Script Frenzy aka National Script Writing Month

LLRook · Apr 19, 2007

I've been writing (novels) for the last six years, participated in NaNoWriMo for the last three and been an ML in my area for NaNoWriMo for the last two years and this year they are starting a new program of torture

called ScriptFrenzy.

The premise is to write a 20k word script in the month of June.

I've been reading here for two days now, as I have volunteered to co-ML for it and am really starting to wonder what I have gotten myself into.

While the thought of writing without getting into the intricacies of character thoughts and all the detail that goes into novel writing does appeal as a breath of fresh air, I feel that if I'm going to do this, I better do it (and be able to explain it) as best as I can.

I've bookmarked a lot of the information and sites from the Scriptwriting FAQ that I plan to share with the group, but I was wondering....

What are your thoughts on this?

Is 20k too ambitious for people with no scriptwriting experience?

I know not to expect anything fantastic out of the month, as I recently sat down to start editing what I wrote last November and have more than once declared it total trash...fixable with a lot of work, but trash nonetheless. It's the exercise of doing that is the most beneficial.

dpaterso · Apr 19, 2007

Last November, in parallel with NaNoWriMo and just for fun, we ran a "NaScriWriMo" challenge:
http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=43132

I'm actually quite pleased with what I got out of it. Finished the first pass in 21 days. Sure, the script still needed a slap or two, but it gave me useable material to work with.

Someone had mentioned (in that same thread, I think) that the NaNo organizers were doing a NaScri

challenge this year... I'm up for it, I agree it's a useful exercise, and it's also do-able. Tho' I'll be aiming for # of pages (the pros tell us that 110 is an ideal size) not # of words.

-Derek

Hollow · Apr 19, 2007

21 Days? Aw man.... I've been working for about a month on this screenplay and I've got 13 pages.

ALLWritety · Apr 19, 2007

can you clarify?

HI

Can you clarify for me????

nanowrimo = ?? novel writing month
nascriwrimo = ?? script writing month

What does "na" stand for????

What is "ML"??

Also am I correct in saying that Script frenzy wants ppl to write a script in one month - June??
Is it a totally new script or is it one you have started?
What is the subject? Is it set or can it be anything?
Can anyone join sounds like fun??!! I wouldn't mind having a go at that.

Kev

dpaterso · Apr 19, 2007

Hollow said:
21 Days? Aw man.... I've been working for about a month on this screenplay and I've got 13 pages.

Sorry, it was a fluke, honest. I had the relatively simple story in my head, knew exactly how it was going to end, and (roughly) what the major beats were along the way. I just typed and typed, didn't allow myself to back-track and edit, that's how you have to do it! Of course it also helps if you're good-looking and well hung, those are pre-requisites for the successful screenwriter.

-Derek

Hollow · Apr 19, 2007

LOL! Well I think I have those requirements covered

I keep telling myself I just have to hammer it all out first and then go back and make changes. But the perfectionist in me (Frank, I call him) won't allow me to do that. I should evict that little gnome....

dpaterso · Apr 19, 2007

Kev, National Novel Writing Month aka NaNoWriMo has been running for several years, and takes place during November. Numerous participants including many AW members have hit the target 50,000 words (you'll see the button in their siglines).

The challenge is to start writing a new work at the beginning of the designated month, and reach the target wordcount (or more) by the end of the month. You can prepare (e.g. outline) as much as you want, but the writing doesn't start until the first of the month, scout's honor and all that.

Even tho' it's still called "National" NoWriMo the challenge has become international, with individuals and even teams from many different countries participating.

-Derek

LLRook · Apr 19, 2007

KCpotatohead said:
HI

Can you clarify for me????

nanowrimo = ?? novel writing month
nascriwrimo = ?? script writing month

What does "na" stand for????

Stands for National

What is "ML"??

ML is your friendly neighborhood Municipal Liason. The one who cheers everyone on all month, schedules meetings and/or events and tries to keep everyone informed and working towards the goal of finishing.

Also am I correct in saying that Script frenzy wants ppl to write a script in one month - June??

yes

Is it a totally new script or is it one you have started?

A new project, though I think adaptions of existing work would be fine. For instance, I plan to adapt one of my novels.

What is the subject? Is it set or can it be anything?

Anything.

Can anyone join sounds like fun??!! I wouldn't mind having a go at that.

Kev

Anyone can participate. And we're in luck...looks like they finally got the site going: http://www.scriptfrenzy.org/

LLRook · Apr 19, 2007

Well, as I'm reading the FAQ page, it seems adaptations aren't for June...so I guess I'll be brainstorming a new project.

