Do you guys feel that the first read/review a script gets effects the way the rest of the readers perceive it and how they comment on it???

Just to ponder.

Would it work the same with this thread? JK

There are definitely certain trends with the substance/tone of reviews and feedback.  There are certain members that don't let previous comments or feedback persuade their own.  When I first joined, I kinda went with the flow, over time I got a little better at doing my own thing.  Its hard to do, but I feel the more reads you have under your belt, the less you depend on the supporting remarks.  

Quoted from KevinLenihan Would it work the same with this thread? JK

Touche! So I'm guessing we can expect a thread of witticism? :P I'm kidding, I'm kidding.

But this is a great topic for a thread, Dena.

And my answer is that of course it does. Like, even here I read what Kevin and Jonny had to say on the matter before I started to write my answer; not because I wanted to conform to their opinions, but because I was merely curious.

And if you read other people's comments before you read a script, or even after for that matter, these are likely to influence what you pay attention to. I remember reading a script for which I did not have the time to read the other comments. I liked it, left mostly positive feedback, picked up on a few things to change. But when I got back from uni, I then read some of the other comments, which were more negative than I had been. So I then re-read the script and noticed these negative things, which at first had not been a problem for me.

So yeah, even if it is not people wanting to explicitly conform to the majority, I think what other people say about a script can definitely influence what we pay attention to, and therefore the comments we make.

I try to skip past the comments before I review.

Mark

I do the same as Mark normally, but it depends. Like if it's an OWC, I don't read the reviews until after I've written mine. Same with if a friend posted and wanted a read. But if I'm browsing for a script to read...which I seldom do now anyway...I'm not likely to want to waste time on a script no one likes.

However, In my 2.5 years here, I do notice there can be a bandwagon effect, which is normal.

People seem more likely to jump on a bad script than gush on a good one. I write my notes while reading so my comments are what they are regardless of what a reviewer ahead of me thought of the script.

I don't mind if feedback is similar or whatnot, I just don't like when folks give feedback that isn't constructive.  I read many scripts that I never commented on because I didn't know how to communicate or give good feedback.

Nobody wants to be the one who "didn't get it". So, you're likely (not guaranteed) to find that a script people liked will have a middle of the road review from a person who actually really didn't like it. Obviously, there's differences of opinion there and people who don't care about the bandwagon will straight up say they didn't like something (Jeff. *wink*) but people typically don't want to be the odd man out.

At the same time, last year, my brother and I tried a social experiment with a script for a MoviePoet contest. We fleshed out an idea and it made perfect sense in our head. But, due to the wacky things we threw in there and the short length of the script (two pages), not all of the information was allowed into the story. The test was to see if anyone claimed to understand the story and, if they didn't, would they give it a poor. According to the reviews, no one actually understood it but it didn't receive a single poor. On the opposite end of the spectrum, it gained a few excellents. We thought it was an interesting test.

I'm going to test this out next time I read a horrible script.  

I'll say the script was the best thing since, "Sliced Sorkin".  Wait...that sounds gross.  
On second thought, I'll just say it was "really good", and see if it influences others.

Jordan

Quoted from Mr. Blonde Obviously, there's differences of opinion there and people who don't care about the bandwagon will straight up say they didn't like something (Jeff. *wink*) but people typically don't want to be the odd man out.

So you're telling me Jeff is a bandwagon within a bandwagon?  Nooooo!

If this were three years ago, I'd be tempted to say something like Bandwagon-ception... But, I'll just call him the anti-Bandwagon... in the sense that there's only room for one man on that wagon. =)

I also make notes while reading a script and try not to read any previous posts until I've finished.  I do think a lot of reviews seems to follow suit of previous posters thoughts though.

Thorough development notes should be a TWO STEP process.

Fresh eyes notes as you go.
That way, you're only going off of your instincts IN THE MOMENT.
It helps an author to know EXACTLY where you checked out or got invested in the story.
Sum up those fresh notes with some hindsight suggestions.

If there's other notes available, I'll see if there's anything in them I agree with.
Only after I've completed my own read. I may add data I agree with to my notes.

I see a TON of Lemmings style notes when they get crowd sourced.
If you don't stand out, you can't get squashed for being different.

E.D.

A related question would be, Would the feedback be influenced if you knew that the script did well in a highly regarded contest?