Hope all goes well for you Shaun... it was a terrific script.

Good to see the SS guys sticking up for you... nice one

Mark

Quoted from Breanne Mattson I'm not that familiar with the process, but does he go by actual votes? I got the impression the votes were really just recommendations.

Carson tends to go with the recommendations.
Cuz his readers are more likely to contribute comments on a script they like.
If he discards all the analysis and just picks one, his readership tends to dwindle.

Quoted from Electric Dreamer Carson tends to go with the recommendations. Cuz his readers are more likely to contribute comments on a script they like. If he discards all the analysis and just picks one, his readership tends to dwindle.

I figured that, but I also thought I read somewhere that he didn't count votes because a writer's friends could just vote them in. I figured known members' votes would count and lesser knowns might have their votes kicked.

I agree with Breanne. It can't be a tabulation of votes. The process can be manipulated. So the votes of regular contributors should weigh more. That said, Shawn had a lot of regulars who have never heard of him like his work.

First off - Shawn...rooting for you and What Doesn't Kill You.  See? The kid DOES stay in the picture....

Everyone else: last call to get over to Scriptshadow and boost Breanne (Warning Shot) and myself (Stream of Consciousness) on AF!  Not gonna sway anyone as to ultimate pick...

(Whispers in the background: Stream, Stream, Stream...)  Just kidding.   Just - everyone should make their honest opinion heard, either way.  

Not to be an ass or anything - but I kinda hope it doesn't get reviewed, at least not at the moment (though I'm sure it will).

Sure, the writing is great, but the massive genre shift midway through is hugely problematic imo.

Thus, unfortunately, in it's current state, I genuinely believe WDKY is destined for a: [x] wasn't for me. Hence, the reason why I haven't been pushing more for it to be reviewed on Scriptshadow.

I know you guys will argue that the exposure Shawn will receive, coupled with the great notes he'll undoubtedly get, will make it worth it.

But why settle for a: [x] wasn't for me -? When with another rewrite or two, WDKY could easily get a: [x] worth the read or better still an: [x] impressive! If that were to happen, he'd get some strong traction behind WDKY and who knows where it could all lead?

You only get one chance to make a good first impression. So the chances of WDKY getting a second chance (if it does indeed get reviewed) on Scriptshadow would be pretty remote imo.

Shawn - I wish you the very best of luck should WDKY  get reviewed. And I really hope I'm wrong about all this!!

Rolo

Good observation Rolo,

I was thinking along those same lines last night as I began the re-write on WDKY.

I should have it done in a couple weeks.

I wonder if Carson would entertain the notion of simply allowing me to re-enter it in a couple of weeks to the weekend offering.

That way, Gravity Kills still gets his review without me stealing any thunder and I get another crack at the Weekend Offering.

I’ve got a GREAT angle going on in the re-write where I’ll be able to keep the supernatural element and bring Clive into it by connecting him and Derek in afterlife experiences regarding the same killings.

I wouldn’t know who to contact over there to ask…

Shawn…..><

I just left a message over at Scriptshadow basically asking the same thing.

To let Gravity Kills have this review and to allow me a chance to re-enter in a couple weeks with the new twist added to the story.

Thanks for all the great input guys.

Lets see what he says...

Btw...I'll be getting over there tonight to give my vote on one of the scripts.

Shawn.....><

There's luck involved. My script happened to go up against a script that got a rare worth the read. Mine was kind of the runner up in terms of reader's choice. Luck of the draw. And I made sure there was no deck stacking.

It got some reads and notes...I move on. It's cool that the blog gives us a possible side door into exposure. No complaints on my end.

@ KevinL - I really wanted to read Noir of the Dead and get behind it. Problem was/is I'm rewriting my own zombie script and didn't want any of your work/writing seeping in via my subconscious and ending up in my own script! Sorry, man.

@ Shawn - If you haven't done so already? The best way to contact Carson is carsonreeves1 at gmail dot com
Great to hear you're tackling a rewrite of WDKY! Not so sure about the supernatural aspect though?! Not sure how fast you write - Just wonder if you could do two versions? One with. One without. See which one works best?

Quoted from rolo @ Shawn - If you haven't done so already? The best way to contact Carson is carsonreeves1 at gmail dot com Great to hear you're tackling a rewrite of WDKY! Not so sure about the supernatural aspect though?! Not sure how fast you write - Just wonder if you could do two versions? One with. One without. See which one works best?

I sent him an email as well as post on the thread.

I see Brett made comment as well. Thanks Brett!
Rolo,

I think you will like the direction I'll be going with it.

I'll be tieing Clive and Derek together with the same murder scene.

I have a couple other changes as well.

