Nicholl 2015...

[gregbeal]

Re: Nicholl 2015...

They said in a FB blurb a few weeks ago the comments would be posted after the finalists were announced. If that still holds sway, I would imagine they'll be announced sometime before Saturday. Basically it's down to if you get a phone call you're in, if you get an email you're out. And either could come at any time. Even if I dink, it's been an honor to be in the semi's and something I'll always treasure as a major life experience.

Don't remember that we posted anything connecting finalists and reader comments. I have a dim memory of a post mentioning not making comments live in entrant accounts until after the quarterfinals had been completed as then all of the comments would be available.

There was so much going on internally that we ended up pushing the comments release to Saturday.

[AE35-Unit]

Re: Nicholl 2015...

I could have sworn I read something to that effect, but maybe not. Anyway. We still don't know. And I'm still out of Vals.

[P-jay]

Re: Nicholl 2015...

Greg, the various notifications have come back so much earlier this year. Any particular reason why?

[gregbeal]

Re: Nicholl 2015...

Greg, the various notifications have come back so much earlier this year. Any particular reason why?

Last year the Awards Ceremony was held on November 13. This year it's on November 4. The Live Read producer asked us to make sure that the overall timeline was appropriately adjusted.

[P-jay]

Re: Nicholl 2015...

Last year the Awards Ceremony was held on November 13. This year it's on November 4. The Live Read producer asked us to make sure that the overall timeline was appropriately adjusted.

Well you sure did that. Thanks for the explanation.

[P-jay]

Re: Nicholl 2015...

The notes are posted.

[opie]

Re: Nicholl 2015...

Do the number of reads at the Quarterfinal level indicate proximity to reaching the semifinal round?

[AE35-Unit]

Re: Nicholl 2015...

Happy P-Jay? I am.

[LateNightWriter]

Re: Nicholl 2015...

Greg, I know you've answered this before in some thread but I couldn't find it in this one:

How does the scoring work for determining the final top ten? Is it the total of the scores from all 7-8 readers, or just the scores from the Semi to Finals phase? And do you drop out the lowest score when you compile totals?

Thanks again for all your hard work -- you and the Nicholl team must feel like you're running the last half mile of a marathon, with the finish line in sight!

Late Night Writer

[gregbeal]

Re: Nicholl 2015...

Do the number of reads at the Quarterfinal level indicate proximity to reaching the semifinal round?

Only slightly. Just over 300 of the 375 quarterfinalists were read six times. Under 70 were read only five times, so those 70 would be the farthest from making the semis. They were only read five times because even a sixth score 100 would not have advanced the writers to the semis.

Best five of six scores are tallied to select the semifinalists.

[gregbeal]

Re: Nicholl 2015...

Greg, I know you've answered this before in some thread but I couldn't find it in this one:

How does the scoring work for determining the final top ten? Is it the total of the scores from all 7-8 readers, or just the scores from the Semi to Finals phase? And do you drop out the lowest score when you compile totals?

Thanks again for all your hard work -- you and the Nicholl team must feel like you're running the last half mile of a marathon, with the finish line in sight!

Late Night Writer

You're welcome - though it does feel more like the 20 mile mark. Just hoping to avoid hitting the wall.

Scoring is cumulative - best five of six to advance to the semifinals, then best eight of ten to advance to the finals, with at least three semifinal scores counting.

[LateNightWriter]

Re: Nicholl 2015...

Thanks, Greg! So I won't give up hope... yet.

Late Night Writer

[P-jay]

Re: Nicholl 2015...

Happy P-Jay? I am.

Yes, thank you. I went to sleep on a real high last night, not just because of the good notes but also because of the valid points made that will help me to improve the script. I suspect getting notes from Nicholl will quickly become the most important part of this contest for many writers.

[LateNightWriter]

Re: Nicholl 2015...

It's eye-opening to see how six readers respond so differently to the same screenplay, especially in the case of a story that is open to interpretation. One reader got exactly what I was aiming for -- bullseye! But another went off on a tangent that was far from where I was aiming, and found the script lacking because it didn't go in that direction.

If I didn't have the comment from the reader who "got" it, I would have assumed that my script had missed its mark. But what this shows me is how much of our own expectations we bring to what we read.

I'm very grateful that these comments are being provided by the Nicholl! A truly valuable insight into how readers perceive a script.

Late Night Writer

[AE35-Unit]

Re: Nicholl 2015...

My six were pretty much right in line with each other. Got dinged on one for some (clears throat) grammatical errors. Two brought up the slightly episodic execution of the script. Another brought up I needed a better throughline. But overall I was super-stoked because never before have six people collectively agreed anything I've done was good.

I am hopeful it will be a finalist. Yet I know there are better scripts in the mix, and I won't be disappointed if it doesn't advance. It's been a thrill-ride that money can't buy. And I am humbled.