ALLWritety · Apr 19, 2007

Dpat & LL
Thanks for the info guys. SO you can plan but no writing until June. Alrighty!

Already got an idea for this.
I'm in.

Kev

Rainy Night · Apr 19, 2007

I couldn't do the NaScriWriMo here last fall because I was in the middle of moving, but now that I have some time I think I'll give this one a shot.

NikeeGoddess · Apr 19, 2007

The premise is to write a 20k word script in the month of June.

i would be skeptical about participating in any script forum that counted the words and not the pages. makes you wonder whether they really know what's what. scriptwriting is always counted in pages.

where's the link to this competition?

LLRook · Apr 20, 2007

NikeeGoddess,

The link is above, but I think you might be taking this the wrong way.

Like NaNoWriMo, ScriptFrenzy isn't really a competition. It's more of a personal challenge, to push yourself to be creative and produce something that you might want to pursue (and polish) later.

They came to the 20k words after studying 120 page scripts and averaging them.

At the end, there's no options or deals being offered. They ask that you scramble your submission as it is only for the validator to check a word count, and if you reach the targetted goal, you will get a certificate stating your accomplishment.

One of the most beneficial aspects of this program/project is the networking with other writers who are taking on the same challenge. Struggling through it together makes what is usually a very solitary experience less so.

NikeeGoddess · Apr 20, 2007

i got ya' LL but still... scriptwriters only think in terms of page count not word count. imo it's flawed to not adjust the challenge to accomodate the different medium/style of writing.

if one writes one page per day then by the end of the year they should have 3 full length feature scripts. seems easy when you say it out loud.

dpaterso · Apr 20, 2007

Not surprisingly, my screenwriting application doesn't have a word count tool. A screenplay that's 90 percent dialogue is going to have a wildly different wordcount to a screenplay that's 50/50 action/dialogue.

LL, looks like you're our Municipal Liaison to the folks behind ScriptFrenzy! Get on the red telephone and get this problem resolved stat!

-Derek

ALLWritety · Apr 20, 2007

Yo, LL
Yep can it be changed to page count? Anyway most scripts are 90 -110 with 120 as a max. Completing a script between 90 -110 is the standard but that would make it under the word count. So some ppl might do the full script but be under the word count and wouldn't get the certificate. Also it depends on the genre that is written. Thrillers tend to be longer, Comedies tend to be shorter.
So can this change to 90 - 110 pages rather than the 20K word count. That way more ppl can achieve the goal and get a certificate for it.
Kev

Rainy Night · Apr 20, 2007

I agree on the page count vs word count. Needs to be pages...

Hollow · Apr 20, 2007

Hear Hear.

Rainy Night · Apr 20, 2007

dpaterso said:
Not surprisingly, my screenwriting application doesn't have a word count tool. A screenplay that's 90 percent dialogue is going to have a wildly different wordcount to a screenplay that's 50/50 action/dialogue.
-Derek

What program are you using? Maybe you can save it as a RTF and drop it into MS Word and get your count.

LLRook · Apr 20, 2007

The best I can do is direct the ptb to this thread.

As this is the first "official" year for this project, I'm sure feedback from those that are well versed on the topic will be deeply considered.

I know I've learned a lot just by reading here a few days...in fact, it's almost overwhelming and I'm no newcomer to the world of writing.

dpaterso · Apr 20, 2007

Rainy Night said:
What program are you using? Maybe you can save it as a RTF and drop it into MS Word and get your count.

Well yeah, of course, but every day? The voices say no.

LLRook said:
As this is the first "official" year for this project, I'm sure feedback from those that are well versed on the topic will be deeply considered.

Excellent; that's all we ~~demand~~ ask!

-Derek

Rainy Night · Apr 20, 2007

Rainy Night said:
What program are you using? Maybe you can save it as a RTF and drop it into MS Word and get your count.

dpaterso said:
Well yeah, of course, but every day? The voices say no.

Just a thought...

I can't recall ever getting a word count on a script I've written.

dpaterso · Apr 20, 2007

I'm afraid that if we keep talking about it, it'll become another prodco pre-req: Only high concept scripts under 18,000 words will be considered...

-Derek

MonaLeigh · May 11, 2007

Script Frenzy

Is anyone participating in Script Frenzy? I didn't complete NaNoWriMo this past year, but I've been looking forward to this. Now if I can just decide on a story I'll be all set.

dpaterso · May 11, 2007

Yup, sure am. Working on a sequence outline now.

-Derek

Script Frenzy aka National Script Writing Month

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One Step closer, I hope!

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One Step closer, I hope!

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One Step closer, I hope!

INFJ

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Wasting time

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