Okay. I noticed this a few months ago but shrugged it off as a phase. Now it seems to be the norm around these parts. Almost all of the features submitted to this site come from non-members or newbies who pop into say hello once or twice. There've been a few exceptions (I've noticed features from Zack and Scoob in the horror section) but they seem to be happening less and less.

My question is what's the deal? Why aren't regulars writing features anymore? I know it sure as hell isn't easy to churn out 90-100 pages but I know a lot of you guys have done it before. What's the meaning behind this dry spell? I think someone mentioned earlier that it could attributed to the merit of writing shorts but I just don't buy it. Far too many regulars have written features for this to be true.

This isn't a rant, per se. I guess I'm just expressing a little disappointment. There've been some great shorts posted but I've written a lot of reviews along the lines of "good but needs to be expanded." It'd be nice to read something with some bulk for a change from writers I enjoy. Mostly though, I'm just curious.

So what's the deal?

Actually, I don't think I've ever written a full feature. I've tried, but it is much harder than one would think. However I have noticed this trend as well. My guess is that shorts are popular simply because they are easier to write and quicker to read. It just seems like people are losing their patience(I never had much to begin with). One day I will write a full feature. I WILL.

~Zack~

I think a lot of people are refraining from features due to the simple fact that there's a fear they won't get read.  Nobody really seems to be interested in them, at least at the moment.

My own personal excuse is lack of time.  I have two features currently on hold at the end of the first act (one comedy, one romantic comedy) because I had to go back into rewrites on some other stuff while being knee deep in the development process.  I haven't even been able to churn out a short lately.  The last one was an off the cuff 5 pager, but that will be remedied soon as I'll be starting work on a series short in just a few minutes.  I'd factor the new baby into the equation as well, but he in no way interferes with my writing time.

I hope to get back to work on the comedy script soon, and hopefully be able to post it within the next couple months, mainly because I'm curious as to the feedback it will receive.  It's quite ridiculous.

Actually I've posted almost nothing but features, only one short. Most of those are all features I'd written before I joined the board.

Yes,  I'd also noticed that shorts are more popular here. I guess it's the opposite for me, I enjoy doing a 90-100 page feature and find it hard to do a 15 page short subject.

I recently completed a 30 page short with Zack that should be posted shortly and also am working on a new feature script. As Shelton said above, features don't get as much attention,  but the tide will probably turn soon.

And feel free to read any of my scripts. They're the ones with the fewest views

Are you guys saying my one and two page scripts means I'm going in the wrong direction??????  

Quoted from Shelton Nobody really seems to be interested in them, at least at the moment.

That's because they're all written by nonmembers.

Quoted from Grandma Bear Are you guys saying my one and two page scripts means I'm going in the wrong direction??????

False. In fact, I might write one myself, one of these days. But if you'd try your hand at writing a feature, that'd be great.

Pia, you are the queen of short scripts. And that is why we all love you.

As Mike said, we just completed a 30 page short. I'm trying my best to stick to the "long shorts" and not pump out a ton of "5 pagers" like I used to do.

~Zack~

Ayham has a new feature up in Drama.  He's a regular around here.

I'm currently writing a script that might end up being a feature. I still don't know as I'm writing it. I'm pretty much letting the story flow and take me wherever it wants me to go.

Features take a lot out of a person. But summer is coming so hopefully things will change.  

Gabe

This seems a comment-worthy topic, James. I watch these boards quite a bit, and I agree with your assessment.

I think part of the problem is shorter and shorter short scripts.  I would bet every new (significant) posting from Don brings in five new scripts shorter than five pages.  And it seems nearly everyone is on the bandwagon.

People gravitate towards those micro-scripts, even when the author is someone they have never heard of, so that is what people are writing.  And yes, they are easier to write.  Talking about how hard it is to write a one-pager is just hooey.  Most people here could dash off five decent pages in a good afternoon.

