Why do some scripts go unread and others have 10+ posts? I've finished two scripts that no one else read called "The Silk" and "Deacon Blues." The Silk was excellent and Deacon Blues in my opinion was one of the best I ever read. Some of the scripts like that I wish could get more of a chance.

The prime reason I don't read is because there are a lot of writers who frequent the board who want comments on their scripts. Given the choice between reading and commenting on a script that someone is actively working on and needing comments about, or reading something that someone just posted and left, I will choose to help the writer who is here to receive the comments.

Yes Rapture, that's true, but a lot of the time I've seen the author of the script write something in the forum.

Oh look: another writer who thinks his own work is excellent, doesn’t participate, can’t find his way around to get involved at the site but can find his way to the comments section to ask why people don’t bow down and worship him because his writing is so grand. What is that, the tenth one this month?

Dude, we’ve had people come in here and declare themselves the best writer ever. We’ve had writers declare their script the best script ever written. They never participate. They just tell us how great they are.

And you want to know why we don’t give your scripts a chance? Join the frickin’ club.
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Breanne, I'm not exactly sure what you're talking about, but the scripts I'm talking about don't belong to me. Maybe you're confused about that.

There's a couple of reasons:

1.  As mentioned earlier, someone writers post scripts for people to read, but don't want to read anyone else's work.  I can think of some people, in the past, who adamently refused to read other people's work.  They come here thinking that we're all going to read their scripts and sing praises for them.  It's very quid-pro-quo.

2.  Sometimes, the story synopsis is just a turn off.  Maybe it's because their description sounds like the same description used in other scripts (ie:  BLOOD-SPITTING CATS.  A group of teenagers go camping and meet up with a homicidal maniac in the woods).  Other synopses are so long and drawn out that you get tired reading just that.

3.  Upon opening the scripts, you realize that the formatting is so bad, or that the script is riddled with so many typos that the writer didn't spend much time with it (not many of us want to read first draft scripts that were cranked out in a day or two).

There are a number of us who have been around a while.  We've devloped a reputation for reading other people's scripts and some of us have developed a following for our writing.  This is not a closed inner circle (as a short-time member once claimed).  All you have to do to join this circle is to participate in the boards.  And once you do that, more people will read your work.


Phil

This is an interesting thread.  Looks like Brea didn't understand ya' at first, TA -- I didn't see her post and it looks like she deleted it anyway -- so I wouldn't take that one personal.

By the way, that little "quote" button on the upper right is what you use to box up someone else's text.

Getting your script read is a witch's brew -- sure, active members get read more, but you need a good logline, and you have to be in a genre that appeals to lots of readers.  Action, where you are hanging out, gets overlooked -- for whatever reason -- nobody knows why, really.

I read the loglines for the scripts you mentioned, and I was like, "Eh...".  They were both kind of wordy and cliche, at least to me.

You also need a good title.  That is paramount, you know?  "The Silk" is an awful title, frankly.  (No offense, Lon, if you're looking -- but it is)

And there are tons of scripts on these boards, too -- so getting your script looked at is a combination of alchemy and talent and hanging around a bit -- it takes all three.

There's nothing wrong with you digging up buried gems, TA -- as long as you don't mind your comments falling on deaf ears more often than not.

But some of those 10+ threads also contain darn good scripts, too -- and authors that will actually appreciate what you have written to them.

Quoted from bert By the way, that little "quote" button on the upper right is what you use to box up someone else's text.

Thanks bert, I could never figure out how to use that feature!

Just to add my two cents, this site is pretty much based on that old morality clause of "treat people how you want to be treated."  In other words, if you want yours read, sometimes you have to suck it up and read a couple of other people's first.  Or like bert said above, you better have a very good logline and/or synopsis that makes people want to read it.  This place is like the real world in the fact that you have the regulars that get their stuff read almost endlessly, and then you get the newcomers that post really good scripts or help others out and join the club.  

I had to write two screenplays before anyone even talked to me, let alone reviewed my script when I first got on here.  (Thanks Tomson for breaking the ice for me).  It's nothing personal, it's just the way it goes.  I've been a bit more giving lately and having been reading many new writers' work and helping them out.  It's just a cycle that 's mandatory, yet benefits all involved.  

Because no one reads them.

Next question please.

Also, if you get argumentative, or cop an attitude, no one will read your work.


Phil

Quoted from TAnthony Breanne, I'm not exactly sure what you're talking about, but the scripts I'm talking about don't belong to me. Maybe you're confused about that

Yes, indeed I did misunderstand. And did catch it. And did delete immediately after rereading. T, you must have copied it immediately after I initially posted it. I had no idea that anyone had read it until I came back.

Since it’s here, I suppose the only prudent thing to do would be to apologize. So T, I sincerely apologize to you for the comments. I reacted initially from anger because, well, for one, I misunderstood, and for two, there are so many people who come here and can’t seem to participate but expect the rest of us to read and comment on their work. Often, these people are extremely arrogant.

Since I’m drawn into this conversation whether I like it or not, I suppose I’ll try and contribute something of value to the conversation.

To answer your question, people read what they want. What they feel drawn to. If someone doesn’t read a script, it’s because that script failed to draw someone in. Or because it simply hasn’t done it yet. Your seeing the beginning of a process. You read a script that didn’t have a lot of comments. Well, you may have very well generated interest in that script that may increase its readership. That’s what happened to some that have several comments.

Or it may be that a writer has gained a reputation as a quality writer and hence is able to garner reads based on name or reputation.

The very first script I ever posted here at Simply Scripts is no longer posted. Want to know why? Because it went a year with no reads. No comments and hardly even any viewings.

It takes time. I didn’t just come here and people fell all over my work. And keep in mind, every comment isn’t positive. It takes time and effort and work and patience.


Brea

Brea you had a screenplay that no one read?  Wow.  I find that hard to beleive.

All of yours have been so good.  

Quoted from guyjackson Brea you had a screenplay that no one read?  Wow.  I find that hard to beleive. All of yours have been so good.

Hey Guy, thanks but yeah, I’ve written some real clunkers -- haha.

I posted my first screenplay on here in April 2004. It got its first review in May 2005. And you know where that review came from? It was one of the first review exchanges. I read someone else's work, and they read mine. I believe one of my very first posts on the board was on this thread.

The other script posted in April of 2004 was not reviewed until June 2005. This was after I had been an SS member for over 6 months sporadically posting and plugging into the madness.

Fempiror was posted in November of 2005 and someone said they read shortly thereafter (as part of one of the old review services people were conducting on her for awhile), but never really reviewed it. It was read in May 2005, again after I became a part of the community.

Since then, reads have come easier because people know I do repay reads and will review pretty much anything they want. They also have become accustomed to how I write and (yes, tooting my own horn, but I have been told this) are fairly certain they're going to read something at least decent, if not good.

Did I get frustrated when no one read my stuff? Oh yeah. Did I post treads begging for reads? Oh yeah. When did I get read though? When I stopped asking and started contributing.

I had a full length script up once called LIFE, went for a year nobody posted but for a "I'll read this" and I had it removed. Since I've got great advice from people i've met on this site that aren't here anymore sadly.

We've all been ignored or had work ignored, it's just how to deal with it. I'm still bitter about it but I know that half of the people who are here now were not here at that time.

Also when my animated series got ignored because Banana Chan was all the rage, then I moved it to the series board which was brand new at the time and it got ignored and funny enough George had read episode 1 right when I had it removed.

That's in a nutshell how it goes, people pretend they care, you release the script and become outcast. A year later somebody will read it, wait another 2 years and you might even fill up a page... git r done and have fun.