2016 Mid-Year Spec Script Deal Word Cloud Logline Challenge!
Time for the 2016 Mid-Year Spec Script Deal Word Cloud Logline Challenge! I’ve taken the loglines for each of the 36 spec scripts which have been set up (officially announced) from January through June of this year and created this word cloud:
To enlarge the image, click on it. To see the entire list of 36 spec scripts, their loglines, and my reports on them, click here.
Your mission for the 2016 Mid-Year Spec Script Deal Word Cloud Logline Challenge should you choose to accept: Come up with a logline using words from the word cloud. Or loglines (you may enter as many times as you want).
NOTE: One way your logline will be assessed is by how many words from the word cloud you use in your logline. If only one or two, less points. If five or six, more points.
BIG NOTE: Please CAPITALIZE each word cloud word in your logline.
Example: A YOUNG FORMER WOMAN COP MUST FIND a SUSPECTED SUPERVILLAIN using UBER to create TURBULENT traffic on MIAMI BRIDGES.
That, my friends, is a truly crappy logline. However it gets across the key CAPITALIZATION point. This helps in judging each entry. Speaking of which, the inimitable Max Millimeter will return to select the winners, and you know what a hard ass he can be. His whole thing is about entertainment — “Get my [bleeping] attention!” — which you can read about here. So bear that in mind.
Oh, and when he talks about the six words test, he’s not saying make your loglines six words. What he means is can you reduce your story concept down to six words and if so, do those six words communicate a solid story and an entertaining one.
There will be five (5) winners! Prize: My upcoming 1 week online Core III: Character course. If you’ve read any of my blog posts in which I talk about five character archetypes — Protagonist, Nemesis, Attractor, Mentor, and Trickster — here is your chance to learn how you can use these as tools to develop and craft your own stories. People rave about this class and 5 GITS readers are going to be able to take it for free by winning this Word Cloud Challenge.
Deadline for entries: Today Midnight (Pacific), Monday, July 18. The Core III: Character class begins Monday, July 25.
If you’d like to see some examples of previous Word Cloud loglines, check out submissions here (2012), here (2013), here (2014), and here (2015) for some challenges we’ve held for the annual Black List.
More details about the contest:
(1) “How many loglines may I post?” You can submit as many as you’d like. That said, even in a fun challenge like this, you should focus on quality over quantity.
(2) “Since there is bound to be overlap with loglines, how will you sort that out in terms judging?” Good question. And hopefully a good learning point for all of us, the difference between the logline for Dude, Where’s My Car? — “Two potheads wake up from a night of partying and can’t remember where they parked their car” — and The Hangover — Three groomsmen lose their about-to-be-wed buddy during their drunken misadventures, then must retrace their steps in order to find him”. The focus on a lost groom due for his wedding is substantially better as a comedic conceit than simply looking for a car.
(3) “What about people riffing off earlier loglines?” Another good point and I would think Max will tend to look more favorably on earlier loglines with similar iterations simply due to the earlier writer came up with the idea first.
Bottom line, let’s remember this is supposed to be a fun exercise. The opportunity to get a free class with me is a nice treat, but hopefully won’t create any ill will on the part of folks who don’t get selected. Even if you don’t win, you will have exercised your creative muscles, and that’s a plus for you.
FINAL REMINDER: Please CAPITALIZE word cloud words you use in your LOGLINE!!!
Let’s have some creative fun! Good luck!
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