Shawn.....><

Quoted from KevinLenihan There's luck involved. My script happened to go up against a script that got a rare worth the read. Mine was kind of the runner up in terms of reader's choice. Luck of the draw. And I made sure there was no deck stacking. It got some reads and notes...I move on. It's cool that the blog gives us a possible side door into exposure. No complaints on my end.

And, Kevin, I was a bit late on jumping on the band wagon and announcing it more predominately  .  

-Don

No, that's ok, Don, I didn't really want to stack the deck. I asked people not to. And the script that was ultimately selected resonated more with readers, so it was fair. I'm cool with how it went down.

After it was said and done, I gave my vote to Janet's script - Stream of Consciousness.

I didn't want to write alot, being new over there and having to offer a vote between two very talanted writers...

You both have done an outstanding job.

You should be VERY proud.

Best of luck to both of you.

Shawn.....><

I'll start off on a positive note. It's not easy getting your script on AF so congrats to all that did, whether at voting stage or actual SS review. It's a nice piece of validation and confirmation that your work vibes with people. Kudos.

But you guys are putting WAY too much credence into reviews and opinions from a man who less than a decade ago was nothing more than a tennis coach.

Not that there's anything wrong with tennis coaching. I just wouldn't ask them to read and review my latest screenplay.

So here's the truth from under the cover-

Carson Reeves or Scriptshadow might be well-connected now, but he's not well liked. In fact, his name attached to projects (particularly as producer) has already ruined deals for writers. Yes, there are some producers who tolerate what he does as a necessary evil for farming new talent and voices, but that's where it begins and ends.

He didn't have much to do with the juggernaut that was Tyler's Disciple script. The screenplay was finding its way into inboxes way before he came along. But that didn't stop him publicizing his involvement on his website like he'd single-handedly uncovered this hidden talent all by himself.

That's not factoring in the working writer's jobs he's ruined and in-production projects derailed by his reviewing early draft scripts and presenting his opinion like this was the blueprint for how the movie will turn out. Rather than admitting these were early drafts never meant to see the light of day. Something that meant people like Fox threatened to serve him a cease and desist order (something that strangely never got mentioned on the blog).

As to requests that he not review a draft where the twist is going through changes. Good luck. Let's hope he's changed his tune. A year back, a writer did the same thing. Asked that Carson not review an early draft and offered to send him the update. Carson ran the early draft review! Why? Because mediocre reviews don't drive contributors to his website. BAD ONES DO! The comment section is strewn with the writer defending his work. Explaining Carson's underhand actions.

That's before we even get into the SS acolytes that infest the comment section. To give you an idea of just how useful this whole thing is, at a guess I'd say 0.5% of those who comment on AF are working screenwriters. The rest are spewing Guru bilge they read in the latest HOW TO book. You have a much better community here.

So how do you know which 0.5% to trust? You don't. For all you know, the notes you receive could be the one thing that leads you to damage the draft you have.

It's a total crapshoot. Want to know why?

Working screenwriters rarely frequent Scriptshadow. Because what he does (though thankfully not so much since the warning) is potentially damage careers. And though he's changed his ways (been forced to at least), pros have not forgiven him. For years, he put people's livelihoods in jeopardy to advertise his website and peddle his wares.

Sound like an exaggeration? Just listen to what John August or Craig Mazin think of him. And this is the person you want reviewing your work?

Even after he proved he didn't 'get' TDJ? Even after it was all but proved he must have skim-read? And you're still submitting to him?

Why? Because he can get you read by CAA or WME? Here's a newsflash! YOU can get you read by those agencies. Download manager contact lists and query. Those Managers will get you into the top agencies to be read. There's nothing Carson has done that wouldn't have happened anyway based on the quality of the work.

So what do you gain from submitting to AF? If you're well received, a few interesting notes and ideas once you sift through the sewer bilge. If it's not well received? That review remains there FOREVER! Anytime a producer/Potential-rep might Google you, there it is. That moment in your fledgling career where a Tennis Coach said he didn't like your work. Apologies for capslock mode-

BUT YOU'RE SEEKING THE APPROVAL OF A MAN WHO GIVES NEGATIVE REVIEWS BECAUSE HE DOESN'T LIKE THE GENRE!

And this is a man who wants to be a producer and yet finds it impossible to exercise objectivity. It's not about what he likes. It's about what sells!

Be smart. What you have here on Simply is so much better. You have peers who will review with no agenda. Who won't snark through a review because they failed to have theirs or their favorite amateur script selected. Seek advice from people on here. At least you know where it comes from.

Good luck to those still in the running. I hope this is that rare time where Carson's review is the catalyst for something positive. Otherwise, the only advice you should be seeking from Mr. Shadow is how to strengthen your backhand.