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So, having read through all of this, I can see lots of "both sides" issues.
I think most can agree that having the boards become "elitist" in some way -- with a group of exclusive and not-so-exclusive members -- is the wrong approach.
Don wants the boards open to all, and he has accomplished this.
Incorporating the authors name into the title seems good at first glance -- but it does seem like it would add a great deal of clutter in actual practice.
In the long run, such a change would likely make little difference.
Perhaps this conversation -- which I was largely responsible for initiating -- may be much ado over nothing.
I suppose it is possible that some of the flaws in the current system -- real or perceived -- are simply the price we pay for having the type of community we have.
Perhaps the best solution, after all is said and done, is just to accept them....
However, you would still have to have an independant to make sure it's not a popularity contest.
Since everyone is such pals any vote would not be honest and not saying people would lie or anything but since you like someone your vote shouldn't count.
We had Alan's awards for a few years back in the day and it was pretty much a debacle of "Who's popular and himself" at the time.
I could tell you right now who would be nominated and who would win any competition held on this site at this current juncture. No popularity contest needed because a lot of stuff is being ignored.
People would actually have to read features in order to nominate them and same with series. Can't just have the popular ones at the time with a couple reads that year win.
It would never work unless you can nominate your own stuff and the list for the one(s) reading would be long. If it was based on popular vote well you covered that in your reply.
I have said this elsewhere - but the Recommended Simply Scripts Thread really ought to be promoted more (I don't think it is even a sticky, is it?) Oh, yes it is - I've just looked. That would eliminate the need for a vote, rating or anything similar.
On reflection, I think any other thread - including a "Script of the Year" type, would serve only to distract from that and undermine it.
Unlike Malcolm, I can't blame the drink - as I don't. I just tend to speak first and think about it later!
From what I've noticed, generally the "top scripts" on the site are the ones that have the most responses and/or views. These scripts generally have a good concept, are well written, and are an enjoyable reading experience. Bert's "The Farm" has over 17,000 views and I think most everyone on the site would agree that it's a good reading experience and would probably include it on a "best of" list from the site. The problem is, though, that voting just doesn't work.
Who remembers when Chris Harris created that "Vote or Die" mayhem a few years back? I was actually pretty amazed that the thread went over 150 posts before it was finally locked for being so poorly organized and, well, stupid. I believe the rules went something along the lines of voting for your 3 favorite scripts of each genre. Well, the Western section had all of 2 scripts, so whoops there. Then for the shorts, well, there's hundreds of them on the site and everyone has a different opinion. One of my shorts got 1 vote and made it into the "top 5." The script I voted for, obviously giving it 1 vote as well, didn't. Whoops.
I think if there's to be a "best of" section, it should simply be something like "Simplyscript's Greatest Hits," and a list of the 20 most responded to and/or viewed scripts on the site. My 2 cents.
From what I've noticed, generally the "top scripts" on the site are the ones that have the most responses and/or views. These scripts generally have a good concept, are well written, and are an enjoyable reading experience. Bert's "The Farm" has over 17,000 views and I think most everyone on the site would agree that it's a good reading experience and would probably include it on a "best of" list from the site. The problem is, though, that voting just doesn't work.
Who remembers when Chris Harris created that "Vote or Die" mayhem a few years back? I was actually pretty amazed that the thread went over 150 posts before it was finally locked for being so poorly organized and, well, stupid. I believe the rules went something along the lines of voting for your 3 favorite scripts of each genre. Well, the Western section had all of 2 scripts, so whoops there. Then for the shorts, well, there's hundreds of them on the site and everyone has a different opinion. One of my shorts got 1 vote and made it into the "top 5." The script I voted for, obviously giving it 1 vote as well, didn't. Whoops.
I think if there's to be a "best of" section, it should simply be something like "Simplyscript's Greatest Hits," and a list of the 20 most responded to and/or viewed scripts on the site. My 2 cents.
That's not necessarily true either because threads that have a lot of replies are also banter posts and not all good reviews.
Again like I said overlooked scripts that are better than what is considered good because people like the author ruins any list.
The recommended list is at times "I just read this so I'll post it" and honestly nothing should be posted on there unless you believe it to be the truth and not just brown nosing for reads.
