I left the scoring sites and came here because there isn't any scoring!  On another site, one guy trashed a couple of my scripts because he had "similar" ones.  So, his scores knocked my total score down, then people assumed my scrips sucked because of the low scores.  It doesn't work, in my opinion, no matter how hard you try to make it so.

I'm just glad that Don is even asking for our input because it's his site after all.

Quoted from eldave1 Okay - there are two "home" buttons that take you to different homes. That could be cleaned up Finally did see the recent posts tab at the bottom  - that is a long road to hoe Thanks for the info

I like the two Home buttons, they're both very different, one for the actual site, and one for the Discussion board. And I've always been in the habit of using Recent Posts instead of the Portal. Old habits I suppose...

Good to see a lot oppose a scoring system. No offence, JC.  

I met a famous director once who says all scripts should be rated. I think his name was Martin Score-says-he.

Site worked fine for me.

I think any site re-design has to start with an understanding of who is the intended user/visitor and what they are trying to achieve on the site.

We, the regs, are all used to the site now and have worked our way around it BUT (I assume) we are not the only visitors that the site gets and not necessarily the ones that Don want to encourage (for our benefit).

I now when I first arrived I had no clue what was where, I didn't spot there was discussion board at all for two weeks, had no idea what Portal did, someone else had to tell me about STS etc... now they all feel second nature.

My day job is as a Demand Conversion Manager, so I spend my working day looking at web pages and online application forms to try and make sure that real customers can get through them and achieve what they need.

Don - I will try and carve out some time and drop you some thoughts on email.

Quoted from AnthonyCawood I now when I first arrived I had no clue what was where, I didn't spot there was discussion board at all for two weeks, had no idea what Portal did, someone else had to tell me about STS etc... now they all feel second nature.

Funnily enough, back in 2009 it was because I found the Discussion Boards that I joined. I'd not written anything at all for seven years at that point, and thought reading and commenting on other scripts, as well as entering OWCs, would help break the drought. Which it did eventually.

The reasons for coming back now are much the same.

Thank you all so much for the valuable input.  Much appreciated.  

Quoted from Scar Tissue Films Hi Don, Leaving aside all issues of Feasiblity...

Rick, this is exactly how I wanted folks to respond.  What you want, not how to do it.  

Quoted from Scar Tissue Films 1. More Scripts. Particularly Feature Scripts. A)Further to what you say about a section that allows people to merely showcase their scripts without receiving feedback, in a ideal world you'd take the best of other sites like Inktip and have a private section where only verified people can access it and scripts are available only by request allowing writers to post their work with minimised fear of it being stolen. If it was verified (proof of ID, IMDB credits or something) and then there was a paper trail of people accessing the scripts, it would make it more secure and allow people to post their better, more commercial scripts without worrying too much that people will steal them. This part could be monetised, like Inktip.  Indeed, why not just put them out of business?

I go back and forth on this in my head.  I want to balace protection with removing barriers.  One thought I had was allowing two viewing options - a public option, open to all views regardless of registration status - and a 'private' option wherein one must be logged into the site to view works.  The writer could choice when submitting to only allow this work to be seen by registered users.

Quoted from Scar Tissue Films B) Again in an ideal world, I'd like to see this site hosting the best scripts from the festival/competition circuit. Contact the different screenwriting festivals/competitions and offer their entrants the chance to showcase their work here, either for free on the board, or in the verified section above. Maybe there's some scope for creating a kind of synergy, where we attract more filmmaking talent to see those scripts whilst we offer feedback in return. Basically, in an ideal world, to attract all the best unproduced scripts onto the site.

I would like to add a box to put into "awards script has received" and one could search with "received award" as a criterea.  

However, showing only 'good' scripts is a little tougher.  Many writers claim his/her work is final polished when it clearly isn't.  For a script to be even considered for production consideration it will have to be properly formatted (not 'close enough' as I now allow) and free of typos and grammatical errors.  Beyond that, it will be tough to make sure the work is 'good'.

Quoted from Scar Tissue Films 2. It would be good if the shorts section was split into categories, so that you can peruse short Horror, short thrillers, drama etc

Yes, this will be done.

Quoted from Scar Tissue Films The front page could also be a bit more informative about the discussion board and the fact that this is the best place to learn how to write scripts and the best place to showcase your scripts. I think it should hit you in the face that there is a thriving community on here dedicated to producing scripts/films.

You are right.  I need to make more clear what the site is about.  

