I read a boat load of scripts and I've also been around here a long time (too long). It seems to me a lot of people are cranky they can't get access to Hollywood because this or that reason, but hardly ever does anyone think it has to do with their script or their writing.

My question is, where do you think you rank as a screenwriter on a scale from 1-10?

This was intended as a poll thread, but I couldn't figure out how to make this one of those. Can a mod please help?

I would like to know how you all rate yourselves.  

Interesting to think about, I think that all screenwriters when writing their script subtly think that it is the greatest thing to ever be typed but I know over time when you go back and look at older scripts you realize not only how much you have grown as a writer since but how bad that original script was. For me personally, it varies on how good of a writer I find myself, when I get reviews that are bad it brings down the confidence I have as a writer but when you get those e-mails or reviews of the people who really love what you wrote it can really bring you up. I'd give myself a 7, there's still so much to be learned but I think I have good ideas and I can write a good script and it all comes with experience.

10, easily... I write better scripts than anything I've seen in the last year.  Unfortunately all I've really seen in the last year has been the Cubo channel and Nicktoons thanks to my daughter.



I vow to see a live action film soon, though.  Then I'll give you my real score.

Mine is simple, I rank myself 10....or 1, which one is best? I'm the other one. Until I actually finish a script I can't be anything else. I like to think I could be a 6 or 7 once I actually finish something, but that remains to be seen.

*Of course I will be a 10, one day, just a matter of time....

About 0.1 on format.
About 8 on imagination.

Good enough.

I rank myself a 3.

10 being the greatest Murphy!

Quoted from RayW About 0.1 on format. About 8 on imagination.

Don't know about your format, but you are selling yourself short on imagination.

Quoted from Shelton Good enough.

To flip burgers?

How good do you think you are?  As a screenwriter...on a scale from 1 to 10, 1 being the worst.  Pia wants to know!

Quoted from Grandma Bear 10 being the greatest Murphy!

Then I am exactly what I thought I was then...Number 1.

Oh yeah.

Quoted from Murphy To flip burgers?

What was that about finishing a script, son?

Quoted from Shelton What was that about finishing a script, son?

  

Touche - or is that Douche? I used to skip French classes.

Quoted from Murphy    Touche - or is that Douche? I used to skip French classes.

I took Spanish.  There, it was called "served".

Quoted from Shelton I took Spanish.  There, it was called "served".

Haha, I was sitting here waiting for your comeback having already decided not to push anymore. I should have learned my lesson a long time ago. I never win these things against you.

Quoted from Grandma Bear but hardly ever does anyone think it has to do with their script or their writing.

A mistake we all are bound to make in our learning curves (unfortunately).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning-Kruger_effect

A question for your question, Pia:  Are you rating yourself from 1-10 in comparison to those on SS?  Or in general?


Phil

Interesting Z!

Phil, I'm not rating myself against anyone here or anywhere else. I'm rating myself in what I believe is great writing and story telling and the opposite. Pretty hopeless and mediocre. I know exactly my strengths and my weaknesses. I'm realistic. Can I learn to get better? Probably, but I just don't think I have that dream that so many others here do. Therefore the drive to be the best I can be at this isn't there. If that make sense.


I wish some cute mod would combine this thread with the poll thread.    

And I think you rate better than a three, Blondie.


Phil

Quoted from Grandma Bear I read a boat load of scripts and I've also been around here a long time (too long). It seems to me a lot of people are cranky they can't get access to Hollywood because this or that reason, but hardly ever does anyone think it has to do with their script or their writing. My question is, where do you think you rank as a screenwriter on a scale from 1-10? This was intended as a poll thread, but I couldn't figure out how to make this one of those. Can a mod please help? I would like to know how you all rate yourselves.

This is an excellent question, Pia!!! Okay, 10 being the best, I think I would give myself a 2 because I haven't been around the movie world very long and I'm working on internalizing what's really going on in any particular package that is "the story".

Really, there's just so much to learn and I might be too generous even giving myself a 2.  

Sandra

FORMATTING - 4
SPELLING - 3
GRAMMER - 2
SUBSTANCE - 5
IMAGINATION - 6
LOVE OF WRITING - 10


Shawn.....><

Quoted from dogglebe And I think you rate better than a three, Blondie. Phil

I thought that was what you are getting at, I just assumed that Pia was being what Mr Z posted a great link to about.

