I love me the grading system as well but I can understand how people might dislike it. I actually started doing it so peeps have two grades to compare it to or otherwise they definitely do stick out like a sore-thumb. But glad Bill's doing it as well, Sean seems to missing.

But I do think the first review to a script holds major, major value, especially if it's by a more respected member of the board. And I know I probably sound like a douche, but I'd consider writing an honest review on your own script (anonymously) if you truly do think that the first review was unwarranted, or might leave a bad stain on the script.

Quoted from irish eyes I clicked on "HEX" and it goes straight to the script. In other words nowhere to leave a reply. Mark

I noticed that too.

Quoted from Grandma Bear I noticed that too.

Standby for a fix.

Quoted from Don Standby for a fix.

Hex has been fixed.

Don

Quoted from nawazm11 I love me the grading system as well but I can understand how people might dislike it. I actually started doing it so peeps have two grades to compare it to or otherwise they definitely do stick out like a sore-thumb. But glad Bill's doing it as well, Sean seems to missing.

I do feel bad about the grades, sometimes. I don't like giving negative marks, but I also dislike being untruthful. It may be pretentious (not elitist, at all) but at the same time, it's universal. Virtually everyone knows what each grade means and it can give the writer an increased knowledge about how their script stacks up. I've had reviews before that were mixed because people liked some things and not others, but I wasn't sure how what they liked what weighted against what they didn't. So, I started doing it as an extra bonus detail.

And, Mo, I didn't go anywhere. In fact, I'm here every day and I'm going to try and read them all by Tuesday night. I figure it's time for me to earn some good will because I didn't actually review any in the last OWC and am still kicking myself for it. Here's hoping for some good stuff. =)

Nice to see you back, man!

Quoted from LC I'm not even entered so I shouldn't even have a problem with this...but I do. Can't you grade on paper? Then write your review down as usual and keep your 'grades' for the end when you select your readers' choice? I know you're not the only one who elects to do this, and you know this is not personal, I just find the whole grading thing annoying and just...wrong. Actually, not just annoying - it come across as pretentious and elitist (even though I know that's not the intention) and imh it does influence others votes. I give this an F+. See, that sticks out like a sore thumb. Grades are for contests and this is a 'challenge'. Grading is for Nicholl and Page. It should be banned on SS. Imh. On another note, I can't believe they're all posted. Well done, Don.

I understand your opinion and believe me I will not be overly aggressive in this. Indeed, having started this I feel I am now giving each script more thought than before, which should be fairer.

Also, if someone says a script is awful but doesn't give a mark I don't see that as a better outcome.

I will get this wrong, that's certain, but so will other people remarks, put downs and dismissive comments. If I can do this appropriately it should be honest. If it doesn't seem to work for me I will stop. I have no doubt this is just setting myself up to be knocked but, as said before, it is driving me to give each closer consideration (than I would normally would, others are better reviewers)

As a final point, I like anonymous voting as it brings a more honest outcome, but part of that is the fact readers don't like revealing what they really thought.

So far I have enjoyed the scripts, there is a great variety as usual. If I had a gripe, and I could level this at mine as well, is the delivery and execution. But what do you expect, they're written in a very short period of time.


Edit - I  will also add to each grade that if the writer wishes this removed I will do so - I'm not hear to annoy

Quoted from Reef Dreamer I understand your opinion and believe me I will not be overly aggressive in this. Indeed, having started this I feel I am now giving each script more thought than before, which should be fairer. Also, if someone says a script is awful but doesn't give a mark I don't see that as a better outcome. I will get this wrong, that's certain, but so will other people remarks, put downs and dismissive comments. If I can do this appropriately it should be honest. If it doesn't seem to work for me I will stop. I have no doubt this is just setting myself up to be knocked but, as said before, it is driving me to give each closer consideration (than I would normally would, others are better reviewers) As a final point, I like anonymous voting as it brings a more honest outcome, but part of that is the fact readers don't like revealing what they really thought. So far I have enjoyed the scripts, there is a great variety as usual. If I had a gripe, and I could level this at mine as well, is the delivery and execution. But what do you expect, they're written in a very short period of time. Edit - I  will also add to each grade that if the writer wishes this removed I will do so - I'm not hear to annoy

That's cool Bill. I wasn't trying to start anything, just voicing my opinion. I don't care for it that's all, but hey, it seems a few quite like it. You explained your reasoning for it.   I just hope it doesn't catch on too much.  

Quoted from LC That's cool Bill. I wasn't trying to start anything, just voicing my opinion. I don't care for it that's all, but hey, it seems a few quite like it. You explained your reasoning for it.   I just hope it doesn't catch on too much.

A+ for huggin' it out!  

