Hey all,
    As we end the latest OWC, something struck me.  Mr. Blonde and Don wanted to keep it to just us, the regulars.  And that's awesome.  Kudos for that.

BUT, that doesn't help SS get any cash to stay afloat.  So, how about we help Don and the other site admins out and donate our time?

My idea?  Advertise something along the lines of submitting your best screenplay (say no longer than 15 pages) and have the regulars here tear it apart so that they can make their story better.  Each regular has to comment on a few.  The entry cost is something small like $5.00.  

All that cash goes to SS.  Lets face it, while I don't agree with everything that has gone on over the past year, the fact is, this is the ONLY site online that allows us to talk and grow as people and writers.  I'd be glad to do my part to make this site better.

I might be ill, but, I can still donate an hour a day (on average) if it helps the site be strong.  Other sites can charge hundreds of dollars.  And their credentials aren't much better.  

So, what do the mods and the regulars think of the idea?

Dan

Not to speak for Don, but he doesn't seem like the type who goes out and stumps for donations to the site, whether it be through a contest or not.

Dan, you can make a donation to the site on the main page of SS.

I don't think comps with money attached is the right way to go, if that's what you're suggesting.

SS is one of a kind. Always has been.

Yeah, I just donate a small % if I get an option or sale that's originated from here... seems right to me...

Quoted from LC . SS is one of a kind. Always has been.

Certainly concur with this. Most of what I have learned has been here.

Quoted from AnthonyCawood Yeah, I just donate a small % if I get an option or sale that's originated from here... seems right to me...

I like that.

I think Jeff should donate $5 every time he is out by page 1
Boom! Retirement for Don  :)

I think this is a great idea. I'm sure it would help SS out a lot.

~Zack~

I'm not speaking for Don, but it just doesn't seem to be something he would do. He struggled to even allow ads on his site.

If I remember correctly, but I'm getting old...

I just thought it'd help out the site, AND help out writers who don't know about us.

And who knows, perhaps some of those writers would become regulars.  

So, it isn't just about the cash.  It's also about helping others get better.  

And I agree with Dave, I have learned so much from this site.  I just wanted a way to give back.  And yes, I plan to donate a % of whatever I sell to SS.  It's only right.

However, until then, I'm just poor and broke and in pain...

Hoping for a better tomorrow.

Dan

Quoted from irish eyes I think Jeff should donate $5 every time he is out by page 1 Boom! Retirement for Don  :)

Low blow and yet, awesome. Sorry, Jeff... Lol. =)

I totally agree with the sentiment Dan, learnt so much from the writers on here and the opportunity to post scripts, get feedback, participate in the OWCs, have producers find my scripts... well it's invaluable!

It's one of the reasons I write articles and interviews for the site, and review scripts on occasion, I feel a compulsion to give back to the site that has given me so much... long live SS.

Hail the Don!

~Zack~

Quoted from DanC I just thought it'd help out the site, AND help out writers who don't know about us. And who knows, perhaps some of those writers would become regulars.   So, it isn't just about the cash.  It's also about helping others get better.   And I agree with Dave, I have learned so much from this site.  I just wanted a way to give back.  And yes, I plan to donate a % of whatever I sell to SS.  It's only right.

Again, I'm not speaking for Don, so I could be really wrong here, but...

I think to all of us that frequent the forum here, we often forget that it is a very small portion of SS. Just looking at the home page and what is available at SS makes that clear. At least IMHO.

The forum have changed a LOT over the 10+ years, I've been here. People used to read more. Not that many people read scripts posted nowadays. Especially not features. I have no idea why that changed. Personally, I prefer to read pro scripts. i will read features though, if I know who wrote it. Usually they send me their script directly though.

As far as paying Don back for his awesomeness, no one owes him more than me. But, I have plans...  ;)

Hi Dan,

Keeping this OWc to just the regulars, or rather, just to the discussion board participants, is so done so that we don't have a huge number of submissions and helps ensure that everyone gets a read and feedback.  When OWCs are opened to the larger community, it does not in any way increase cash flow to the site.  

The site, as it is now, has been like this for a long time. In its current state and as I run it, financially, it is pretty much a wash. At the end of the financial year, any money left over the entity that is SimplyScripts spends on crappy mugs, kickstarters and 'scholarships' (e.g., The Writer's Lab).  When revenue is high, I pull down advertising. When it is low, we get the occational popup or ads for Russian brides...

I apologize if I've given the impression that the site was in danger of closing due to funding. In its current state, the site is fine.  

When it comes to contests and money, that is where things get sticky.  In the past it has gotten ugly when someone didn't 'win' a crappy mug that wasn't even promised to begin with.  You can only imagine the headache when you introduce money into the equation.  And, at $5.00 a throw, that isn't a lot of money.  At best, and OWC has pulled in just shy of 50 participants. That is a lot of additional effort for $250 in return.  