Though it does need to be said that I remember Pia being the queen of short scripts before Mr Z suddenly found his mojo and began killing everyone at Movie Poet. I would have put her much higher than 3.

Quoted from Grandma Bear I rank myself a 3. 10 being the greatest Murphy!

I don't think you're giving yourself enough credit, but I know it's a tough job and industry and there are some awesome workers out there with passion out the yin yang; so yes, I understand.

I like MiKe's answer. Good enough. Maybe I'll just say, good enough for now, but not good enough later.    

Sandra

What, no minuses? Where are the fractions? Seriously… Like Pia, I’m not that serious. As people will know, who read the drivel I turn out will attest to. I love to play with boundaries. Try something a little different.

Do I ever expect to make it as a Pro? Absolutely not. I just don’t have the dedication. Do I have the imagination? You bet your sweet ass I do.

My score?

Like I said, there would have to be minuses. I aspire to be a 1.

Quoted from malcolm3 What, no minuses? Where are the fractions? Seriously… Like Pia, I’m not that serious. As people will know, who read the drivel I turn out will attest to. I love to play with boundaries. Try something a little different. Do I ever expect to make it as a Pro? Absolutely not. I just don’t have the dedication. Do I have the imagination? You bet your sweet ass I do. My score? Like I said, there would have to be minuses. I aspire to be a 1.

I kind of thought that 1 meant you were already doing "something". Working. And 2 meant you've been working for a little while at it-- say four or five years working fairly consistently. If someone were a 5, I'd expect they have completed several mediocre scripts.

I think maybe making any progress over 5, means you've done a whack of ground work and are getting more serious. And if you were a 10, you could rip one out of your head in a week, polish it a bit, let it get cold and maybe having something quite decent in a month or two.

My good wishes to anyone who is just 1 and working at it. May we work towards 5 together.

Sandra

Quoted from dogglebe And I think you rate better than a three, Blondie. Phil

Agreed. Come on now.

Very tough question. To the point where I can't bring myself to vote on the poll. I can't figure out a precise figure. But based on the criteria you, Pia, have graciously provided, I wouldn't give myself anything less than 7. I honestly believe I'm an above-average writer. But on a scale of 1-10, my goal is 11. I set very high expectations for myself and am in a constant process of stepping it up.

I'm glad to see nobody's voted themselves a ten or "off the chart" yet. When someone asks how good you think you are when it comes to screenwriting, I guess we're going for how much we know about screenwriting as opposed to how good of a story we can write, and how good we go about executing it, right?

Or both?


Sean

I put myself at 6. I think that's a little high, though, because I'm not a visual writer and screenwriting (as they say) is a visual medium.

Can I re-grade to a 5?

Quoted from Zombie Sean I'm glad to see nobody's voted themselves a ten or "off the chart" yet. When someone asks how good you think you are when it comes to screenwriting, I guess we're going for how much we know about screenwriting as opposed to how good of a story we can write, and how good we go about executing it, right? Or both? Sean

For me it's a matter of "feeling" it. If I ever get "somewhere", I'll know it. I will never be able to watch as many movies as some people. It's just not in the way I was built because I have a calling to work on multiple levels. On the other hand, there has to be a movie made at some point from some naive person like me who writes from a point of innocence and doesn't have much of a clue about the business side of things, probably doesn't care too much because that's what the smart business people are for.  

That might truly be one of my greatest strengths. When I write, I'm writing from quite a blank slate. I take from life and my limited experience with scripts that I've read so far and just keep working.

What impresses me is looking at the individual and appreciating their unique qualities-- how they are perceiving something.

In the end, I think it comes down to judging yourself against yourself. You are a unique individual with strengths and weaknesses and our job on the boards here, its to help bring out your strengths to a greater degree. If we can do that, then maybe how good a writer you perceive yourself to be, or how good a writer someone else perceives you to be isn't even all that important. If you care to be better, then that's enough for now. Jumping down now.

Sandra

I gave myself a 5. Some days, I feel confident. And then there are days when I feel like I totally suck, and I cringe looking over anything I've written.

