I'm in the process of writing a feature (well, two actually) and my reluctance to write a feature has had nothing to with how many reads I could get. For me, finishing a feature will be a monumental task and reward enough in itself (I'm thinking that if it'll get the reads it deserves). I've started on features before but I haven't been able to get it right. I don't know, I think it's some kind on mental hurdle that I need to negotiate. Writing a short is fairly easy but I just don't get that big a kick out of it anymore, I usually write them just to keep the creative juices flowing. But my goal is definitely to move up to features.

I used to exclusively write features, then I decided to try my hand at shorts.  Then I got addicted to writing shorts. Though I've learned quite a bit writing them, I'm getting a bit bored with shorts.  So, I am currently working on a feature.  You'll see it eventually.

I tried writing a script bout the same time I stopped posting comment on this here site.. Got about 40 pages in and it kinda fell apart. Now I'm back and rarin' to write. Though I think I'll cough up a few short first.

Writing a feature is a big step as a writer. Shorts are safe, because if its criticised you can shrug your shoulders and keep on writing, but with a feature.. its like a baby. When someone criticises your feature its like a donkey kicking your baby in the mouth.. Or so I'd imagine.

I've read 4 features from this board.

Bert's - The Farm.
Phil's - The Burnout
Both because they were highly recommended, and they are regulars on the boards.

The two others were either because I was asked to review them or because I liked the logline for it.

I'm really trying to write a feature but it is so difficult. My plan at the moment is to write a 40/50 page pure action (middle) and then add a start and an ending, which should take it upto feature length. That might be a good way to get the first one done.

Maybe people are also worried about posting a feature on here incase it gets stolen? I'm sure a lot of people are worried about that, also entering into competitions would mean they couldn't post it.

Ste

Interesting thread, James. I’ve been wondering the same. If you expect screenwriting to be more than a hobby in your life, you really have to write features. And damm good ones. Agents and producers don’t read shorts.

I’m “guilty” of submitting lots of shorts to this site and no features. Nevertheless, shorts only take up about 10% of the time I devote to writing. I write mostly features. I can say I’m averaging 3 features a year.

I don’t post them here because I don’t need objective feedback to realize that they suck. But with each try, I’m sucking a bit less. The moment I manage to crank out something decent, I will get it out there to know what you guys think.

For me, shorts are a just a complementary learning experience since I get some quick useful feedback. Also, I have fun writing them; it’s good to get a “break” from my features. And it’s satisfying to be able to show your friends a short movie with your name on it.

I rarely submit shorts because I'm long winded and can't seem to squeeze a story into so few pages (my last feature capped at 160 pages even after I trimmed it). Even the shorts I have done (mostly for the one week exercises) end up pushing the "short" envelope capping between 15 and 20 pages usually, and I've got more than one that run 45 to 50 pages to get the story done (got a compilation going on for those). I just can't get all the development I want out in that short a span.

But I will also admit that I haven't submitted a new feature in quite some time, but you'll find I have quite a few features out there. I have 11 features on this site along with 21 teleplay episodes that run around 45 pages or so (and SimplyNoir which fits neither category, really). This is versus the only 8 shorts I have and almost all of them were for exercises, since I don't really like writing shorts.

I've also got 4 other feature lengths I've failed to post, primarily because they were written for someone specifically and didn't need the comments and figured I wouldn't get very many anyway since it isn't fair for me to expect people to read my stuff without being able to read much in return at the moment. So I guess I differ from the strangers who post in that I won't post anything without being able to at least be the dork and post the first comment on my own script.

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.

I really don't think this is the case.  I bumped my "free reviews" thread on the review exchange forum over a week ago, and I still haven't gotten any requests.  And I specified that I want to review features.  The only condition I have for reading them is that they post the request on my thread.  Any genre is fine, regulars and newbies are treated the same, things like script length and plot aren't factors.  How much easier could I make it?