So, a bit to Steven's point.  I don't stump for money because at this point the advertising is covering everything and I don't make promises about what the site can do for you.  In fact, I very much downplay the site's role in the successes individuals have had in large part to the fact that the individual successes have been due to the individual's own tenacity.

So, while I appreciate the sentiment, the best thing and the best payback is that we help each other read and make helpful comments, share experiences and write the occational review of a really good script you've read on the site so I can post to the main site.  (With that being said, it doesn't rule out a money contest in the future, but at this time we are going to percolate along as it is).

But keep those suggestions coming.

- Don

Quoted from Grandma Bear Again, I'm not speaking for Don, so I could be really wrong here, but... I think to all of us that frequent the forum here, we often forget that it is a very small portion of SS. Just looking at the home page and what is available at SS makes that clear. At least IMHO. The forum have changed a LOT over the 10+ years, I've been here. People used to read more. Not that many people read scripts posted nowadays. Especially not features. I have no idea why that changed. Personally, I prefer to read pro scripts. i will read features though, if I know who wrote it. Usually they send me their script directly though. As far as paying Don back for his awesomeness, no one owes him more than me. But, I have plans...  ;)

I think the emergence of SHORTS and the popularity of them may have caused the downage of reads on anything else.

I do wish we could implement a trial period for new people to the site, though. Like you have to be present and comment on things before you are allowed to post. Because it just floods the forum with 'drop off' scripts making it hard for those who are actually present and commenting.

But, I know that's a tall order.

Quoted from Female Gaze I think the emergence of SHORTS and the popularity of them may have caused the downage of reads on anything else. I do wish we could implement a trial period for new people to the site, though. Like you have to be present and comment on things before you are allowed to post. Because it just floods the forum with 'drop off' scripts making it hard for those who are actually present and commenting. But, I know that's a tall order.

I think the shallow response on features is simply that it takes quite an effort to get through one. If I don't have time for a full read, I try at least to give 10 or 20 pages a shot. I will obviously read on if I am taken in by the story, with one caveat. I will only read full features from what I know to be contributing members.

Quoted from eldave1 I think the shallow response on features is simply that it takes quite an effort to get through one. If I don't have time for a full read, I try at least to give 10 or 20 pages a shot. I will obviously read on if I am taken in by the story, with one caveat. I will only read full features from what I know to be contributing members.

Yeah. That's what I'm saying. In a lot of cases, people just drop scripts off. and then just never contribute. It sucks because it puts a damper on writer's effort to write something and get feedback.

It is a bit easier (BY no offense) to get through a short than a feature, no question, even if it is just a 'one-off'.

I think Don changed the submissions so that people who don't want feedback can specify this on the submission form... then they can post and hope a producer sees it.

Quoted from Female Gaze I do wish we could implement a trial period for new people to the site, though. Like you have to be present and comment on things before you are allowed to post. Because it just floods the forum with 'drop off' scripts making it hard for those who are actually present and commenting. But, I know that's a tall order.

Ashlie,

A common complaint.  That is why I added the "No comments needed" to the submission form.  Granted not a lot of folks follow that. And, we are always going to get folks to take more than they give. I feel lucky since we have a few folks who give more than they receive.  

Quoted from eldave1 I think the shallow response on features is simply that it takes quite an effort to get through one. If I don't have time for a full read, I try at least to give 10 or 20 pages a shot. I will obviously read on if I am taken in by the story, with one caveat. I will only read full features from what I know to be contributing members.

Dave,

Exactly. I need to set expectations better at the front end that if you are submitting a feature, the best you are going to hope for is first ten pages

Quoted from Grandma Bear As far as paying Don back for his awesomeness, no one owes him more than me. But, I have plans...  ;)

Please be a hooker with cocaine. Tall, like Booke Shields...

Actually, Pia has already paid back in full with interest.  

Nobody owes me anything.

Oh dude, coke is bad.  Notice I didn't say a word about the hooker.  But, coke is bad.  Even cola is bad...

And I will drop the contest.  I just thought if the site was struggling a bit that this contest might help.  

And you are right Don, the regulars do help each other.

I find it ironic too.  Each person on here is a person that I'm in direct competition with to sell a script.  Yet, I don't care b/c all of you are family to me (yes, you too Jeff ;)) and I'm happy if one of you sells something.  And I'm pretty sure that If I sell something that you guys will be happy for me (and not jealous like so many others would).  

That's what makes this site special and I hope that all of us can stick together for a long time.

Health permitting, that's my plan...

Dan

There's no such thing as competition in the art world. It can feel like that, but it's a misnomer.

There's always room for good stuff.