In the past people used to simply post a message saying:

"Is the author around for feedback?". Or something similar.

That seems to be the easiest and most sensible way of dealing with it.

Quoted from jayrex What I said was for when submitting a script, not in the discussion boards. Some newbies don't even know the boards exist.  And the ones that do, don't know how the boards work.

Point taken.

Niles, if you can regulate that thread, please make it, I would love to see it and contribute.

Quoted from 1987Brian The voting idea also sounds good. Giving the regulars a set number of votes (say 3) every year to vote for the best of that year gives all the writers here something to aim for. Well done to whoever suggested that.

Actually, that might work - when we reach certain colour codes, we get a vote to go with it, which we can use in December for a "Script of the Year", so the higher our colour rating, the more votes.

How would it work in practice though? I have no desire to create something which would cause more work and headaches for Don or the Mods.

Quoted from 1987Brian I'm not sure about a board for regulars only. I'm aware Niles has over 400 posts but I've been here for over a year now and haven't reached 250 yet, but I still visit this site everyday. I'm sure I'm not the only one in this position so how would cases like that be judged?

Precisely my point - it is relatively easy to run up a total, it does not necessarily reflect your contribution. I hope I have made one with these 460+ posts - but I could just as easily posted one line reviews of loglines and nothing else! Anything that introduces a judgement between members - your posts are better than his posts sort of thing - is best avoided.

Suggestion,

30 days probationary period after joining before you can submit a script. That gives you a chance to find your way around the site and maybe even give the odd review before posting yourself.

A top 3 Unproduced scripts

1 feature

2 Short

3 series/episode.

All genres included

To be voted on once a year by active members.

Then showcased to the best off SS ability.

Now that would be some competition.

However, you would still have to have an independant to make sure it's not a popularity contest.

Here comes the wet blanket...

I really hate where you guys are going with these suggestions. Absolutely don't like the idea of having best scripts at SS. Have you noticed how many scripts get posted every week? How can you possibly have a best of when there's no chance anyone will read them all. If someone only reads one and votes it #1, how will that be fair? I also think we've tried it a few years back and it was disastrous.

I also strongly dislike the exclusivity type idea that only certain people will have access to this or that. That doesn't sit well with me at all. This place is a nice and friendly place and should be open to anyone, regardless of ability to write. And I can't say I really know Don, but from the little I do, I think he loves scripts, books and podcasts and such. he loves the written word and I think he wants anyone who attempts to write to be able to showcase it. I could of course have totally misread him.  

I take offense to people harping on short shorts all the time. I think I have written some pretty good ones myself. Santa's Gift to Joey would be one. Those very short scripts are great for filmmakers that are looking for shorts to produce for their showreels. In the last year and a half, I think every single short I've posted has been produced or is in production. I've also written some shorts that I have not posted here because a. people complain about the amounts of shorts being posted. b. I usually get a ton of reads and I don't want people who feel they have to read my stuff because I've read theirs. I rather save those reads for whenever I post a feature.

That's it. Rant's over.  

PS. this place is not about competition...There are enough screenwriting competitions out there. This is a place to get help so we can become better writers.

I agree completely with Pia.

You've got the Nicholls and numerous other contests if you want to compete. That's completely independent and that's the "real world".

Seems more like people are interested in self-publicising and protecting their own interests, using the board as a means of advertising for the select few.

I really don't mean to be confrontational here, but this problem is one of your own (the active members) creation. You are choosing, of your own volition, to review scripts from non-active board members. Whose fault is that?

Quoted from Grandma Bear Here comes the wet blanket... I really hate where you guys are going with these suggestions. Absolutely don't like the idea of having best scripts at SS. Have you noticed how many scripts get posted every week? How can you possibly have a best of when there's no chance anyone will read them all. If someone only reads one and votes it #1, how will that be fair? I also think we've tried it a few years back and it was disastrous. I also strongly dislike the exclusivity type idea that only certain people will have access to this or that. That doesn't sit well with me at all. This place is a nice and friendly place and should be open to anyone, regardless of ability to write. And I can't say I really know Don, but from the little I do, I think he loves scripts, books and podcasts and such. he loves the written word and I think he wants anyone who attempts to write to be able to showcase it. I could of course have totally misread him.   I take offense to people harping on short shorts all the time. I think I have written some pretty good ones myself. Santa's Gift to Joey would be one. Those very short scripts are great for filmmakers that are looking for shorts to produce for their showreels. In the last year and a half, I think every single short I've posted has been produced or is in production. I've also written some shorts that I have not posted here because a. people complain about the amounts of shorts being posted. b. I usually get a ton of reads and I don't want people who feel they have to read my stuff because I've read theirs. I rather save those reads for whenever I post a feature. That's it. Rant's over.   PS. this place is not about competition...There are enough screenwriting competitions out there. This is a place to get help so we can become better writers.

I don't think what you are saying is wet at all.

I'm as scared as anyone that changes could ruin the site.

My suggestions were only to try and appease those members who are sick of the post and go merchants. Who use this site purely as a bill board and nothing else.

