Is Creative Screenwriting still in business??

[EJ Pennypacker]

I've been trying to contact people over at CS for a good few weeks now by either phone number on their site or through email(s) and NOBODY is responding, even Bill their chief editor.

All I get is the same answer machine.

Anyone get through lately to speak to someone human?

Plus, I should've known better to place an order with them given the terrible feedback that got here, but I thought I'd give them a try seeing as I've never had a problem. WOW, did I regret this move. And I'm also wondering if it's this hard to get to speak to someone about some lost DVD's, then what the hell am I thinking of re-upping my subscription with their magazine?!

Creative Screenwriting - you suck.

EJ

[spacefarer]

Hi EJ! I guess this explains why I haven't received this quarter's issue...

[EJ Pennypacker]

Well, I have no idea what made me call AGAIN, but someone just picked up called "Matt" and took my details and will follow up with me.

I guess they are still in business.

EJ

[spacefarer]

Hmmm... but don't end up like Jacob. He's till waiting for a second coming to happen ;)

I think it's all said and done with 'em. Game over or there will be one soon.

[JakeJackson]

darn. I was contemplating about getting a dvd or two from them, but after all the hassle I've read about on this site, forget it.

How illegal do you think it'd be to rip DVDs and trade the digital files? Hypothetically, of course? :)

[Ravenlocks]

Um, very?

[Moviequill]

I finally found a current issue at a Borders near me (way late in distribution) and inside they mention firing their main editor as well as others due to recessionary cutbacks

[spacefarer]

In other words, Game Over.

[cynicide]

Hmm, think there will be an Expo this year then?

[mswriterj]

I received my issue today. The Expo has to be a big money-maker for them, so it should go on as usual (if they can hang in there).

[David Alin]

I received my issue today. The Expo has to be a big money-maker for them, so it should go on as usual (if they can hang in there).
You received your issue? Funny, I haven't gotten mine as of yet! I ordered my subscription during the month of March, was told that my first one will be in May... but nothing yet. Guess I have to call them tomorrow.:mad:

[vmf]

My subscription is up with this issue, and after I read that the Editor had been fired/position eliminated (a bad sign) and received all those "want to write for CS" spam-mails, I won't be renewing, as they will probably be out-of-business in very short order.

It's sad because I like reading the magazine, but I've received too many "we're bankrupt, our parent company is bankrupt so FOAD!" sub letters from DOA mags to send any more free money out.

If CS appears on the Chapters shelf I'll buy it, but otherwise...

[briking]

I received my issue today. The Expo has to be a big money-maker for them, so it should go on as usual (if they can hang in there).

The Expo is going on, but I've attended and I think it's a complete waste unless you're a beginner. Their contest is a complete waste of time as well. I do not recommend either of them.

[ShaneBlackFan]

It's a good mag but I had too many problems. I'm going over to SCRIPT, Bill Ray and Julie write for 'em -- all three are terrific experts.

CS should go web exclusive*. I subscribe to filmscoremonthly.com, and that used to be hard-print, now it's web. Sub is cheap too. This is the future.


*Option of having it in PDF.

[Ravenlocks]

Which editor got fired? Not Jeff Goldsmith, the free screening and podcast guy?

If they go belly-up I'll miss those screenings.

[darthpaul]

It wasn't Jeff that got the bullet; it was the lady editor of the actual magazine (Jeff has some other Editorial title) whose name I can't remember...
I didn't receive number 5 of my 6 issue subscription (although bizarrely I got number 6). I sent an email asking what happened, saying I'd like to renew but I can't justify it if I'm not getting what I paid for. That was 5 or 6 weeks ago. Nothing. Nada.
I spent the money on the Nicholl entry instead. ;)
Like you say, if it's on the shelf I'll buy it, but probably won't subscribe again. The podcasts are awesome though; I'd be really sorry to see those go.

[vmf]

Which editor got fired? Not Jeff Goldsmith, the free screening and podcast guy?

No, it was that fembot Amy "Girls Rule and Boys Drool" Dawes.

I hated her anti-male editorial slant, which must have cost them some readers, and she certainly deserved to get canned, but I don't think that eliminating/amalgamating the position going forward is the right thing to do.

