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SimplyScripts Screenwriting Discussion Board    Discussion of...     General Chat  ›  How do you (personally) critique a feature script? Moderators: bert
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  Author    How do you (personally) critique a feature script?  (currently 6453 views)
bert
Posted: August 11th, 2012, 1:47pm Report to Moderator
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The operative word being "you," personally.  This topic has come up from time to time in various threads, but I do not recall off-hand a thread actually devoted to this topic.

While my "feature train" idea kind of jack-knifed, I have noticed some of the newer members venturing off the Shorts board in Feature land, so it seems like the effort was not totally in vain.

And it may be helpful -- or at least interesting -- to look at the approaches others take.  Or to give you a chance to spout off.  Or to pontificate.  Or whatever.  I'll go first.

I used to take extensive notes – typos, format, grammar -- but I no longer do that -- and I have found that I enjoy what I read a great deal more for having stopped.

When I open up a feature now, I do not even have a Word doc open for notes.  (That last part is important -- the key, in fact.)

I just plow right through it, then give my impressions.  I have found it is much easier to get into the story and what the author is trying to do when I just skip over the small flaws that virtually every script has anyway.

I have sometimes gotten PMs from unnamed members on unnamed scripts asking, "How could you like that script?"  Well, when you do not stop every page to type out a few sentences on formatting, but instead just go with the flow, it is much easier to groove on what the author is doing.

And I find that I just enjoy the process of reading a feature much more that way.  Try it sometime.

I will also add that I open just about every file on these boards for a peek, and if I am horrified by what I find on page one, I will (most often) say nothing at all and move on.  There seems to be a great deal of "page-one-commenting" these days.  I am not saying it is wrong, just saying I do not do it.

If you critique features around here, what do you do?  Any advice for those who are just now testing the waters for feature-length scripts?


Hey, it's my tiny, little IMDb!
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Eoin
Posted: August 11th, 2012, 2:06pm Report to Moderator
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Read as if you were going to watch it or make it. There are 2 general methods I apply to reading features. If someone hasn't asked me to take a look, I'll read it until something makes me stop. In that case I'll explain why and give notes.

If someone has asked me to read their feature, I read it the whole way through. Then, I go back over the script and make general notes.
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Gage
Posted: August 11th, 2012, 2:10pm Report to Moderator
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If the writer has never been seen on the boards or very rarely comes on, I always wait for him to make an appearance before I even read the thing.  If the critique falls on deaf ears, what's the point?

I read in fifteen page chunks.  Then I take some notes (rarely on formatting or spelling unless it's something that really irks me).  Do that until I reach the end and then some overall impressions.

I rarely leave the shorts board because all the scripts written by contributing members have ten to twenty pages of critiques, and all other scripts are written by people who probably don't even realize these boards exist.

Ah well.
Gage


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Mr.Ripley
Posted: August 11th, 2012, 2:11pm Report to Moderator
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I do the same thing as you Bert. lol.

Typos, format, grammer can be fixed later and like you said "virtually every script has" them. But each person is different.

Unless the author is a member or the script's logline interests me, I usually don't comment either.  

Gabe


Just Murdered by Sean Elwood (Zombie Sean) and Gabriel Moronta (Mr. Ripley) - (Dark Comedy, Horror) All is fair in love and war. A hopeless romantic gay man resorts to bloodshed to win the coveted position of Bridesmaid. 99 pages.
https://www.simplyscripts.net/cgi-bin/Blah/Blah.pl?b-comedy/m-1624410571/
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Mr. Blonde
Posted: August 11th, 2012, 2:21pm Report to Moderator
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My reviews tend to be detailed when it comes to grammar and the like unless it has a bunch of reviews. Then I try and give story ideas but I'm not so good at helping with a story I'm not involved with and people don't usually go with them anyway.


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alffy
Posted: August 11th, 2012, 2:30pm Report to Moderator
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If the errors haven't been pointed out then I usually do that first, although I prefer not to, I think maybe I should, then concentrate my review on the story.  I don't actually like picking out errors as it does slow down the reading but some are keen to point them out and I'm a bit of a sheep.

I try not to read too many previous reviews as it can sway my initial thoughts and try to picture the story as I read.  I think this helps me to visualise whether something is believable or not.  It's sometimes hard to be honest when a script doesn't work but then it's only my opinion and every script can't please every reader.  I do always try to end with some positive though lol.

I don't tend to care much about pacing and character arcs, although maybe I should, but mainly if I enjoy the read and story.  I think movies now come in all sorts of shapes and forms and breaking the rules sometimes works.

I also tend not to read scripts by members who don't frequent the boards; is this wrong?  Reading and reviewing a 90+ script takes time and it can feel like a waste if the writer never acknowledges your effort.

I may regret this but if someone asks me to read something I always will.


Check out my scripts...if you want to, no pressure.

