Scripts of the RomCom 2019 OWC
Theme: Love/Romance
Genre: Rom-com
Challenge: Roses, chocolate and something red must be in the script. They should not be mere props in the background, but play some part, even if small.

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Rep Disrupter by Dronaldino Armandasio Trafalgario - A university student who is infatuated with a certain celebrity starts receiving credit for good deeds that were actually performed by her admirer, in order to boost her reputation and bring her true happiness. 10 pages.

Florida Man by Whet Faartz - A Florida man surprises his wife with a gift and, after some confusion, it turns out she has an even better one for him.

Of Death by This Guy Right Here - A man has a date with your not-so-typical angel.

The Proposal by -  Slug Horn - A nerdy lawyer gets up the nerve to propose to his girlfriend of three years. But his proposal results in some very unexpected consequences. 9 pages.

Crime of Fashion by Gerald St. George - A woman and a man meet and they fall in love. Although, the object of their affections is really each other's sense of style.

Rose Bud by -  Joaquín Guzmán - Sometimes a break-up is the first step towards an engagement.  10 pages.

Just Plane Unexpected by Goyo "Contest Name" Gregerson - Nothing seems to make sense as a young couple joyfully celebrate an anniversary in a cold, empty airliner. 7 pages.

Slam-Dunk Love by -  Billy P - A Los Angeles attorney plans a Valentine's Day surprise for an associate he's smitten with, but a change in her attire throws things into doubt. 8 pages.

Before The End Of The World by James J. Brooks - Two best friends discover they are in love minutes before the world ends. 6 pages.

Cupid's Arrow by Hairy Big Balls - Dick finally meets the love of his life on a speed dating event.  But will Fanny love him back? 6 pages.

Rough Love by A Hopeless Romantic - When a homeless man falls for a commuter, he must build his confidence in order to say hello. 9 pages.

Valen Crimes by B. Hynde Bars - A party business has issues, but from what? A computer virus or a deep-seated Valentine's fear. Perhaps it's AMORaphobia and unfulfilled dreams. Whatever it is: Revenge is sweet on an ugly street where two struggling love birds play a different kind of role. 10 pages.

Steal Your Heart by Gumphrey Hogart  - An obnoxious womanizer is struck by love at first sight and needs to stop his dream girl from getting away, but it's going to be hard to do when she's in the middle of robbing a bank. 8 pages.

Little Brown Box by Eva Markowitz - It's what's inside that counts.

The Perfect Pair by -  Gram Horse - An improbable pair meet their match.

Crazy In Love by The Mad Hatter - Short, RomCom, Dark - A woman battling mental health issues learns to let her guard down with the help of a quirky patient in a similar position.

Sometimes Boring Is Better by - Elle Efess - Bored of each other, a couple venture into the world of online dating only for their experiences to force them to question whether boring was better.

Small-Town Cops by Fyve Owe - A small-town cop tries to resist the advances of an unusually persistent petty criminal.

Second Chance by Michario - Young man wanting to make up for a mistake he made with his girlfriend.

Lovely Eggs by - D. Brown - A husband and wife question why their heads are so itchy while their young butler cooks them breakfast.

Red and White by The StoRyTeLLer - A confused artist and his chaotic friend try to catch love on canvas. .

True Love by Name Redacted IV - A fed-up Wife takes her ambitious Husband to marriage counseling after a string of over the top Christmas gifts.

30 Years by - Sam I. - Short, RomCom, Dramedy - A man celebrates his thirtieth wedding anniversary with his wife, with whom he's been away from for some time.

Persistent by - Ekon Kwan - A man thinks up a way to ask a girl of his dreams on a date.

Love Terror by - Jedrek Hagan - A valentine's anniversary gone horribly wrong when a husband drunkenly arrives home late for dinner.

Some Valentine Strange by The Chad - A very strange man chooses a hooker as his Valentine.

Swedish Number by Bills & Moon - A lonely Londoner reaches out to a random voice on the phone.

