Quoted from dogglebe Problem is, they don't know they're 'skank' writers when they submit.  But when they read reviews of their work, calling their scripts abortions, then they will probably leave.  And that doesn't help anyone.

Survival of the fittest.

Decent writers find it difficult to get a look in and that's because there's a HUGE pile of shite to wade through first. I'm not going to encourage bad writing.

I usually read all the way through. I read all 10 features at the last contest... however, they were all written to a decent standard... aside from one. I even read the bad one though and gave my honest opinion on it.

I'll read every script this time too... but if it's written really badly I will stop and say why. Sometimes it only takes one action block, and a writer can learn so much from it being corrected. Rather than leaving them to their ignorance.

I'm honest. I find it really difficult to tell lies. I don't see the point in them. I don't see the logic in lying just to avoid hurting their feelings, when the truth could actually help cure the issues. Lies perpetuate, truth heals.

Quoted from mmmarnie If I can't be constructive I just don't leave a comment. And I try to be respectful in my constructive comments. No reason to be a pr1ck. Unless you are a pr1ck and just can't help yourself.

I actually edit my posts for prickishness these days. The odd one still slips by though.

I try to see something in each script - and usually there's something if a writer cared to put it down on paper. It's just he couldn't get his thought through. Saying I didn't go past 1 or 2 page - no it doesn't help in my experience. It discourages a writer, puts a writer off and sometimes for days.
OWC's go fast - sometimes we get to write it on the last day. Mistakes are a common thing in them.

Examples of recent OWC screenplays in good format.

American Shark in London
http://www.simplyscripts.com/scripts/AmericanSharkinLondon.pdf

Blood in the Water
http://www.simplyscripts.com/scripts/BloodintheWater.pdf

Loyalty resubmission
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/21764930/Loyalty.pdf

Shark Tale
http://www.simplyscripts.com/scripts/SHARKTALE.pdf

The Tides of Caeus resubmission
http://www.simplyscripts.com/scripts/THETIDESOFCAEUS.pdf

Quoted from DustinBowcot Survival of the fittest.

Since when is belittling others part of survival of the fittest?

Quoted from DustinBowcot Decent writers find it difficult to get a look in and that's because there's a HUGE pile of shite to wade through first. I'm not going to encourage bad writing.

And I'm sure you put yourself in the top one percent, don't you?

You don't have to encourage bad writing.  But there's a difference between that and beating people mercilessly because their loglines are awkward or because they used the word lay when they should'bve used lie.

Quoted from DustinBowcot Lies perpetuate, truth heals.

  

Where does encouraging come in to this?


Phil

Quoted from dogglebe Since when is belittling others part of survival of the fittest?

I didn't say anything about belittling. I responded to the argument that we shouldn't read just half a page and should just not write anything at all. I'd rather give advice on an action block than nothing at all.

Quoted from dogglebe You don't have to encourage bad writing.  But there's a difference between that and beating people mercilessly because their loglines are awkward or because they used the word lay when they should'bve used lie.

Beating people mercilessly is a strong choice of words. You're adding drama to something that isn't very dramatic. Writers need a thick skin and none thicker than when presenting their stuff to other writers. Personally, I don't care what anyone else does with their review... what is more annoying is those that don't review at all. I was very disappointed to find that not all the contestants from the contests actually review other scripts.


  

Quoted from dogglebe Where does encouraging come in to this?

I find the truth encouraging.

Quoted from RayW Alright, then. Let's help them BEFORE they start heading down the wrong path INSTEAD of waiting until they've taken XX hours to go down the wrong path only to say "Sorry, chap. You should've done A, B, and C like X, Y, Z."

Many of them have started down that path before they got here.  They format their script based on what a book tells them to or--God forbid--model their script after a shooting script they find online.

And when their scripts are posted, the first comments they get are useless snide remarks like I started reading this but put it down after seeing FADE IN: on the right side of the page.

or

I was going to read this but I saw a typo in your logline.  If you can't take your writing seriously enough to run your script through a spellchecker, then I'm not going to waste my time with your amateur shit.

People come here to learn, among other reasons.  When they read such snide remarks, they learn that an asshole has looked at their scripts.

I'm not saying that I've never slammed some scripts because I know I have.  But I try helping them out.  It's a shame that not everyone does so.


Phil

Quoted from DustinBowcot I find the truth encouraging.

It's not encouraging when you frighten new writers away.


Phil

In defence of Dustin (If one is at all necessary)...he is an excellent reviewer imo.

Criticism is fine as far as I'm concerned, it should just be presented in a constructive and polite manner.

I believe it might have been Alffy -- or some other brit, at any rate -- who first put forth the "pub criteria."

You should not say anything to an author on these boards that you would not say in person, to their face, over a pint.

Some reviewers here would run the risk of a punch in the nose, for sure.

And tacking on a patronizing "congratulations" for entering does nothing to diminish what went before.  In fact, quite the opposite.

I've only been a round a few years but in all the OWC's I've taken part in there is usually someone who loses the plot with their reviews.

Too little sleep, too many to read....just too angry. Not always the same person, in fact a decent variety over the years.

Whilst not great, and indeed it often hurts to read such harsh comments, it does set the OWC apart. Adds a degree of spice.

What always amuses me, until it affects my script, is that we all accept they are rushed and we have to be understanding...except when we start reading them. Then we all forget it all and start to consider them as final works.

What we should be trying to find out is those with the best potential - they all need work.

Quoted from Reef Dreamer Too little sleep, too many to read....

I really think it’s this more than anything. Like it or not, giving good feedback takes effort. Effort that dries up eventually. It’s not always as simple as writing your thoughts in a stream of consciousness. If people could see how much I laugh at and deride my own work when I go over it, they’d realize 1) nothing’s ever personal and 2) It takes me quite a lot of effort to put my thoughts into “socially acceptable” order.

Start with something positive is always a good rule. I haven’t always followed it, but that goes back to effort.

One thing I really try not to do is be the first thread post if I know my review is mostly negative. I’d prefer to give the script a chance to find it’s audience before chiming in. And if you have a completely negative review and you didn’t even finish the script, there’s really no excuse. Just wait. It’s literally the least you can do.

I try not to read other reviews before posting my own.  It can, sometimes, sway your opinion.


Phil

I generally write up the review first, then read the thread before posting. I want to form an opinion first, but sometimes things will be brought up that I didn't think about or want to weigh in on. If my opinion can be swayed after already putting it into words, then there's a good chance I'm just wrong.