Quoted from Higgonaitor Because no one reads them. Next question please.

was that supposed to be funny?

It's quite a valid answer.

I don't read screenplays that don't catch my interest.

Also, if you see a good script that has no comments, comment on it yourself and that should bump it up, getting other's attention. If it's a really good review, that might get some others to read it (or if it's a bad review, that might get some people's curiosity).

Quoted from Herodreamer79 was that supposed to be funny?

Yes.

Next.

Quoted from -Ben- (or if it's a bad review, that might get some people's curiosity).

People do have a penchant for going into bad scripts to see just how bad it is, don't they? Some of us are gluttons for punishment.

I'm the unusual one and don't mind admitting it, this is what makes me  "me"

I perform a read for a writer when they read a script of mine. No problem..

Whether I participate in the SimplyScripts Week Exercise or not I try and read all the entries. I've only participated in one exercise so far but in that exercise I read all of the entrants, this I considered a fair thing to do, I also gave encouraging comments because I feel this is also important whether the writers are a seasoned vet or not..

I sometimes go back, find a short from an old SimplyScripts Week Exercise and read those too because some are real gold nuggets. I discovered Phil's Pugumentary, Bert's Paramour’s and Simply Noir by Bert and George and I'm glad I did because these are great scripts. But I have read others and commented on them..

I also try and find scripts, short or full-length features which have a well thought out logline and or synopsis. If it catches my attention, this will get me to read it.

I sometimes discover scripts that are not that well written, are an early draft or the writer is not a seasoned vet but these writers show originality, their work is a very good idea with good story and characters and I have the insight to see these things and I immediately want to offer some criticism and suggestions to help these writers out during the development of their scripts.. I've done this a lot and I love this part of helping out writers with their scripts. If helping one writer to improve in their script writing, whether formatting, structure, dialogue or descriptions and such then I feel I am making a valid contribution and at the same time I get something out of the process also because I'm learning something also, how to communicate ideas, how to get ideas across so these ideas are understood. Its all about communication..

I also see popular screenplays which have been read by the regulars here at SimplyScipts and I check these out too. 9 times out of 10 I'm not disappointed and feel confident giving credit for their good work and if needed making critical comments and the occasional suggestions because the writer is looking for this stuff, they are seeking confirmation about their work but at the same time if something isn't quite right they also value an input, suggestions and unbiased criticism.. This stuff makes us all better writers, the writer and the reviewer..

On occasion I simply find a script which has none or little coverage and will review it all the same. If the script is weak, lacking and in an early draft stage I'll still give it the same weight as a more experienced writer, I try not to differentiate, everybody gets the same treatment from me..

Fairness, honesty and objectivity are good forms of behavior when reading and reviewing scripts available here on SimplyScripts. I've been lucky, people who've been kind enough to read my script shorts have used those very things, I'm grateful for that and value their constructive criticism and praise in equal measure.

Finally, I have offered some help to writers on SimplyScripts, I can write lots of stuff about their work but sometimes feel if I re-write their script this will act as a template of my suggestions which will help them to see exactly what I mean and this helps them to write an additional draft and achieve their aims regarding a good solid draft.

"Do as to others as you would have them do unto you.."

I know it's an old cliché but it sounds good to me.. It's even more applicable here on SimplyScripts - a very valuable commodity to have..

You can always announce the upload of your script too, use the board and ask for reads and that you will repay with a read likewise..

Like a lot of members have mentioned here, its all about jumping in and contributing..

You know since this comes up quite a bit around here, maybe it would be a good idea if Don would write a little friendly advice to new writers on the submission page.Just letting them know little bit on how it works, to becme part of the community.Just thought since it comes up so much, it might help.

Oh, you mean this board isn't a screenplay daycare center?
I can't just drop off my script before work and then pick up the comments after work??

And here I thought this board was comprised of nothing but readers.

Quoted from bert You also need a good title.  That is paramount, you know?  "The Silk" is an awful title, frankly.  (No offense, Lon, if you're looking -- but it is)

That's a bit book-by-its-cover-ish, but none taken.

Ouch.  

Quoted from Lon That's a bit book-by-its-cover-ish, but none taken.

I don't know how many people here have time to read all the scripts (my guess is very few).  Given this, we have to go with whatever catches our eye right away.  And the first thing is the title.


Phil

Quoted from Abe from LA Oh, you mean this board isn't a screenplay daycare center?

HA!

Quoted from Lon That's a bit book-by-its-cover-ish...

It's just one man's opinion, Lon...to do with what you will.  "Wrath of God" generates some interest right off the bat -- "The Silk" sounds like it's about sewing or something.

But, yeah -- like Phil says -- right or wrong, we absolutely do judge books by their cover, because readers around here are never at a loss for new material.  I suspect that you probably use similar criteria selecting what you read.

Quoted from bert It's just one man's opinion, Lon...do with it what you will, you know?

I love what you write, Bert.. You have a knack for saying the right things, at the right time in the right place..

Right on the money!

This isn't directed to you Bert, or anybody else for that matter, just an amusing little anecdote which is appropriate in this case..

"Opinions are like assholes, everybody's got one!"

Consider this board like a large organization of readers. When query letters come in, they contain no more information that is presented on these boards to decide whether a script is worth looking at or not. Therefore, if a script gets no reads around here, you can bet it won't get any reads by official Hollywood readers either just because something about it isn't right. The tital and synopsis are the first things that a reader and your future audience has to go by to decide whether it is worth their time and 8 bucks to read or see. So, if no one is willing to put out some free time to read what you have, then no one will put out 8 bucks either.

Judge a book by its cover? That's a firm yes! What else is there in the beginning?

And as an afterthought, another way this place equates to Hollywood is that a script has one chance. If you do rewrites, no one will read them. It' the same way with the big time readers. Unless you put out an empassioned plea that will convince us that its worth rereading, it won't happen. Same way as with the big guys too. So, this board is a whole lot like the industry you're getting into. That rule goes for newbie and veteran alike. I recently posted a rewrite, and guess what? No one has read it yet. Why? Old news. If I'm lucky, some one new will stumble on it and think it's worth a look, but few who've read it before will read it again, unless they really liked the previous versions that much.

Quoted from bert It's just one man's opinion, Lon...to do with what you will.  "Wrath of God" generates some interest right off the bat -- "The Silk" sounds like it's about sewing or something. But, yeah -- like Phil says -- right or wrong, we absolutely do judge books by their cover, because readers around here are never at a loss for new material.  I suspect that you probably use similar criteria selecting what you read.

You're totally right, and I agree.  Determining whether or not one wants to read something based on its title IS akin to judging the book by its cover --  that's just the nature of the beast, and I was just pointing that out, not trying to be sarcastic.  Seriously, I took no offense whatsoever.  

I never thought otherwise, Lon.  I mean, it's pretty easy to separate the "unbalanced" denizens of this board from the rest -- and very seldom do I engage the former.

And it looks like "The Silk" is doing just fine, anyways.  So what the hell do I know?  Good luck with it.