Shonagh - I'll read your script.

I read a heck of a lot of scripts, but don't post a lot of my thoughts. Only a few I will (or if I specifically say I will).

For me, since I'm not a producer/director, MINOR spelling doesn't irritate me...but, if it's MAJOR mistakes (or common words mis-spelled), then I'll pass and move onto something else.

I read to learn, so story, structure, character arc are all important to me.

It's the scripts that do it for me, if they're good you can't take that away with bad spelling. I think the only problem a lot of people, myself mainly have is grammer. Point out the bad spelling and tell them if they fix that it could get more of an audience.

Some people place the screenplays into html or pdf so you can't actually see the errors as easily, smart.

The only thing I hate about spell check is the fact it says a lot of names and things of that nature are wrong. Especially when it comes to final draft, that program has the worst spell check dictionary ever created.

The one thing it does that hurts scripts is when you type in i in lower case like that it doesn't fix it. I do that a lot because I type fast. So, what i've began doing is taking it into word (When I have it) and spell checking there. I suggest this if you aren't the greatest at spelling, sure it takes an extra 30 - 60 minutes to complete the script in order to ship it but it helps.

When I go wading through the synopses, looking for a script, I pass those with spelling and grammatical errors.  Plain and simple.

If you submit something to an agent and it's filled with such problems, you'll find your work in the garbage mighty fast.


Phil

I see the synopsis if they're bad, I understand where you're coming from. Thought mine have to be longer than it's about a guy and his dog. Though I can edit threads so if people ever needed something fixed in a thread like that I could help them out.

I enjoy the long more descriptive ones that give a good idea but nothing special away, but mostly I read whatever regardless if I'm asked or if it's being ignored.

This applies to everyone:

The first thing people see is your writing, including what you say in comments. You really hurt yourself by sloppy grammar and poor spelling. Why would anyone looking to sell their writing let their words defeat that purpose?

Use a dictionary. Don't put "there" when you mean "their". Or "bare" when you mean "bear". Or put "it's" when you mean "its". Like: It's (meaning "it is") time to run. The truck dropped off its load. (The truck didn't drop off "it is" load.)

These things are noticed, and you risk depreciating your value as a writer.

I think you're wrong.

Casey, who is not here anymore was terrible at grammar and spelling and everyone read his screenplays (Good or Bad) they still read them.

I can think of many people as well with poor grammar and spelling that still get work read when they needed it.

Some people just read the stuff to complain about spelling and grammar but still they read it.

Quoted from Old Time Wesley The bigger problem is the huge number of scripts by people who don't want to be members or people who stay for the first little while and leave to other sites and continue to put new work up but not actually be a member.

Why do you see this as a problem? I think it's perfectly okay if people wants to share their work but aren't interested of spending their time around the board. If you look at it frankly, hanging around in message boards is a mighty waste of time. I just happen to find it entertaining at times. But not always. There are several people who don't like it at all.

But what comes to spelling and grammar, I agree that those are important if you want to be taken seriously. They're just like proper format. If you haven't bothered to make your script look good in addition to writing it well, I don't see any point in even posting it since you obviously don't take the craft seriously and aren't willing to spend time on polishes.

Then again, I'm the last person to say anything about grammar, aren't I? But I think me being Finnish and not having English as a primary language is a fair excuse. Before I posted my scripits, I posted to the 'I'm looking for...' forum and tried to find someone who would've been interested to doing a grammar edit on my script. I wasn't surprised when I didn't get a single answer.

Although I've moved on from that I think it is important if you want to post a screenplay on this or any other community you need to at least introduce yourself and make an effort to say hi every now and than.

You can't be forced to do any of that but also people will choose not to read your work because if nobody hears the comments why make them? I don't want to review a screenplay when I know the writer isn't here and may not even care.

People who take the time to review scripts deserve some way to know that the person cares.

Don should elaborate on the rules to say "Don't join if you aren't going to post" it's pointless, I understand if you're just here for yourself and don't care about anyone else but don't join if you don't plan on posting ever.

