All script contests are SUBJECTIVE

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  • All script contests are SUBJECTIVE

    I decided to stop doing script contests. I think it's a waste of time and money.. I have my thoughts about that but I don't want to sound like a bitter writer. I think that SUBJECTIVITY is not the worst thing in screenwriting competitions . In my opinion most of the scripts at the contests remain unread. They only serve returned clients from previous years or writers by third party referrals(agents,managers,friends) Also, IMHO, the great scripts written by foreign writers have no chance whatsoever..(because of imperfect English or/and foreign mentality).


    And the most important thing - the online specs written for contests/vanity/hobby differ from the shooting scripts for physical production.

    Best of luck to all authors,

    Turbo



    -------------------------

    P.S I'm a paid (working) writer. One of my project will be filmed this summer by a LA prod.company( not a D-list actor project) and I'm working on another project for the same company..although I'm originally from EU and English is not my native language..
    Last edited by Turbopolis; 04-25-2016, 06:18 AM.

  • #2
    Re: All script contests are SUBJECTIVE

    it doesn't get any less subjective anywhere else

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: All script contests are SUBJECTIVE

      Originally posted by JoeBanks View Post
      it doesn't get any less subjective anywhere else
      ain't it da truth

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: All script contests are SUBJECTIVE

        Not sure how they even could be objective. Would they just rate people based on spelling, grammar, and page count?

        I've heard criticism of contests before along these lines:

        the online specs written for contests/vanity/hobby differ from the shooting scripts for physical production
        Especially with regard to the Nicholl - there's a frequent argument that it favors scripts that are impressive from a more literary perspective rather than what's commercially viable. I think that can be something to consider with most contests or things like the annual Blacklist (which tends to feature scripts that are a great read but almost unproduceable).

        But this one's new for me:

        In my opinion most of the scripts at the contests remain unread. They only serve returned clients from previous years or writers by third party referrals(agents,managers,friends) Also, IMHO, the great scripts written by foreign writers have no chance whatsoever..(because of imperfect English or/and foreign mentality).
        Do you have any proof for any of that besides your own script not placing well? Imperfect English I can definitely see holding you back, but I'm pretty sure most contests make an effort to at least read everything (even if it's not as thorough a read as people might like).

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: All script contests are SUBJECTIVE

          Originally posted by omjs View Post

          I've heard criticism of contests before



          Do you have any proof ).
          Omjs, unfortunetely I have no proof..It's all my conclusion-intuition-speculation...I only count on my intuition..

          P.S.. For my scripts I use top American editors - professionals who are languadge specialists .. No one can tell scripts are written by a foreigner (except for the euro mentality)

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: All script contests are SUBJECTIVE

            Originally posted by Turbopolis View Post
            In my opinion most of the scripts at the contests remain unread.
            In addition to what happens at Nicholl, I know what happens at a number of other major competitions. This is patently false for those competitions.

            Since a number of competitions offer reader comments, score sheets or notes, it would be difficult to leave most scripts unread at those competitions.

            Originally posted by Turbopolis View Post
            They only serve returned clients from previous years or writers by third party referrals(agents,managers,friends)
            To my knowledge, most significant competitions do not rely on third party referrals, Sundance being the one obvious exception.

            At Nicholl, past performance is disregarded entirely for a current submission.

            Originally posted by Turbopolis View Post
            Also, IMHO, the great scripts written by foreign writers have no chance whatsoever..(because of imperfect English or/and foreign mentality).
            In my experience, "foreign mentality" is relished by readers. They enjoy encountering foreign stories, characters and settings.

            Imperfect English is going to be a hindrance in many, if not most, competitions.

            Writers working in English as a second or third language have advanced to the Nicholl quarter/semi/finals a number of times over the years. English was one winning writer's fourth language.

            Originally posted by Turbopolis View Post
            And the most important thing - the online specs written for contests/vanity/hobby differ from the shooting scripts for physical production.
            Spec scripts written by professional writers also usually differ from shooting scripts. It's the difference between a "sales script" and a shooting script.

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: All script contests are SUBJECTIVE

              I agree with GB. And re: foreign language spelling, so what? Wouldn't competitions in other countries do the same? Of course they would. That's like complaining you can't win a race because you're not fast enough.

