Black List founder Franklin Leonard answers your questions about the Black List

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  • Re: Black List founder Franklin Leonard answers your questions about the Black List

    With regards to the quality of coverage from the Black List, there was a post on the site's blog a while back which seemed to be seeking readers for this purpose:

    http://blog.blcklst.com/2012/06/want...nplay-readers/

    The pertinent part:

    Wanted: graphic designers, data visualization specialists, professional screenplay readers.

    Posted on June 18, 2012 by Franklin

    [... W]e're looking to put together a loose community of folks with special skills to participate and help out with some of our new initiatives. Some of this work might be paid, others of it will be crowdsourced. It all depends on the project at hand and the special skills that some of you possess.

    Right now, here's who we're looking for:

    [...]

    Professional Script Readers - Have you ever been paid for your thoughts on a screenplay? Was it for the writer herself? For a screenplay competition? As a freelance reader for an agency, production company, studio, network? We're looking for you.
    I don't know how stringent the requirements are, then, for Black List readers.

    I imagine that the quality of readers will be comparable to the quality of readers for many script competitions, which is to say, quite various.

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    • Re: Black List founder Franklin Leonard answers your questions about the Black List

      Originally posted by jtwg50 View Post
      Leonard must have learned something (seen dollar signs) from his buddy Scott Myers (GoIntoTheStory -- the "official blog" of The Black List), who has also begun cashing in on wanna-be writers with his very expensive "Master" classes -- this from the writer of "K-9" and a guy who hasn't had a movie made from his work in 25 years. Pretty sad, especially when we consider how gullible many aspiring writers are when it comes to coughing up money.
      Yes. How awful. A produced screenwriter with over two decades of experience (including a decade of actual college teaching experience) charging a competitive rate (and it is a competitive rate) for *classes*.

      There are plenty of people out there trying to swindle newbie writers from their hard earned cash. Unless I've seriously missed something, I'm not sure how Myers fits into that bracket.

      As for Leonard, he worked for years (for free) building the brand of the Black List. It's hard to have a problem with him exploiting that. While it's too early to tell whether it'll have the effect he hopes (creating a legitimate new method for writers to break out) it's also far too early to claim it just another product designed to "scam" the unsuspecting neophyte.
      twitter.com/leespatterson

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      • Re: Black List founder Franklin Leonard answers your questions about the Black List

        Originally posted by jtwg50 View Post
        Leonard must have learned something (seen dollar signs) from his buddy Scott Myers (GoIntoTheStory -- the "official blog" of The Black List), who has also begun cashing in on wanna-be writers with his very expensive "Master" classes -- this from the writer of "K-9" and a guy who hasn't had a movie made from his work in 25 years. Pretty sad, especially when we consider how gullible many aspiring writers are when it comes to coughing up money.
        Dude... it's pretty apparent that Leonard's primary intention is helping writers. Yes, there is money being made here, but to say he is trying to scam screenwriters is just uncalled for. Also, I don't understand the hate for Scott Meyers. He's a veteran writer who worked within the studio system for a number of years. If your qualms are about his skills as a teacher, I imagine UCLA and UNC Chapel Hill both knew what they were doing when hiring him.

        Quick note -- BL 3.0 is in its infancy, there are going to be hiccups and kinks that need to be worked out. Everyone should keep that in mind as things progress, all we can do is provide honest feedback.
        "Write every day. Don't quit. The rest is all bullshit." - Brian Koppelman

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        • Re: Black List founder Franklin Leonard answers your questions about the Black List

          Originally posted by Patrick Sweeney View Post
          As much as I hoped it would be a new entry point, I can't recommend the new Black List. A terribly disappointing, unprofessional evaluation riddled with typos - I wouldn't pay a nickel for it, let alone $50. I canceled my account.
          Originally posted by Storytell View Post
          Unfortunately I must also concur with Patrick.

          But to be fair this might become a viable service after they get through the start up period.
          It would be great if you both shared the coverage. Since the entire concept hinges on the grades scripts earn, it's important. (I'd also like to know how much of the $50 the readers get.)

