You know it's going to start. I predict that if Don doesn't do it, it will be Andrew Romance. He's rather notorious for that. If not him, it will likely be someone relatively new.

Okay, so, I've been coming here for well over a year but only posting sporadically since last May or so (VERY sporadically, actually)...but I think closing all threads except for script discussion is a good idea.  

For one, and this is just my personal opinion, but there are plenty of websites out there to idly chit-chat on.  This being a screenplay/screenwriting site aimed at aspiring writers, the fact that most discussions DON'T focus on posted scripts seems pointless.  I've posted a few replies in non-script discussion threads here, but I aim at mostly coming here just to read the work of others and maybe have my work read.  And this isn't at all coming from the fact that I had a new one posted a couple weeks ago and no one's read it yet.

I just don't see anyone being able to learn the craft and better themselves as writers when what should be the main focus isn't followed as much as it should be.  That's the opinion of this relative newbie, anyway.

Well that's your own fault Lon, you'd still have to read something to get something read... That's not going to change.

Don't think that just because the other boards are going down you're going to get free reads.

It's sad that the last 3 reviews you left were on threads by writers who don't post here on a regular basis, read ones with a lot of activity or ones where the writer has at least 50 posts because anything under that is probably a bad sign.

He's read several scripts, Wes.  It's not his fault that the favor's being returned.


Phil

Several by people who aren't here, I looked through his/her post history and the last 3 reviews are in threads by people who don't post on a regular basis. (I wasn't saying the guy wasn't reading stuff, just not by people who can or will return the favor)

I'm not pulling things out of my ass, I'm just stating hard facts.

Plus the Review Exchange, that's another way to get reads.

I understand that, Wes.  But Lon isn't as savvy about the boards and who to look out for like some of us.


Phil

Lon, you should maybe search the script exchange board. Anyways, about your opinion, I think you are wrong. People don't join this site to have idle chit chat. People join because they want to read other writer's work and get their work read.

Some threads on this site are pointless, but give someone the opportunity to get to know other people here. This site does focus on scripts, do you ever review anyone else's work? Review someone else's and then they will most likely return the favor.

Some people post in those no-good threads because they bring more enjoyment to SS. What do you mean that no one betters themselves on this site? I know from just a day here I became better at screenwriting.

Every day I improve, and I bet you other people improve day by day as well.

Jimbo

Re-read my post, Jimbo - I'm actually in agreement with you.   

As for commenting in old script discussion threads, I don't pay attention to the date a thread was started or who the writer is.  If the concept sounds interesting to me, I'll check out the script, and that's my only criteria for discussion threads I do or don't take part in aside from whether or not it's in a genre I have interest in.  Whether the thread hasn't been replied to in a year or a day doesn't matter to me.

I also don't care if the writer was someone who proved him/herself to be an asshole and disappeared before I came to the boards, and I don't care if the person has five thousand posts and twenty posted scripts.  I read what I read (and yes, I do read a LOT of scripts here, full-time job and three kids permitting), and comment when I have a comment to give.  To deprive someone of valuable feedback based on how long their script has been here or if he/she is just a straight up asshole has very little bearing on my selection process.

So I don't see anything sad at all about the scripts I've replied on.  And incidentally, I have less than fifty posts yet my first script was a finalist in a script contest, so I don't think the "less than fifty posts is a bad sign" argument holds much water.  No offense, but there are exceptions to every rule.

Dogglebe, thanks for trying to clarify for me.  It's much appreciated.

Sure you can say "I read things" but that's not making somebody a better writer if they're not here and that's the point of this whole "you post it, we read it"

I think the screenplays on the message boards should be exclusive to "members" we have over 500 and yet the screenplays being posted in which the writer never comes around is almost as pointless as watching dry paint.

For the first, say, six months of my membership on this board I replied only to the discussion thread on one of my own scripts.  And in all honesty, I was so busy trying to get that script ready for the competition I was submitting it to that reading anyone else's script didn't even cross my mind.  I wasn't being selfish -- I just simply didn't have the where-with-all to read someone else's work and offer a fully lucid opinion.  

Equally honestly, if no one had replied to my script's thread, I likely wouldn't have eventually replied to anyone else's, myself.   Now, ponder this; who's to say these members who never post aren't just waiting for someone to comment on their stuff?  Who's to say they don't reply to anyone else's scripts because they don't feel they have the know-how to, or that they'd be showing their lack of screenwriting knowledge?  And how are they ever going to get the knowledge to intelligently comment on another's script, if no one's taken the time to point out the mistakes in theirs?  

I don't know, maybe it's just me -- I don't see the sense in completely ignoring someone who doesn't post, because, again, maybe they don't post because they don't think they have anything useful to contribute in terms of comments.  But maybe by sharing our thoughts on their work, they'll learn and then be able to offer their opinions to others.

Or, maybe all the non-posters are just selfish assholes who only care about what's to be said for their own stuff and aren't interested in helping out anyone else by reading others' works.  Sure, maybe...but I'm not pessimistic or cynical enough to totally buy that.

I agree with you Tomson.

Quoted from Lon I also don't care if the writer was someone who proved him/herself to be an asshole and disappeared before I came to the boards, and I don't care if the person has five thousand posts and twenty posted scripts.  I read what I read (and yes, I do read a LOT of scripts here, full-time job and three kids permitting), and comment when I have a comment to give.  To deprive someone of valuable feedback based on how long their script has been here or if he/she is just a straight up asshole has very little bearing on my selection process.

Interesting thread. I totally relate to the constraints of family and work life Lon, my wife is always kicking me off the computer and rightfully so. LOL.
However, like you I read whatever script I feel like reading. In fact I once read and posted a comment about the very last script on the short script thread, simply because it was the last script and had been sitting there without comment for about two years. I enjoyed it and gave it a big rap. Like you, I also think it's a waste of time engaging in idle chatter on this site, when you could be writing your own stuff or reading and reviewing the work of others. However, I waste my time doing a lot of meaningless (but enjoyable) things when I should be doing something more "constructive". Anywho, I welcome Don's proposed lockdown because I do want to get fairdinkum and bloody well write. So here's hoping the lockdown produces the desired result. By the way Lon, what's your script called? I'll review it for you.  

I do understand what you're saying Lon, I've reviewed scripts that nobody to this day has replied to.

In fact I've had a few things up that sat there on the boards without a reply, even after I posted in it.

This time I've planned the release of certain things a little better  

That's cool, Wes -- I just hope I wasn't coming off as an ass, myself.  Totally not my intention.

Takeshi, thanks for the offer.  The only scripts I have posted on SimplyScripts are linked to in my signature below - both have gone through numerous rewrites since their respective post dates, but I'd be thrilled to hear any comments you may have on the drafts that are here.

I'd also be happy to return the favor and review a script of yours.

Here's an idea for Don....

When you list someone's script on the boards, can you also post the writer's user name?  I'd like to be sure that the script I'm reading is from someone who is active on the board.


Phil