I feel like I was more confident about writing last year or so...but now, I have no confidence at all. I still won't stop trying to make films, though. But lately I've felt...I don't know...sucky.

Quoted from Yeaster I gave myself a 5. Some days, I feel confident. And then there are days when I feel like I totally suck, and I cringe looking over anything I've written. I feel like I was more confident about writing last year or so...but now, I have no confidence at all. I still won't stop trying to make films, though. But lately I've felt...I don't know...sucky.

That means that you're being critical and that's a good thing, not a bad thing so yay!

A man cannot lift himself up. He can only be lifted by others.

Sandra

I wished this thread was together with the poll....  

Thanks for voting guys!

In my mind a 10 would be the best screenwriters there are. The big ones. The famous ones.

I see someone voted themselves an 8. That's great! Confidence is good. Great even.

My next comment is not aimed at anyone here at SS. I actually do venture to other sites occasionally. Sorry Don...     ...but, I often hear/read people saying that they can't sell to Hollywood due to bad luck, no contacts and so on and so on. You've all read those arguments a million times. More often than not however, I'm thinking to myself....uh, I've read your work and it's not as good as you think. It's not bad, but...

Thoughts...

Quoted from Grandma Bear My next comment is not aimed at anyone here at SS. I actually do venture to other sites occasionally. Sorry Don...

Bitch!

Quoted from Grandma Bear ...but, I often hear/read people saying that they can't sell to Hollywood due to bad luck, no contacts and so on and so on. You've all read those arguments a million times. More often than not however, I'm thinking to myself....uh, I've read your work and it's not as good as you think. It's not bad, but... Thoughts...

That argument will only go so far.  This site is a great resource.  If five or ten people read your script and none of them think your script is great, then you have to take a hard look at your work.  I've had people snap at me and accuse me of being jealous because I don't like a particular script.

Also, with our resident agent on board, you can't use the excuse I can't get my script in the right hands.  If Babs likes your script, great!  If not, it's the script.


Phil

Quoted from dogglebe Bitch!

I get around. What can I say...

Quoted from dogglebe That argument will only go so far.  This site is a great resource.  If five or ten people read your script and none of them think your script is great, then you have to take a hard look at your work.  I've had people snap at me and accuse me of being jealous because I don't like a particular script.

My point was that I hear people complain that it's unfair they can't get their great scripts into the hands of professionals when IMHO their own views on their scripts is a tad higher than they really should be. Had nothing to do with SS really.

Quoted from dogglebe Also, with our resident agent on board, you can't use the excuse I can't get my script in the right hands.  If Babs likes your script, great!  If not, it's the script.

Babz is a fantastic resource and a possible "in" for all of us.  We really should appreciate her.

Quoted from Grandma Bear I wished this thread was together with the poll....

Tried to do it earlier, but it's not working.  Merging threads is always a pain in the ass.

Like I said in the other thread, I give myself a five. I think I'm good but can be a heck of a lot better. Thankfully, I am not arrogant, so I'm always open to new ideas and critique. Anything to become the best I can be.

Being the young age of 22, I have plenty of time to learn (and I'm a pretty fast learner). Not that age really means anything, but yeah.

I answered 5.

I think sometimes about my potential though, will I ever be able become 10. I don't think so, I think my potential is 7. Or maybe even 6. That's a scary thought, but try to think about your potential - will you ever be able to write like... "Clueless" comes to mind - I'll never, never ever (!) be able to write something like that.

Good, bad... average.  It all comes down to how much of yourself you give to your script.  Give 100% and it can often turn out like a 4 scale script.  Give 50% and it can often turn out to be a 10 scale script.  Giving yourself a set score, if too high, is automatically gonna draw out the naysayers and spark controversy if they don't agree.

I think you need the mindset that your work is a cut above and you also need the ego and thick enough skin to refute what others say.  I say this because, as a writer, you don't need the negativity.  You don't need the constant bashing and brow beating.  You hear how bad you suck enough and, if you don't have the ego and the ambition and belief in yourself, then you're gonna give up and you'll never go any further than where you are when they told you how bad you were.

