Hey James,

I guess some people don't want to talk about the feature they're writing because they might not want to look foolish by announcing it and then not following through. A while back I said I wasn't going to return to SS until I'd completed a feature. I thought it might’ve motivated me to write one but it didn't work. I just stayed away from SS for awhile and didn't write a feature. However, in my defence I've had a lot going on this year, I was working, studying and I've got three kids, so it's hard for me to find the time and energy to write. But I've finished studying this year and won't be studying again, until February next year, if at all. So I now have a window of opportunity to write my feature. At this stage I'm just brainstorming and slowly putting the treatment together. There's no guarantee it'll be something I'll want to inflict on the rest of the world by posting it on SS but I'll see how it goes.

I joined SS a few months ago because I hadn't written anything in way too long and I got the itch again. I was in the middle of writing a feature (now completed) and I had forgotten a LOT of the nuances of screenwriting I thought I knew (some of which were incorrect)

I have learned a lot in a short time and hope to establish myself as a regular on these boards. Not just so people will comment on my feature (which is always appreciated) but more to just read scripts (features, shorts, and everything in between) and absorb as much knowledge as possible from the good people who post here.

I have a ton of respect for people who can write anything well. Personally, I can't see myself writing shorts -- maybe one or two -- but features are what I'm most comfortable with. I understand that it is a major commitment to read someone else's 100-120 page story and then write a helpful and informative critique. That's a big block of time most people just don't have, and if they do invest that kind of time in someone else's work, they have every right to know whether or not the writer will acknowledge or appreciate those comments, much less reciprocate.

The first feature I was compelled to comment on was by someone who didn't respond until more than a month after I had commented. I wasn't even sure they had read my critique, and they eventually thanked me. Fine by me, I don't expect quid pro quo. I just want to know that my time is not going to waste. I'm assuming that's how others feel with respect to reading features, especially from newbies or non-members.

I hope the feature-length script isn't "dying" on these boards, because I do enjoy them and I read as many of them as I can. Even if I don't comment on others, I undoutebly learn something from each story and more often than not I'm entertained/occupied for an otherwise boring afternoon at the office.

Quoted from malcolm3 As a member of the, I mostly write features club. I don't always post them on SS purely because they have lazy readers. You write a short - you'll probably get at least 250 oppinions. A feature, probably three; and only if you beg. I do as many reviews as I can. Somebody return the favour.

Malcolm, you're on! if you've got something, send it my way!

Quoted from Niles_Crane It can take me over two hours to read a 30 page short and post my comments if I do it in detail - this is partially why I don't do features much, but I also find that many of those I have looked at are pretty poor - and I don't particularly want to spend my time struggling to get through a 120 page script when it is of little or no interest (especially as I currently have 54 produced screenplays on my laptop I wouldn't mind reading - from "Kane" to "Zombieland"!). I do want to make an effort to read more features here, and if I do ever have one of my own to post, will obviously have to do so to ensure I get some reads! I should say though that I have seen some very good shorts disappear into oblivion with little or no reads so it is not just a question of the page count. Some scripts obviously just attract more attention than others.

This is exactly why I have three features sitting on my desktop and one which I guess could be counted as a fourth since the early 2000's.

Why post them to rot away? It is easier to make exchanges through e mail.

I love shorts! Short scripts and short films. They fit my short attentionspan just right.

Do I read features? You bet! I read between 3-4 features every week. None are posted at SS. They are done via e-mail between "friends" I've met here.

I read shorts and comment on them here while taking a break from either writing or reading features. I suck at writing features btw... but I will try to concentrate on those as I believe shorts are not for the big game.  

Quoted from Takeshi Hey James, I guess some people don't want to talk about the feature they're writing because they might not want to look foolish by announcing it and then not following through. A while back I said I wasn't going to return to SS until I'd completed a feature. I thought it might’ve motivated me to write one but it didn't work. I just stayed away from SS for awhile and didn't write a feature. However, in my defence I've had a lot going on this year, I was working, studying and I've got three kids, so it's hard for me to find the time and energy to write. But I've finished studying this year and won't be studying again, until February next year, if at all. So I now have a window of opportunity to write my feature. At this stage I'm just brainstorming and slowly putting the treatment together. There's no guarantee it'll be something I'll want to inflict on the rest of the world by posting it on SS but I'll see how it goes.

You're correct Chris. We don't want to look foolish, but that's OK, I'll take upon all you guys' foolishness and have lots to spare!!!

Don't be afraid to post what you feel you have in-the-works and if it doesn't work out, I FOR ONE, WILL NOT HOLD IT AGAINST YOU!!! The best you can do IS TRY!!!! The worst you can do is fail. Failing is better than not trying.

I'm this close to dripping honey, but I'm going to call it and be Morticia again.  

Sandra

Thank's NJ. At the moment I've got side tracked away from my features and am trying to finish a pilot episode aimed primarily at the BBC writers room. It should be ready in the next week or so. I will post it once I'm reasonably happy with it. You get so much great help and advise on this site.

