Congratulations to ME!

[Architeuthis Dux]

Because my short screenplay was selected as one of the 5 winners of the Roswell Film Festival Shoot-Out. (www.filmroswell.com)

The contest is: submit a 10-minute sci-fi screenplay. If chosen, the film will be produced and shown at the Roswell Comic-Con and Film Festival.

I currently live in Roswell. I entered last year, as well, but did not win one of the five slots owing to being completely unrealistic about what could be cast and filmed in one week on a tight budget. I didn't find this out until I saw the winning films, of course. . .

Lesson learned! This year I scaled way back on the expensive plot elements -- no police chases, car wrecks, or scientists transforming into chupacabras -- and went high-concept with the twisty ending.

Preproduction starts tomorrow. Filming starts in two weeks. The five winning short films -- including mine, ha! ha! -- will be screened at the awards gala, and prizes for best direction, best picture, and audience favorite will be awarded.

Okay, I didn't win any money, but I can tell you I feel validated as a writer. I felt pretty low after losing last year.

If anyone's interested, I can post more about the project as it takes shape.

[JoJo]

Originally Posted by Architeuthis Dux

Because my short screenplay was selected as one of the 5 winners of the Roswell Film Festival Shoot-Out. (www.filmroswell.com)

[3brassbrads]

Well done! You will never go back to 0%, so no place to go but up.. all the best.

[ScottAlbert]

Sweet. I just did a 7 day web series pilot competition.

Good luck!

[Manchester]

Cool! And congrats.

Though, gotta say that "Roswell Comic-Con and Film Festival" sounds like a fictional premise - like a re-imagining of Paul.

[Presto]

Nice!!!

If it's allowed, post a link to the short once it's in the can and on the web. Would love to see it.

[Architeuthis Dux]

Just got back from the screening / awards gala.

At some point, the director -- an earnest young filmmaker eager to make his mark -- opened up a bottle of amateur sauce and dumped THE WHOLE THING on my script.

Seriously, he re-wrote the thing from top to bottom. Not only did he make it less clear, he added some stuff that . . . well, let me put it this way: my forehead is still red from slapping myself. And the little puke didn't even put his name down as a writing credit! Now everyone is going to think I wrote that!

The film was badly acted, as well. But it wasn't the actors' fault! How can you portray your part convincingly when you don't understand what it's supposed to be? And how can you understand it when it doesn't make any freakin' sense!?

Jeepers cripes a mighty, what a flustercluck.

So, anyway, thanks for your good wishes and whatnot, but the finished product . . . well, I am hesitant to take any credit for it.

[dhsteinberg]

Originally Posted by Architeuthis Dux

At some point, the director -- an earnest young filmmaker eager to make his mark -- opened up a bottle of amateur sauce and dumped THE WHOLE THING on my script.

Welcome to Hollywood. Now you are officially a screenwriter.

[DangoForth]

Thanks for the update! I won the LA Screenwriting Expo and was runner-up at the British Short Screenplay. Had quite a few video music producers (seems to be the norm) contact me, but no one really clicked, so I decided to shoot it (and a contained thriller I wrote) later this year with a commercial crew I knew. Your experience definitely makes me feel better about my decision, but I feel for you! I guess you just go on to the next project, knowing you are much wiser now...