Time for another Word Cloud Logline Challenge!
Those of you who have followed Go Into The Story for at least a couple of years probably know about the occasional Word Cloud Logline Challenges I run, but for anyone unfamiliar with this fun bit of business, check this out.
Since the four Nicholl Fellowship winners were announced last Friday, Wendy Cohen created a word cloud featuring all of the loglines from the winning scripts. Here it is:
These words represent the raw material. Here’s the challenge: 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. 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: LILY FRANKLIN, a POWERFUL DETERMINED LUTHIER, meets a MISSING NEUROSCIENTIST only to REALIZE DEBAUCHERY is the ONE HANGOVER without a CURE.
That logline sucks, but it gets across the point: Capitalize each word from the word cloud in your logline!
Rules: If you have won any GITS contest in 2014, you are not eligible for a prize. You may participate in the Challenge for the hell of it, just note you are not officially in it to win it.
Speaking of prizes, there are two options:
* Choose one of my upcoming one-week online Core classes:
* A half-hour Skype consultation with me to discuss any loglines you may have, questions about the craft or business of screenwriting, what is the meaning of life, etc.
DEADLINE: Friday, October 10 at Midnight (Pacific Daylight Time).
Based upon the quality of the loglines, either serious or ridiculous, I will select up to five winners.
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 are less than 100 words in the Word Cloud, 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 will tend to look more favorably on earlier loglines with similar iterations.
But bottom line, let’s remember this is supposed to be a fun exercise. The opportunity to get a free Core class or consultation 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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