          I don't think Leonard is out to scam people. Not at all. But I do think he may have underestimated a few variables. One of them being the quality of readers who respond to these types of open calls. If the coverage is unprofessional and inaccurate, how can buyers or reps, or the writers themselves, find value in the service?

          There's a reason prodcos and studios consistently use pro readers, no?
          Advice from writer, Kelly Sue DeConnick. "Try this: if you can replace your female character with a sexy lamp and the story still basically works, maybe you need another draft.-

          Comment


          • Re: Black List founder Franklin Leonard answers your questions about the Black List

            It's a reasonable request, but I'm ready to just move on at this point. Also, somewhat selfishly, I don't want a crummy review of my script floating around on a public forum, as unjustified as I might think it to be, plus I'm in the middle of a rewrite on another project and really don't need the nigh-inevitable 'well maybe he's right and you just suck' responses right now.
            Patrick Sweeney

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            • Re: Black List founder Franklin Leonard answers your questions about the Black List

              @PatrickSweeny

              **** is so subjective. I recall your script got really high up in the page contest.
              It's the eye of the Tiger, it's the thrill of the fight

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              • Re: Black List founder Franklin Leonard answers your questions about the Black List

                I read one of the recommended scripts from the Blacklist newsletter.

                It's fantastic. Dare I say, it compares favorably to THE IMITATION GAME. And I say this as a guy who doesn't like to read scripts.

                Comment


                • Re: Black List founder Franklin Leonard answers your questions about the Black List

                  Turns out that when I download my own script on there it shows another download - think more downloads could hurt it? I would imagine not, but maybe if there were a lot but few rankings people may start to assume things?

                  Also, I found one (only one) spelling mistake - think it's worth taking it down to fix and then resubmitting?
                  www.JustinSloanAuthor.com

                  http://www.CreativeWritingCareer.com
                  http://www.MilitaryVeteransinCreativeCareers.com

                  Twitter: @JustinMSloan

                  Want a free book?

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                  • Re: Black List founder Franklin Leonard answers your questions about the Black List

                    Patrick was kind enough to send me a copy of the coverage. Let's also establish that, like Jules said above, this script was a Page finalist. Also, back when I had a manager he let me read studio coverage of my scripts.

                    With this in mind, here's my opinion:

                    I had to read the comments sections three times, and may have to read them again, to figure out how the commentary aligns with the grades assigned for plot, character, etc .... I found the comments vague and rife with non-committal statements. Fence-sitting yet failing to substantiate the grades given. Nothing close to commentary in studio coverage I've read.
                    Advice from writer, Kelly Sue DeConnick. "Try this: if you can replace your female character with a sexy lamp and the story still basically works, maybe you need another draft.-

                    Comment


                    • Re: Black List founder Franklin Leonard answers your questions about the Black List

                      Originally posted by sc111 View Post
                      It would be great if you both shared the coverage. Since the entire concept hinges on the grades scripts earn, it's important. (I'd also like to know how much of the $50 the readers get.)
                      Sure. I got the rating of 7. I quite like my coverage, don't agree with the suggested weakness, and can't imagine what else a diff. between 6-7-8 can be beyond subjective whimsy. 7 seems like a safe rating, as currently that's the most popular score (considering that there are 4000 prof. scripts uploaded earlier, which skews the rating somewhat.)

                      Era: Present Day

                      Locations: House, Rural Surroundings

                      Budget: Micro

                      Genre: Thriller

                      Genre: 102

                      Logline:
                      A man and his family moves into his childhood home. But before they can settle in, a visit from his brother with a troubled past threatens to shatter their family reunion.

                      Strenghts:
                      Very tight, atmospheric and claustrophobic thriller. The script succeeds in creating good tension and escalating the danger with each progression of the interplay between the family and a psychologically unstable brother/uncle.

                      Weaknesses:
                      Paul's decision to allow PJ into his home despite his behavior (e.g. the scene in which he stitches up his own hand after fighting off the dog) feels unconvincing, especially if he is concerned about the well being of his family. A deeper back story of the brothers’ relationship and estrangement may be necessary to justify this decision and its subsequent consequences that lead to tragedy.

