Kevin Smith's message board does it that way, I have an account. He hasn't had a problem getting the vast amount of members he has, that's all I'm saying.

I've read every post on this thread.
The only thing I want to say is this:  George, I'm readying Vengeance. April rewrite.
My comments will be up in a day or two.
And I will post my script soon.  I am writing.  Thank you.
That's why I'm here.

Quoted from The boy who could fly $2 really isn't that much, I don't think it would break anyone's pocket book, but how would you pay, like send a check in the mail, I don't have a credit card so I couldn't pay that way.

I don't think the cost is the point. I think that by putting a price on membership, you would find that only the serious people would make the effort to send the cash.  

Well, this is an interesting thread. This problem has been raised many times before, and there�s no easy solution. I honestly don�t think the message board has changed that much in the year or so I�ve been here, and I don�t think the influx of kids is entirely to blame for the problems we�re seeing.
I visit a lot of writing forums and this is my favorite, mostly because of the people here and the fact that you can easily read and comment on anyone�s work. That said, it�s probably the least �professional� of all the writer�s boards I go to. I don�t mean that as an insult to Don, or any of the members here. I mean that in the sense that I�ll often sift through five pages of the most recent posts and find nothing but mindless banter that bears little or no relation to the craft of writing. I enjoy a lot of the banter around here but, first and foremost, I�m here to sharpen my skills as a screenwriter, and hopefully share some of the things I�ve learned with other writers.  
Wesley does a great job of modding the boards and it�s not his fault the WIP board gets out of hand. I think it�s more to do with the nature of the board itself and the fact that Wesley seems to be fighting the battle alone. We need more mods who are willing to rule with an iron fist. We also need sticky threads that clearly state the purpose of every board and that off-topic posts will be deleted. These rules need to be enforced.
In general, I�d like to see more writing related topics on the board. I�d like to see Screenwriting Class become the most popular sub forum on the site. I�d like to see the WIP board become a place for people to critique loglines and evaluate the salability of concepts, to encourage creative thinking, to identify the strengths and weaknesses of an idea or concept and suggest ways to improve. I�d like people to think before they start new threads. I�d like to see a Script Pages section where people can post a 5 page sample of their script for critique (ala Done Deal and Absolute Write). I�d like to see that section properly moderated. This way, new writers can fix any mistakes inherent in their writing before they post an entire script. I�d like to see a private office sub forum that works on invitation only, so a group of likeminded writers can get together and discuss the craft away from the distractions of the main board. I�d like to see industry people come to the forum and find a group of writers willing to learn from their experiences, not scare them away with childish arguments fueled by their own frustrations and petty jealousies (this happens on other forums, not just this one). I�d like people to be more mature and not allow themselves to be drawn into arguments and personal attacks. We�re all guilty of this at times, and disputes are inevitable in any walk of life, it just takes a bit of maturity to walk away from a potential argument before it starts.

I'd like a forum where you can paste a bunch of text into a post and not have your apostrophe's show up as little question marks. Grrrr...

Just my $00.02

Quoted from Martin I'd like a forum where you can paste a bunch of text into a post and not have your apostrophe's show up as little question marks. Grrrr...

Everything was so doable and reasonable until you hit the last one, but you know you can't have everything...

I stand by my former comment of the idea that we're all mods if we want to be. There are way to curb off-topic discussions other than deleting them. We just need to stick ourselves out there and not be afraid to say something about it. Want an example? I gave this a shot on the thread for a Power Rangers script. Yeah, Power Rangers. Don curbed the discussion, I left a review, someone decided to leave it sucks again, and I dropped in to ask how. See what happened.

Well, I guess I’ll leave my final thoughts before the board gets locked:

It doesn’t much matter since Don has already stated that he doesn’t care. This is his site. It is the way he wants it. He doesn’t care to change with any expansion. It’s his site. It’s is choice. I think he made his point well; this site is not here for business purposes. So no serious writer should consider this site something to be used as such. If I want anything to change, I will have to change. That’s the message I got.

