Balls of Steel: Bring on the Frenzy
You have great script idea mulling inside your head. Maybe it’s been haunting you for years, and you keep saying, “I’ll get to it… after this rewrite… after the school year… after my ingrown toenail heals… after…”
Shut the barn door and write that sucker. What are you waiting for?!
April is Script Frenzy month – the challenge to write a 100-page script in 30 days. Impossible? Bull. You can do it. You will do it. That’s a balls-of-steel challenge.
I double-dog dare you.
Oh yeah, I said it. C-H-A-L-L-E-N-G-E.
By no means is a challenge supposed to be easy. If it were, your heart wouldn’t race, you anxiety level wouldn’t rise, and your idea would never get on the page. “Pressure” is a screenwriter’s middle name – at least it is in my world.
Nothing good comes from staying inside your comfort zone.
The beauty of a challenge like Script Frenzy is it comes with an amazing community of support. On their official site, you create a profile, making your participation public (can you say, “accountability”), and find other writers in your network to put on your buddy list.
When the cowbell rings on April 1st at midnight, the word vomit begins.
Each day, you post the page count of your progress and watch your buddies’ numbers rise, cheering each other on. Script Tip of the Day: I’d highly recommend joining Twitter and using the #scriptfrenzy hashtag to meet other writers outside of your existing network.
Two years ago, I did the National Novel Writing Month challenge to write a 50,000-word novel in the month of November. I met tons of great writers and learned valuable lessons. Script Frenzy is that same opportunity, but for screenwriters… and novelists who want to come to the dark side… mwhaha.
To learn more about the challenge from the organizers themselves, check out Scriptchat’s transcript when Grant Faulkner and Sandra Salas were guests.
So, get that outline ready and set up your profile on Script Frenzy’s site.
For all brave enough to jump on board, post your username in the comment section below and connect with each other. Bookmark this post and come back often to post your progress too.
Vive the frenzy!
19 Comments
I’m in.
MyBrainReallyHurts
Thanks, Aaron! I know there’s more of you out there… don’t be shy. Post your buddy name and connect!
I’m in, too! My username on the site is extremely creative and outside the box… mumford. I’m, er, saving the creativity for the actual writing! Yeah, that’s it.
I’m out.
But I’m in.
But I’m out.
FoolsOnHorses
Today is the big starting day! Wish you all the best of luck… keep us in the loop on your progress right here in the comments.
britward (:
My username is soldoutactivist.
Progress today: 15 pages.
I’m in! My Script Frenzy username is: LiamJHolland
Started today, already have the first 3 pages down!
I’m in! I’m on page 2! With the flu! (I’m having a Dr. Seuss moment.)
Username: LateBloomer365.
Break a leg, everyone!
My username is Agatespen.
I’m in! username: kim_garland
Great article. Up to page 9!
Username: ‘jasminemcatee’
Punkinelf here! Think I’m on page 5, but with Celtx you can’t really tell. It’s a good thing!
SWEET! You guys make a pimp proud. Can’t wait to see who “wins” first. Remember, there is no loser. Even if you don’t hit the 100-page mark, you got something on the page.
But, I expect you to cross that finish line… or else
I’m actually taking a screenwritingu class where you write a screenplay in 30 days. It started in the middle of March and I’m half way done with my script so far. I’ll be finished in the middle of April.
Great idea, Jeanne! You’re an amazing cheerleader.
I’m TheJodi. Hope to see you guys around the boards!
I’m in. 15 pages in so far to be exact.
I’m rebelshea.
Day 4. Reached 66 pages. Aiming to complete on the 6th.
Username: soldoutactivist