Oh dear...seem to have come across as a complete dick. Absolutely didn't mean to make people anxious about how their submissions would be judged, or discourage people from reviewing...when two mods jump into a conversation you know you've started something, inadvertently or not. I really don't think anyone's reviews are bad - as long as they take the time to offer constructive advice then that's great, in my book.

I only used the ranking system because a couple of people PMed me during the last OWC to say how well they thought it worked. It wasn't supposed to be about dismissing scripts because they didn't correspond to what I thought a perfect entry should be, or trying to discourage variety (which is, I totally agree, one of the great things about these challenges - who wants read 40 identical scripts?). It was just a way of showing people where I thought their script was weakest, and also a way for me to easily go through at the end and pick out which 3 I'd recommend to Don. I'll go through now and take out the scores I've given.

I'm truly sorry if I've caused any offense, or anxiety. You're all good people and this website is a wonderful place. I don't want to be 'that guy', the guy people argue with...I'm nice, honest! I clearly just have a habit of putting my foot in my mouth...

Quoted from JonnyBoy Oh dear...seem to have come across as a complete dick. Absolutely didn't mean to make people anxious about how their submissions would be judged, or discourage people from reviewing...when two mods jump into a conversation you know you've started something, inadvertently or not. I really don't think anyone's reviews are bad - as long as they take the time to offer constructive advice then that's great, in my book. I only used the ranking system because a couple of people PMed me during the last OWC to say how well they thought it worked. It wasn't supposed to be about dismissing scripts because they didn't correspond to what I thought a perfect entry should be, or trying to discourage variety (which is, I totally agree, one of the great things about these challenges - who wants read 40 identical scripts?). It was just a way of showing people where I thought their script was weakest, and also a way for me to easily go through at the end and pick out which 3 I'd recommend to Don. I'll go through now and take out the scores I've given. I'm truly sorry if I've caused any offense, or anxiety. You're all good people and this website is a wonderful place. I don't want to be 'that guy', the guy people argue with...I'm nice, honest! I clearly just have a habit of putting my foot in my mouth...

I doubt you've caused any offence and I'd leave the scores in if I were you. What difference does it make?

You are entitled to judge things how you see fit.  Don't let anyone tell you any different!

And that's really the point, isn't it.   No one should be discussing how to judge these scripts at this point in time.  If they wanted to do that, they should have done that while everyone was writing them, the first week.  There really isn't any point in doing it now - no one can change a thing about the script they submitted.   The time for discussing what the challenge is about has long since passed.

And if you aren't discussing how you judge the scripts to help people, then why are you discussing them?  To sway other peoples opinions?  Why?  Tell me.  

How you judged a script belongs in your comments on a script - end of story.  

Look at this quote from a guy who posted a comment on one of the scripts for the first time today.

Quoted from big lew Biggest concern- what about the premise of the Challenge:  a film director has a piece of music and he/she needs lyrics and a script to create a story around it...where is that in this story?

Kind of puts things into perspective, I think.  

I don't know if continuing this conversation is a good idea...seem to be trying to dig my way out of a pretty deep hole using a stick of dynamite at the mo.

I really only raised the issue after I read this comment on the first discussion thread:

Quoted from Shelton I've been scanning through the comments (as I'm supposed to do) and I've noticed a lot of people commenting on there not being enough comedy.   Please remember that it's a "dramedy" and not a flat out comedy, which will be presented in a different way. That is all.

I thought I was simply doing what Mike was doing: just reminding people that 'dramedy' and 'comedy' weren't the same. I don't know if I meant to sway opinions...maybe just express my own opinion on what the challenge was (I think that might sound whiny and confrontational - it's not supposed to) and see what others thought. You're right, it probably wasn't a good time to do it.

Quoted from JonnyBoy I don't know if continuing this conversation is a good idea...seem to be trying to dig my way out of a pretty deep hole using a stick of dynamite at the mo. I really only raised the issue after I read this comment on the first discussion thread: I thought I was simply doing what Mike was doing: just reminding people that 'dramedy' and 'comedy' weren't the same. I don't know if I meant to sway opinions...maybe just express my own opinion on what the challenge was (I think that might sound whiny and confrontational - it's not supposed to) and see what others thought. You're right, it probably wasn't a good time to do it.

I think we should move on from the discussion about how to judge scripts, as you and Mike have said. However, I'm finding the discussion interesting on another level. I think it shows we all have ideas that are ingrained about what stories and genres are and part of the OWC is surely that we are challenging ourselves to examine those.