There are some things I would like to clear up:

1) First off, some people got the impression that there is a desire to rid the site of young people. Another thread calls it an “anti-youth” movement. Nothing could be further from the truth. But this is a site where both adults and kids frequent. To some (not all) of the kids, this is a vast playground. For me (and some other adults), I’m not getting the stimulation or interaction I would like.

I was only expressing my feelings and seeking a solution. And I don’t see anything wrong with that. And I stand by it.

2) I am concerned about the reputation of the site. And I think it’s a legitimate concern….for me. Maybe not for everyone. And obviously it’s not for Don. It really depends on how you look at it. There are some (like me) who think this site can achieve greater things. That’s just the way I am. I recognize the potential of something and I want to help it reach its pinnacle. It’s just the way I am. I dream big.

But for Don and most others, it’s not that way. It’s completely different. For Don, this place is a place where anyone, regardless of any factor, can post his/her work and have a chance of being read and appreciated by someone.

It’s an admirable intention. In many ways, far more admirable than mine. I want the site to be for serious writers. I want it to be a place where industry professionals can come and see that the greatest writers today are not necessarily in Hollywood or New York. I want to eradicate those that stand in the way of that dream. But that’s my dream.

Don’s dream is more potent. More alive. And in many ways more important. More advanced.

Our views oppose each other on this issue in places and intersect in others:

We both agree that this site should be for anyone who has a real passion for the craft of writing. Where we differ is that I want to screen out those who do not. Don’s philosophy is that that can never effectively be done. And by effectively, I don’t just mean possible - I also mean fairly.

Don is a wise man - who speaks from experience. I respect his “opinion” if it’s prudent to call it such under the circumstances. After all, he is the almighty in this domain.

I understand completely Don’s view on this. And it does negate my own.

As I see it, the only thing that can be done to improve is really to follow George’s very considerate recommendations on these matters. And if you get tired of some of the kids on occasion, well, you’ll just have to go elsewhere to mingle with adults.

And definitely, do not refer business contacts to anywhere here but the script itself.

To be honest, any script that I will consider shopping, I do not post here. Yes, I may send my draft to some writers here as I respect their ability and opinions, but once I've finished a script and I think it's good enough to shop, I won't post here.

What I do post here is scripts/shorts that I want to share with everyone, either to share a cool story/idea or get help with certain areas of my writing abilities. Wether this process is helps or hinders my development, that's my decision.

At the current moment, I can't see this site developing into an arena for industry folk (I'm talking about comparing it to sites like Inktip) where producers/agents can search out scripts and contact the writers. I just don't think Don wants to create himself a full time job and if he did, I'm sure he'd have to set up a membership/fee structure.

What I do consider this site to be, is an excellent source of ideas, scripts, resources and contacts with fellow writers. Wether the writers are developing screenwriters or just writing for fun, I've learned a hell of a lot since my 2 years here, and I don't want that to change. I also hope that I have contributed just as much as I have taken.

I'm not really worried about the reputation of the site, because I can't think of using the sites reputation to advance my development. I can't see a situation where I would point an agent or producer to a script here (not being negative about SS here). This is just a forum for me to collaborate and chit chat with fellow writers, read other's works and be a great source of varied resources.

I guess, to wrap up my thoughts. I think Don planned and launched this site for the purpose off reading scripts, no matter what the quality is. To change that to a place where industry people browse would probably change the basis of what Don thinks is fun and why he spends so much of his free time administrating.

Stewart

Hm.

Interesting thread.  Honestly, I had no idea things were getting so out of hand.  I rarely check in on non-script related or non-craft related sub-forums; I figure this site is about screenwriting, so I'll stick to screenwriting threads.  Not that I'm an elitist and don't think anyone here warrants me socializing with them -- but simply because, being a member of numerous message boards, I've seen a good number of them fall apart due to "general" discussion or threads which have nothing to do with the the purpose of the board.  Me, I come here to read scripts and have mine read, because I want to learn and perfect my writing ability.  It's quid pro quo...gotta give to get...you scratch my back, etc. and any other similarly appropriate cliche.