[EJ Pennypacker]

Wowsers. My DVD's arrived yesterday after my call. Only over 2 months late!

EJ

[Bill Donovan]

YES, Creative Screenwriting is still in business.

YES, there will be an Expo this year. Oct 15-18 at the Wilshire Grand Hotel in downtown LA.

YES, admittedly, we have a backlog of DVD orders. That's largely my fault for putting DVDs on sale at half price, followed by losing a key person from the fulfillment staff. We're catching up on orders. And I promise NEVER to put DVDs on sale at half price again after all the crap we've taken over the backlog.

YES, we do answer the phones. I keep hearing this complaint -- probably the same three people -- that we don't. But I sit in the office, hear the phone ring, hear it get answered. If the customer service staff is out (we do have to let people go to lunch, and it takes two people to go to the Post Office with DVD orders many days), then we might miss a few calls. If you leave a message, we call back.

Regarding all this "out of business" crap: give it a rest. Some of you really seem to need to get a life.

Bill Donovan
Publisher, Creative Screenwriting Magazine

[EJ Pennypacker]

YES, Creative Screenwriting is still in business.

YES, there will be an Expo this year. Oct 15-18 at the Wilshire Grand Hotel in downtown LA.

YES, admittedly, we have a backlog of DVD orders. That's largely my fault for putting DVDs on sale at half price, followed by losing a key person from the fulfillment staff. We're catching up on orders. And I promise NEVER to put DVDs on sale at half price again after all the crap we've taken over the backlog.

YES, we do answer the phones. I keep hearing this complaint -- probably the same three people -- that we don't. But I sit in the office, hear the phone ring, hear it get answered. If the customer service staff is out (we do have to let people go to lunch, and it takes two people to go to the Post Office with DVD orders many days), then we might miss a few calls. If you leave a message, we call back.

Regarding all this "out of business" crap: give it a rest. Some of you really seem to need to get a life.

Bill Donovan
Publisher, Creative Screenwriting Magazine

You know this posting infuriates me to no effing end.

This is what I went through to get my fukcing DVD's from CS recently.

1) I emailed the required contact and asked about my order.

NO FUKCING RESPONSE.

2) I emailed Bill himself (above poster) and asked about my order.

NO FUKCING RESPONSE! Not even “I’ll get to it – sorry”.

3) I emailed some ****ty gmail account thinking I had nothing to lose at this point.

NO RESPONSE THERE EITHER.

4) I peppered the CS phone number (both the 323 and 1-800) between 3pm and 4pm PST over a good few days, EVEN left a voicemail with my information - WHICH NOBODY CALLED ME BACK ABOUT.

It's only when I again peppered the phone lines and finally got through to "Matt" that he took down my information and I asked that he followed up with me regarding my very late order, that I finally received my DVD's - TWO MONTHS LATE. (and that person didn’t get back to me either with an explanation or apology or ANYTHING when I especially asked for it).

So thanks Bill for the as$hole posting and I find it truly stunning that your company can’t even be bothered to grace a customer with a simple “sorry” or anything and choses to come on this site and mock its posters.

And YES it is valid to think it is going out of business when it seems EVERYONE who's posting in this special CS thread, has a complaint about CS not delivered its products, yet is happy to take their money asap, and stone-walls people with a practical ZERO response from your company.

Respectfully,

EJ

[spacefarer]

Still waiting for this quarter's issue...

The second coming will happen faster I guess. :D

[Telly]

Edited: had to delete at the request of a good friend. Damn.

[spacefarer]

YES, Creative Screenwriting is still in business.

YES, there will be an Expo this year. Oct 15-18 at the Wilshire Grand Hotel in downtown LA.

YES, admittedly, we have a backlog of DVD orders. That's largely my fault for putting DVDs on sale at half price, followed by losing a key person from the fulfillment staff. We're catching up on orders. And I promise NEVER to put DVDs on sale at half price again after all the crap we've taken over the backlog.

YES, we do answer the phones. I keep hearing this complaint -- probably the same three people -- that we don't. But I sit in the office, hear the phone ring, hear it get answered. If the customer service staff is out (we do have to let people go to lunch, and it takes two people to go to the Post Office with DVD orders many days), then we might miss a few calls. If you leave a message, we call back.

