First of all congrats to Chris and secondly, maybe this proves that format sticklers aren't always right?  (Can of worms opened?)

I have just opened this script and I do agree though that it is vastly overwritten and poorly formatted.

Well done though, Chris.

I actually looked up the competition, thinking it was a scam.  Apparently, moviebytes.com gives it good reviews.

I'm as befuddled as the rest, Chris.  You've apparently found the only screenplay competition that doesn't set a page limit (most set it at about 130 pages).  I looked at the first five pages and found it too heavy with detail.

Quoted Text Plus the fact that I have had this script critiqued and I was told that they found it to be rather rich in detail (Important). This was a plus for me, because all directors, producers, and other entities need this kind of writing.

I'm gonna have to call bullshit on this.  Directors don't want to be chained down with all this detail.  They want room to work and it looks like you're not giving it to them.  Especially with your camera angles.  And actors like to interpret charactyers in their own way.

I sincerly doubt that people will read this script in it's entirety.  In the time it would take to do this, they could easily read two other features here.

Good luck with it.


Phil

Color me dumbfounded.  If the link hadn't been provided, I'd have laughed the author off this website.  But I still stand by my original assessment that this is an over-written mess.  The only logical explanation for me would be that all the other entries were even worse and made this one look like gold in comparison (talk about dumbfounded...)

Congrats anyway, but this makes no sense to me whatsoever.

Quoted from Lon Color me dumbfounded.  If the link hadn't been provided, I'd have laughed the author off this website.  But I still stand by my original assessment that this is an over-written mess.  The only logical explanation for me would be that all the other entries were even worse and made this one look like gold in comparison (talk about dumbfounded...)

I have to concur completely.

Quoted from Lon Color me dumbfounded.  If the link hadn't been provided, I'd have laughed the author off this website.  But I still stand by my original assessment that this is an over-written mess.  The only logical explanation for me would be that all the other entries were even worse and made this one look like gold in comparison (talk about dumbfounded...) Congrats anyway, but this makes no sense to me whatsoever.

You must have some serious writing chops to post something as bold as this!

Looking forward to "The Snow"!

In homebrewing competitions, there is a saying:  The best-of-show winner is only as good as the 2nd best-of-show winner.

I found it kind of odd that the competition would have grand prize winners for each genre.  Grand prize generally means the best over all; there can be only one... like The Highlander.


Phil

I figured there would be some controversy on this thread.

It is fine to offer congrats -- but continued dope-slapping of the script serves no good purpose, really, so probably time to wind that down.  I mean, you are not going to convince this author that he has done something wrong, you know?

And fact is, nobody has read the script, right?  Understandable -- given its length -- but who knows what is in there that clearly spoke to somebody?

I would suggest that there is a lesson here -- both about personal voice, and contests in general -- but I am still working out just what that lesson might be...

Quoted from Andrew You must have some serious writing chops to post something as bold as this! Looking forward to "The Snow"!

I don't think it's bold to state a screenplay is badly written, and it has nothing do with my ability; this is about basic screenwriting principals.  Afterall, I'm not the only person who gave the kind of feedback I gave, and I'm not the only person to express surprise and doubt.  Which begs the question, why are you singling me out?

I don't begrudge anyone their success, I'm simply trying to understand how this script managed to win in its category.

But bert is right.  Regardless of how WE see the script, I'm sure the author doesn't appreciate us pissing on his parade.  I'll refrain from further comments other than to once again congratulate him and wish him luck.

Quoted from Lon I don't think it's bold to state a screenplay is badly written, and it has nothing do with my ability; this is about basic screenwriting principals.  Afterall, I'm not the only person who gave the kind of feedback I gave, and I'm not the only person to express surprise and doubt.  Which begs the question, why are you singling me out? I don't begrudge anyone their success, I'm simply trying to understand how this script managed to win in its category. But bert is right.  Regardless of how WE see the script, I'm sure the author doesn't appreciate us pissing on his parade.  I'll refrain from further comments other than to once again congratulate him and wish him luck.

Oh, we should definitely congratulate. That's the only reason I commented, 'cos i felt you were singling his script out for a very rough time. I wasn't singling you out, though. I just thought the message was a little uncalled for. I'm sure you wouldn't appreciate someone referring to your script in the way you did his.

Andrew, not to single you out either, but you should read the first 5 or 10 and see what you think.

I'd be interested.

To be fair, I haven't read it, and everyone may be right, I just don't think the poor bloke should get bashed over the head with comments about his script.

Quoted from Andrew To be fair, I haven't read it, and everyone may be right, I just don't think the poor bloke should get bashed over the head with comments about his script.

Andrew, you know how SS works.  Writers post their work and members read it and provide their feedback.

We know damn well that all feedback is not good feedback, in terms of being praise, as well as being accurate.  We all have to take what we get with a number of salt shakers - some is good and accurate, some is poor and not good advice at all.

These posts are all personal opinions and everyone needs to understand that.

Let's not over debate it, but we're talking about two different things. I don't have a problem with negative feedback, but if someone says "it's an overblown mess", or something of that nature, I think it's a bit meanspirited. There are nicer ways of saying an opinion. Plus, and here's the kicker, if Steven Spielberg says it's an overblown mess, he's a massively talented filmmaker that has more credibility in speaking like that 'cos he's a got a track record - but let's just have it on the record that I don't approve of anyone being so dismissive. Especially if it's a rogue amateur offering his opinion - it doesn't wash to speak so authoritatively from the tower looking gigantically down.

And there's no way it would pass the 'would-you-say-it-to-their-face-in-the-pub' test. So if those social rules are applicable in person, why not on a forum. That's my underlying point and I've always been consistent on that and have only ever called people out on that principle.

Quoted from Andrew Oh, we should definitely congratulate. That's the only reason I commented, 'cos i felt you were singling his script out for a very rough time. I wasn't singling you out, though. I just thought the message was a little uncalled for. I'm sure you wouldn't appreciate someone referring to your script in the way you did his.

If someone felt I'd written a bad script and took the time to explain why, I would have no problem with that whatsoever.  That's what this website is for, its entire raison d'etre -- you post your work, you get feedback.  You can't pick and choose what kind of feedback you get.

I explained the issues I had with this script plainly, clearly and objectively.   Even when the author got defensive, I made it a point to clarify that my intention wasn't to belittle, but to provide honest, objective feedback.  That's my approach to every script I reply on, so no, I didn't single this script out in any way.

It's not my intention to insult the author.  I don't know the first thing about him.  He could be a heckuva guy, a god among men.  But we don't come here to critique the person, we come here to critique the work.  And that's what I did, just like I always do.

Congratulations Christopher. I left you a heart felt comment but I see someone erased it because I was being honest. I basically told you to stay true to yourself and dont listen to a bunch amateurs on this site at how to sell or write a screenplay and lo and be hold you have done well for yourself. Congrats once again.  Let the haters hate my friend! : )