Franklin Leonard

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  • finalact4
    replied
    Re: Franklin Leonard

    Originally posted by LauriD View Post
    The problem with all for-profit script-listing sites is that the return on investment for writers is dismal. Only a tiny percentage of scripts get read, and an even tinier percentage of listings lead to options, sales, representation, or paying work.

    I wrote a blog about what disputing the screenwriting marketplace might look like:

    https://lauridonahue.com/disrupting-...tplace-stps-3/
    and it's no different than a respected screenwriting contest.

    when i hear statements about how dismal the chances are with a for-profit screenwriting site, i'm amazed that anyone thinks entering a screenwriting competition is any different. i mean, seriously. chances of winning the Nicholl are "dismal, too."

    let's consider a little perspective working off facts.

    2018 Nicholl
    i think we all agree that the semifinalists are the most important 'winners,' right? here are the results for 2018.

    entrants = 6,895
    semifinalists = 10
    percent chance = 0.0014 or 0.14%
    quarter finalists = 226
    quarter finalists = 0.0327 or 3.2%

    corrected noted: (thank you Greg)
    entrants = 6,895 (from the https://www.oscars.org/news/academy-...creenwriters-1
    finalists = 10
    percent chance = 0.0014 or 0.14%
    semifinalists = 149
    percent chance = .0216 or 2.16%
    quarter finalists = 375
    quarter finalists = .0545 or 5.4%


    looks dismal to me. one tenth of one percent. and you can ONLY enter ONCE a year. there is an entry fee.

    The Black List (website) using this as a comparison because i can access the information.

    hosted scripts = 3,747 (rolling annually not once a year)
    top monthly = 76 scripts (two ratings required)
    percent = 2%
    top quarterly = 213 scripts (two ratings required)
    percent = 5.6%
    top annual = 208 scripts (four ratings required)
    percent = 5.5%

    *this can result in thousands of views of your script over a year's time. and you can host more scripts as you write them throughout the year. the downside is that there is a fee and it can add up.

    these are facts.

    the bottom line that seems to elude many is that there just aren't that many amateur writers that are good enough, yet. and the truth is many never will be. you can't blame it on a competition or a for-profit website. it's a simple fact.

    these are opportunities to get your work noticed. the chances are always dismal, that's why the reward is so coveted.

    just because you write a script doesn't mean you deserve attention for it. you have to earn it. there are no short cuts. it takes perseverance, dedication and discipline.


    every writer must follow their own path. something that works for one may not work for the other. i don't waste my time with Nicholl because i know i don't write material that would do well with that competition. that's my choice.

    writers should seek opportunities and if that means the only thing you can do is send 300 queries, then that's what you do. if you have the means to do more. do it.

    my only advice would be to be cautious about anything that the industry doesn't use or has't heard about. because winning that could be meaningless.
    Last edited by finalact4; 05-30-2019, 11:02 AM.

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  • LauriD
    replied
    Re: Franklin Leonard

    The problem with all for-profit script-listing sites is that the return on investment for writers is dismal. Only a tiny percentage of scripts get read, and an even tinier percentage of listings lead to options, sales, representation, or paying work.

    I wrote a blog about what disputing the screenwriting marketplace might look like:

    https://lauridonahue.com/disrupting-...tplace-stps-3/

    Leave a comment:


  • barh
    replied
    Re: Franklin Leonard

    Originally posted by Satriales View Post
    While we're on the subject this was one of the reviews I got on there years back that I emailed them about. Still hilarious.

    http://messageboard.donedealpro.com/...5&postcount=61
    Wow, that is awful.

    Leave a comment:


  • catcon
    replied
    Re: Franklin Leonard

    Quite a long time ago...

    (Quick search on DDPro search page... everybody should know how useful this is)

    Pitching as a Lottery

    I opined what it would be like to spend my discretionary income on lottery tickets, instead of script services.

    I barely have money for either, these days, but I do spend that $5 per week on a lottery practically no matter what condition my bank account is in.

    Leave a comment:


  • finalact4
    replied
    Re: Franklin Leonard

    Originally posted by ScreenRider View Post
    So I got back all 5 Black List evaluations for my script and it was a straight flush. Scores of 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. I think I'll take a long break before rolling that ten-sided dice again.
    ugh, that's not good.

    Leave a comment:


  • ScreenRider
    replied
    Re: Franklin Leonard

    Originally posted by jroger View Post
    Meanwhile, somewhere in the Caribbean, Franklin Leonard orders another Mai Tai.
    This one is on me, Franklin.

