Re: Black List founder Franklin Leonard answers your questions about the Black List
Franklin thanks for the insight and the link to the monthly downloads. Well after 3 days, 116 pages of DD Pro and a broken marriage, I think I understand the BL3 process better.
I have a few residual questions though.
1. Let's ask ourselves how a script can progress using the basic 25 bucks package. Assuming the "industry professional" interface is no different from the standard. The only way that they can mine for that diamond is using the "search" box. Now remember, the script has not solicited for paid ratings at this stage. That is not to say it's bad, it's probably because,for the most part, writers tend to be parsimonious with their hard earned bucks. The search box has two shortfalls in my opinion. First, you need some type of TAGS field that is searchable. Loglines are so abstract, that unless you include the word say "zombie", they're more or less redundant as a search tool. Secondly in the search results, surely it's possible to include the LOGLINE in the summary field rather than have to click into each screenplay. This would allow users to scan the loglines of a script at a glance. If I'm honest, without these search tools the $25 a month parking fee is largely wasted, as the industry professionals, are relying on your email almost for the entirety. It's like putting the scripts in a dark room and not handing out torches to the treasure hunters. Thus forcing users to employ a paid reader.
2. The monthly report was excellent. I'm sure the content will develop as the month's go on. As I eluded earlier, I think we need more information on the variance of scores for individual scripts and not for the total population of rated reads. Of course, if the majority of scripts have sample sizes of 3 or less reads, the variance is bound to be higher. But even Olympic judging panels of abstract events have a minimum of 6 judges (technically there are 8 but 2 of the judges are there to determine the "difficultly" of the move). Greg Beal at the Nicholl Fellowship talks about the impossibility of matching a statistically significant sample (say 7 reads) with the practicalities of running an annual competition with a entry fee of $50. There is no silver bullet.
I guess what I'm saying here is that as it stands the BL3 gives too much credence to a small sample of volatile scores and not enough resources are given to users who are unable/unwilling to use the paid reader service. If everyone in Hollywood really wants to find that next Oscar script, rather than having industry professionals fighting over the same crop of low hanging fruit (contest winners, BL3 emails, etc), why not give them a really good search box, and let them do the shoveling themselves. At the very least, it will go some way to prove how honest their intentions are, as opposed to having a bunch of less than gifted, yet desperate writers, forking out their dosh in the vain hope that the spotlight will fall their way.
Don't get me wrong Franklin, I think you're all doing an excellent job. However, if you're going to be in this for the long term we need some better tools.
Luke Mellor (desperately in need of downloads for his Courtroom Drama - Truth and Reconciliation)
https://blcklst.com/members/script/5447
Originally posted by FranklinLeonard
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I have a few residual questions though.
1. Let's ask ourselves how a script can progress using the basic 25 bucks package. Assuming the "industry professional" interface is no different from the standard. The only way that they can mine for that diamond is using the "search" box. Now remember, the script has not solicited for paid ratings at this stage. That is not to say it's bad, it's probably because,for the most part, writers tend to be parsimonious with their hard earned bucks. The search box has two shortfalls in my opinion. First, you need some type of TAGS field that is searchable. Loglines are so abstract, that unless you include the word say "zombie", they're more or less redundant as a search tool. Secondly in the search results, surely it's possible to include the LOGLINE in the summary field rather than have to click into each screenplay. This would allow users to scan the loglines of a script at a glance. If I'm honest, without these search tools the $25 a month parking fee is largely wasted, as the industry professionals, are relying on your email almost for the entirety. It's like putting the scripts in a dark room and not handing out torches to the treasure hunters. Thus forcing users to employ a paid reader.
2. The monthly report was excellent. I'm sure the content will develop as the month's go on. As I eluded earlier, I think we need more information on the variance of scores for individual scripts and not for the total population of rated reads. Of course, if the majority of scripts have sample sizes of 3 or less reads, the variance is bound to be higher. But even Olympic judging panels of abstract events have a minimum of 6 judges (technically there are 8 but 2 of the judges are there to determine the "difficultly" of the move). Greg Beal at the Nicholl Fellowship talks about the impossibility of matching a statistically significant sample (say 7 reads) with the practicalities of running an annual competition with a entry fee of $50. There is no silver bullet.
I guess what I'm saying here is that as it stands the BL3 gives too much credence to a small sample of volatile scores and not enough resources are given to users who are unable/unwilling to use the paid reader service. If everyone in Hollywood really wants to find that next Oscar script, rather than having industry professionals fighting over the same crop of low hanging fruit (contest winners, BL3 emails, etc), why not give them a really good search box, and let them do the shoveling themselves. At the very least, it will go some way to prove how honest their intentions are, as opposed to having a bunch of less than gifted, yet desperate writers, forking out their dosh in the vain hope that the spotlight will fall their way.
Don't get me wrong Franklin, I think you're all doing an excellent job. However, if you're going to be in this for the long term we need some better tools.
Luke Mellor (desperately in need of downloads for his Courtroom Drama - Truth and Reconciliation)
https://blcklst.com/members/script/5447
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