Regarding all this "out of business" crap: give it a rest. Some of you really seem to need to get a life.

Bill Donovan
Publisher, Creative Screenwriting Magazine

What a lame response to people who pay money to buy this magazine.

We'll get a life but you'd better get a job, Bill. A new job. :love:

Still waiting for this quarter's issue...

[vmf]

And I promise NEVER to put DVDs on sale at half price again after all the crap we've taken over the backlog... Regarding all this "out of business" crap: give it a rest. Some of you really seem to need to get a life.

Wow, good luck with your new career.

[darthpaul]

YES, Creative Screenwriting is still in business.

YES, there will be an Expo this year. Oct 15-18 at the Wilshire Grand Hotel in downtown LA.

YES, admittedly, we have a backlog of DVD orders. That's largely my fault for putting DVDs on sale at half price, followed by losing a key person from the fulfillment staff. We're catching up on orders. And I promise NEVER to put DVDs on sale at half price again after all the crap we've taken over the backlog.

YES, we do answer the phones. I keep hearing this complaint -- probably the same three people -- that we don't. But I sit in the office, hear the phone ring, hear it get answered. If the customer service staff is out (we do have to let people go to lunch, and it takes two people to go to the Post Office with DVD orders many days), then we might miss a few calls. If you leave a message, we call back.

Regarding all this "out of business" crap: give it a rest. Some of you really seem to need to get a life.

Bill Donovan
Publisher, Creative Screenwriting Magazine

Well damn, Bill. All I know is, I didn't get what I paid for, and when I called you guys on it via a very polite email, you ignored me.
I like the magazine and the podcast, I really do, and I would gladly have subscribed again if I'd felt I got value for money. But when you pay for 6 issues and receive only 5, that's not value for money.
I'm glad you aren't going out of business. But if you treat all, or even most, of your customers the way you treated me you soon will be. And that would be a shame.

[12IronMonkeys]

I got the new issue in the mail today.

[EJ Pennypacker]

Okay, so I did get an apology from CS and here it is.

I just want to go on record in saying that I always loved CREATIVE SCREENWRITING MAGAZINE and their DVD's, and it seems they are having issues with the backlog of orders, but my original complaints still stands (lack of response via email and anyone picking up a phone).

But here's the email I got:

> Subject: Our Apologies For Late DVD Delivery; Here Is A Token of Our Appreciation and A Status Update
> Date: Thu, 7 May 2009 03:03:13 -0700
>
>
>
> Thank you very much for ordering screenwriting DVDs from us.
>
> We are very sorry that you may have received your DVDs quite late, or might
> not have received them yet at all.
>
> Our DVD production and distribution operation became backlogged due to a
> "Perfect Storm" of problems. We put on a sale that increased the number of
> orders; a key person in the production process then left; then we had an
> equipment breakdown, and we insufficiently trained a new staff member.
>
> And on top of that, the Post Office put in new check-acceptance machines
> which, for some bizarre reason, won't accept our standard Quickbooks
> checks, slowing down the shipping process still more.
>
> As a result, some orders from January through now have not been filled, and
> many were filled late.
>
> If you have not received your DVDs, you are entitled to a full refund.
> However, I am writing to beg your forgivenness and your patience. We ARE
> fulfiling all orders, and we will soon be completely caught up.
>
> Also, if you took advantage of our 50% off sale prices, you received more
> than a 50% savings because the shopping cart was temporarily configured
> incorrectly, and it failed to charge anyone in the sale more than $1 for
> shipping. If you take a refund now, you will not be able to take
> advantage of those temporary savings again.
>
> We have implemented new delivery systems to streamline the process, we're
> hiring new customer assistance staff. Operations have begun to go
> smoothly. We also temporarily stopped advertising DVDs in email blasts,
> and we have returned prices from the low sale prices back to normal. Those
> two actions have reduced sales, allowing us to make progress on the
> backlog.
>
> If you want a refund: you are entitled to contact the credit card company,
> but please let us make it easier. Email us at
> customer.service@creativescreenwriting.com or call (323) 957-1405 or our
> toll-free number (US and Canada), (800) 727-6978.
>
> However, we hope that you will continue to be patient and let us catch up.
> As a token of our appreciation, I am offering you this $10 discount coupon,
> which is good for almost any product of ours (The exceptions are screenplay
> contests and the 2009 Golden Pitch Fest, both of which run on different
> shopping carts). The coupon code is:
>
> XXXXX
>
> To use it, make a purchase of any of our products through the Creative
> Screenwriting web site at http://creativescreenwriting.com or the
> Screenwriting Expo web site at http://screenwritingexpo.com.
>
> Apply the coupon in the space provided in the "My Shopping Cart" page. You
> can use it to save on a magazine subscription, an Expo or seminar
> registration, or any other product of ours. (If you want to use it to
> order DVDs, can you wait a couple of weeks while we clear the backlog?)
>
> Good luck, and Write On!
>
> Bill Donovan, Publisher
> Creative Screenwriting Magazine