I think Simply Scripts could evolve into a major tool that could launch you into the business, easily... The only problem is lack of direction in "some" areas. I think Don, being the deep down good hearted person he is, has opened his site up to a wealth of people and let the site become "their" site and not "his" site.
That's tops in a lot of ways. It shows that he's really thinking of the average person and site member. What I feel he should do is regulate some of the boards, though. This is a screenwriting forum and website... Cut all the loose talk out. Do away with "certain" threads and board. Bring this back down to a site where writing is encouraged over talking about music - video games - and other such happenings.
Once you wrangle those aspects into the barn, that's when you can start to broaden again. Make a designated mod to a designated board. Make them read a certain amount of scripts submitted or at least skip through them and see if they are properly or poorly formated.
We need a board souly for regular members... A place where only those with a certain number of post can even access. This board is where all legit work could be posted - exchanged - read and reviewed. It would be open to download and the author could be contacted through PM by members, but only commented on by his direct peers...
While this all seems extreme, and it is; I'm sure it is... I think some of these ideas could be applied for the benefit of the site and the writers here who are serious about getting proper feedback for their hard work. A board where you know if you put up a script you're going to get reads and critique.
Sadly, the guy that this thread is about will probably go on to prosper in the business while so many of the talented writers here will get discouraged and quit writing all together... There is nothing like reading a damn good script here by someone who knows what they're doing and then letting that person know how they hooked you and reeled you in. That is an important thing for a writer to hear... and I feel so much of that is gone with these new members and their 5 page scripts.
And, yes... I'm a prick. I know a great many hate me and that's fine. I work better that way. But I've never said something here I didn't believe in and I've always gave sharp, honest, gloves off advise that, when applied to the writers work, will help them a great deal... So what if they have to lick their wounds while they apply that advice, next time they should spend less time licking wounds and more time getting it right.
My bucket of change --
I don't think you're a prick, Balt. People like you help keep people like me in line.
Seriously, the issue always is trying to find the middle ground.
It's somewhere between business and pleasure I think. And we need to keep them both in mind.
A lively and spirited thread on Simply, no matter how silly it might seem, might be just what the doctor ordered in order for a person to have a break and then get back to work. As a whole, those of us who understand this must take responsibility for ourselves and try and maintain that balance.
We will be much more of a success if we work together than if we work alone. United we stand; divided we fall.
I remember that "gay" thread back in the summertime and you know, I did write a short script based upon that discussion and things that were going on in my own life at the time. It's growing cold now and I had intended to have it up way back when, but life got the best of me. Nevertheless, I have it and I really do love what I have so far, but of course I need to work with it.
Everyone is different and needs to work differently, but I think that I can say, generally speaking, we just never know where the seed of an idea is going to come from and eventually grow, even if it's in rough soil and needs to be replanted in a better location where the soil is fertile and the weather good.
Truly, it's in some of the most banal threads that I catch the spirits of those that live here in Simply and afterall, we are a living community, not just a stuffy old nineteen sixty something classroom.
We are, I think respectful of one another irregardless of differences which are beautiful differences.
I don't think you're a prick, Balt. People like you help keep people like me in line.
Sandra
I like Balt. He's the Johnny Drama of Simply Scripts.
As for the topic at hand.
You could have a sticky a thread which lists the active members (you'd have to define active) and links to all their scripts, and every time they submit a new script it could be added to the list. Then when ever any other active members are looking for something to read they could go straight to the thread and read something by an active member.
You could have a sticky a thread which lists the active members (you'd have to define active) and links to all their scripts, and every time they submit a new script it could be added to the list. Then when ever any other active members are looking for something to read they could go straight to the thread and read something by an active member.
Actually, Chris, we have a thread very much like that:
And I might just go clean it out to make it a bit more useful. Good call, Chris, reminding me of that thread. It does seem to fit the discussion, doesn't it?
I will define an "active" member as anyone who has been active anytime during 2009.
Active members who have not posted there are encouraged to do so.
Check it out once I am done sweeping out the chaff. It might well become a much more interesting thread.
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-- may be much ado over nothing.
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