Greetings to all scripters:

Please don't be overly concerned with the script formatting process, i.e. margins, tabs, etc.

Here is a simple process:

Title of Story

Fade in to (confined space)

Character 1: I'm speaking now.
Character 2: I guess it's my turn now.
Character 3 (if any): I'm hungry.

If you over-research all the formatting processes, you'll get all gumbled up. THE STORY IS THE MAIN THING. If people have do an action, just add a line between speaking parts.

Example:
Character 1: I'm speaking now.
(character 1 moves to the locked door)
Character 2: I guess it's my turn now.
(character 2 sits on the floor)
Character 3 (if any): I'm hungry.
(character 3 starts to eat his shoe)

Visualize, then minimalize.
See the action in your head, then try to reproduce it on the page in as few words and actions as possible.
Remember, you're writing a script, not a novel.
The ultimate picture will be seen through the directors eyes, and painted as such.

One last thing:
Keep it short. 1 page=1 minute of action. Try to write a 5 minute short, not Braveheart II 8^)

If anyone has any questions whatsoever, please do not hesitate to contact me. I'm sort of taking this bull my the tail because I have more time. Gurami is having problems with his system at the moment.

Thanks to dialyn for facilitating things.
g'snix

A "confined space" should be thought of as any space within which a character, or characters, feels trapped, either physically, emotionally, or spiritually. It could be anything from the usual coffin to a stadium to the universe. Again, please don't hesitate to ask questions. g'x

Excellent idea. I've added a link to this thread from the contest so it is easier for people to find. :) Thanks!!!

dialyn: you get my vote for the Queen of Getting Things Done Without Lots Of Jiggery-Pokery Getting In The Way. (I suppose we'll have to shorten the title so it'll fit on the sash ;^) Thanks for being you.

I wasn't able to get online last night. Thanks for posting the challenge, dialyn.

garblesnix is right: story is more important than formatting. However, some professional advice cant hurt. I found these sites very useful: http://www.scriptsecrets.net http://www.wordplayer.com http://www.screenwritersutopia.com/ If you know any interesting sites about screenwriting or writing in general, please post the links. Please remember that a screenplay is not just a list of camera angles and spoken lines. Its a story! Make us see, hear, feel the scene. Leave out all the technical stuff. Im looking forward to reading your scripts. Have fun!

First, I would like to say thank you to Garblesnix and Gurami for this challenge. As I will admit when I first found out what the challenge was going to be I was thinking, "Oh lordy, can I do this?" Then I went to check out what all might be involved through a bit of my own research and made up my mind at that point that, I was not ready to make a complete and total fool out of myself. Laugh out loud... As I began to think it over later, I thought to myself "Hey you, you wanted a challenge, so you got one, what are you doing coping out so easily?" Therefore, I could not much argue with thy self for yeah, it is rightSo I may make you great writers cry, laugh, scream out "good god this woman needs serious help!" Laugh out loud but yeah... I have decided I am going to take this challenge to the dance floor of my life to do my version of the "monkey"ha-ha anyhow good luck to everyone who enters, and count me in as thank you also to Garblesnix for examples/explanations and such of what is to be expected and or needed.

Ok here is a question; obviously, I am doing something wrong, because when I go to upload my submission for the contest. I will upload the main and the thumb graphic, then put my script (in text of course) into the large box that reads something about 5 lines and then try to upload and when I do I get "Form Validation error" - You must upload your contest file, and then an example is provided. Therefore, I understand but my question is what exactly am I doing wrong? Can someone help me out here? Thanks in advance for any and all help with this.

Please give it another try. I just changed the entry portion of the contest by deleting the "File Upload" function. Simply enter your text in the "Notes" section and everything will be fine.

Thanks Gonwaki, ha-ha, I love that handle you have there, because I feel like that right now. Ha-ha... (That is if I am reading it right- "gone wacky" or something like that.) Ok, after this I am going to sleep. Anyhow, yeah, I will upload in the morning, as I want to be awake when I do it, and truly thank you for your time!

Hi, ok, I am going to put something up there is a few days, as I had it short once, and then as I studied it, and made some corrections and it got longer. "Oh my" therefore, I am working on it as I write this and I will have it uploaded soon. Thank you GonWaki once again for the assistance and thank you to the two that came up with this idea. It is very challenging but also very fun. Thanks truly!

Can the confined space be inside the person's head? Just a thought...I have oodles of space in mine, and it's not particularly confining. :o|

Shemia, I think you can... although asking to know is always better. However, if I am not mistaken in the # 2 message above Garblesnix explains...So I think that would mean what you're talking about as well. Also as for myself I just entered, and I too hope I did it right. Laugh out loud. It is not too bad I don't guess, but for now it will have to do, as I am sure later I will re-read it if it makes it and think, oh my... I should have worked on it more. Oh well... it has been fun...As I am sure there will be much better to come from other writers that are really good and I can't wait to read them In addition, good luck to all who enter!

I don't know why the confined space couldn't be inner as well as outer space. One can have a conflict within oneself that is as dramatic, or more so, than the conflict with another person. I'd say, "go for it." Thank you for your entry, Wolfspirit. It's never easy to be the first one. :)