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              • #8
                Re: All script contests are SUBJECTIVE

                Originally posted by gregbeal View Post



                Spec scripts written by professional writers also usually differ from shooting scripts. It's the difference between a "sales script" and a shooting script.
                Thanks for sharing this info, gregbeal..I wish you all the best with your writing..!

                Turbo

                P.S I was an unprofessional unknown writer with broken English with online spec scripts which received harsh critique. Everybody told me I'm a rookie who needs to attend baby writer classes..And then suddenly I became a professional writer and now they want to give me more job..and the professional American director(serious tough guy) accepted my script for shooting at the second draft stage..So I guess there's something weird in da biz..Don't ya think so? A mystery? Double standart?

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: All script contests are SUBJECTIVE

                  Originally posted by nativeson View Post
                  I agree with GB. And re: foreign language spelling, so what? Wouldn't competitions in other countries do the same? Of course they would. That's like complaining you can't win a race because you're not fast enough.
                  I agree nativeson. The script must be written in a perfect English..That's why I collaborate with top specialists.

                  All the best!

                  T.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: All script contests are SUBJECTIVE

                    Originally posted by JoeBanks View Post
                    it doesn't get any less subjective anywhere else
                    In fact, I'd argue that screenwriting contests are the closest a writer will ever get to "objectivity."

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: All script contests are SUBJECTIVE

                      Originally posted by Turbopolis View Post
                      Thanks for sharing this info, gregbeal..I wish you all the best with your writing..!

                      Turbo

                      P.S I was an unprofessional unknown writer with broken English with online spec scripts which received harsh critique. Everybody told me I'm a rookie who needs to attend baby writer classes..And then suddenly I became a professional writer and now they want to give me more job..and the professional American director(serious tough guy) accepted my script for shooting at the second draft stage..So I guess there's something weird in da biz..Don't ya think so? A mystery? Double standart?
                      I think you received harsh critique due to the fact that broken/distorted English, when prevalent throughout the script, is both a BIG pain to read; and can change the entire meaning of a sentence (confusing the reader).

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: All script contests are SUBJECTIVE

                        Originally posted by Goliath View Post
                        I think you received harsh critique due to the fact that broken/distorted English, when prevalent throughout the script, is both a BIG pain to read; and can change the entire meaning of a sentence (confusing the reader).
                        Thanks for this note, Goliath. I absolutely agree with you about the languadge matter..Since 2014 I never show my scripts edited by non-English speakers or by non-professional Americans..

                        I RECEIVED A HARSH CRITIQUE FOR MY SCRIPTS EDITED BY TOP LANGUADGE PROFESSIONALS. A linguist/languadge specialist in one of the government departments in DC. The critics did not like my story not the grammar.

                        I sent exactly same stories to a number of working reputable producers and they loved it. I'm just curious why there is such a drastic difference in the critique that I receive from real producers and from online script doctors/consultants/fellow-writers..

                        Best,

                        T.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: All script contests are SUBJECTIVE

                          Some people like coffee. Some people don't.

                          You need to just let all this stuff go. When you write a great script all of your concerns will magically disappear.

                          Originally posted by Turbopolis View Post
                          Thanks for this note, Goliath. I absolutely agree with you about the languadge matter..Since 2014 I never show my scripts edited by non-English speakers or by non-professional Americans..

                          I RECEIVED A HARSH CRITIQUE FOR MY SCRIPTS EDITED BY TOP LANGUADGE PROFESSIONALS. A linguist/languadge specialist in one of the government departments in DC. The critics did not like my story not the grammar.

                          I sent exactly same stories to a number of working reputable producers and they loved it. I'm just curious why there is such a drastic difference in the critique that I receive from real producers and from online script doctors/consultants/fellow-writers..

                          Best,

                          T.

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: All script contests are SUBJECTIVE

                            Originally posted by slupo View Post
                            Some people like coffee. Some people don't.

                            You need to just let all this stuff go. When you write a great script all of your concerns will magically disappear.
                            Well said, Slupo.
                            I wonder why some people call the coffee - black, and others - blue...
                            I wrote the script that I'm 100% sure could be destroyed by a harsh critique on Talentville , script contests, doctors/consultants etc....and exactly the same script my producers call it phenomenal. They accept it as it is on the second draft and will film it this summer as a bunch of famous (in 90s) actors are attached.

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