Will you ever be the best screenwriter in the world?  I don't know... and neither will you if you give up after a few people read your script, pan it and tell you that you suck and are little more than a 5 scale writer.  I didn't participate in this because there isn't a set number for me as a writer or anyone.  I believe you write a script, and if it sucks, you shelve it -- Move onto the next one.  There isn't a set score... It is ever changing as long as you keep working on the next script.  That number, much like ones weight, can fluctuate many times.  You are only as good as your last script.  Or until you drag out your best script... See how that works?

I gave myself an 8, but I'll tell you why. First, I do have the confidence to place it there. I do know how to plot out a cohesive story, create complete characters, and write in such a way that's easy to read and paces itself fairly well. Even something that people have considered poorly written have said it's flows very well. But here's where I personally miss the mark occasionally.

First, I can't write a logline to save my life, and part of that is because the ideas I come up with are too much for me to condense and keep interesting. Either this is a fault of me being unable to condense it, or me being unable to actually have a good idea. Second, the stories I've come up with either aren't ultimately interesting, fulfilling, or they're so over the top that people don't really get it. And to be fair, even if they do get it, parts of it are too far out to actually support. Case in point is my 7WC entry. Pia said she read through it, and in the end, understood why all the nonsensical stuff happened, but it was so unbelievable while it was happening that it was hard to keep going. In addition, while I fully understand my characters and their motivations, I occasionally don't fully communicate these things in the fear of revealing too much too soon or blowing what I consider to be the ironic twist and therefore having to go over too much in the end, slowing down act 3 to catch the audience up to all the stuff I left out thus far.

This has been a sort of theme for me in the last few scripts I've had around here. I throw in way too much backstory and can't include enough of it in the final draft making parts of it difficult to keep up with since so much remains unspoken. As a result, what I submit seems to be incomplete. My next step in this journey would be to find the balance between what to say to keep the audience engaged, but retain all the flavor that a good backstory and subtext can bring to the script. The trick with that subtext is to tell enough so that the unspoken parts will come across louder than those that were written.

Finally, I have always had a weakness with dialogue, most likely due to my writing environment. I rarely read my scripts out loud because I can't in the arenas where I write the most. If I read them through, I could fix a lot of the dialogue issues I have.

Hence, my 8 is not only for the skills I have, but in the knowledge of where I need to improve.

Interesting test. And interesting comments.

Obviously I'm a ten, but seeing as I earn nothing from it I save it for the tourists only. Er, I actually said seven, Screenrider will tell ya it's a divine number, as it is.

I wish. But don't we all.

Hey, Australia is no fecking failure. What a country... Love it. Time to go. More later.

R xo

JJ Abrams is a pure kid compared to the likes of me.

His cellphone never stops, even whn serious mags like Empire interview.

Age has nothing to do with it. Adults are 18 and over. If you can do it then, or thereabouts do it. Show us grandads how it's done. Why not?

I know now a lot more than I knew then. But so does everyone.

R ox

Quoted from dogglebe Also, with our resident agent on board, you can't use the excuse I can't get my script in the right hands.  If Babs likes your script, great!  If not, it's the script.

Actually, of Babs' requests, only one has fit something I actually have. That would mean I'm not writing anything that fits what someone wants to read. In addition, the one thing I did submit was never requested, so can I say it's the script when no one ever read it? That's been my number one complaint: none of those particular people actually read the script. They reject me based solely on the pitch. Granted, it can be said that if I can't sell them on a one liner, they can't sell the public on it either. Still, my prime argument remains that you can't say the script is what they're rejecting when they haven't read it.

I have to say, I'm not generally very impressed when it comes to screenwriting and I include working pros in that.

I come from more of a literature background...it's what I've read and studied pretty much my whole life...reading stories from thousands of years ago in Old English and even the Norse sagas in Ancient Norse, all the way through to modern classics.

No script I've ever read comes close to the best literature. Maybe that's to be expected. A bigger concern for me is that the best scripts from pros barely come to the below average standard of even modern literature.

They are more on a level with the middling graphic novel writers than the best working novellists and creative writers.

I love films and I've watched countless thousands and it's rare that I see films that I don't enjoy on some level but the quality of stories tends to be so, so low compared to literature.

Every Zombie film is the same, yet I pick up a zombie anthology and find so many different variations on theme, such strong characters and unique viewpoints. I pick up a middling science fiction novel and it's full of ideas that dwarf anything Hollywood comes out with.