Although it would be wrong of me to mention his name, I asked one of the members whose oppinion I value to give one of my old features a go, with a view to a possible rewrite. His help was invaluable.

Quoted from Takeshi Hey James, I guess some people don't want to talk about the feature they're writing because they might not want to look foolish by announcing it and then not following through. A while back I said I wasn't going to return to SS until I'd completed a feature. I thought it might’ve motivated me to write one but it didn't work. I just stayed away from SS for awhile and didn't write a feature. However, in my defence I've had a lot going on this year, I was working, studying and I've got three kids, so it's hard for me to find the time and energy to write. But I've finished studying this year and won't be studying again, until February next year, if at all. So I now have a window of opportunity to write my feature. At this stage I'm just brainstorming and slowly putting the treatment together. There's no guarantee it'll be something I'll want to inflict on the rest of the world by posting it on SS but I'll see how it goes.

I did a similar thing by starting a WIP thread and was met with an ignorant useless comment but I DID finish the script after that and I even locked the thread as is done when the scripts are posted.

I get more satisfaction out of finishing a script anyway. The whole posting a script for others thoughts can prove pointless at the end especially when they get lost in a day.

Quoted from NJDevil I just want to know that my time is not going to waste. I'm assuming that's how others feel with respect to reading features, especially from newbies or non-members.

I think this is a valid point.  I should read more features, and am infact reading one now, but it takes me an age to finish.  I read so slowly and also make notes as I go so I generally only read from people I know will repsond to my thoughts.  I don't do this because I need a response but simply, I don't want to waste my time on someone who will never show up, or show up every now and then to simply say 'thanks'.  I'd rather spend my time reading a members script and offer any thoughts and suggestions knowing they will at least look over them, and whether they agree or not is not the important issue.  Knowing they appreciate the read and comments is the important thing here, I think.

Having spent months writing a feature I think it can be a bit daunting to post, knowing you will probably only recieve a few reads and they could all be negative ones, but that's the nature of the game isn't it?  Maybe being told your 12 month baby is rubbish is just to hard to swallow?

Personally, I enjoy writing both shorts and features.  I am extremely slow at writing and my two features to date took me around a year each to complete.  Even my shorts take months to finish, hence my OWC efforts are indeed challenges! lol.

I'm not really into "shorts" to be honest. I did one for a OWC a while ago and another which isn't posted here because I haven't laid eyes on it for over six months, but that's it. I haven't took part in the last 2 OWC competitions because I'm working on a few features.

My target is to have two brand new features in different genres, the final rewrite of my posted horror script and two full scene-by-scene outlines of two other projects before the new year. It's a target I'm well on course to make, which is pleasing as I'd been stuck on writing then rewriting my first script for the first 6/7 months of this year.

I've been lucky enough to have loads of feedback on my script, both on this site and through e-mail with members on here, all of which helped greatly.

It does annoy me when people post their work, and sometimes get lots of feedback, but either never return to even say thanks, or worse, do and just go "well, you obviously don't understand my work!" when they don't like what is said. This begs the question of why they post their work in the first place - unless they think they will just get unreserved praise!

It is not nice when you see someone who has posted a number of scripts and had a lot of feedback, but who never sets foot outside of his own threads. It's rude and ungrateful, I think!

I am guiltily aware that I owe several people reads! I need to make an effort to get that sorted. But at least I am guilty about it!

I am guiltily aware that I owe several people reads! I need to make an effort to get that sorted. But at least I am guilty about it!




You're one of the few, we all owe a read to.

Quoted from Niles_Crane It does annoy me when people post their work, and sometimes get lots of feedback, but either never return to even say thanks, or worse, do and just go "well, you obviously don't understand my work!" when they don't like what is said. This begs the question of why they post their work in the first place - unless they think they will just get unreserved praise! It is not nice when you see someone who has posted a number of scripts and had a lot of feedback, but who never sets foot outside of his own threads. It's rude and ungrateful, I think!

I'd have to agree and add "Why post in the exchange board if you just want blind praise and not actual feedback?"

I wasted my time reading a feature from said board when all the writer wanted was blind praise which he got from others but the first time someone looks at it without the blinds they are wrong.

That board should only be for those who want to make a screenplay better.

Frankly "the goose" whom I have no problem with personally but he should be taken off as the moderator of that specific board (Due to inactivity) and someone put in his place to keep a watchful eye on that thread.

Quoted from Old Time Wesley Frankly "the goose" whom I have no problem with personally but he should be taken off as the moderator of that specific board (Due to inactivity) and someone put in his place to keep a watchful eye on that thread.

Don't get me started on inactive mods. There're a few of them who need to be stripped of their mod status and replaced by people who are here more often. Perhaps we should PM suggestions to Don.

I'm very active, but I've been told I'm too emotional to be a mod...

What the fuck is that supposed to mean??  I'm as stable as any other writer on this planet and don't f^@#&#g  dare trying to tell me other wise!!