    Leave a comment:


  • jroger
    replied
    Re: Franklin Leonard

    Originally posted by ScreenRider View Post
    So I got back all 5 Black List evaluations for my script and it was a straight flush. Scores of 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. I think I'll take a long break before rolling that ten-sided dice again.
    Un-freakin-believable.

    Meanwhile, somewhere in the Caribbean, Franklin Leonard orders another Mai Tai.

    Leave a comment:


  • ScreenRider
    replied
    Re: Franklin Leonard

    Originally posted by UpandComing View Post
    If you'd bought a sixth one, it probably would've been an 8 : )
    Tempting...


    Baby needs a new pair of shoes!

    Leave a comment:


  • UpandComing
    replied
    Re: Franklin Leonard

    Originally posted by ScreenRider View Post
    So I got back all 5 Black List evaluations for my script and it was a straight flush. Scores of 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. I think I'll take a long break before rolling that ten-sided dice again.

    If you'd bought a sixth one, it probably would've been an 8 : )

    Leave a comment:


  • ScreenRider
    replied
    Re: Franklin Leonard

    So I got back all 5 Black List evaluations for my script and it was a straight flush. Scores of 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. I think I'll take a long break before rolling that ten-sided dice again.

    Leave a comment:


  • Paradis
    replied
    Re: Franklin Leonard

    BL and other lotteries are the last thing one need spend time on. Network, and reach out to people in the industry.

    9 years ago I thought i saw the forest through the trees... years later, multiple managers, going wide, options, blah blah blah.. so much of this is a spiderweb of cash grabs and time wasters for aspiring writers.

    Find a writers group, or move to LA.

    Leave a comment:


  • Bono
    replied
    Re: Franklin Leonard

    Originally posted by CJ Walley View Post
    I just want to throw a few things in here.

    Industry members do browse Script Revolution. They are very small ones but enough to kickstart a career.
    There are some well rated scripts on there if you value BL reviews and certain competitions.
    I'm trying my best. It's hard. It's really ****ing hard. I'm just a screenwriter in a bedroom.

    I got a 2 on the Black List once and just got back from being flown out to LA for six weeks to watch a movie I'd written on assignment get made. I met Steve Guttenberg and the crew jumped a Ford Raptor. You can do the thing.

    Try to keep away from the lotteries and casinos if you can.
    I love Guttenberg! Awesome.

    Leave a comment:


  • CJ Walley
    replied
    Re: Franklin Leonard

    I just want to throw a few things in here.

    Industry members do browse Script Revolution. They are very small ones but enough to kickstart a career.
    There are some well rated scripts on there if you value BL reviews and certain competitions.
    I'm trying my best. It's hard. It's really ****ing hard. I'm just a screenwriter in a bedroom.

    I got a 2 on the Black List once and just got back from being flown out to LA for six weeks to watch a movie I'd written on assignment get made. I met Steve Guttenberg and the crew jumped a Ford Raptor. You can do the thing.

    Try to keep away from the lotteries and casinos if you can.

    Leave a comment:


  • finalact4
    replied
    Re: Franklin Leonard

    Originally posted by ScreenRider View Post
    I actually paid for five reviews up front.

    First one was a 7.

    The second one was a 5. It had some grammar mistakes, got a character name wrong and had a strange political objection. I complained to BL and they gave me a replacement review and removed the original from the average.

    Next day, the third review that was already in the queue got posted and it was a 3. I really can't complain about this one because it appeared that the reviewer read it and clearly spelled out the issues they had with it. It seemed like they just didn't buy the premise of the script and couldn't enjoy it. Obviously, it's subjective but I am surprised the score was so low. I thought you get a 3 for spelling your name right.

    Still waiting on three more reviews to come in. I think I will wait until all the scores come in to see which review is the outlier and then decide if there is anything to complain about. Hoping for a 2 or an 8 to make it even more random.

    I'll email you the two reviews. Thank you.
    okay, sent you my thoughts for consideration. take note that it's coming from a different email address.

    good luck with it. it sounds like a good premise.
    FA4

    Leave a comment:


  • Southern_land
    replied
    Re: Franklin Leonard

    Originally posted by catcon View Post
    I recall one previously who boasted about doing 3-5 reads per day.

    For the kind of stuff I write? Nobody can process intelligently 3-5 of my scripts per day. Maybe 2, if they bust their a$$es.
    But can you guarantee an industry reader is going to give your scripts that time? Surely to maintain a level playing field BL has to use the same readers working at the same speed as some unpaid/underpaid intern looking for his/her big break?

    Leave a comment:

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