Even very good films and the scripts that they are based on seem to have gaping plot holes, thin characters, many weaknesses of all kinds that I just don't see in "serious" writing.

The majority of films I see have absolutely nothing to say, no depth whatsoever.

So, it's a difficult question. Pro writers write generally very mundane stories in a very absorbing style. I've never found myself thinking what an incredible story or been blown away by the depth of imagination on display.

That being said, I feel that the ideas I have in my locker and are currently building up are on are several levels above most of the pro scripts I see. However I don't think for a second that I write with the same flow to the writing that they do.

Obviously it's my express intention to prove over the next few years that I can write better films than almost anyone out there. There wouldn't be any point in trying to make films if I didn't think that.

Well, I killed the other thread in merging, so we're trying this again.

EDIT: And now the thread has a poll, but the bad news is, you have to vote again...

Quoted from George Willson Actually, of Babs' requests, only one has fit something I actually have. That would mean I'm not writing anything that fits what someone wants to read. In addition, the one thing I did submit was never requested, so can I say it's the script when no one ever read it? That's been my number one complaint: none of those particular people actually read the script. They reject me based solely on the pitch. Granted, it can be said that if I can't sell them on a one liner, they can't sell the public on it either. Still, my prime argument remains that you can't say the script is what they're rejecting when they haven't read it.

At some point it becomes YOUR responsibility.

How many awards do you have for your writing? How strong is the coverage you are getting from Industry Pros on your scripts?

You've got to get the pieces in place to convince them to want to read the script in the first place....and like I say...that's up to you and no-one else.

Quoted from Scar Tissue Films At some point it becomes YOUR responsibility. How many awards do you have for your writing? How strong is the coverage you are getting from Industry Pros on your scripts? You've got to get the pieces in place to convince them to want to read the script in the first place....and like I say...that's up to you and no-one else.

And I agree with this. My next step will have to be going the contest route with any scripts, since it appears that no one will read them otherwise.

Quoted from Scar Tissue Films You've got to get the pieces in place to convince them to want to read the script in the first place....and like I say...that's up to you and no-one else.

I've been saying this for years.  When people learn I reviewed their script based on reading the first twenty pages, they ask, "Why didn't read you the whole thing?"  My answer is, "Why didn't you write a script that made me want to read it through?"

The first script I read, here, was so awful that I nearly left the boards.  It was a painful read and I never reviewed it.  I thought that if this script represented all the scripts, here, then the site sucks.

To all writers:  make people want to read your script through.  No one wants to read 100+ pages of two-dimensional characters, dull action and poor descriptions.  And don't tell me that it gets better after page X (which, coincidentally is the same page where I gave up on your script).


Phil

Quoted from The Balt You are only as good as your last script.

That is kind of the problem with this poll.  You can't really judge the writer -- only the writing.

Anybody here can write a "1" script -- we've all seen them -- but that does not necessarily make that writer a "1", does it?  I don't think so, anyway.  If Phil writes a script I hate (he has), I still know he's got it going on elsewhere.

So I voted 10 -- (somebody should, right?) -- but I rounded up -- because I believe there is a 10 in me that hasn't come out yet.

I'll let you know when I find it.

I will not name names, but there are many here capable of a "10" script given the right mix of magic and mojo.

Quoted from rendevous Hey, Australia is no fecking failure. What a country... Love it. Time to go. More later. R xo

Where are you?

Quoted from Grandma Bear More often than not however, I'm thinking to myself....uh, I've read your work and it's not as good as you think. It's not bad, but...

...it ain't that good, either.

Bert, as usual I have failed to express myself clearly again.

Shelton and George, thanks for merging the threads even if the first poll got lost. I could still get a feel for how people view themselves.

IMHO, confidence is great, maybe even crucial, but being realistic and being able to step back and view your work objectively is equally important.

Back to my English lessons...I seriously didn't understand the first sentence of that class, but hey, it's a college class so I'm not going to feel to bad about it.  

Quoted from bert Anybody here can write a "1" script -- we've all seen them -- but that does not necessarily make that writer a "1", does it?  I don't think so, anyway.  If Phil writes a script I hate (he has), I still know he's got it going on elsewhere.