Is that really asking a lot? Lots of people with lives and way to much to do find the time, Don himself probably has a busy life with family and work but even he posts and gets to know people.

You have to look at it this way:  Let's say thirty scripts are posted on the boards this week.  How are you going to make sure that someone reads yours over the next script?

One way to do it is to a great logline, introducing the story.  A lot of the loglines I've read, unfortunately,  tend to fall short.  They're unclear or uninteresting.

The other way to do it is to read others people's work.  It's a quid pro quo thing.  I've gotten mine read this way and I no longer read scripts oif I think the writer isn't reading others.  THey don't have to be mine (though it helps).


Phil

Quoted from Old Time Wesley ... You can't be forced to do any of that but also people will choose not to read your work because if nobody hears the comments why make them? I don't want to review a screenplay when I know the writer isn't here and may not even care. ... Don should elaborate on the rules to say "Don't join if you aren't going to post" it's pointless, I understand if you're just here for yourself and don't care about anyone else but don't join if you don't plan on posting ever.

I'm afraid I don't see what you're after. Obviously if somebody's not going to post, (s)he is not going to join. You don't need to join to the forums (or the community, for that matter) to subscribe a script to the unproduced section of the site.

And I always give feedback to writers by email. That way I can be sure the writer gets it.

Quoted from Pii And I always give feedback to writers by email. That way I can be sure the writer gets it.

The problem with this is that others can't learn from your opinions.  If you post here, we can have a discussion about what you think.  Also, a script is more likely to be read if there is feedback, over one that has none.


Phil

I personally don't see a problem with spelling and grammar mistakes being apparant in messageboards and forums. Yeah, it's a bit annoying to read if it's done really badly, otherwise it's not a big deal. As far as spelling and grammar goes in a script, of course, this should be up to standard - and if it isn't, don't post it officially till it is.

A good point was made about the emphasis of good loglines. In order to at least entice you into reading a script, especially one without any replies, a good logline will do you more justice in getting hopefully helpful feedback. Otherwise, if it's no good, it's like picking up a random book not knowing what you're going to read - 2 pages in and you could be through with it because it wasn't what you thought it would be!! I would love to improve on mine, but to be honest, it didn't seem a priority at the time of submission, but I think Phil makes a good point here. Like Wes, I am a sucker for description too, so perhaps instead of just a logline attached to your script, a synopsis could be in place too, to give the potential reader a bit more to go on before deciding whether or not to read it? Unless of course this would be too much trouble and more reading for the reader to do or extra work for Don?

I've read a few scripts now and have several more on my desk at home to go through, but not all the writer's whose work I've read return to acknowledge my opinion or anything... which is fine - I don't think to be honest I'm as good of a writer here as others are, nor do I think I give as good advice as do they, but I like to contribute as much as I can. In return, I think the author of said work should at least be around to acknowledge that their work has even been read and show that they have an interest in what we all think. Of course they don't have to post in the off topic sections of the forums, but I think they miss the overall point of the unproduced section. Whereby, your work isn't produced yet, hence why it's here. So why not work together with others to see how to improve on it, so that it can be produced one day!

Just my two cents  

Quoted from dogglebe The problem with this is that others can't learn from your opinions.  If you post here, we can have a discussion about what you think.  Also, a script is more likely to be read if there is feedback, over one that has none.

I'm aware of both these facts. But I want to keep my feedback and comments between me and the writer. It's not as if there had been anything that wouldn't be suitable for public eyes (usually if I like a script, I request an interview for Voice Over), but I still prefer it that way. One thing why that is that I don't want my feedback to turn into advertisement, as it often would seem to be the case. I give the feedback for the sake of the feedback, directing my comments to the writer only. I don't give it to urge others to read the script nor for others to learn from my opinions.

You can make a case for doing it that way.

But I say hype somebody's good script and warn people off of the flotsam.

You see I do agree with you Henrik but people do join and never post, ask Don he's had to delete a few of them. I was looking through the member pages and some people have done exactly that.