Cowboy for a Day by - May Not Be Used - Ryker thinks he just may have found the love of his life..but he also told her he was a cowboy.

The Option by Rudolph Valentino - A writer falls for a woman he meets in a bookstore, but a series of complications prevents them from connecting.

Blessing by - Grosbeak Bunting  - A year after losing her husband, a widow struggles with whether to date again.

Postcards by The Mailman - When promised postcards never arrive, a man wonders if the meet cute was real or in his head.

In Love and War by Buck Turgidson - A damsel in distress discovers that
her rescuer is not exactly a knight in shining armor.

Worshipping Sophia by Lilly Pond - When a hopeless dullard gets a tattoo in memory of his ex-girlfriend he finds a wacky way he just might win her back again.

The Go-To Girl by Alvy Singer - A lovesick lawyer pursues his sexy secretary with the help of a vivacious vixen.

OMG! Leo's Got Leukemia! by Jheri Curl Gyro - When an agoraphobiac's internet boyfriend gets Leukemia, she must face her biggest fear if she wants to meet him before he dies. .

Last Dance At The Mineshaft by - Anonymous - CAL, a respectable young executive in a Manhattan bank, turns down the chance of attending a Valentine's Day office party. Accused of being a virgin, Cal has a secret life, which he visits during that evening. Accused of being boring, his life is anything but.

Jurassic Love by Michael Crichton - A kindergartner's Valentines Day is nearly ruined when the girl he loves has eyes only for Tyrannosaurus Rex.

Colored Skulls by Nemo The Sixth - Short, RomCom - When Bob finds himself about to be burnt alive as a part of a ritual, he gets a chance to go home free if he can only prove that he's loved.

Don't Burst My Bubble by - blank - Short, RomCom - A determined young boy tries to win over his first love.

Grunge by Daniel Park - Short, RomCom - Jerry has a change of heart at a bookstore.

6PM - DQ'd by Sean Chipman -  22 pages.

Wow! Up so fast. Thanks Don. :)

There may be some glitches here and there.  Please use the report thread button if anything is seriously amiss and I'll attend to them in the morning (est).  

- Don

AMAZING!  What a turnout!  I sense some double+ entries...

Holy crap that's a lot to get through!

Can someone please let me know how the scoring works, do we give an overall score out of 10 or something? I need to make notes as I go otherwise I'm gonna lose track of this beast

I thought loads of people were bailing on this one! This is one of the biggest lists I can remember!

Quoted from Matthew Taylor Holy crap that's a lot to get through! Can someone please let me know how the scoring works, do we give an overall score out of 10 or something? I need to make notes as I go otherwise I'm gonna lose track of this beast

This from Pia:

There will be a Review Page E-mailed to you for you to score the scripts you read...

From me:

Until then -
Make constructive comments at this stage, Matt. Say what worked for you, what didn't, what can be improved upon, if you think it met the challenge parameters, if you thought it was a strong entry, etcetera. if you enjoyed it.

Great turn out! Gonna put on my reading shoes. ;D

Zack

Oh, wow...way more than expected, and a rapid turnaround from Don to get them up!  :P

Quoted from LC This from Pia: There will be a Review Page E-mailed to you for you to score the scripts you read... From me: Until then - Make constructive comments at this stage, Matt. Say what worked for you, what didn't, what can be improved upon, if you think it met the challenge parameters, if you thought it was a strong entry, etcetera. if you enjoyed it.

Thanks for the reply

Me being me, I am going to have to keep a spreadsheet of all entries, which ones I've read/commented on because I know I will lose track.

Quoted from Matthew Taylor Me being me, I am going to have to keep a spreadsheet of all entries, which ones I've read/commented on because I know I will lose track.

Good idea! You and me both - well, short notes anyway. :)

Don't forget to comment on the individual threads as you go.

Will do - Later tonight when the kid is in bed, I'm going to crack open a bottle of wine and get my Rom-Com on!  :)

Well done to everyone putting in an entry!

