Re: SC111's posting question

[sarajb]

Re: SC111's posting question

Asking for "What do you think of this?" feedback only screws with singular vision if one isn't confident and takes every note to heart, rather than just those of contructive service to the writer's story.

The kind of singular vision you're talking about, I think, is an all in one writer/producer/director.

[sc111]

Re: SC111's posting question

Singular vision = M. Night's Lady In The Water

[Qazworld]

Re: SC111's posting question

ayn rand hates you sc.

[sarajb]

Re: SC111's posting question

This space for rent

[sc111]

Re: SC111's posting question

ayn rand hates you sc.

Then I must be doing something right.

[Qazworld]

Re: SC111's posting question

lol.

[Joe Unidos]

Re: SC111's posting question

giggle points to sc and qaz.

[Geevie]

Re: SC111's posting question

Right. IMO, dramatic writing is about the successful confluence of a long list of items (like structure, character arcs, planting & pay-off, tension, momentum, etcetera).

We've all read lots of scripts that demonstrate good individual scene writing but fail to have the right stuff when it comes to connecting those scenes in a manner that makes the script work as a whole.

So an effective scene is not indicitive of an effective screenplay. And since the goal in these parts is to write an effective screenplay, I don't think I can offer up any assistance by critiquing just a scene.

Although it takes up a lot more of my time, I'd rather just read the whole script instead of excerpts. When writers say, I'll send you my first ten pages, I tell them to wait until they can send the other 110.

Precisely the point I was trying to make in the other thread. Only more competently said... er... typed.

[JoeNYC]

Re: SC111's posting question

I agree with Hairy's opinion about feedback. I mean, look at the perfect example sc posted up: M. Night's "Lady In The Water."

He asked for the studio executive's opinion and she was honest. There were problems. So, he says, this studio doesn't believe in him and takes it to another studio. That's arrogance.

creativexec says, "So an effective scene is not indicative of an effective screenplay."

-- creativexec's statement is accurate, but does that mean there is no benefit from getting feedback on a scene or sequence like some members have been sprouting?

I was writing a scene for my Superhero comedy where I needed to get across my superheroe's powers in an entertaining way.

I first had him in his room reading an encyclopedia about skunks. I knew that sucked without needing feedback. It was static and non-visual. I kept hearing Bill Martell's voice, "Keep your characters moving."

I then had him in a zoo with the exotic animals. It was visual, but I wasn't sure if it sucked, though, I was leaning that way. I posted the pages up for review and yup -- they sucked.

For the third try, I wrote out a comedic set piece on the subway with some hooligans that would get across my character's powers in an exciting and entertaining way.

I loved it. I'm thinking, yes, this works. I posted it up and it got a positive response along with some good suggestions that I implemented that made it even stronger.

Now, is developing this scene to where it's effective indicative of an effective screenplay? Of course not. But this doesn't mean you might as well ignore getting feedback on individual scenes.

In the end, the writer is going to have all the scenes together and get an opinion on the script as a whole. This doesn't mean that a writer who gets feedback on a scene or sequence is wasting his time.

If a writer were given a choice, feedback on either a scene or the entire script, yes, feedback on the entire script is more important. But a writer doesn't have to choose. Both are available to him if he so chooses to use it.

If he wants to send a scene or sequence out to his writing group buddies, post pages in the "Script Pages Forum or wherever, it's not a waste of time. There are benefits.

As a community, how do you feel about pitching Will to have a forum to post entire screenplays?

I know there might be a monetary issue, but it can be combined with the yearly membership fee side, or, though, I'd like to have both, Script Pages and Screenplay forums, if there's an issue of bandwidth, get rid of Script Pages and just have the Screenplay forum.

There are other sites like zoetrope where a writer can post his script but trying to keep up in multiple writing sights is difficult for any serious writers. You'll get more play on your script at a site where you're active and members know you.

Posting in the Announcement Forum for reviewers is only good for a few days before it goes off the page and it isn't as convenient as just having a forum where members who come along and can browse until something catches their fancy.

I also believe having a screenplay forum would increase membership.

[JoeNYC]

Re: SC111's posting question

CE, didn't mean to imply that you felt there was zero benefit. I was referring to a couple of members that I debated this topic with on another thread.

Yes, I agree, it's annoying how a writer of the posted pages would get upset and take offense about notes on elements that would be obvious if the reviewer had read the whole script.

But this comes from a few new writers.

The majority realizes that since the scene is out of context that they need to set it up properly and that if a reviewer hits on something, such as, the writer's foreshadowing an aspect for later, to just ignore that note.

It's not a perfect process, but I believe it's helpful to a writer.

[Minibrain]

Re: SC111's posting question

Well. My humble opinion:

I would say that posting pages here for response is not a great way to get useful feedback because --

1) what CE said about five pages vs entire scripts

and

2) I think you need to be particular about who you show your work to, and whose feedback you take into consideration. When I was a young noob, one of my goals was getting feedback from people who were successful working writers.

But feedback from strangers? Most of whom are amateurs? Many of whom suck?

Not so much.

[sc111]

Re: SC111's posting question

Many of whom suck?

........

[alex whitmer]

Re: SC111's posting question

I have recieved excellent feedback/pointers on just five pages. Often a few 'hey what ifs' that can completely change an opening, even a plot.

Case in point, the first five (six)' A Day With Sally ' script changed dramatically with a suggestion to lose all the opening minutia and cut the the accident. It worked beautifully (IMHO), saved me a few pages, and gave me a few new tools to work with down the line.

I also get feedback on entire scripts on Zoetrope. Whole differnt process, with plots and three acts up for dissection.

Maybe not all writers benefit from feedback, but I'm tossing my hat into the 'way helpful' ring.

Even unwelcome feedback can be a sounding board.

Agree, out of context isn't the best way to present work, but from time to time I want feedback on one scene, some dialogue, etc. A set-up helps.

A

[yvonnjanae]

Re: SC111's posting question

From reading the opinions in both threads on this topic, I kinda get the impression that posting pages has SOME benefit, though not much.

I understand the limitations created by reading a few pages out of context. In fact, in the comments I've received someone invariably says something that can be answered with "If you were reading the whole script, you'd understand what that meant." So yeah, I agree with CE and the others on that point.

I guess I'm just one of those starry-eyed hopefuls who wishes that someone important would peruse the script pages, read mine and say, "Hey, that's interesting." Then they would contact me, ask for the whole script, set a deal in motion that allows me to quit my job and become the world's most beloved movie scriptwriter.

And come on folks, isn't that why we all post our pages, really?

[Qazworld]

Re: SC111's posting question

And come on folks, isn't that why we all post our pages, really?

no.