[winter dreams]

For anyone who has read both Script and Creative Screenwriting, would you say one mag is better than the other?

[vmf]

For anyone who has read both Script and Creative Screenwriting, would you say one mag is better than the other?

Good question, and it really depends on that month's content. Both can be weak or strong from month to month, but if I was forced to buy only one for a year, I would lean towards Script.

[Moviequill]

Okay, so I did get an apology from CS and here it is.
>
> However, we hope that you will continue to be patient and let us catch up.
> As a token of our appreciation, I am offering you this $10 discount coupon,


luck you. the same thing happened to me a year ago Dec/Jan. same kind of issues and same sort of "excuse" response, with promise of a discount coupon... which I never got

[darthpaul]

Haha, after all that ranting I got my issue number 6 today. Seems they just skipped out on #5 and sent me the Kurtzmann/Orci issue instead. :confused:
Still, if they wanna keep sending 'em...

[spacefarer]

YES, Creative Screenwriting is still in business.

YES, there will be an Expo this year. Oct 15-18 at the Wilshire Grand Hotel in downtown LA.

YES, admittedly, we have a backlog of DVD orders. That's largely my fault for putting DVDs on sale at half price, followed by losing a key person from the fulfillment staff. We're catching up on orders. And I promise NEVER to put DVDs on sale at half price again after all the crap we've taken over the backlog.

YES, we do answer the phones. I keep hearing this complaint -- probably the same three people -- that we don't. But I sit in the office, hear the phone ring, hear it get answered. If the customer service staff is out (we do have to let people go to lunch, and it takes two people to go to the Post Office with DVD orders many days), then we might miss a few calls. If you leave a message, we call back.

Regarding all this "out of business" crap: give it a rest. Some of you really seem to need to get a life.

Bill Donovan
Publisher, Creative Screenwriting Magazine

Hey Bill,

I am still waiting for this quarter's issue... :love: :love:

[NoNeckJoe]

What a juvenile and churlish response to customers who are disgruntled for good reason. Really no way to justify interacting in that manner with your subscribers.

[adam612]

Wow, I just stumbled on this thread.

Considering the myriad of problems CS has had with subscriptions and DVD orders, I'm stunned that any representative of the magazine (let alone the head honcho) would come on this site and rip THE VERY PEOPLE WHO ARE KEEPING HIS PUBLICATION IN BUSINESS.

[spacefarer]

Surprised, eh?

I am still waiting, buddy :)

[odocoileus]

Since they seem to have so much trouble fulfilling print orders, why don't they send out a PDF copy via email with the magazine to come later.

That at least would show good faith on their parts.

[Scripted77]

I signed up in December of 2007 and despite multiple promises of extra copies, I've received 3 issues to date. Huzzah!

It's too bad, since the editorial is solid.

[lordmanji]

YES, Creative Screenwriting is still in business.

YES, there will be an Expo this year. Oct 15-18 at the Wilshire Grand Hotel in downtown LA.

YES, admittedly, we have a backlog of DVD orders. That's largely my fault for putting DVDs on sale at half price, followed by losing a key person from the fulfillment staff. We're catching up on orders. And I promise NEVER to put DVDs on sale at half price again after all the crap we've taken over the backlog.

