2021 Scene-Writing Challenge

Write some scenes. Win a great prize.

Every September, we run a Zero Draft Thirty Challenge in which the goal for participants is to pound out a draft of a feature film screenplay or original TV pilot script. However, not everyone has the time to take on that challenge. So here’s another way you can up your writing chops this month… and win a free prize!

Every Monday-Friday this month, I will post a scene-writing prompt. Each day, write a scene per those guidelines. Upload your scene here in the response section of the original post. That way you can critique others’ pages and receive feedback on your scene as well.

Why scene-writing? If the average scene is 1 1/2 to 2 pages long and a script is 100–120 pages, then a screenwriter writes between 50–80 scenes per screenplay. Thus in a very real way, screenwriting is scene-writing. The better we get at writing scenes, it stands to reason the better we get as a screenwriter.

To provide extra motivation for this series — to get people to WRITE PAGES — I am giving away some of my Core classes to Scene-Writing Challenge participants. That’s right: For free!

I cover pretty much everything you need to know about screenwriting theory in this unique curriculum. It’s based on eight principles: Plot, Concept, Character, Style, Dialogue, Scene, Theme, Time.

CORE I: PLOT — A one-week class which begins with the principle Plot = Structure and explores the inner workings of the Screenplay Universe: Plotline and Themeline. Start date: September 6.

CORE II: CONCEPT — A one-week class which begins with the principle Concept = Hook and examines multiple strategies to generate, develop and assess story ideas. Start date: September 20.

CORE III: CHARACTER — A one-week class which begins with the principle Character = Function and delves into archetypes: Protagonist, Nemesis, Attractor, Mentor, and Trickster. Start date: October 4.

CORE IV: STYLE — A one-week class which begins with the principle Style = Voice and surfaces keys to developing a distinctive writer’s personality on the page. Start date: October 18.

CORE V: DIALOGUE — A one-week class which begins with the principle Dialogue = Purpose and probes a variety of ways to write effective, entertaining dialogue. Start date: November 1.

CORE VI: SCENE — A one-week class which begins with the principle Scene = Point and provides six essential questions to ask when crafting and writing any scene. Start date: November 15.

CORE VII: THEME — A one-week class which begins with the principle Theme = Meaning and gives writers a concrete take on theme which can elevate the depth of any story. Start date: November 29.

CORE VIII: TIME — A one-week class which begins with the principle Time = Present and studies Present, Present-Past, Present-Future and time management in writing. Start date: December 13.

Each is a 1-week online class featuring 6 lectures written by me, lots of screenwriting insider tips, logline workshops, optional writing exercises, 24/7 message board conversations, teleconferences with course participants and myself to discuss anything related to the craft of scriptwriting.

NOTE: I provide feedback and am actively involved in our online chats. That includes a live 90-minute Zoom call for each Core class.

A popular option is the Core Package which gives you access to the content in all eight Craft classes which you can go through on your own time and at your own pace, plus automatic enrollment in each 1-week online course — all for nearly 50% the price of each individual class. If you sign up now, you can have immediate access to all of the Core content.

“I’m a huge fan of Scott’s classes, and I signed up for his Core Package, which I cannot speak highly enough about. If anyone wants to take a serious look at improving their writing, there is more than enough material to keep you busy for a few… dare I say, lifetimes? He’s the best. No bones about it.”

~ Heather Farlinger

To qualify to take one of my Craft classes for free, write and submit ten [10] Scene-Writing Challenge posts, then provide feedback on ten [10] posts from other writers. The former to get you writing, the latter to work your critical-analytical skills.

A chance to take any of my eight Core classes, interface with me online along with the usual stellar group of writers who take Screenwriting Master Class courses, while using writing exercises and feedback to upgrade your skill at writing and analyzing scenes?

ISN’T THAT AN AWESOME IDEA?!!!

That’s what I’m prepared to do to encourage you to write pages.

A couple of logistical notes:

• Limit your scenes to 2 pages. First, most scenes are 2 pages or less in length. Second, out of fairness to everyone participating in the public scene-writing workshop, let’s not abuse anyone’s patience or time with really long scenes.
• Don’t be concerned about proper script format when you copy/paste your scene, rather the content and execution are the important thing. So as a default mode, do this: (1) Don’t worry about right-hand margins on scene description or dialogue, just keep typing until it manually shifts each line. (2) Don’t worry about character name position, rather do this:

SCARLETT: Rhett, Rhett... Rhett, if you go, where shall I go? What shall I do?
RHETT: Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn.

Today’s prompt: A parent-teacher conference.

Make it interesting, people. The meeting is happening because something is wrong. What has little Johnny or Janey been doing in school which could have provoked this conference? Here’s a touchstone for you: The parent-teacher conference from the movie Parenthood (poor video quality):

“She smoked grass. In college, you were like a chimney, I thought you were going to join a reggae band.” Ha! That’s an angle: One parent blaming the other for their child’s behavior.

FEEDBACK TIP: What if the child’s behavior is so awkward, both the parents and teacher have trouble discussing it directly. Their conversation is as awkward as the child’s actions, e.g., using swear words, peeing outside (this would work if the child were really young, like five or six).

If you are interested in qualifying for 1 free Core class with me, please note in each post you submit the number of scenes you have written. If today is your first effort, note that it is Scene 1. The next one, Scene 2. And so forth.

Also when you provide feedback on someone’s scene, please note in each reply the number of comments you have uploaded. So if today is your first response, Feedback 1. The next one, Feedback 2.

You are on an honor system, as I don’t have time to check every post, so do the right thing!

Remember: In order to qualify for one of my free Core classes, you need to submit ten [10] Scene-Writing Challenge posts, then provide feedback on ten [10] posts from other writers. One post and one feedback per scene prompt.

Once you have written 10 scenes and provided feedback on 10 scenes, email me (GITSblog@gmail.com) and let me know which Core class you’d like, and I’ll enroll you in that class — my gift to you for winning the challenge!

It’s the 2021 Scene-Writing Challenge! Give a jolt to your creative and writing muscles… and win one free online class with yours truly.

Here are the previous challenge prompts:

Day 1 prompt: Elevator ride
Day 2 prompt: A chase scene without cars
Day 3 prompt: Someone talking to a gravestone
Day 4 prompt: A scene with just one word of dialogue
Day 5 prompt: Leaving a voicemail
Day 6 prompt: A bar. A bartender. A patron… getting drunk
Day 7 prompt: Conversation while dancing
Day 8 prompt: A scene between a senior citizen and a child
Day 9 prompt: A scene involving a medicine cabinet
Day 10 prompt: A scene that features a monologue
Day 11 prompt: A scene in which characters whisper

If you have what you think is a good suggestion for a scene-writing prompt, please post that as well.

Onward!