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The critique definition is silly. We are not expecting formal critiques. Google comment or opinion instead.
Always point out the obvious as you have no idea whether the writer knows it is obvious. There were typos pointed out on my script and the reviewer need not tell me how to spell it correctly - the fact that they spotted a typo was beneficial.
PASS - is valuable feedback. It tells you a reader thought it wasn't for them.
Anonymous has little to do with comment volume - For example, you comment sparsely whether it is anonymous of not. And the issue with your comments has never been whether you appreciate comments on your work or not. That's a misdirection. It has always been on whether you comment on others.
Another way of saying it - IMO - feedback is the currency of the site. Some pay it, some don't.
Pointing out a typo is fine, no need to correct the word for them. If you have a long ass sentence, tell them to restructure it, that's all...I agree with that.
Writing "PASS" is pointless, how about just don't even comment?
I know I don't comment on others work, hardly at all, not trying to deny that. I do participate more in the "Screenwriting Class" forum.
I'll post up a random short that I wrote in a day and say hey, if you want to read it that would be cool, maybe let me know what you think. If I don't get feedback on something I post, whatever, but I'm still going to post it.
These heated "debates" always amaze me. They always confuse me. And, much of the time, they really annoy me.
Feedback is often nothing more than an opinion, and that can be helpful, when reasons or examples are given. When someone says, this is great, or this sucks, that does absolutely nothing to help the writer. ZERO...no help at all.
Pointing out "obvious" mistakes is an interesting comment, because if these mistakes are so obvious, why did the writer make them? And why does the writer make them over and over again? Because to them, they aren't obvious.
If you want to be a writer, you need to learn how to write, and I'm not talking about character arcs, hero's journeys, and the like. I'm talking about the nuts and bolts of solid writing, including grammar, punctuation, sentence and passage structure, Screenwriting 101 through Screenwriting 600.
Every story does not need to be a cookie cutter setup and walk through of anything else. Stories are unique, their structures are unique, their characters are unique.
Some of the very best movies are very simple and even been done before, but the ones that work, work for a reason. Because the characters are real, their dialogue is believable, their actions and reactions are those of real peeps.
It's obvious when someone is just trying to be mean with their words. It's also obvious when someone is trying to help by pointing out exact instances of things that are incorrect.
These heated "debates" always amaze me. They always confuse me. And, much of the time, they really annoy me.
Feedback is often nothing more than an opinion, and that can be helpful, when reasons or examples are given. When someone says, this is great, or this sucks, that does absolutely nothing to help the writer. ZERO...no help at all.
Pointing out "obvious" mistakes is an interesting comment, because if these mistakes are so obvious, why did the writer make them? And why does the writer make them over and over again? Because to them, they aren't obvious.
If you want to be a writer, you need to learn how to write, and I'm not talking about character arcs, hero's journeys, and the like. I'm talking about the nuts and bolts of solid writing, including grammar, punctuation, sentence and passage structure, Screenwriting 101 through Screenwriting 600.
Every story does not need to be a cookie cutter setup and walk through of anything else. Stories are unique, their structures are unique, their characters are unique.
Some of the very best movies are very simple and even been done before, but the ones that work, work for a reason. Because the characters are real, their dialogue is believable, their actions and reactions are those of real peeps.
It's obvious when someone is just trying to be mean with their words. It's also obvious when someone is trying to help by pointing out exact instances of things that are incorrect.
Quid Pro Quo, peeps...Quid Pro Quo!!!
I sometimes make obvious errors in my writing, and I get pissed off when someone points them out to me - not because they found an error in my stuff, but because I didn't see it. So for me, I can take the harsh criticism, and I have from people here. People have said my shit doesn't make sense at times, or I'm too wordy, or I have a thousand grammatical errors, etc. I have thick skin so words don't phase me.
My point was just to take into consideration the length of time someone has been writing. If they're a newbie, treat them a little better than you would someone with a few produced pieces.
I know I need to learn more about writing, as I can get sloppy and I tend to use commas too much. I'm probably one of the few here that doesn't have a college education. I'm an engineer professionally in case anyone was wondering. I've been learning as I go and I've been somewhat successful at this, with the help of critique both here and on Reddit's /r/screenwriting.
I'm probably one of the few here that doesn't have a college education.
I don't even have a high school education. I only went to school nine years and in a different language too. It was also way before the internet so people didn't speak English to other people around the world like they do now. So, it's been a looong learning process for me, but people here were always nice to me and people like Breanne would always take her time and explain certain grammatical rules and such. That's priceless. Free constructive reviews that you actually learn from. And never once was anyone harsh either. I'm happy to say that nowadays when I send out scripts for coverage, I usually get scores in the mid 90s on the writing. I have people here to thank for that.
In short, everything you point out about a script, wether typos, grammar, story, character or whatever, the writer might appreciate all of it and learn something from it.
I don't even have a high school education. I only went to school nine years and in a different language too. It was also way before the internet so people didn't speak English to other people around the world like they do now. So, it's been a looong learning process for me, but people here were always nice to me and people like Breanne would always take her time and explain certain grammatical rules and such. That's priceless. Free constructive reviews that you actually learn from. And never once was anyone harsh either. I'm happy to say that nowadays when I send out scripts for coverage, I usually get scores in the mid 90s on the writing. I have people here to thank for that.
In short, everything you point out about a script, wether typos, grammar, story, character or whatever, the writer might appreciate all of it and learn something from it.
Thanks for sharing. Having children got in the way of me finishing college, so live and learn I guess. I don't regret it, just saying.
My lack of participation regarding critiquing other's scripts could probably be chalked up to laziness, maybe selfishness, not sure. But I don't hide it.
Steven, you haven't reviewed even a couple? I don't know what benefits me more - reviewing or being reviewed. I mean reading other scripts helps a lot too. And if you read them why not to leave a comment.
Steven, you haven't reviewed even a couple? I don't know what benefits me more - reviewing or being reviewed. I mean reading other scripts helps a lot too. And if you read them why not to leave a comment.
I did comment on like 5 or so of them yesterday, haven't had a chance yet to do the rest.
What we're talking about is regarding my participation in the "My Work in Progress" thread.
OK, I've attempted to read them all and commented on every single entry.
IMO, one of the poorer batches of OWC scripts ever, but maybe it's just me.
Of 30 "scores", 13 were ZERO stars, and another 5 were ONE star. Not good.
I think there are 2 scripts here that were good to very good for a week's worth of time and tough parameters. I will not reveal those now, considering how few reads most scripts have.
Sorry to anyone I offended with my feedback. It was not meant to be a personal attack.
If anyone wants more feedback or clarification, just PM me, and I'll see what I can do to help.
My lack of participation regarding critiquing other's scripts could probably be chalked up to laziness, maybe selfishness, not sure. But I don't hide it.
Wow. I believe your way of living is the most profitable nowadays. It's really honest you openly say that.
And it's growing. I just hope there's an opposition against it, daily, and everywhere, so that I can stand up against that shit. A frightening statement of you. I just ask myself if this notion you show here, soon will be a regular, all day, way of human thinking.