It takes some serious cache around here, some begging, some pimping, lots of reads by the author, and a darn good premise to get many comments on a feature.  That is a witch's brew that few authors have been able to stomach lately.

Some people on the Horror board have been doing it lately, but most of the other genres have been pretty quiet.  But then, most of the scripts on those boards have been from mystery authors who may not deserve the investment of one's time.

I am looking forward to having more time for both reading and writing.  Still waiting for that to happen, but it will.  Stuff goes in cycles, and these boards do, too.  Soon the age of the feature will be back upon us if we are only patient.

Quoted from bert It takes some serious cache around here, some begging, some pimping, lots of reads by the author, and a darn good premise to get many comments on a feature.  That is a witch's brew that few authors have been able to stomach lately.

This is another excuse I think applies to some but not all. I say without the intent to flatter and as a full blown fact that if you or Mike were to post a new feature length, most of us regulars would be on it in a heartbeat. New writers often have to work for their reads, this is true, but there's a fairly large amount of regulars who have made a name for themselves on the boards with their features and wouldn't have to work as hard to get theirs read.

Quoted from bert I think part of the problem is shorter and shorter short scripts.  I would bet every new (significant) posting from Don brings in five new scripts shorter than five pages.  And it seems nearly everyone is on the bandwagon.

I agree. While some of them are actually pretty good, a lot of them feel like the writer's just churning out something short because they can. Even the good one's are sort of unsatisfying, if only for the reason that they're over too quick. I do think these microscripts have some merit though. It's something of a challenge to write a complete story in one page and doing so is a good way to exercise one's skills. Still, they don't always get em right.

I do hope this is just a phase as you've suggested. I'd very much like to read some new features from a few SS "veterans."

Quoted from bert Talking about how hard it is to write a one-pager is just hooey.

Telling a complete story, not a joke, in 1 page was actually hard...

I agree about 5 pages though. I can write one of those in one sitting. They may not be like Mr. Z's master pieces, but I know I can crank those out with no problem.

One reason I always try to read and comment on "regular member's" features is because I admire people that can write them. I know it's hard. I have several scripts that I've abandoned around page 60 or so due to boredom.

Someone asked me today if I had written an outline for my SoulShadows script. I said no, because I never write an outline. (I know this is one of my big problems btw) I have tried to write outlines, but I tend to get bored with the story before I even start writing. That's my biggest hurdle as far as writing features go.

Reading and writing a feature takes time so I try to treat them with respect. For me it's a two day deal to read and comment on a feature. First time I just read it to get a general feel for it. Second time is to try to offer input. I'm a slow reader and this usually takes me at least five hours to accomplish. I think most people can't take that amount of time while at work or at a bus stop to do this, but you can with a five or fewer page script.

Anyway, I admire you people who can write features, but please don't knock all "micro-shorts". There's a huge demand for those and some of us just try to satisfy the market.

Some people are too focused on their everyday lives at present  to finish a feature and go through that tedious phase of rewriting, polishing it up, etc. Others might  just have tight schedule. Hell, even with Cielo, I am feeling pressured because I feel like I'm going at a snail's pace even though I'm going as fast as I can. This is because I can only write freely, without interruptions, about two-to-three hours a day. At least until this and one more week. Summer's coming soon.

But that isn't necessarily  a bad thing. Writing shorts can certainly give you plenty of experience to write your own feature some time when you're free. Like Pia said, writing an actual *story* in one or two pages is indeed something to be very proud of. If you learn to do that, writing your feature should be a walk in the park later on.

--Julio    

I've been writing a feature since last summer.  It takes a lot longer two write a few pages of a feature than it does to write a short of equal length.  I usually write two or three shorts while writing that feature.


Phil

Quoted from dogglebe I've been writing a feature since last summer.  It takes a lot longer two write a few pages of a feature than it does to write a short of equal length.  I usually write two or three shorts while writing that feature.

Agreed. All of my short scripts posted on this website were written while I was writing my first feature.

Now that my feature is online, it's had more reads/comments than any of my short scripts. I was very surprised.