Appreciate the compliment, my friend.  FWIW, I haven't scored my writing skill and I sincerely doubt I will.  A number is too simple and vague.  In part because my five is probably very different than most other fives.  A ten is something that should be to the Oscar winning writers.

A better thread would be to discuss our strengths and weaknesses as screenwriters, than to simply give ourselves numbers.  


Phil

Quoted from George Willson I gave myself an 8, but I'll tell you why.

I love you George, but we still need to have that little talk about FC. (Not the script, but the book). I think I stuffed a bunch of notes I had on it in a box with "Sandra's stupid old drafts". It's downstairs in the basement crawlspace.  

Really, it's best if we discuss it live on Skype together because I had written the notes by hand while reading the book and then I didn't realize how long it was going to get. I should have entered it right into the computer, but I did a lot of the reading away from my desk so that's the way it went.

Anyways, I'll go digging down there again. Perhaps I can help in the future. Might not be great in the structural department, but I have an eye for detail.

Sandra

I gave myself a 2. I have a pretty realisitic grasp on where I am as a writer. I have written 3 scripts, 2 of which I submitted here. My first script was a feature. It was about as far removed from a screenplay as a bunch of straight lines sketched with crayon is to a house plan. I read a few pro script before I tried writing, but that duck just didn't quack. A few screenwriting books later, I tackled a short. Then another. I'm still, like alot of people here, on a learning curve. My goal is to write the best screenplay that I'm capable of. That's what everyone owes themselves as a writer.

Quoted from Eoin I gave myself a 2. I have a pretty realisitic grasp on where I am as a writer. I have written 3 scripts, 2 of which I submitted here. My first script was a feature. It was about as far removed from a screenplay as a bunch of straight lines sketched with crayon is to a house plan. I read a few pro script before I tried writing, but that duck just didn't quack. A few screenwriting books later, I tackled a short. Then another. I'm still, like alot of people here, on a learning curve. My goal is to write the best screenplay that I'm capable of. That's what everyone owes themselves as a writer.

Nice post Eoin, I like your sentiment. You sum it up rather well.

So can people change their vote or what? Last I checked, there was four 7s and one 8. Now there's four 8s and one 7. Curiouser and curiouser...

People saw my 8 (I voted first since I both broke and fixed it) and were encouraged to follow suit. I'm a trendsetter.

I voted 5. Just like last time

I wonder if all recognize their potential as 10 though. It can be 10 for everybody.

I think the very max I'll reach (and in no less than 10 years) is 7.

With "ten" being Inception, and "one" being SS's The Cabin, I think I'm a "five".  

I didn't vote because I didn't see the "You're so good rainbows and sunshine shoot outward from your fingertips when you type" option.  Maybe next time.

The Cabin is as close to a 10 as you can get without getting produced.  Chris Halvorson's Cannibal is a 9.  No Meat is an 8.

Use these gems to gauge yourselves...

Not meaning to change the topic, here, but what the f--- is on your head?  Looks like a fur-lined funnel.


Phil

I wish it was my actual hair, but it's a ski hat.  It's BIG, triangular shaped into a point on top.  Very warm, comfy, and whacky...kinda like me.  

Quoted from Dreamscale I wish it was my actual hair, but it's a ski hat.  It's BIG, triangular shaped into a point on top.  Very warm, comfy, and whacky...kinda like me.

I think he's on about the christmas tree on Balt's head.

Quoted from Scar Tissue Films I think he's on about the christmas tree on Balt's head.

He's got a point.

My hair's ever changing... One day it's up.  One day it's down. 3 months it's long and on and on and on.  I never stick to any one set hairstyle or beard for that matter.  I'm just glad I still have all mine.

Well, I still have all mine, but damnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn......


Phil

Quoted from dogglebe Well, I still have all mine, but damnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn...... Phil

That's nothing I should upload a pick when I'm jamming... I got so much glue in it you can't move it.  I usually wear it in twist spikes on those nights.

Quoted from Baltis. I didn't vote because I didn't see the "You're so good rainbows and sunshine shoot outward from your fingertips when you type" option.  Maybe next time.

I have a similair affliction Balt, except the rainbows and sunshine comes out of my arse...        

