Screenwriting : 30 day challenge! by Marvin Willson

What fun. I wish I had the time.

Sure...I need some motivation

sounds cool.. wish I lived in USA Id def go for the challenge. I just thought of a hilirious story today, and was thinking it would be perfect for TV or a film. and its original. :)

@kimite It doesn't matter where you live. Time still functions in your country, right? LOL!

I am down for this. I am Directing a feature film at months end and in the meantime my company has been holding a contest with a group of writers to film a short story in the time before i start on this feature. We have a rule to do something film related every single day, and put in at least 40 hours a week.

Yea that sounds like it could be a good challenge. When does it start? Is there any preference to genre?

I think we should start SATURDAY the 8th. There's no restrictions on what you work on, just work. Thoughts?

@ Tim - Love your enthusiasm. No restrictions, lets just get it down any which way and keep each other updated on progress.

Well the 8th is just around the corner, I'd better get thinking!

@ Marvin. Great. So Im def in for the challenge. Would I be able to ask help with the script, coz I struggle with dialogue, and will this mean we can use "what we got, no budget" if possible? I only have my film club members, under 18yo, to work with. Hope its ok. thanks

I'd love to join in but I'm on the home stretch on the script I'm working and I don't want to set it aside. I don't think I could finish the one I'm working on and do a first draft in the next month but it's a great idea!

@kimite feel free to ask away. tell all your writer friends we're doing this. let get a team together.

so its idea, first draft, screen play, script and filming to post production.. is this what we going to do? and how long must the film be? or the script? this is my very first time with a project like this, so any pointers to note?

Where should we place our updates?

Okay homies! Here's the skinny... We all work on our own beat sheets/outlines/treatments/screenplays/TV pilots/short etc.. We each keep the group updated as to each others progress and if you have a question or need help with ideas/writers block etc, you can post to the group. I am personally working on a new TV Pilot ideas, but you can work on anything you want. There is now a chatroom function on the bottom left of the bar. And I have set up a room called 30 day writing challenge. Thoughts?

Will the chatroom stay active the entire duration? I am not sure how it works on this site.

I hope so. We should all swap email addresses too and post to the group.

Chatroom is gone, i do not think that's an option what will work.

I can still see it. I may have to invite you all to the room, but you have to be online to invite you. Everyone can email me at marvinwillson@gmail.com with your name and I'll get it all sorted.

Sounds good. I can't see chat on my phone but will look out for it when I'm next at my laptop. This project sounds great! Working under pressure could be a good motivator

Ill also look out for the chat room when Im online. Im always busy, esp weekends with kid film club, editing movies and trailers, and much more but I think this will be like a workshop for me, so im excited. Thanks Marvin for clarifying our questions, and good luck with ur next film project. Ill email u shortly. :)

Okay guys, waiting on your email addresses, to get this thing going... marvinwillson@gmail.com

That sounds interesting. I would love to participate. My email is allisonbruning@gmail.com

timnewhousejr@gmail.com

Last call for participants??

Have done a 30 day challenge before...It is fun and makes you write everyday....

Love this idea! Im in.

I'm in.... I wish I'd seen this sooner.

Apologies for not responding today, al those writers that replied with their email addresses, I will reply on Sunday, and let's get started. And others that want to join in, please send me an email at marvinwillson@gmail.com

Any last minute takers? We're starting today...

Day 1 of 30 day writing challenge is over and I've worked out my world, it's rules & created my characters. Outline begins tomorrow.

Hey Marvin, I've been working on writing a feature (idea to finished) in 30 days but got stalled after two weeks. Lyse has been kicking my butt but I've been coming up with lots of excuses. So, I'm two weeks in and halfway done - can I jump in? I should finish the first draft in two weeks, so maybe I could do that and a rewrite? Really need some more accountability! Thanks!

You are very welcome to join in. email me at marvinwillson@gmail.com and i'll put you on the group list.

so sorry, but Im bowing out. Im not ready yet, but will follow u all, and wish u all success with this awesome challenge. thanks Marvin for all u doing. its awesome :)

Hey Kimite... no worries... if you pick back up in a week or so, join back in. The real purpose is to be productive and have a point of check in and support.

Thanks Loretha. one of my problems is I cant access the chatroom. its blank, might be bec my internet has slow connection/faulty service. the only way I can do this is via email, or here. Ill try my best. :)

I don't think everyone has been hanging out in the chat. I have not. It's hit or miss. Call me Lori. You're good/ Whatever works for you.

I can only seem to invite you to the chat room if you are online. The group email is better.

All those doing the challenge... If you have a smart phone, we can all download BBM (blackberry messenger) that way we can discuss at any time. Thoughts?

Cool Julio. I hope she makes a recovery.

I am in the process of finishing first screenplay in about 48 hours. I wish we could have met a couple of months ago. Are you an experienced screenwriter? I could use it on my second screenplay. Do you have a system that works for you that you are willing to share with me? Please give me a holler?

Am I too late? Hope not :)

Never too late, Will.

I just saw this post. I'm late, but on board.

Theres no late, Regina. Just fashionably delayed. LOL

sorry 2 say it im already love u if i can hepl out love 2 write me on mi mail:renerolandhansen@yahoo.com or call on:+4526446125 there can be problems with the number then try 0045.. love from here

I'm working on a pilot I've been fussing with for a few months. Never can seem to nail down the path from point A to point B. Plus, I'm completely distracted the Winter Olympics. :) But I'm getting my act together....little bit everyday.

@ Lyse. Thanks for asking. I'm right in the middle of the 3rd act climax. I figure less than 8 pages to go. It's going well and I'm very happy with the story. I've found that my first drafts aren't really the normal "vomit" draft. I find myself doing a lot of editing as I go. I like to read and review what I last wrote not only to edit but to get my creative juices going so by the time I've reviewed what I have the new words just automatically flow. I also tend to jump back to rewrite a part when something comes up and I need to add to an earlier scene, that way I don't forget. This one's a psychological thriller so I feel I really need to keep the storyline very focused and on course.

Thanks Lyse. Funny I finished a rom-com draft just before jumping into this script so I know what you mean! This is my 3rd thriller but this new one has been challenging because so much of it is emotional and conflict driven rather than the others where action was the driving force. Very intense indeed! But I love a challenge!

I need work in the field Do anything Concact me on starnow Will be around malta the next few month Really hope can help out Rene

Congratulations! I sent some queries, but I need to revamp some characters before sending the script off.

Sorry for the delay in responding gang, I am in the process of developing a TV project with a studio, so that has been taking up my time. I'm happy that people managed to get some work done, and congrats to you all.

How's you're 30 day challenge going? I wish I had seen this a month ago. I've been struggling with a script but lost my drive months ago.

It's over, J. sorry dude. I maybe running another one in a few weeks. Whats the problem with your script?

Just not motivated. Lots of stress trying to pay bills. When I sit down to write I just can't focus on it. Considered bringing in a co-writer but not sure about that. Tried co-writing before and he kept wanting to take the story in a different direction from the original treatment. Without telling me, he would go off an write his own segments of the script that were just plain corny or didn't jive with what I was writing. The characters would say or do thing out of character. Then he couldn't take it when I would tell him I didn't like what he wrote or I didn't like that he wrote 10 pages without letting me know what he was doing. I'll just keep plugging along. Eventually I'll find the motivation and get it done.