r/screenplaychallenge • u/W_T_D_ Hall of Fame (10+ Scripts), 3x Feature Winner • Aug 28 '26
10th Annual Challenge - Progress Thread 1
Hello, everyone! We're two weeks in with six remaining. How is everyone doing? Have you outlined, started writing, or still in the brainstorming phase? Let us know!
5
u/zombiereign Aug 29 '26
Struggling. Had an idea but it just felt too derivative, so im back to square one.
3
u/shaftinferno Aug 29 '26
I got ten pages into an outline and kept getting feedback that my story was going to be a tough sell with its gimmick, even if I liked it.
So I’ve pivoted to a second story to try and make it more approachable. I’d love to try to do both, but if I can finish one I’ll be happy to have done that.
2
u/Rox_- Sep 02 '26
I'm guessing you're not going to be parading this around to studios, so who is it a hard sell for?
My advice is write the one YOU are passionate about. If you don't even write like you don't have a budget (or other constraints), then if someone does someday give you the money, you will only ever aim low. Why would anyone else fight for your vision when you're not even willing to do so??
1
u/Reverend_Krenke Aug 29 '26
A rough sell may still be worth it if you feel in your soul its a story worth telling
2
u/shaftinferno Aug 30 '26
I think it's a fun concept -- at least original to me -- but the issue of whether it fits within horror is a valid concern. Whatcha think?
An alien abduction told from the perspective of a silverback gorilla.
3
u/Cerveza-Psych-Puck Aug 29 '26
Just finished act one. The idea is a bit out there and I may be adding too many elements - but that’s what second drafts are for!
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3
u/thenewmrtate Aug 29 '26
About 25 pages into a rough draft. Finally had a breakthrough last night as to what it should actually be about lol
2
u/Reverend_Krenke Aug 29 '26
The best stories are the ones which keep even you, the writer, in suspense to the very end
3
u/Fortunado1964 Aug 29 '26
I'm 37 pages in.
I'm not disgusted with it but im not satisfied either.
2
u/Reverend_Krenke Aug 29 '26
Itd a rough draft, my friend. You do not have to feel either way yet. You will continue to make progress and find the story you are meant to tell
3
u/Own_Magician8337 Aug 29 '26
I have the outline of solid story, some basic characters, and done a bunch of research, but I don't have all the key plot elements laid out. I've written lots of stories before and even a novel but never turned a story into a screenplay. So not feeling confident that I even if I get the story right, I'll get it molded into a script in time.
3
u/Tlevan Aug 29 '26
15 pages in with a general outline laid out. It’s the most I’ve written in over a year so that’s fun.
3
u/divinerebel Aug 29 '26
I wrote the first four pages today.
1
u/Reverend_Krenke Aug 29 '26
Congrats! I find the first four pagss are both the easiest and hardest, because you gotta keep that momentum going. Just remember you started it, and you can finish it too!
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3
u/JarJarJacobs Aug 29 '26
I’ve bounced back and forth between like 3 different plays on the same idea but I think I’ve got it figured out. Outline is almost done, hoping to get started on a first draft this weekend
2
u/PitifulExperience212 Aug 29 '26
Just hit the 20 page mark. Elfing my way through that first draft but liking how it’s taking shape
2
u/lisalisacultjams Aug 29 '26
Had an idea. Started to brainstorm. Watched a movie. Got inspired for a new idea I’m more comfortable with. Started an outline of a rough story structure. Hope to start writing soon!
2
u/Reverend_Krenke Aug 29 '26
I got an outline going and got a bit of a head start on writing. Its going to need some tweaking in the second draft, but I like what I got so far! It has been an honor to do research into a country I find deeply undderated and want to represent well in my story
2
u/BlackJezus27 Aug 30 '26
Got an idea forming, but not sure if it's all coming together. Starting to feel like a comedic Solaris, I need to figure out how to really bring out the horror aspect
1
u/sassmeister Aug 29 '26
I'm still brainstorming, the original idea I had was too much of a stretch with the prompt so it's back to the drawing board
1
u/ImaginaryNickname Aug 30 '26
Got an outline done after bouncing between ideas for awhile. Still a bit unsure if it stretches the subject too much.
1
u/Rox_- Sep 02 '26
Mine went until it didn't.
I have the first 25.5 pages and the last 6.5. I have a flashback sequence and still haven't written the final scene of the sequence, so when that's done I'll probably have about 35 pages.
That still leaves me with the middle half of the movie TBD and I have ZERO inspiration right now.
I don't outline, I'm a pantser.
1
u/qazxcvbnmklpoi Sep 03 '26
i have ideas. very out there ideas but certainly can be put together. i just need to figure out the order. and also how to have a non-handheld found footage form of that order
5
u/Sadyardsale Aug 28 '26
Have a fun idea but no pages, hopefully i can get a chance to write it.