I've been coming to this board for roughly a year, give or take.  And the reason I don't have a comparatively high post count to others who've been here an equal amount of time is because I rarely stray outside of the script-related topics.  I'm not trying to come off as an unsociable ass -- I'm actually a pretty friendly guy and can get along with just about anybody -- but honestly, I couldn't care less what someone's favorite band is, or what their favorite TV show is when it comes to this particular website.  This site has a purpose, and it mirrors my own purpose in coming here -- to help me be a better screenwriter.  The second someone discussing their favorite band stands to make me a wealthy man, I'll start giving a damn  

Wow...I probably seem like a selfish and indifferent prick right now LOL -- but seriously, in the year I've been coming here I've always seen this site as a place for aspiring screenwriters to hone their crafts, to learn from the mistakes of others and maybe even have someone else learn from their own mistakes.  Anything else which goes on is, quite frankly, none of my concern.  If it won't help me be a better screenwriter, I don't have time for it.

Which brings me to a notion which has already been suggested by others in this thread, but I'm going to take it one step farther...

...if someone's being an asshole and starting trouble and posting ridiculously immature and chidlish replies, there's no rule or etiquette which requires you to reply and lower yourself to that level of childishness.  Honestly, life's just too damned short to waste on someone who's only going to piss you off.  I'd rather just be happy and become a better screenwriter; anything else which goes on here that doesn't play into that, I honestly could not care less about.  Some punk member's being a jerk and causing trouble?  That's all on him, he can't teach me anything, so I won't waste my precious time on 'im.

As for this site in general, I owe Don a big thanks.  I have two scripts posted on this website.  Right now I"m negotating an option on one of them, and the other is currently in the hands of three production companies -- each of them legitimate, and each of whom contacted ME because they read my script(s) HERE -- which never would have happened if Don, in his obvious generosity and willingness to look out for others who share his passion to become a successful screenwriter, had never opened this website.

So, Don -- thank you for this website.  Think I'll go read a script now...

When i first clicked on this thread i thought maybe it was a discussion on Porn scripts. Much to my relief it wasnt. Hehe After reading this thread and a few others - it occured to me that i have all this dirty laundry that needs to be taken out. I wonder why that thought crossed my mind?

Humm

AnotherWriter, I just PMed you.

Quoted from AnotherWriter Breanne, I can suggest a different forum for you if you like (not too sure if you're already aware of it)...I will have to you warn you that it's pretty cut throat there...

It doesn’t sound familiar right off. And this is really the only site where I spend any time at a message board. Most of the sites I frequent don’t even have a message board.

But it does sound like what I’m looking for. Please go ahead and pm me the details so I can check it out. Not to worry about the down-to business aspect. I’ve got plenty of experience dealing with cut throats and I prefer a more professional protocol when it comes to serious matters.


Thank you AW,


Brea

Sounds like Absolute Write to me.

Quoted from Welsey getting rid of useless members

I'll pack my bags...

I havn't posted a script for nearly a year now (not including the horrendous Hitler and the War) mainly because I havn't written my script yet. I review scripts that I think will be interesting, not scripts because I want a review from that writer (usually).

its ashame theres a consensus among some of the writers here that this site is falling out.

i have to disagree. there are some damn good scripts on this site. im reading some as we speak. this is a talented group here. the feedback boards all stay on topic - for the most part - and the criticism is constructive. seems okay to me for the most part

Quoted from SwapJack its ashame theres a consensus among some of the writers here that this site is falling out.

Well, the word consensus means a broad majority so I wouldn’t say there’s any consensus. This thread is really just a discussion about the direction of the board as a whole and was started because the site is so treasured by participants. Because it is such a good board.

I too love coming here and spending time. In fact, I would say I spend about as much time here as possible.

When you love something, you take steps to preserve what’s good, to protect it, and to enhance it if possible. That’s why this thread was started. It’s just a discussion.