I was the only person who rated themself "off the chart". BWAA!!!!

Quoted from fionaman I was the only person who rated themself "off the chart". BWAA!!!!

Not really, I was secretly doing it in the privacy of my office while staring at my new galaga coin-op machine.  Next stop is Double Dragon, Donkey Kong and Pac-man!

Too bad we lost the original poll in the merge, but I got a pretty good idea where you guys rate yourselves.

A little sad that someone rated him/herself a 1.

A "1" to me is near The Cabin in quality. I haven't read anything that bad from anyone here in ages.

Here's something someone sent me this morning. It's notes taken by a screenwriting student. Maybe it can be of help...

Screenwriting Crib Sheet
October 29, 2010
Here ya go! A useful handout. A REALLY useful handout.

This is based on my lecture in Screenwriting class last night. I spent two and a half hours going over student homework, pointing out where they drifted off course. A lot of it is about physical writing, but a bunch is about dialogue and storytelling.

One of my students, Mike Nomitch, took these notes. My hat is off to him for his careful note taking skills.

Your Screenplay Sucks! Screenwriting Crib Sheet

Colon after FADE IN
Need to tell us character’s name in CAPS and need a brief description of who they are (personality) Only time you can editorialize to the reader
Looks are only important if they are very important – don’t spend too much time with clothing
Scene description should more aptly be called action description
Don’t put ANYTHING obvious in there
Example “ Cody slashes at branches near by” – near by is obvious
What character loves to do/adores is a good thing for openings
“attempt” implies failure
Print to proofread – before turning in the homework, have a physical copy that you proof on – you will make far fewer stupid mistakes this way
“a large house” – you should be more specific when saying things like this. “a Tudor mansion”
Don’t give us too much detail or info
Don’t clarify things that happened two pages ago
Don’t forget sluglines when people change rooms
Kid goes from kitchen to dining room – this requires a new slugline
Anything that you can make visual – make visual
Whenever a new actor is introduced, their name/character is in caps
“a line of ADULTS”
“make their way” isn’t a good phrase
“look” – one of the seven deadly sins – sometimes this is okay, but always be careful
If the scene is in a classroom, don’t say “classroom chair”
If someone is at a desk, you don’t have to say sitting at the desk
Teacher are always at the front of the class – this is obvious, don’t tell us
Numbers are written out “thirteen” not “13” – very long numbers are okay
“212” might be said as “two twelve” or “two one two”
Sound effects in CAPS
To interrupt use two dashes and then don’t say “interrupt” in the next scene description
If a person doesn’t respond don’t say “he is silent” – we know that
Don’t’ do “BIG KID #1, BIG KID #2, BIG KID #3” – do “GIGANTIC KID, OBESE KID, BUFF KID”
You are not the director
Get rid of the movie in your head – just give us the shorthand version – this is responsible for tons of overwriting
“turn” a deadly sin, is a result of the movie in your head
Adverbs are a sin
Crucial info only!
Cut dialogue when an action will suffice
Instead of “yeah” give a nod or grunt in the affirmative
Most important word at end of sentence (95% of the time)
With jumps in time or flashbacks, remind us when you come back to the present day
“visibly” and “noticeable”– unnecessary
Screenplays are all in the present tense, nothing in past
Need to make every word count – try to use specific nouns and verbs rather than adjectives and adverbs
“written by” on your title page should have a lower case w
Final Draft doesn’t like this
Also, on title page, phone number and address should go in the lower night hand corner
Don’t put “Address: 1602 Camden Way” just say the address
Give reader every possible way to reach you
No line under title of screenplay
On page one, you’ve got the time to set the stage/mood/genre/setting of the story – This is the only time you have the opportunity to do this
Less dialogue and more mood on page 1
Don’t have to say “present day” but if it’s the past say that it is
“nearby” is often unnecessary
Make sure your image order is correct. If things are happening simultaneously, make sure you introduce them in the right order.
Names aren’t capitalized in dialogue
CAPS in dialogue means that the person is yelling
Parentheticals aren’t in the dialogue, there is a break for the parenthetical then dialogue.
Use contractions in dialogue – this is how most people speak
Automatic character continues (CONT’D) should be turned off
Don’t have any sluglines at the bottom of page
Always want two quote marks, not one