Even the word Romantic is impossibly hard to define.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/romantic

Quoted Text –adjective 1. of, pertaining to, or of the nature of romance; characteristic or suggestive of the world of romance: a romantic adventure.   2. fanciful; impractical; unrealistic: romantic ideas.   3. imbued with or dominated by idealism, a desire for adventure, chivalry, etc. 4. characterized by a preoccupation with love or by the idealizing of love or one's beloved. 5. displaying or expressing love or strong affection. 6. ardent; passionate; fervent. 7. (usually initial capital letter) of, pertaining to, or characteristic of a style of literature and art that subordinates form to content, encourages freedom of treatment, emphasizes imagination, emotion, and introspection, and often celebrates nature, the ordinary person, and freedom of the spirit (contrasted with classical ). 8. of or pertaining to a musical style characteristic chiefly of the 19th century and marked by the free expression of imagination and emotion, virtuosic display, experimentation with form, and the adventurous development of orchestral and piano music and opera. 9. imaginary, fictitious, or fabulous. 10. noting, of, or pertaining to the role of a suitor or lover in a play about love: the romantic lead.

There are numerous contradictory definitions in there.

Introspective and yet Adventurous and virtuosic
About Ordinary People and yet also imaginary, fictitious, or fabulous.

It would seem that something romantic could be about just about anything. A man talking about his love of daffodils. A knight who marches off to kill the Dragon.

So really the scripts can be about anything, they just need to deal with serious issues in a serious way whilst having a modicum of comedy in them.

Mine too!!!

Quoted from mcornetto Look at this quote from a guy who posted a comment on one of the scripts for the first time today. Quoted from big lew Biggest concern- what about the premise of the Challenge:  a film director has a piece of music and he/she needs lyrics and a script to create a story around it...where is that in this story? Kind of puts things into perspective, I think.

No it doesn't actually. And, I'm not being facetious here but the "filmaker has a piece of music" element was omitted. At least that's how I remember it. Get clarification from Don.

That's why imo, we're not 'seeing' any 'film-maker' scenarios in the scripts posted so far.

I'm stumped. I really didn't want to add to this thread anymore - just wanted to get on with reviewing but, with respect, your comment just perplexes me.

***********    This was the amended.

Quoted from SS
:This month's theme and genre:
Genre:  Romantic Drama/Comedy (Romantic Dramedy)
Theme:  This piece of music.

You must write a script and lyrics (to the music provided) 12 pages etc  ... "   

You are right it was omitted and I already chatted with Lew.  But you will see filmmaker scripts.

But if you are saying, just because Lew didn't read this thread his script is incorrect.  I'm afraid not.

There is more than one way to judge this challenge.  More so because the brief was changed and not everyone is reading this thread.   There is no single interpretation that is correct and there will never be.

Quoted from LC No it doesn't actually. And, I'm not being facetious here but the "filmaker has a piece of music" element was omitted. At least that's how I remember it. Get clarification from Don. That's why imo, we're not 'seeing' any 'film-maker' scenarios in the scripts posted so far. I'm stumped. I really didn't want to add to this thread anymore - just wanted to get on with reviewing but, with respect, your comment just perplexes me.

Then just continue reviewing.
This was an unusual challenge and we have all had our own ways of reviewing.
If the story has an inclination of romance ( and as previously mentioned it can be anything that touches on romance) and... if you have a bit of comedy and it is dramatic and... the song portrays or reflects the story...
Then you have met the challenge.
And...if they haven't, say so and still review for the quality of their script.

It is a challenge and it has obviously challenged us all in many ways

Quoted from mcornetto You are right it was omitted and I already chatted with Lew.  But you will see filmmaker scripts. But if you are saying, just because Lew didn't read this thread his script is incorrect.  I'm afraid not. There is more than one way to judge this challenge.  More so because the brief was changed and not everyone is reading this thread.   There is no single interpretation that is correct and there will never be.

No, I'm saying that of the reviews I've seen Lew write (coincidentally, I might add) he says something to the effect of 'doesn't meet the 'premise' i.e. of 'a filmaker has a script' etc. That's all I'm saying. If someone chooses to write it that way that's fine. I think you're kinda missing the point that I think Lew is of the belief that no-one, or at least the one's he read, has met the specific challenge. Do not want to go 'round in circles here.

And, I don't think I'm being understood here. I was actually defending the various interpretations of the challenge. So, I'll just bow out for now.

Lew is of that belief. The challenge was amended slightly because a lot of people read it as though there had to be a filmmaker in the actual script.

That wasn't the intention.

Unfortunately some writers and some reviewers didn't see the thread where that amendment was discussed.

Lew has been notified.

And I have a question for all of you.

Are you enjoying the scripts you're reading?  

I've been loving them.  The quality has been very good. I was surprised that I could actually enjoy reading some of the romantic scripts out there.  I never would have thought I would have.

Quoted from mcornetto Lew has been notified. And I have a question for all of you. Are you enjoying the scripts you're reading?   I've been loving them.  The quality has been very good. I was surprised that I could actually enjoy reading some of the romantic scripts out there.  I never would have thought I would have.

The quality is very high. I've missed the last couple of OWC's, but the standard has improved considerably since the early days.

Quoted from mcornetto Are you enjoying the scripts you're reading?

Absolutely. This is my first experience with the OWC. The turn-out and quality is amazing. The reading and reviewing fun, if a little exhausting  

Are they always like this? Full on!
Was this number of entries anticipated? Somehow I don't think so.

There should be a warning on the this site - Membership to SS is highly addictive.