                      Prospects
                      Subject matter can be upsetting to some. The script is focused and contained and with some development, may work well as a small budget indie thriller. But it becomes very dark and unrelenting which can narrow audience appeal.

                      Comment


                      • Re: Black List founder Franklin Leonard answers your questions about the Black List

                        Originally posted by Hamboogul View Post
                        I read one of the recommended scripts from the Blacklist newsletter.

                        It's fantastic. Dare I say, it compares favorably to THE IMITATION GAME. And I say this as a guy who doesn't like to read scripts.
                        What was the title?

                        Comment


                        • Re: Black List founder Franklin Leonard answers your questions about the Black List

                          Thanks goldmund. Your coverage was clearly written by someone other than the person who read Patrick's. The comments are clear and specific compared to the genralizations he received.

                          Now that I think of it, the vagueness of the notes Patrick received sort of makes me wonder if the entire script was read or simply skimmed. Then grades lowballed to cover it up.
                          Advice from writer, Kelly Sue DeConnick. "Try this: if you can replace your female character with a sexy lamp and the story still basically works, maybe you need another draft.-

                          Comment


                          • Re: Black List founder Franklin Leonard answers your questions about the Black List

                            Originally posted by Geoff Alexander View Post
                            What was the title?
                            It was the third one recommended in the BL newsletter.

                            In all seriousness, I clicked it because I thought it would be an average script by professional standards. I was so proven wrong. It really is a strong script. And I'm a bit shocked that he was unrepped (although I hope that changes for him soon).

                            Comment


                            • Re: Black List founder Franklin Leonard answers your questions about the Black List

                              Originally posted by sc111 View Post
                              Thanks goldmund. Your coverage was clearly written by someone other than the person who read Patrick's. The comments are clear and specific compared to the genralizations he received.

                              Now that I think of it, the vagueness of the notes Patrick received sort of makes me wonder if the entire script was read or simply skimmed. Then grades lowballed to cover it up.
                              This is crazy - in most contests if you receive notes like this (if they promised notes), you can email the contests and let them know and they will assign a new writer and give you new comments at no additional cost.

                              Does the Blacklist plan on doing something like this, I wonder?
                              www.JustinSloanAuthor.com

                              http://www.CreativeWritingCareer.com
                              http://www.MilitaryVeteransinCreativeCareers.com

                              Twitter: @JustinMSloan

                              Want a free book?

                              Comment


                              • Re: Black List founder Franklin Leonard answers your questions about the Black List

                                Originally posted by sc111 View Post
                                Thanks goldmund. Your coverage was clearly written by someone other than the person who read Patrick's. The comments are clear and specific compared to the genralizations he received.

                                Now that I think of it, the vagueness of the notes Patrick received sort of makes me wonder if the entire script was read or simply skimmed. Then grades lowballed to cover it up.
                                I noticed some typos on my review as well but they were not that big of a deal and the comments were clear. However, there is something that I felt really pointed out how subjective the scoring can be.

                                Here is a small excerpt from the comments
                                "This is a very funny script. The dialogue is entertaining and clever... This script could be actor / director bait; it's a fun and funny story and an enjoyable read."

                                Then under the category of Dialogue the reviewer scored it a 7. Now, I am fine with the score but it does bring up the question as to if the dialogue is entertaining and clever why a 7? Perhaps a 7 is a very good score to give (at least in the mind of this reader) or perhaps there is a reluctance to score things higher than a 7. Not sure. And I am not complaining at all. That just jumped out at me as somewhat contradictory... perhaps.

                                I decided from day one to run this as an experiment to test the service. I have a script that I am confident doesn't suck. So I submitted it and have done nothing to try and get people to read it. I purchased a read and have since paid for a second. I want to compare them and see where they fall.

                                I also wanted to see what traffic actually comes to the script because the biggest unanswered question is whether the industry will utilize this service as a primary tool in finding scripts. Only time will tell.

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