Woooooo!! Scripts are out, reading glasses on...let’s review the bejesus out of this!! God speed, fellow scripters

Quoted from Matthew Taylor Will do - Later tonight when the kid is in bed, I'm going to crack open a bottle of wine and get my Rom-Com on!  :) Well done to everyone putting in an entry!

Aww man, a tired parent who finally put the kids to bed falling in love with a bottle of wine and a good Rom Com is the perfect premise for a Rom Com....if only I had thought of this!! I’m a parent so it wouldn’t of been a stretch to imagine hahah

I’m really interested to see what all these scripts end up looking like!! ROM COMMMM!!!

Quoted from Matthew Taylor Thanks for the reply Me being me, I am going to have to keep a spreadsheet of all entries, which ones I've read/commented on because I know I will lose track.

Matt, also, don't out yourself on your script in reviews.  In the past, there have been writers who have taken exception to a review and commented back on the thread why they wrote it the way they did, or revealed themselves in some other way.  You stay anonymous until the writers are revealed by Pia and Don.


Gary

Quoted from Matthew Taylor Thanks for the reply Me being me, I am going to have to keep a spreadsheet of all entries, which ones I've read/commented on because I know I will lose track.

That's kind of what I do. I make a Wordpad document and list all the titles. Then, I put my score (a letter grade) next to the script and wait for the review page where I, then, translate it into whatever scoring categories are set up.

Thats a lot of scripts!

Wow, quite a turn-out this time. And this is AFTER half the board said they wouldn't be able to submit anything.

As promised/threatened, here is my unsubmitted and very bad idea since I'm curious if anyone else used the same gimmick:

Set on a cruise ship to allow repeated encounters and a shared laundromat.

Male lead (~30) has a buddy as his cabinmate, they're here for the singles scene.

Female leads are mom and daughter, 40ish and 20ish, both named Rose. Mom's basically celebrating her divorce. Daughter is basically the stereotype of unrealistic idealist snowflake.

Mom and the guy would have some intelligent bit of conversation in passing, inciting incident is the daughter leaves some bright red bit of lingerie in the dryer. He makes the mistake of making a big deal of returning it to her room, which is probably where the chocolates come in. Turns out the red underthing is Mom's.

He's going to have to choose between someone interesting or someone who's hot but incompatible. Eventually, he'll go with the former.

Damn... now I feel like even more of a chump; everybody in the world entered this challenge.

On the plus side, it is nice to know I'm not obligated to read every single one of these. Will certainly be joining the fray though. See if I can review better than I enter challenges.

:P

Quoted from James McClung On the plus side, it is nice to know I'm not obligated to read every single one of these. Will certainly be joining the fray though. See if I can review better than I enter challenges.

The same exact reason why I'm already regretting entering mine. Lol. =)

I've read bout 11 so far and maybe I'm not getting the concept of ROM COM but there's a lot death and F Bombs dropped...

I think of Something about Mary and movies like that.

Am I wrong?

Quoted from irish eyes I've read bout 11 so far and maybe I'm not getting the concept of ROM COM but there's a lot death and F Bombs dropped... I think of Something about Mary and movies like that. Am I wrong?

I won't say wrong, but I do disagree. If romance and comedy are at the forefront, I think everything else is fair game. I'd like to think genres aren't defined by preconceptions. Speaking of which, how do F bombs even factor? There's Something About Mary has its share and it honestly isn't too far removed from the traditional mold.

If there were a target audience stipulation in the challenge, I think things might be different. Maybe an interesting challenge for the future.

Quoted from James McClung If there were a target audience stipulation in the challenge, I think things might be different. Maybe an interesting challenge for the future.

Slasher horror, minimum body count of five, intended audience Pre-K through First Grade... so no profanity please :)

Got through 7 - taking a break

Wow - can't believe all the entries - got to be a lot of newcomers here.

Quoted from eldave1 Got through 7 - taking a break Wow - can't believe all the entries - got to be a lot of newcomers here.