Pants also has a thread offering reviews, and he hasn't been getting any traffic lately either.  So whatever the reason is, difficulty in getting reviews shouldn't really be the cause.

I've read features by "regular members" lately, but they tend to be pre posting scripts.

I will read any regular member's feature...  

I think I promised Shelton a read, but never delivered on that promise, so by posting this, I'll remind myself.  

Mr. Z, you better let me read one of your features!  It'd be an honor, even if you think it sucks!  

Quoted from escapist I really don't think this is the case.  I bumped my "free reviews" thread on the review exchange forum over a week ago, and I still haven't gotten any requests.  And I specified that I want to review features.  The only condition I have for reading them is that they post the request on my thread.  Any genre is fine, regulars and newbies are treated the same, things like script length and plot aren't factors.  How much easier could I make it? Pants also has a thread offering reviews, and he hasn't been getting any traffic lately either.  So whatever the reason is, difficulty in getting reviews shouldn't really be the cause.

I'd be willing to bet your review threads haven't gotten responses because no one has any features for you to read. See? It's a viscious cycle.

Quoted from Grandma Bear I've read features by "regular members" lately, but they tend to be pre posting scripts.

What is "pre posting," exactly?

early drafts before they are ready to post for the general public

Quoted from Grandma Bear   I think I promised Shelton a read, but never delivered on that promise, so by posting this, I'll remind myself.

Did you?  I honestly don't remember that, unless you're referring to the script I emailed, at which point you could treat that as more of a casual read when you have time.

Speaking of emails, I got yours earlier.  I'll be on it soon.

Quoted from Grandma Bear Mr. Z, you better let me read one of your features!

I'm printing this as evidence... in case you change your mind when I send you my masterpiece "The Cabin Reloaded".

I've been a member here for a year or so and I have noticed a decline in features and a rise (obviously) in shorts.  I think there are some really good shorts posted but a lot from people I'e never heard of and never even seen on the boards.  I'm not saying this is a bad thing but sometimes I wonder if I should bother commenting on a script if I think they won't even beread by the author.

I'll hold up my hands and confess to not reading enough features myself but this is something I intend to change.  I have read a few and from regulars here and found them good. I guess you can't expect features to appear every week then they take so long to complete.  I wrote my one and only feature (to date) and it took me over a year and I can't say I was that happy with it.  It needs a good ewrite, and that won't be the first.

I'm doing a feature at the moments based on my scarefest episode and even wrote out an 8 step outline and treatment for it which I have to say has helped a great deal.  At least now I know where I'm going with it.

I think maybe the features will return, hopefully they will.  As long as writers get past the 'I hope someone doesn't steal this idea' image that runs round their head. Lol.

I think one big fear in some writers is "wasting their time" on a feature script that they believe will never go anywhere.  Right now I'm having a heckuva time starting a new script called "The Ungrateful" I've been kicking around in my head for over a year now.  

The big problem for me is that it's a slower, more melo dramatic story than I've done before.  I usually prefer to stay in the suspense thriller genre because it's much more marketable and attractive to indie producers.  

This new script is a courtroom drama that has to do with the church, religion, God and faith.  Much different than some guy in a mask stalking girls or two cops chasing a serial killer.  The usual stuff I churn out with dollar signs glowing in my eyes.

You can't think this way.  You can't say "I can't do it", or "It's a waste of time because so and so won't read it on simplyscripts".  If you have a story to tell, tell it.  For some of you, staying within the shorts catagory is something you're comfortable with, and, because of the short contests on this website, are sort of stuck in.  Don't get stuck.  Make yourself get started on a feature.  Especially if this is something you wanna do for a living.                

I have written two features that are ready and have been ready to be posted. (One has been ready for about two years) Neither have been posted because of the mind set around here that i do not agree with.

The sad part is that instead of trying to help writers, the members who adopted this mind set have completely raped all creativity from work that is posted that gets read.

That's just my opinion though.