it. because i really really really wanna learn about feature.

i think i need (at least) 3 days to read & review seriously one feature. consider my busy work all day, so i will spare my time in the nite to read and review.

Pia Cook (Level 5) ~ 9/5/2012 2:25 PM

Got a question, please forgive me if it has already been asked.

How many characters are we allowed in the comments. I noticed my first feature comments that I have 1600 or so characters, but I've only read the first 10 pages. I'm wondering if I will run out of space.

Ayal Pinkus (Level 5) ~ 9/5/2012 2:36 PM

I just did a test: copy paste paste paste paste paste paste paste... There appears to be a limit of 8000 characters for feedback on a feature.

Rustom Irani (Moderator) ~ 9/5/2012 3:22 PM

This is an old post by Chris mentioning an increase in review word limit:

www.moviepoet.com/reply.aspx?thread=2015&forum=1&search=review%20length

But have a nagging feeling that we had another update and increase.

Chris Messineo (Founder) ~ 9/5/2012 4:58 PM

It should be an 8,000 character limit.

Margaret Ricke (Level 5) ~ 9/17/2012 2:23 PM

One to go...

I'm cutting myself off at around 5,000 characters, but there are a couple that have far fewer than that. My reason for the limit, though, is that I wrote this huge long review and didn't save it before my laptop died and the review went to the cyber-netherworld and I had to start over from scratch.

The second version has more generalizations and fewer specifics on spelling and punctuation, but I still went into a lot of detail on story, character, dialogue, etc. I'm just so pressed for time these next weeks.

Reginald McGhee (Level 0) ~ 9/17/2012 7:54 PM

I only reviewed two.

I don't know how to review feature length screenplays. So my reviews be at around 2,000 characters I think. Since I'm a new screenwriter, I don't know much about plot structure, scenes, etc. yet. So I just focus on spelling and grammar and what I do or do not like about the story.

Pia Cook (Level 5) ~ 9/17/2012 10:06 PM

I haven't had the time to finish the one I started, but I will before the end of the month. I'm thinking I will fit in as much as I can and then just tell the writer to email me if he/she would like the rest. :)

Caroline Coxon (Mod Emeritus) ~ 9/18/2012 5:05 AM

I am only having time to read each one and give a snapshot impression. Please, everyone, don't be put off reviewing by the idea that it's compulsory or expected that you write several thousand words!

Pia Cook (Level 5) ~ 9/18/2012 9:44 AM

Of course that's not what I meant people have to do. I just started taking notes like I usually do and then I remembered a new member who read and took notes on a short, I think, and there wasn't enough room for his comments. That was all. :)

Margaret Ricke (Level 5) ~ 9/18/2012 10:54 AM

"...what I do or do not like about the story." That's what I do, too, Reg. I think that's what most of reviewing is about.

I prefer printing the scripts out and going over them page by page, but that can get pricey on ink and paper. It does help, though, to red pen it the first time through and then base your comments on your notes. You don't have to get to that 1,000 character minimum until you're ready to write the review.

I reviewed one of these on my screen and ended up writing some "blah, blah, blahs..." so I could submit and come back to it later. It was very late and I was very tired... I don't think Chris minds as long as you do go back and finish it properly.

Margaret Ricke (Level 5) ~ 9/30/2012 11:22 PM

I'm excited to see who places where for this challenge! I've actually got my numbers first, second and third choices pretty firm in my head, and I think the odds on getting them right are pretty good this month.

Who else is out there waiting?

Pia Cook (Level 5) ~ 9/30/2012 11:58 PM

I only read one, but I'm still here waiting. :)

Khamanna Iskandarova (Level 5) ~ 10/1/2012 4:52 AM

It's so sad that I absolutely had no time to read this month. Congrats to the winners! And two of my favorite authors placed - yey!

Rod Thompson (Level 3) ~ 10/4/2012 10:35 AM

Grats to the finalists and winners...I saw the winner coming a mile away in the pre-lims. SUPERB WRITING! Honestly.

Been a while since I was able to log in, so just wanted to take the time to congratulate the winners and finalists.