Just got one of my two paid pitch reviews back from stage 32 for my first script "misdeal" I basically got all 5's except for originality 3 (it's a con game script - LOL) and strength of voice 4. Being my first script I should be happy with this and the review which reads:

"It is a very well worked out pitch and very well done. I know nothing about poker and do no even like to play any games whatsoever so I am the wrong person to produce this movie but the writer should be able to find a buyer. Keep pitching it and it's got a good shot!"

Since it is my first script ever I don't know how to interpret the info.

Is it accurate and this is a very good script, or is it the norm on passes to make writers feel good. Do they ever rip the script/pitch?

info from experienced pitchers is needed.

I'd interpret the info as being written by an idiot.

he's a major producer

What's there to decipher? He tells you to shop it around.

Major producers do paid for reviews? I didn't know that you could pay for reviews from top producers. Let alone pay for a review from a top producer who doesn't even like the genre of the script they're reading. Why would they bother if they're a top producer?

How much did this bullshitty review cost? I've gotten those for free.

It's a stage 32 pitch. Only $30. They are highly recommended. Even on here. That being said, guess thats why I'm not sure about it.

This to me seems like the old brush off - "it's good, it's just not for me."

I would advise you not to pay for coverage. These reviews will always try to say something nice, not to alienate you and make you submit again. It's a business. Most of these people don't know what they're talking about.

Hi, John

You may have a great script. You may have a total turd. What you more than likely did not get is a pitch review from a prominent industry professional for $30.  

Whether it is Virtual Pitchfest, InkTip, Stage 32, The Blacklist, etc, etc, the planet is full of folks who are just trying to make money off the dreams of writers.  And they are not only in it to make money off the first bite of the apple. They will market you and ever escalating series of products that purportedly are required to move you along the food chain. It's a hoax for the most part.

So someone reviewed the your script and gave you nice marks, but there is no way of knowing if that is legitimate. So, if it were me, I wouldn't "decipher" much from it at all. Google Stage 32 paid pitch reviews and you will certainly find a plethora of horror stories.  And - more importantly, the pitch - even if outstanding - would be worthless unless the script was also outstanding and if I understood your post - they were evaluating your pitch - not the actual script (yes?)

For me - free peer feedback in almost always the most honest feedback (not from loved ones but from sites like this one). Post your script and see what folks think. If nothing else you could see if your logline generates enough interest to garner some reads.  

Also curious as to what you would do with the answer. For example, if we all thought - hell yeah - that means you did a great job on the pitch - what would your next steps be? If we thought - no - it's meaningless - would that change your course of action?

In terms of your specific question - my view is that they do whatever they feel is in their best interest in terms of generating additional $$$. SO, yeah - they may rip a pitch or a script and then email you with offers for proofreading. They may love your script and then email you with offers to hone the pitches. I do not believe in any case it is worth the money. I believe that a pitch review from Stage 32 is relatively worthless. Ultimately - that is how I would decipher it, I know it might not be the answer you want to hear - but it is my honest opinion.

John,

I've read Dave's screenplay submissions and many of his posts regarding other scripts on this site.

As good as his "stuff"  has been  the advice above is surely  his BEST work.

Dave, if you read this:  It's late.  I'm tired. been writing.  You got me laughing again.

Great advice for all.

JJ

Quoted from JakeJon John, I've read Dave's screenplay submissions and many of his posts regarding other scripts on this site. As good as his "stuff"  has been  the advice above is surely  his BEST work. Dave, if you read this:  It's late.  I'm tired. been writing.  You got me laughing again. Great advice for all. JJ

Glad you liked it. Just musing to get through my writer's block.

John,

Like Dave said, if you have not already done so, you could always submit it here on SimplyScripts.

There is an amazing group of writers on here that I am sure would be willing to read over your script and let you know if the feedback you were given was truthful or not. Only a suggestion. Your choice.

Anyway, best of luck to you with your current and future projects.

All the best,
Marty

Thanks to all. The feedback is what I felt.  Hard to break in now.  Two scripts done - no representation.

Interested scam last night that falls into Dave's notes.

Been sending Queries out to agencies. Some respond - some don't (Very few allow the query letter)

Anyway sent query to Management-sgc. Got an instant reply from scott that he doesn't accept anything without a recommend from a coverage person he personally knew. He then recommended one. (Gonna leave this blank)  Looked on guys site and emailed him. His rates are slightly higher then others. Seems like a failed writer (I think one script optioned) but I may be wrong here.

When I mentioned others, he kept saying he didn't know them. Said it was to my betterment to use his guy because if I handed in a bad script - I'd never be read again - LOL is he kidding me.

So the coverage gets back - says basically he's read 10,000 scripts in his life. (When does he write)  Now reads about 400 a year. And that if I wanted this for Scott don't do it because he only gives 2-3 a year a pass. BUT! He also said I needed if I wanted to present a professional crisp script. (As if he's the only guy that can do this)

I read somewhere where a good agent gets about 30-50 scripts / queries a week. If he passes these on to the other guy and splits profits that's a nice side job / scam.  

Also he mentioned why would an accomplished agent give up two - three hours to read a script?  THAT'S HIS JOB!