Personally I think however a reader chooses to review a script is nobody's business but their own.  Different strokes for different folks.

I will try and read some more today. Had a massive day/nite at work Sunday. Left home at 1030 am, got home at 3 am this morning Monday!  Had a couple of hours of sleep but once it gets light,  I'm up and back into the coffee.

If a particular perp wants theirs read, feel free to pm me!

Quoted from LC I'm not even entered so I shouldn't even have a problem with this...but I do. Can't you grade on paper? Then write your review down as usual and keep your 'grades' for the end when you select your readers' choice? I know you're not the only one who elects to do this, and you know this is not personal, I just find the whole grading thing annoying and just...wrong. Actually, not just annoying - it come across as pretentious and elitist (even though I know that's not the intention) and imh it does influence others votes. I give this an F+. See, that sticks out like a sore thumb. Grades are for contests and this is a 'challenge'. Grading is for Nicholl and Page. It should be banned on SS. Imh. On another note, I can't believe they're all posted. Well done, Don.

Though the explanations in favor of the grading system are worthy, I tend to agree with LC that this can sway a person's initial impression either more in favor or against the merits of a script.

I am reading through several scripts, and then writing my reviews in Word to be posted later. After I've written the review in Word, only then do I read the reviews to see other folks thoughts. It may cause some redundancy in the reviews, but I feel it's more fair to the author.

If I read Dreamscape's reviews before writing my own thoughts, I'm not sure I'd ever see good in ANY script. No offense, Dreamscape, but man you are rough. I think anyone who went through the trouble of creating a story deserves a complete read-through - there might be a gem you missed on page 5, because you clicked out of the script on page 3 to start your review. Personally I don't think it's fair to even review something that hasn't been given complete consideration.

That being said, Dreamscape, a couple of years ago you lambasted one of my scripts and made me wonder if I should even be writing. It did humble me though and taught me to take the craft of screenwriting even more seriously. This fact lead to me landing a script assignment for a 30 minute short. The film ultimately won a Gold Remi award at the WorldFest Houston Film Festival this past spring. So glad my self-esteem didn't take too much of a wallop or I never would have seen my work on the big screen.

Dreamscape was pretty rough on my OWC too, (but at least it seems he finished the script, so that's an improvement in my favor!), so there's hope out there for those of you getting killed on your reviews. Good luck!   

Layla, my apologies if you think I'm being an ass for the sake of being an ass.  I'm not.

As I've said many times, what I say is what I think, and if you or anyone else disagrees, that's perfectly fine and cool.  I will always tell it like I see it and it's pretty obvious I see alot of things others don't, or maybe what others don't care to see.

I don't want to be nitpicky or over critical but when I see mistakes ...ridiculous mistakes, over and over, I'm not going to subject myself to continuing the painful read.

We've got 40-50 scripts here and at an avergae of 9 pages, that's 360-450 pages!  That's alot and I want to give each and every script a fair chance.  Some will think and say I didn't give their script a fair shot, but I try to say exactly why I stop and where I stop.  If nothing else, each writer will know what pushed me over the edge to give up the good fight.  I'm traeling for busines MOnday and Tuesday and I wanted to try and get feedback to each and every OWC entry before I left.

Feedback is objective and if you or anyone else wants more detail or wants to outright disagree with my words, I welcome that - and that's not in any way a challenge.  I have nothing to gain by posting negtaive feedback - I do it to help and point things out that others don't see or don't bring up. It's up to each wruiter to take what I say onboard, or to completely disregard it.

Layla, you've had 6 posts here in 2 years.  You didn't accept my words to read and review scripts 2 years ago and as far as I know, you haven't reviewed a single OWC script yet.  So, seriously, to say that I shouldn't provide feedback unless I finish a script is a little weak...or alot weak.

PM me if you want and I'll go into more detail on your entry.  I mean no harm, but I'm never going to give BS praise when something isn't deserving of it, or especially if I see many mistakes that shouldn't be there.

Cool?  Sorry to upset you.  Oh, BTW, it's Dreamscale, with an "l', not Dreamcape, with a "p".

Take care.

Didn't notice my auticorrect changed your name. Sorry about that. I give you credit for reviewing as much as you do. Like I said, you spurred me to be better.

As far as not posting reviews, to be honest I didn't feel I really fit in here. I decided to read scripts and learn. Attend the Austin Film Festival Conference panels for two and learn from the pros. It just seemed a better plan for me personally.

I saw the OWC and thought I'd take a shot on here one more time. Wasn't trying to insult you, so I hope you didn't take it that way. I was expressing my opinion on reviews here since others were. In hindsight, shouldn't have mentioned your name. My apologies.

Can all writers please refrain from revealing themselves until AFTER the voting??????????