You can find my scripts here
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Grandma Bear
Posted: August 11th, 2012, 2:53pm Report to Moderator
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I use Dragon speech recognition software when I read, so my page by page comments are more like thoughts I say out loud while reading. I seldom mention formatting or typos unless they really bug me. Once finished, I give general thoughts of my impression of the script. Everyone might not like my comments, but I can say that I'm ALWAYS honest. I don't sugar coat, but I try not to be rude either. If I open a script and I'm not interested after the first page, I just simply close it and say nothing. Unless, I've been asked to read it, then I continue regardless.


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Grandma Bear
Posted: August 11th, 2012, 2:55pm Report to Moderator
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Quoted from bert

While my "feature train" idea kind of jack-knifed

I hope that wasn't my fault. I was waiting for someone to post ahead of me before I would subject them to my script...wanted to make sure they wouldn't leave the boards.  


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Mr. Blonde
Posted: August 11th, 2012, 3:04pm Report to Moderator
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What good are choices if they're all bad?

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Quoted from Grandma Bear
I use Dragon speech recognition software when I read, so my page by page comments are more like thoughts I say out loud while reading. I seldom mention formatting or typos unless they really bug me. Once finished, I give general thoughts of my impression of the script. Everyone might not like my comments, but I can say that I'm ALWAYS honest. I don't sugar coat, but I try not to be rude either. If I open a script and I'm not interested after the first page, I just simply close it and say nothing. Unless, I've been asked to read it, then I continue regardless.


Yours are definitely among the most helpful reviews I get, Pia.


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kingcooky555
Posted: August 11th, 2012, 3:50pm Report to Moderator
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If it's a fly by the night type of writer, I apply the "industry standards". I look for something/anything to make me stop reading starting from page 1. Sometimes I go on if I'm liking the concept, but I always look for a reason to stop. Then I'll make/write comments based on where I stop.

If it's an active member or someone I owe a read to, I read the whole way through. I download the PDF version and make notes on the side.
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pmailhot
Posted: August 11th, 2012, 3:51pm Report to Moderator
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I tried just reading without taking notes to jot down everything that strikes me as an issue, but I failed miserably. I have to note it. The improper slugs, the stray or missing apostrophes, if I don't think the character would say something in a certain way based on how they've been developed...everything. It's a sickness really.  I figure they are going to get reviews from people who will focus on story and such, so if I can help the polish while I go it will save the author from annoyed comments later. After the notes are jotted I give a summation on character, story, writing style and concept.

At no time do I raise myself above the author or talk down to them snarkily. That's poor form from people with personality disorders.
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Ledbetter
Posted: August 11th, 2012, 4:42pm Report to Moderator
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I try to incorporate the "SAVE THE CAT" method...

Seriously, I do it in blocks. I read 20-30 pages, stop and jot some notes down. Then get back into it unless I don't see it going anywhere...

Shawn......><
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Dreamscale
Posted: August 11th, 2012, 5:04pm Report to Moderator
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Quoted from pmailhot
At no time do I raise myself above the author or talk down to them snarkily. That's poor form from people with personality disorders.


Having multiple personality disorders, I do this on a routine basis, every chance I get.

And like Led, I always quote STC and look for deep, moving stories, filled with characters who like big arcs, and themes which make me think for minutes on end.



Yeah...

If a script is poorly written, that's all I'm going to see and chances are good I'll be out before Page 1 is done - I'll note the multiple mistakes immediately out of the gate and stress how important your first page is.

If I can get beyond that, I'll note characters, dialogue, action, believability, and of course entertainment value.

If I get all the way through the script, I'll hit everything up.  One thing that's very important and almost always overlooked is the setup - does it make sense?  Usually, not, meaning the entire concept is critically flawed before the story even gets going.

I am trying to be less harsh.  I really am.

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leitskev
Posted: August 11th, 2012, 5:22pm Report to Moderator
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I try to think of the longest way to say what I want to say. That's how to sneak stuff by the moderator!

I try to channel Blake Snyder: WWBD? What would Blake do?

I try to trick the writer into thinking I've been writing for 10 years, won two Oscars, and been in bar brawls at the side of Tarrantino.

I check for the Fades, and if they are not in the right place, I at least feel secure in my superiority to the writer.

I put those slugs under a microscope and make sure they could pass an inspection by God.

I get out a red marker and mark every "rule" violation.



My reviews are the same now as they were when I first began a year and a half ago. I focus on what I think works or does not in the story. I give it straight and honest. That doesn't mean I am right, it just means you're getting it honest. Nothing more than that.

I don't really enjoy reading scripts. Even good ones. I'd rather read a book. But it's something we have to do to support each other. So when I do it, I give it my best.

With the exception of OWC's, I will be sticking to private reviews. The arguments can be fun, but they eat up too much time.
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irish eyes
Posted: August 11th, 2012, 5:40pm Report to Moderator
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When someone asks me to read their feature I do it, I usually check just to to see how many replies/feedback they got and if it's over 10, usually people have commented on the format/grammar/spelling... So I stick to the story and make notes as I go on...
I don't have a lot of time to myself so it's usually over a couple of days with a shitload of notes.

Mark

p.s. Apparently I like writing "usually"


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