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If I was too harsh in any of my reviews, please keep in mind that they’re just thoughts I had while reading and may or may not reflect crankiness from reading so many.
I hope everyone enjoys their novice opinionated responses brought to you hy Dreamscale
Zane, ignore Jeff. He's had a chip on his shoulder for a while (a big reason why some of us have killfiled him). What do the others say about your script?
And, in regards to you not be experienced/qualified enough to critique scripts, that's nonsense. Your fresh eyes might see something that the more experienced people have glossed over. If you want to see how well your review of a script compares, critique the script before seeing what other people think. If your opinions are similar to the majority, you're probably on the right track.
I think it would be interesting, (OWC or no) to take gothic staples off their castle shelves and place them in a different setting-- a very different setting
Been there. Done that. Setting a gothic mood in a mundane setting is easy. If you can't do it right in a modern day playground, you can't do it right in an old castle.
Zane, you're doing good on the reviews now. People will appreciate the effort. Personally, I would like to see more comments just on what you like or don't like in a story, but that works too. And it will pay off, as people here really help those that try to give back.
Janet does her scripts on the subway, gonna be tough to type with toes!
Been there. Done that. Setting a gothic mood in a mundane setting is easy. If you can't do it right in a modern day playground, you can't do it right in an old castle.
Phil
You may have been there and done that, Phil. But I have not. And remember, everything has already been done before, but everyone has a unique perspective. Just because you or I have seen or done something, we can't disqualify something.
It upsets me to think that (me included) people might ever get the impression that something isn't worthwhile just because it's been done before. We need to remember that for every new generation that comes along... it's new to them. And I myself am guilty of saying, "It's old news".
Zane, some people here just have a set way of doing things... They're unwavering to change. It's not that they're bad people, or that you shouldn't respect their opinions any less because they come off abrasive or rude.
I've been off the site for 6 months, entering contest and spending money on two of my scripts like I drink water. 6 months ago I thought I knew it all... now I know why I didn't.
For instance, Jeff would no doubt think the below Scene header is formatted in correctly when in fact the movie this came from has become a semi-house hold name world wide, spawned a sequel and has a third iteration coming out.
EXT. ROAD - NIGHT (TEXAS/MEXICO BORDER)
A million stars wink in the night desert. ...
I've read 3 scripts in this OWC that format like the above, and all 3 times I've read Jeff roasting them on why it's wrong. When, in all honesty, it's not. It's just a preference. Now I'm not gonna say he's got to do it this way... but I'm also not going to tell you that you can't do it this way.
In closing, write... find your style... don't adhere to what others are doing because you think it's right. Do it your way, see where it takes you and build on it script by script. Yes there are rules you must follow and those do not change. But there is certainly enough room to breath inside the walls to do it your way.
...and if there are negative, nasty people on the board - just kill-file them. It's the best answer to deal with it. (Not naming any names.)
**That said - you do have to be open to legitimate, well-meant criticism. There's tons of that on the board too...and while it sometimes hurts, it'll almost improve your script *immensely.*
I killfiled him a few weeks back when he decided to start a stupid argument with me with the last OWC. I have the right to ignore him or anyone else that I find irritating. I haven't read any of his reviews from this OWC (first hand, anyway), but from what other people have commented, I'm glad I did.
You may have been there and done that, Phil. But I have not. And remember, everything has already been done before, but everyone has a unique perspective. Just because you or I have seen or done something, we can't disqualify something.
It upsets me to think that (me included) people might ever get the impression that something isn't worthwhile just because it's been done before. We need to remember that for every new generation that comes along... it's new to them. And I myself am guilty of saying, "It's old news".
But as writers, Sandra, we should try to think outside the box. Leave the cliches behind. Based on the title alone, which sounds like a more interesting read: Ghost In The Castle or Ghost In The Ice Cream Shop?
That's great, Phil. You're a Hell of a guy. You "killfiled" me because you chose to cheat in the last OWC and couldn't come clean about it, when I called you out on it (without actually caling you out). You're a big man, man. You're my new American Idol.
Usual Suspect, what can I say? Why don't you go back and take a look at the detailed feedback I've given people for years, before you go complaining about my feedback. I didn't submit an OWC script this time around, therefore, what I read, how much I read, and what I throw out in feedback is my perogative.
Balt, not sure what to say to you either. I thought you and me were cool, but apparently that's no longer the case. You want to follow Phil and his Mrs. and his other minions, that's up to you. We both know there are many ways to write a scipt, and many examples of how various Pros have written scripts over the years. My philosophy is simple - don't do anything that may cause a reader to quit reading, be confused, or get pissed off at the writer. You never know when that reader could be the one who really matters.
If any of you don't think I know what I'm saying, don't like the way I say it, or just think I'm an ass, that's perfectly fine. Go ahead and continue to praise the weakly written scripts, and find any negative you can on the well written scripts. Kill the competition so your entries will shine a little brighter. But don't hate me for bringing up mistakes and problems in your scripts. If they're there, chances are pretty good I'm going to see them, whether or not you even realize they're there.
But as writers, Sandra, we should try to think outside the box. Leave the cliches behind. Based on the title alone, which sounds like a more interesting read: Ghost In The Castle or Ghost In The Ice Cream Shop?
Phil
I know and hear you.
A few more reads to go and I think I have my favorite. It's the other two that are giving me trouble.
I still have 9 reads to go! Didn't realize it was that many til I started filling the vote list. And one of them someone listed above as one of their top 3, so there are still potentially good ones.
I just read a script last night that, though others didn't seem to think so, I thought was pretty darn good. Sometimes I think if the first couple of reviews are negative, people are likely to follow suit. I was pleasantly surprised how decent it was. If the ghost didn't pick up a damn gun, it would have been one of my favs.