Quoted from wonkavite Hey Don! This is only my first "riff" in this thread - and I have no doubt that many of my comments will mirror things that've already been said.  But my first major thought: Best to redesign the SS layout as absolutely user friendly as possible.  IE: taking into account the ADD that all of us on the net now have.  If a tab/link isn't obvious immediately, so many people just... drift away.

Rick mentioned this, too.  The 'mission' statement needs to be clear.  Where to go also needs to be clear.

Quoted from wonkavite Re: STS - I get the feeling there are lots of people who confuse the Review showcase with the discussion boards - especially when it comes to submissions.  And Rick's right... I don't think many newbies realize what a rich resource is available WITH the discussion boards. Heck, if there's anyway that potential scoring could be added to scripts, that's good, too.  I don't doubt that some people would "game the system" there, and have all their pals "vote up" their scripts - but as long as it's pointed out the votes are subjective, it still might work.

If a script has been reviewed, I certainly want to include that fact on the script page and perhaps a link to the review.  Perhaps even integrating the review process into the submission.  I still want to keep STS separate so that if in the future you want to more establish your site, I am not a barrier to that.  


I am not sure how I feel about voting.  As metioned, it can be gamed.  A review, however, is like a million votes.  

Quoted from wonkavite And I love your idea of adding certain optional searchables to all scripts on the site.  Keywords, genre, page count, budget, current "score", etc.  In other words, making it very easy for directors/producers to find what they're looking for, without slogging through a million scripts!  ) Heck, what about even adding these possible filters: produced/unproduced writer, placed in contest X up to what point?  (QF, SF, F, etc...) That's my first five cents.  I'm sure there'll be more. But user and idiot (including me under that term) friendly?  Oh yeah!

Precicsely why I'm doing this.  Biggest complaint from filmmakers is that it is nearly impossible to find a script on the site.  

Quoted from eldave1 Seems in terms of wanting or not wanting reviews, it would be easy enough for a submitter to click on button when submitting: - NOT SEEKING COMMENTS OR REVIEWS - SEEKING COMMENTS AND REVIEWS Whichever one they click should show up right under their logline.

Agreed.

Quoted from eldave1 Would also love to see the "PORTAL" tab renamed to "RECENT POSTS" or RECENT THREADS". I took me a year to figure out what Portal was for.

This might happen sooner rather than later.

Quoted from eldave1 Would also like an easier way to link my scripts on this site. I ran out of space on my signature block to list all the scripts I have submitted here so  eventually built my own site and just use the single HTTP address. Somehow, it would be nice if a SS user clicked on my User Name they would be able to see a list of my scripts sorted by category - that would be fab.

writer's page is next on the design board.

Quoted from AnthonyCawood I think any site re-design has to start with an understanding of who is the intended user/visitor and what they are trying to achieve on the site. We, the regs, are all used to the site now and have worked our way around it BUT (I assume) we are not the only visitors that the site gets and not necessarily the ones that Don want to encourage (for our benefit). I now when I first arrived I had no clue what was where, I didn't spot there was discussion board at all for two weeks, had no idea what Portal did, someone else had to tell me about STS etc... now they all feel second nature. My day job is as a Demand Conversion Manager, so I spend my working day looking at web pages and online application forms to try and make sure that real customers can get through them and achieve what they need. Don - I will try and carve out some time and drop you some thoughts on email.

Anthony, you are right. I am trying to get a better understanding of what film makers want as well as writers.  And make it easier to navigate.  



Everyone,  thank you for the input!

- Don

New buttons!!!!!

Yeah, it's funny at first I thought, where's the Portal button!   And that's from someone who didn't use it that much.   And with Don saying 'don't freak out'.  

Then I noticed Recent Threads, which acts as the Portal + stats etc., and Recent Posts, which is the same as it always was.

Blog Home, and Home (Discussion Board), to differentiate between the previous two Home buttons.

Works for me!

I like the change

I'm cool with whatever. To be honest, the site works for me as is. I don't think that putting a price on the script is such a bad idea though, especially if it can be noted that for the right producer the fee can be waived. I'd far rather put a couple of hundred into the production than take it out. It's not about the money for me, but about the quality of the final production. Putting a price on the script merely deters the bad producers, IMO.

It's nice getting email after email, but then disappointing when you Google them and realise that you're going to have to let them down.

Glad to hear about the changes, especially easier navigation for visitors. You can count me among those who don't like the idea of scoring. It might attract some writers, but it will certainly discourage others. Adding scoring also raises all kinds of questions about the criteria. If you do add it, I hope you at least allow a writer to turn that function off.