This is just something I thought I'd bring up.  I've noticed a number of the newer members are all critiquing scripts the same way and (IMHO) you're making the same mistakes.

When you critique a script, don't concentrate on typos or misspellings.  These things are low priority.  If a script is rewritten, some of these typos will be corrected and new ones will be made (believe me, here).

Instead, tell the writer what is right and wrong with the characters.  Tell us which characters need more developement.  Which characters sound alike when they talk?  Which ones act alike when they shouldn't?

Where does the story slow down?  What scenes are not needed?  What scenes need further development?

While everyone needs to know what is wrong with their scripts, pointing out typos shows that you're not looking at the whole picture.  Tell us what's wrong with the scripts and not with the words.


Phil

And you shouldn't gush.  It's unseemly.

Especially when you've only read 2-3 scripts -- then turn around and tell the author that they've written the best script on the site.

People CAN tell when you churn out a glowing review in hopes of sniffing out a return read on your own work.

Yeah -- it shows.  It really does.

And then they won't want to exchange with you because they can't value your opinion or your judgement.

If you get a good review from Phil -- or got one from Balt (R.I.P.) -- that means something.  And then there are some members that I don't even want them to comment on my scripts.

If you are a good, fair, and honest reviewer, you will always get plenty of reads on your work.  Honesty is always the best policy -- even here.

Oh, one more thing...

A lot of us can tell when you rehash other people's critiques so you can get your script read.  It's painfully obvious.


Phil

Quoted Text or got one from Balt (R.I.P.)

Am I missing something here? Or are you saying that you're lucky if you get a good review from Balt? Sorry, I'm curious.


Anyways, I'm always afraid I'm not giving the author a lot of help in my review either because there really wasn't really wrong with the script or that the posters above me had already stated the obvious, and I didn't want to repeat them. So sometimes my reviews are really short, and sometimes they are long, but I try to be as helpful as possible.

Sean

Quoted from Zombie Sean Am I missing something here? Or are you saying that you're lucky if you get a good review from Balt? Sorry, I'm curious. Anyways, I'm always afraid I'm not giving the author a lot of help in my review either because there really wasn't really wrong with the script or that the posters above me had already stated the obvious, and I didn't want to repeat them. So sometimes my reviews are really short, and sometimes they are long, but I try to be as helpful as possible. Sean

i'm on the same page. im hardly someone to critique other peoples work when im barely on par with the other writers on this site. that said i try my best. i try to avoid reading previous critiques so it doesnt influence my own judgments

Quoted from SwapJack i'm on the same page. im hardly someone to critique other peoples work when im barely on par with the other writers on this site. that said i try my best. i try to avoid reading previous critiques so it doesnt influence my own judgments

On the contrary!

The 'new guys' may bring in a fresh outlook to scripts that we old-timers may have overlooked.

And don't read what other people feel until after you posted your review.  It's liable to taint your opinion.  If you think a script is bad, and ten people say it's great, I'd want to know why you think it's bad.


Phil

I remember reading Balt's reviews and how he just tore apart everything he read. Then one day, I noticed Balt at the top of a review for one of my scripts. I was scared....very scared. I just knew he'd shred it to pieces, so I read it and...he liked it. I was overcome.

I also remember Phil being complimentary on another one of my scripts, and I also felt very complimented. Phil's no where near as harsh as Balt was, but to have a positive review from him was really something.

I have the way I used to review stuff, and the way I do now. I used to concentrate on format and typos and such, but when it became too big a pain in the butt to keep track of all of it, I started reading the whole script without taking notes (unless it was glaring) and just commenting on it as a whole. Format is easy and can be fixed in about an hour for a badly formatted script. Typos are just a matter of either using a spell check or re-reading. Plot and character are harder to rehash.

As for being newer, by all means give your opinion. Feedback is love, dude. If you didn't get something, say you didn't get it. If you hated it, say why. The whole key to negative feedback is supporting it with the "why's". If you don't say why something sucks, I just figure you're jealous it was so good.

Quoted from George Willson Feedback is love, dude. If you didn't get something, say you didn't get it. If you hated it, say why. The whole key to negative feedback is supporting it with the "why's". If you don't say why something sucks, I just figure you're jealous it was so good.

I totally agree with George. I've been myself shot to death by criticisms because of the form of my script or of the typos. Two of my scripts have been derelicted after only one criticism. Those criticisms were not based upon the story but only because of the form.

Another critic lambasted one of my script (typos, grammar, etc...) and adored another one. The only thing he didn't realized it was from the same author.

About me, I don't give a d*mn about typos or form problems. Maybe as a Frenchman I can judge the script because of them, only story and dialogs matter.  If you feel feelings behind the lines you read, if it does touch you inside, never mind the form. The essence is all.

Michel

"About me, I don't give a d*mn about typos or form problems. Maybe as a Frenchman I can judge the script because of them, only story and dialogs matter.  If you feel feelings behind the lines you read, if it does touch you inside, never mind the form. The essence is all."

all is said here!

it's true, too many people always complain about the typos,
who gives a damn, it's a cheap comment, the story, characters it's all it matters, typos are always corrected, since a lot of time we do rewrites like phil says!

Quoted from Zombie Sean Am I missing something here? Or are you saying that you're lucky if you get a good review from Balt? Sorry, I'm curious.

I hope you did not think that I meant to imply Balt was dead.  He just isn't around here anymore, and I was being silly.  That's all.

What I meant was that he was honest -- brutally in many cases -- so when he said he liked something you knew he really liked it and wasn't just blowing sunshine.

You weren't "lucky" to get a good review.  You got a "good" review or a "porks chickens in the butt" review based upon the quality of your story.

[Note to newer members:  Yes, his review of your work might have actually included the phrase "porks chickens in the butt."  I am not making that up.]

I'm one of the newer members on this site. I've read many scripts but rarely commented on them because I honestly never felt I qualify to do so, especially when it comes to the technical part of it, of which I do lack some experience there. Recently one of the moderators looked over one of my files and pointed out few technical problems, of which I'm thankful for, problems with certain "distractions and inserts" I've always used, thinking it would make my story a better read, but obviously it didn't. So I'm going to try and concentrate on plot and character developments from now on while reading scripts, and leave the technical part for those who can handle it.

Ayham

Quoted from Ayham I'm one of the newer members on this site. I've read many scripts but rarely commented on them because I honestly never felt I qualify to do so...

Can't say I'm not guilty of that myself but...

I think everyone's qualified to read and comment on a script. If you watch movies at the theatre or in dvd and then discuss with your friends which ones you liked and which ones you didn't, then you can read a script and tell the author which bits you liked and which you didn't, and why.

Do know that your feedback is good as any. And welcome to the site, by the way.

Thanks Mr. Z.

Quoted Text I hope you did not think that I meant to imply Balt was dead.  He just isn't around here anymore, and I was being silly.  That's all.

Oh good! Haha yeah that's what I meant (the dead part) and I was like "What!?" but yeah I was wondering where Balt had gone. Is he ever going to come back?

Sean

Quoted from Zombie Sean Oh good! Haha yeah that's what I meant (the dead part) and I was like "What!?" but yeah I was wondering where Balt had gone. Is he ever going to come back?

I doubt it. Balt felt like he was getting censored because he couldn't talk about blowing goat nuts and porking chickens. I know a lot of his more vulgar posts were deleted for their graphic content, and as I understand it, he got tired of it. There was nothing wrong with what he said most of the time, but how he said it was usually over the top.

I believe he left voluntarily, and it's doubtful he'll return.