My biggest fear is that the outrage caused by these people is going to stiffle newcomers and as I'm one of them - I really don't want to see that.

Quoted from Grandma Bear Here comes the wet blanket... I really hate where you guys are going with these suggestions. Absolutely don't like the idea of having best scripts at SS. Have you noticed how many scripts get posted every week? How can you possibly have a best of when there's no chance anyone will read them all. If someone only reads one and votes it #1, how will that be fair? I also think we've tried it a few years back and it was disastrous. I also strongly dislike the exclusivity type idea that only certain people will have access to this or that. That doesn't sit well with me at all. This place is a nice and friendly place and should be open to anyone, regardless of ability to write. And I can't say I really know Don, but from the little I do, I think he loves scripts, books and podcasts and such. he loves the written word and I think he wants anyone who attempts to write to be able to showcase it. I could of course have totally misread him.   I take offense to people harping on short shorts all the time. I think I have written some pretty good ones myself. Santa's Gift to Joey would be one. Those very short scripts are great for filmmakers that are looking for shorts to produce for their showreels. In the last year and a half, I think every single short I've posted has been produced or is in production. I've also written some shorts that I have not posted here because a. people complain about the amounts of shorts being posted. b. I usually get a ton of reads and I don't want people who feel they have to read my stuff because I've read theirs. I rather save those reads for whenever I post a feature. That's it. Rant's over.   PS. this place is not about competition...There are enough screenwriting competitions out there. This is a place to get help so we can become better writers.

No Pia, you're anything but a wet blanket.  Thank you for saying it.  

The way some suggestions sound might turn this into another Triggerstreet, and the way Triggerstreet is is why I'm here and not there.  No exclusivity of any kind.  Everyone should be able to access all scripts at any time, it may just be beneficial to know if the author has just posted to post.

A lot of interesting ideas here -- still digging through it -- but I do feel a need to put the brakes on any plans for any "Unproduced Screenplay" awards the minute I saw it.

Without going into long detail, it has been tried in the past -- it turns into a popularity contest -- and it gets ugly even with the purist of intentions.

Use the "Simply Recommended Scripts" thread for those you feel are worthy.

This contest idea ain't gonna happen.

As a new person, I think one (and only) change I'd like to see on the discussion boards attached to the works is the author's SS handle underneath the title...

Unfortunately unless the author is also the last poster we have no way of knowing without going in, and thus recording a "view"...

With the author listed, the senior board members could easily pick each other out and review accordingly.  Also, the "views" would be a more legitimate count of those who truly wanted to be there.

Or not...

AJR

I think people forget the portal page is where most people do their browsing... I'm always on my phone or netbook on this site.  I almost always have it set to portal.  How can we clutter it up with our names & then our screenplay names? It'll get really ugly, really quick.  It'll probably become overwhelming when you look at it too.

I certainly have no desire to see SS becoming broken into a them and us type site - or to have a system where we have to review scripts given to us, or review a certain number before earning privileges.

And, sorry Malcolm, but I wouldn't want a probationary period either. I posted my first script within a couple of weeks of joining. It was the first thing I'd written in 7 years - if I had had to wait a month before I could post it, in all likelihood I would have gone elsewhere.

Pia, I do think you are worrying unnecessarily. Don and the Moderators (a well known 1960s band I believe) have simply asked for suggestions as to resolve certain issues that have been raised. They will do whatever they think best.

The problem seems to be that such is the number of scripts posted by inactive members and non-members, work by active members - new like myself and Malcolm, as well as older members such as yourself and Rendezvous - is pushed down and out. If these posters were returning, taking part - simply responding to their own threads, it wouldn't be a problem, but they want the benefit of the site without the responsibility of being a part of this community.

And how is that fair?

It has been said that some of these people are using this site as a marketplace to show off their work. But that doesn't help the ones who are here to learn about their craft such as Malcolm. And let's face it, some of these scripts dumped here are not very good - so the authors are doing themselves a disservice by not taking part as well as us.

---

Best, and simplest, idea I have heard so far is to include the posters name alongside their title. That way we will know who wrote what, and make our decisions accordingly.

I don't think it would make that much difference to the portal, would it? I have a 15" screen HP laptop, so it may well look a lot different than on a netbook or phone, but then you can't please all the people all the time!

On most computer screens it should be fine to have it laid out thus

(new) Rest My Eyes in Shades of Green by Niles Crane

If there is a long title - such as mine have had, you can always abbreviate it with ...

Of all the ideas here, this is by far the simplest one but probably the most effective.
There would be no discrimination, no special rules or regulations, no "them and us" or elites - we could make up our own minds with this as a simple guide to help us.

OK, so on a Sunday morning I get excitable - usually the drink from the night before. However, this is important to me. I really don't want anything done that would discourage new members, or discourage established members from giving them critique. which seems to be the way the oppinions were going.

I've been lucky with the help I've got. It would be nice if others were given the same chance. I can't help thinking that the abuse by a few, could screw it up for everyone.

The good thing - Don's never going to let that happen.