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I've read about 10 or so if the current ones, and usually read all of them and comment - no matter how bad the formatting or writing is.
Even the few that are well written and set in perfect period detail, are still 'paint by numbers' to me, and I don't mean to be disparaging. In the effort to be loyal to the Gothic criteria, these scripts have lost any real life in them, and denote nothing of the writers own voice.
I feel the same way, Stevie. I just can't stand scripts or movies that follow the dollar instead of heart. I think it's a waste of time and a betrayal of the soul to try and write according to some kind of paint by numbers scheme. It's the difference between buying say, Amish crafted furniture and something stamped out on an assembly line. No real love goes into it and I can feel that at my side.
Life is so very rich with experiences. I can't understand why writers would ever think, (once they understand a smidgen) that writing books will help. Living and sharing will. There's a big difference between writing something because you're passionate about it and writing because you think it will get you something or somewhere. A big difference.
If anyone wants me to read theirs, PM me. I'm not one for the guessing game anyway, which I suspect will be nigh impossible in this case anyway.
I'll PM you on which one is mine. Not for you to read it, but for you to avoid it for the time being. I've decided to revise it. After the revision, then read it if you want.
Stevie and Sandra: here's something to consider. Most people here want to be produced at some point, and even better to be paid for their work. A big part of that is responding to what a director or producer wants. It sometimes meaning writing not because you are passionate about the scene, but because that's the job. OWC's are good practice for that. You write something you otherwise would not be doing. You try to put your stamp on it, but in the end, you have to follow the job's instructions.
I don't think too many writers here prefer that their ghosts in the end become misunderstood and not so bad. But that's what they job called for, and they did their job.
There's no need for me to PM anyone with a 'don't read mine' cause I didn't write one I'm finding that this OWC is a tough read. I'm not sure why exactly, mixture of things maybe, my expectation of what a gothic horror is, or should be, alot of first time and new writers, which is always nice to see, but maybe in lesser numbers, too much exposure in an OWC script reading frenzy. I became a little frustrated yesterday after reading a few and decided to walk away. I'll have a look again tonight with a clearer head.
I can say I had plenty of quality reads on my entry, so no complaints in that department. Some of my script's flaws I was aware of when I submitted, but I couldn't get around them. The reviews help, and will hopefully lead to better work next time. Only problem for me is that I seem to have reached the downside of the learning curve and improvement is now very incremental at best. I wish there was a way to upgrade talent. Since there isn't, I suppose the next best thing is to learn to understand one's personal limitations and learn to get around them in some way.
I've attempted to read 22 of the 38 so far, and will get to the rest ASAP.
As others have noted, this is a tough slog for me, personally. The vast majority of what I've looked at so far is not good, and looks like no attempt was made to even run spell check or do a few re-reads. In other words, there are so many mistakes/issues, it makes the read almost impossible for me.
Because I didn't enter this time, I find my patience to be be much less than usual, and I'm bailing out earlier than I normally would. I apologize if that's a problem for some, but I'm just not going to spend 15 minutes reading something I know damn well is goiing to be a huge SLOG and letdown.
This happens a lot at MP when the competition assignment is very specific. It can be a real chore to read 30+ scripts that are very similar in tone and story.
I've read 7 so far. One I did not finish, but I decided not to tell the writer that. Right or wrong? I didn't want to be negative. I don't mind criticism, but I had nothing positive to go with the negative so I decided to be quiet.
Pia, you know my feelings - honesty is the best practice. Searching for a positive isn't the way to go.
If an inexperienced writer decided to play along here, they should get exactly what their script deserves, and if that's harsh criticism, so be it.
You know, the more I think about it, the more I realize that when there are many "new" writers taking part, who are not good writers, the entire "challenge" suffers. It also suffers greatly when the majority of these writers don't read and provide feedback themselves.
It's already Monday, and I think the heaviest hit entry has what...13 posts or so? With 38 writers entered? And others who didn't enter, also reading? Hmmm...seems to me most of the entrants aren't reading much.
Been fun to be a part of, but I have found it rather a drudge to get through the scripts.
I don't know if it's the theme that's particularly constricting, or people's very literal interpretations of it in both their writing and their reviews, but it seems there's little scope for anything either way...either you have to stick to one plot line and a trad. Gothic enviroment, or you'll get called up on it.
The ones I've enjoyed the most have been more liberal interpretations.
Looking on wikipedia...stories as diverse as the Stepford Wives and I am Legend are considered "gothic"...as well as obviously more overt ones.
Mullholland Drive is considered Gothic (although clearly not horror).
I think writers should have the freedom of trying to update genres, bring them into the modern day, as well as just faithfully recreating them.
I run a screenwriting group. I've found the best approach for critiquing is honest and constructive criticism. Sugar-coating or only focusing on the positives doesn't help the writer. Put-downs don't help either; there's no reason to be mean or berating. The point is to try to help new writers, and sometimes in order to help someone you have to tell it like it is. This is a tough industry and it's better to develop a thick skin while still learning than when a reputation is at stake.
I'm new to this board but I plan on sticking around. You'll get to know I call it like I see it, and I really appreciate it when others do the same with my pages.
Rick, there was another gothic horror OWC once where Phil wrote Dog Run, so it definitely does not have to be set in the old days or anything which it seems from the ones I've read so far.
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I'm finding that this OWC is a tough read. I'm not sure why exactly, mixture of things maybe, my expectation of what a gothic horror is, or should be, alot of first time and new writers, which is always nice to see, but maybe in lesser numbers, too much exposure in an OWC script reading frenzy. I became a little frustrated yesterday after reading a few and decided to walk away. I'll have a look again tonight with a clearer head.
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