I'm through 6 and I have to say I'm very surprised at the quality so far.  Only 1 I didn't finish.  ON my 20 point, 4 category scale, I already have a 17.5 and a 16.5.  Pretty damn impressive!

I'm enjoying watching the view count. There's a huge disparity. Wondering if it's an indication of a title that's more interesting, or if it's just "luck of the draw."

Quoted from PKCardinal I'm enjoying watching the view count. There's a huge disparity. Wondering if it's an indication of a title that's more interesting, or if it's just "luck of the draw."

I always figured there are two ways to think about the page count in the early going. The first ones posted up are typically the ones with the most views early on. Having reviews gives the indication that people could stand to read the script, hence it looks appealing that way. However, those early scripts end up towards the bottom by the end because everybody's already read through them and the passed-over ones make their way to the top as people finish them up. Typically the case.

So... luck of the draw. Makes sense.

The draw

For some reason, my OWC entries ALWAYS lag out of the gate, and at times, have the very least reads and views.  Guess peeps just hate my titles and loglines.

Usually, they tend to come back a few days into the reads, though.  But it's always brutal up front.

Quoted from Dreamscale For some reason, my OWC entries ALWAYS lag out of the gate, and at times, have the very least reads and views.  Guess peeps just hate my titles and loglines. Usually, they tend to come back a few days into the reads, though.  But it's always brutal up front.

I'm always grateful when mine would get ignored up front. Usually, you'd be the first to review it and you didn't typically like them. So, I'd wait a few days for them to recover. Sometimes, they would and sometimes, they wouldn't. Lol.

Quoted from irish eyes I've read bout 11 so far and maybe I'm not getting the concept of ROM COM but there's a lot death and F Bombs dropped... I think of Something about Mary and movies like that. Am I wrong?

No. Folks tend to bend the given genre to the genre they are most comfortable with. All good

I'm hoping some people start cracking open the lesser-read ones. Two of my three favorites thus far (out of 11) came from scripts which had no reviews at the time. Hoping to clear 15 before I have other things to get to.

Great to see some Newbs reviewing. Welcome to SS!

Also, a shout out to big Lew, nice to see you back. I'm guessing you threw your hat in the ring?  8)

And Sean, I'll be reviewing yours ( you give so much to SS) whether you DQ'd it or not. Just getting the short ones done first.

Regarding which ones are getting attention first I started to review in order but then decided on which ltitle and logline appealed most.

From experience, they all get read in the end.

21 read.
  I'm done for the night apparently spending time with my wife is some sort of priority ;D

Quoted from irish eyes 21 read.   I'm done for the night apparently spending time with my wife is some sort of priority ;D

HA!!!!

Quoted from irish eyes 21 read.   I'm done for the night apparently spending time with my wife is some sort of priority ;D

This has something to do with that “romance” thing, doesn’t it?

I'll start reading those Monday! I'll read all.

Okay, I'm here to get this started. I think I'll just start at the bottom and work my way up. Hoping to do at least 10 today.

Quoted from Warren I think I'll just start at the bottom and work my way up.

You just describe my life's journey

Quoted from eldave1 You just describe my life's journey

:p

So for me personally there are way too many to give detailed feedback, so it's going to be pretty broad strokes. But if anyone would like more detailed notes after the OWC just hit me up and I'll gladly provide some.

Quoted from Warren :p So for me personally there are way too many to give detailed feedback, so it's going to be pretty broad strokes. But if anyone would like more detailed notes after the OWC just hit me up and I'll gladly provide some.

I echo this thought. Happy to dig deeper if anyone requests post challenge.

Quoted from PKCardinal I echo this thought. Happy to dig deeper if anyone requests post challenge.

I disagree completely.  There have already been numerous less than 2 line feedbacks, and that doesn't do dick for anyone, IMO.

Why not spend a few minutes and give your thoughts?  What's the big deal?  If you spend 8-10 minutes reading the script, can't you spend at least half that time giving your feedback?