Get rid of “is” as much as possible
When writing a scene, think about what each character is feeling, if it matters and isn’t totally obvious what they are feeling, tell us – emotions matter
By cutting some dialogue, dialogue that is left becomes stronger
Staples should be in the right place and close to the corner of the pages
In sluglines make sure you have spaces between the place and the time of day
INT. BEDROOM     NIGHT
Saving lines is really helpful
You’re and your
Don’t hide the good dialogue in the bad dialogue
“Under the table, he clenches his fist” NOT “He clenches his fist, under the table” This is a good example of why image order is important and you should end sentences with the important thing
“looks” and “seems” – “Will seems angry” – is he actually angry? Or does he just seem angry?
“embrace” – does this mean hug or kiss?
Off-screen action is sometimes something you want to bring on screen
Don’t talk about the Zeppelin disaster, show it
Don’t talk about a mean dad, show him
Don’t overdirect the actors (in addition to overdirecting the camera or scenes)
“Nowhere” is one word
Don’t repeat info from the slugline in the action
Break big paragraphs up into smaller ones
“He exits” not “He then exits”
Pace of scene and story weight should be related to importance. Important things should take longer than less important stuff.
Don’t describe someone as woman and then girl, confusing
Don’t use a phrase to describe when a word will do
“dirty hair” is as good as “Hair that looks like it hasn’t been washed in days”
Same sentence or phrase shouldn’t appear twice on the same page
“of the” is a deadly sin – use possessive noun instead
Punches with fist – grin on face – both obvious
FLASHBACK comes before INT. or EXT.
With a flashback that isn’t actually the truth – explain that it’s not real, make it obvious
F.Y.I. or N.B.
Read Lethal Weapon or other screenplays by Shane Black
You need to find your own voice as a writer – it should be like you and nobody else – people are looking for a new fresh voice
JUNO is a good example of this
This isn’t a reason to be unclear or redundant
“both” is a deadly sin
Tell the character/functional name when we meet somebody, nobody should have two different names
No blank page after title page
Possessing is often a stupid word to use… especially when referring to body parts.
“BEDROOM – DAY” not “BEDROOM-DAY” or “BEDROOM- DAY”
If a lot of time passes you need to have extra sluglines that say “LATER”
“, and” can often just be a comma
Don’t use hyphens for words that are split between lines
Get peek, peak, pique and piqued right. It’s surprisingly confusing
No commas in sluglines
Make sure products are spelled correctly – BlackBerry or DirecTv
Mr. should by mister when it is alone – (“yeah mister”)
After description, you must have a character name if someone is talking, even if they were just speaking
No spaces between parentheticals within dialogue, but do put it on a different line
Smile is a word you should be aware of – maybe you are overdirecting the actors – people use this a lot, often too much within one script
Give names only to people who need names
Think of edit points – the scene should end on an exciting note. “Girl shoots man and walks out of room” is worse than “girls shoots man”
Clothing isn’t as important as you think
Don’t describe dialogue in your scene description
First words in parentheticals are lower case
Describe visible action in scene description
“Nate runs back to his dorm room” would likely be impossible in one scene. “Nate runs away” is possible though.
All dialogue should move you forwards. If you can cut one exchange do that (unless is messes with rhythm)
“walks” is a deadly sin – there are better words
Don’t capitalize names multiple times
Question and answer dialogue is bad
Showing is greater than telling – showing and telling is doom
Yelling shouldn’t go in a parenthetical, the thing yelled should go in caps
If people are whispering, don’t say whispering before each line of dialogue. Say it once in description and maybe italicize it.
Look for opportunities to insert badass lines when possible
Champagne is spelled with a capital C
Optical effects go in CAPS – “FREEZE on Reggie”

  

I rate myself a five.  I'm a better writer now than I was a year ago, but not as good a writer as I'll be a year from now.  That's how it was last year, and the year before that.  That's how it'll be next year, and the year after that.  

But I would never rate myself a 10.  When you think you're perfect, you stop trying.  When you stop trying, your work suffers.  Perfection is, and should be, an unachievable goal.  Keep pushing for it even though it'll never happen.  That builds character, it builds ability, it builds modesty.

As you probably figured out, I don't live anywhere near Hollywood.