I do have a question about here. Is anybody worried about stolen work.

JohnI,

I'm no expert but that sounds fishy on his end.

I think most agents probably have readers to sort out the scripts.

I read somewhere once from a reader who basically said after reading a thousand screenplays they probably only recommended one or two. So the odds of an agent reading something that isn't by an established writer or a thank you to a friend is probably unlikely. Not impossible but unlikely.

As for this site, and people stealing their work, I can't speak about that. I'm new here.

But as for success, people have definitely found that here.

And as for feedback, in my opinion, it has been second to none. Amazing writers on here always willing to help out the ones who put the time and effort into helping others out. You get what you put in from this site.

So in other words, don't be afraid to submit for feedback. You won't regret it and you will only become a better writer by doing so.

All the best,
Marty

Can you share a few pages from it?

So I submitted my work "misdeal"  I think the one I'm working on now is better., but who doesn't.  Guess it takes a little while to be posted.

Guess the copyright and WGAE reg that we pay so much for both, do us some protection.

Looking forward to the comments.

Quoted from JohnI So I submitted my work "misdeal"  I think the one I'm working on now is better., but who doesn't.  Guess it takes a little while to be posted. Guess the copyright and WGAE reg that we pay so much for both, do us some protection. Looking forward to the comments.

You submitted the script here?

Young writers need to understand that there is an industry within an industry here. People that will show you the way. Give you coverage, organised a script contest, give you email addresses to query, run a blog, help you pitch, help you with your logline and so on.

Most of these guys are failed writers that are looking for a way to make a living.

Scott from SGC is a legit agent, he represented the writer of the movie Miss Sloane. So, he might help you get something going, if he likes the script.

However, probably the best course of action for any up-and-coming person interested in film is to make their own movie. Make it cheap and don't hope that you'll make any money, cause probably nothing will come of it unless you're very talented and know what you're doing.

Quoted from JohnI Thanks to all. The feedback is what I felt.  Hard to break in now.  Two scripts done - no representation. Interested scam last night that falls into Dave's notes. Been sending Queries out to agencies. Some respond - some don't (Very few allow the query letter) Anyway sent query to Management-sgc. Got an instant reply from scott that he doesn't accept anything without a recommend from a coverage person he personally knew. He then recommended one. (Gonna leave this blank)  Looked on guys site and emailed him. His rates are slightly higher then others. Seems like a failed writer (I think one script optioned) but I may be wrong here. When I mentioned others, he kept saying he didn't know them. Said it was to my betterment to use his guy because if I handed in a bad script - I'd never be read again - LOL is he kidding me. So the coverage gets back - says basically he's read 10,000 scripts in his life. (When does he write)  Now reads about 400 a year. And that if I wanted this for Scott don't do it because he only gives 2-3 a year a pass. BUT! He also said I needed if I wanted to present a professional crisp script. (As if he's the only guy that can do this) I read somewhere where a good agent gets about 30-50 scripts / queries a week. If he passes these on to the other guy and splits profits that's a nice side job / scam.   Also he mentioned why would an accomplished agent give up two - three hours to read a script?  THAT'S HIS JOB! I do have a question about here. Is anybody worried about stolen work.

Yes - most "gurus" are failed writers.

Yes - it is extremely difficult to get a script read by a real professional/agent/studio - that is what lets the scam market thrive.

On your last question - "worried about theft."

Yes - that should always be a worry. However, it is the ultimate double edged sword. Without visibility, how does your script get read????

This will differ greatly among writers on this site and I don't think there is a wrong way or a right way. But this is what I do.

- Get a WGA number for every feature script I write
- Add the copyrite warning to all my scripts
- Keep every email documenting correspondence with anyone I deal with who has an interest in the script.

Beyond that - I try to get my work out there is broadly as possible. I post all my scripts here, Script Revolution and on my own website.  I enter some in contests and have submitted several to agencies. Yes, someone may steal a script - but what is more likely is that they will steal the core concept/idea of your story. If you decide that you are not even going to share that - what are you left with???

Long winded way of saying I do not let the fear of theft deter my circulation of my work. Others will legitimately argue that that is a bad idea. For me, I see no other way to try to get a nibble.

Steven,

Yes, uploaded it but haven't seen it show up yet.

JohnI,

It usually takes a few days. I believe 7 to 10 days is stated. But it is well worth the wait.

I'll keep an eye out for it.

All the best,
Marty

I would say "make your script irresistible".

It is a fact that the vast majority of scripts will never attract any interest. It is also a fact that the vast majority of aspiring writers will fail. But, from those who do succeed, how may end up writing flops and bad movies in general?

It would not be an exaggeration to say that most movies that get produced are indeed bad. About 600 movies are produced each year in the US. Yet most people can barely come up with one or two dozen of them if you ask them, and this is for moviegoers, the general public will most probably be unable to name six of them.

What I would suggest is to study these scripts and write to these standards. It might feel like "selling out" but it is not. You don't have to write what the audience will like, you have to write whatever you want to write in a way that the audience will understand. There is no better way to convey your message than to present it in a way that the majority of people will understand.
Now if you don't have a message, then you are in screenwriting for the wrong reasons.