Thu, 2024-Nov-28 00:02 (GMT)
I don't know if this is possible but I might as well throw it out there. Would it be possible to add a feature to the site where users would be able to write reviews of scripts? For example, users would be able to rate a script out of five stars (five being best, one being worst) and also be able to leave detailed reviews of the script stating what they liked/didn't like etc. I figured this would help out writers who are looking for feedback but don't or can't shell out money to get it.
This is what happens over at SimplyScripts.
Writers submit their work and others read and review, and provide feedback and advice.
Script Revolution will never be a peer review/feedback site. In the very early days, I brought in a pass/consider/recommend system, and it was abused that very night. Someone went and rated another writer's entire portfolio as pass, and they were rightfully upset and demotivated by it. I brought in a feedback system later on, and that was abused too. That's why scripts can only be favourited, and thus positively reinforced by those who like what they see.
Script Revolution is pro-craft-development, and encourages writers to go study the various books out there on writing, art, and film production before applying it to their work.
There used to be a guy called Dreamscale who beat up everything I ever submitted to Simply Scripts. I used to hate how the submissions automatically put your material in the forum for feedback. Guy had nothing useful to say and was clearly just there to knock people down. Years later, after I'd got a couple of features made, he came crawling up to me on Facebook (I knew his real name) wanting to be friends. That's the problem you have with peer feedback. You just solicit bullies who turn into creeps. There was another guy on there called Dustin who was problematic too. That's why Shootin' The Shorts had to move here.
"There used to be a guy called Dreamscale who beat up everything I ever submitted to Simply Scripts [...] There was another guy on there called Dustin who was problematic too [...] Guy had nothing useful to say and was clearly just there to knock people down [...] That's why Shootin' The Shorts had to move here [...] That's the problem you have with peer feedback. You just solicit bullies who turn into creeps."
Pretty much all the troll types appear to have been eradicated by the time I arrived at SS. One guy did show up and began posting acid takes but he was soon banned.
Really, the worst issue now is a few (thankfully-rare) aspiring screenwriters who refuse to accept any advice and who become triggered when they receive any feedback that isn't glowing praise. Generally they either try to start a fight and get warned, muzzled or banned, or they never post again.
"I used to hate how the submissions automatically put your material in the forum for feedback."
That problem hit me early on until I finally noticed there is actually an option to specify no feedback required when submitting scripts.
"That's the problem you have with peer feedback. You just solicit bullies who turn into creeps."
That certainly resembles a very Reddit-like phenomenon but not one SS suffers from. Not now, at least. The site owner and his admins are very pro-active and hands-on. Nonsense isn't tolerated.
Thats ok. I thought I'd throw it out there. Any books you would recommend?
Screenwriting
Artistry & Creativity
Industry
That's good news about Simply Scripts as it was a huge issue. I still don't think peer feedback is an efficient way to build core craft skills though. Easy to find things people don't like. Harder for them to explain (genuinely) why.
"I still don't think peer feedback is an efficient way to build core craft skills though. Easy to find things people don't like. Harder for them to explain (genuinely) why."
True enough, but it's still better than paying anonymous people to rate and review your work.
100% agreed.
I like having the feedback just to hear what people think about the story, characters, plot, in general. I work on my craft alone, and solely alone. It's helped me so far push myself to reach the maximum potential of my scripts. I even turned what was meant to be a short story as an exercise into a feature length script just to prove something to myself.
And, thanks for all the recommendations CJ!
Yeah, I mean, if you feel compelled to do it, do it, and if you can do it for free, all the better. You should find that you quickly outgrow and really start to question the value of feedback from peers.
Yeah, I agree with that 100%. I stand by my work for all of it's faults. Now, I just got to keep to at it.
"You should find that you quickly outgrow and really start to question the value of feedback from peers."
It's like anything when you become experienced at it. Eventually you begin to see the flaws in the work of others.
The worst advice almost invariably comes from fellow screenwriters, because almost all of them think only in terms of established screenwriting formula, and not filmmaking. It's why there is so little real variety in screenplays. Everyone is always writing the same things over and over, and telling you to do the same.
That's not really the issue I see. The issue I see is that people are mostly just talking in terms of their subjective taste and some sort of superficial rules they believe in. Few are talking in terms of craft, because they haven't studied the craft, and if they had, they'd just tell everyone who's begging for feedback to go do the same themselves.
"That's not really the issue I see. The issue I see is that people are mostly just talking in terms of their subjective taste and some sort of superficial rules they believe in. Few are talking in terms of craft, because they haven't studied the craft, and if they had, they'd just tell everyone who's begging for feedback to go do the same themselves."
All of this is in large part due to the stampede of wannabe Hollywood celebs who see screenwriting as the easy way in, and who have zero interest in the craft, or screenwriting, or storytelling, or even movies, per se.
Fame is the goal.
How they achieve fame doesn't matter to them — Shit out a totally formulaic piece of dross and somehow get it produced, then turn their backs on screenwriting the second they're in. Because screenwriters are nobodies, no one cares about the writer, but the end goal is fame.
Writing-by-numbers has been a thing with some for a long time, but now it's the so-called "craft" of the vast majority of aspirants.
They have an interest in craft and development. They just get told to read lots of scripts and get feedback on theirs. I don't know where it all came from, but it's the norm now. Ironically, it's less efficient and more painful to do it that way.
It's all about refining your work and bringing it up to your standards (and the industry's). The more you do that, the more confident you will be in your writing.
The more you learn about other writer's careers, the more confident you will be too. That had a huge impact on me. Knowing people get ignored, rejected, and even ridiculed so often really helped me find patience and stick by my artistic voice. It also highlighted just how much stuff gets meddled with and ruined by people who think they know better, or have a different vision.