YES, we do answer the phones. I keep hearing this complaint -- probably the same three people -- that we don't. But I sit in the office, hear the phone ring, hear it get answered. If the customer service staff is out (we do have to let people go to lunch, and it takes two people to go to the Post Office with DVD orders many days), then we might miss a few calls. If you leave a message, we call back.

Regarding all this "out of business" crap: give it a rest. Some of you really seem to need to get a life.

Bill Donovan
Publisher, Creative Screenwriting Magazine

So Bill, now that we finally have you, did the packets for the winners/finalists of the 08 Expo Competition ever go out? Cause we've been hearing "we're sending it out" from Pasha since November. Since you obviously roam these boards, perhaps you've seen the other post about this in the forums.

ps I think it's bull that you're putting down posters with legitimate gripes. You take it personal when it's always just business.

[Dennisss]

Wow, what is happening in Hollywood? I ordered a book from Fade In Magazine with the same results: took the money; no book; only get an answering machine; no reply.

:confused:

[Telly]

Wow, what is happening in Hollywood? I ordered a book from Fade In Magazine with the same results: took the money; no book; only get an answering machine; no reply.

:confused:



Lol, totally a CS intern.

[EJ Pennypacker]

Lol.

EJ

[vmf]

So, on the same note, has anyone seen the November issue?

[Moviequill]

So, on the same note, has anyone seen the November issue?

doesn't exist yet... they still have the previous issue on the site

http://www.creativescreenwriting.com/current.html

[vmf]

I know, that's why I basically asked if CS was still in business.

[Development Hell]

My B&N has the new one. I forget what's on the cover.

[EJ Pennypacker]

Yup, got mine today!

EJ

[Seshatcub]

Got mine too. And I'm outside the U.S. :)

[vmf]

Is it the "Up in the Air" Clooney cover that is one the webpage's sidebar?

[Seshatcub]

Is it the "Up in the Air" Clooney cover that is one the webpage's sidebar?

That's the one :)

[Bill Donovan]

It's a struggle, as it is for most print periodicals these days. And not only are we still in business, but we are working on a number of additional services that will add value to each subscription.

[haroldhecuba]

It's a struggle, as it is for most print periodicals these days. And not only are we still in business, but we are working on a number of additional services that will add value to each subscription.

What services would those be?

HH

[instant_karma]

What services would those be?

HH

Free movie spoilers.

[Butch Jarvinen]

I have been waiting for my first issue for six months - I keep getting solicitations to submit my script.

NOTTACHANCE!!!!!

If they can't even get their magazine to me - whatterthey going to do with my script.

next thing ya know, they'll be asking me to "renew" my subscription - without ever seeing one copy.

I was told my subscription started in March - methinks March has come and gone - maybe they meant next March.....
Echo

[kidcharlemagne]

I unsubscribed to both CS and Script but I do enjoy Jeff G's CS podcasts. Hope that keeps going.

Oh, and agree on the PR 'own goal' scored by Bill responding to his subscribers in that way. Highly inappropriate.

[kidcharlemagne]

Free movie spoilers.

:D

Yeah, when you are on this side of the pond most of the films reviewed aren't out until months after the CS has written about them.

[Butch Jarvinen]

see how mr. donovan responds to this:

ya took my money, abiet only $19.95, on dec 30th 2009.

i've yet to see YOUR magazine...... does it even exist????

[Typewriter]

Does anyone know if Script is not delivering magazines also? I just got my first bill from them.

[callingit]

Does anyone know if Script is not delivering magazines also? I just got my first bill from them.


I received a subscription to 'Script' as a Christmas present. to date, nothing delivered.

[Butch Jarvinen]

"But I sit in the office, hear the phone ring, hear it get answered. If the customer service staff is out (we do have to let people go to lunch, and it takes two people to go to the Post Office with DVD orders many days), then we might miss a few calls"

HEY BILL.... ever thought about picking the phone up yourself?

Notta wonder you lost a "key" employee... they probably wanted to protect what little reputation they had left after being associated with CS's business practices.

I do have a life. when someone rips me off, I pull off all stops in seeking revenge.