I'll continue giving real feedback that's aimed to help the writer.  Guess I'm the crazy one...

Okay - through 20 and am going to take a break for the day. A few solid ones and one stand-out so far for me.

Quoted from Dreamscale I'll continue giving real feedback that's aimed to help the writer.  Guess I'm the crazy one...

Hmm... no comment.

Quoted from Warren Hmm... no comment.

Figures...you don't have time to make a real comments, right?

Quoted from eldave1 Okay - through 20 and am going to take a break for the day. A few solid ones and one stand-out so far for me.

17 down for me and 2 standouts.

The quality is much more than I expected and I'm impressed overall.

Quoted from Dreamscale Figures...you don't have time to make a real comments, right?

'Real comments',  that's what cracks me up. I do love reading your reviews, as I think most do, but 'real' is a step to far, IMO. I even enjoy your comments on my scripts for a bit of a chuckle

The majority of your feedback is based on screening rules or ideas that literally no one other that you cares about.

I'm happy with my level of participation, and like I said more than happy to give detailed feedback later.

Hopefully your script is as funny as your feedback :p

How's that for a detailed review?

This place can be harsh. Geesh.

40+ scripts. Reading all of them. Commenting on most. Offer to provide in-depth feedback on request and get slammed.

Sometimes the internet sucks.

Anyway... offer stands, and I'll carry on as I said. (I realize most will appreciate the offer.)

To quote Don:

The scripts of the OWC are up. The expectation is that everyone will
read and comment on as many as possible over the next two weeks.* If you
don't have a discussion board log in, let me know.

(omitted link cause I think it was updated)

Some new writers took part. You will know who they are. Be nice.
Pseudonyms. If you provided one, I used it. If you didn't, I created one
as indicated by a 'dash'. If you want to know the rationale, please let
me know. More often than not, it is random.

Score sheets will come out mid next week.

Good luck with your work,

Don

*I recognize that writing reviews may be hard for some. If that is the
case, answer these questions:
What I liked about this script is...
What didn't work is...

...
The Internet is a great place. Where else can you find a screenwriting forum like this. Rhetorical question btw from me, not Don (this last part).
SS is buzzing. :)

Quoted from LC To quote Don: The scripts of the OWC are up. The expectation is that everyone will read and comment on as many as possible over the next two weeks.* If you don't have a discussion board log in, let me know. (omitted link cause I think it was updated) Some new writers took part. You will know who they are. Be nice. Pseudonyms. If you provided one, I used it. If you didn't, I created one as indicated by a 'dash'. If you want to know the rationale, please let me know. More often than not, it is random. Score sheets will come out mid next week. Good luck with your work, Don *I recognize that writing reviews may be hard for some. If that is the case, answer these questions: What I liked about this script is... What didn't work is... ... The Internet is a great place. Where else can you find a screenwriting forum like this. Rhetorical question btw from me, not Don (this last part). SS is buzzing. :)

I didn't no we could submit our own.  Please change mine to:

Sue D. Man

Quoted from LC *I recognize that writing reviews may be hard for some. If that is the case, answer these questions: What I liked about this script is... What didn't work is...

Well said. I've always kinda sucked at reviews, but I try to be honest.

Zack

Quoted from Warren 'Real comments',  that's what cracks me up. I do love reading your reviews, as I think most do, but 'real' is a step to far, IMO. I even enjoy your comments on my scripts for a bit of a chuckle The majority of your feedback is based on screening rules or ideas that literally no one other that you cares about. I'm happy with my level of participation, and like I said more than happy to give detailed feedback later. Hopefully your script is as funny as your feedback :p How's that for a detailed review?

That's great, Warren.  You da man.  Thanks so much for your feedback.  It means so much to all of us.

Quoted from eldave1 I didn't no we could submit our own.  Please change mine to: Sue D. Man

;D Looking forward to seeing which one is yours, Dave

I think peeps are going to be pissed. I submitted 30

Quoted from Zack Well said. I've always kinda sucked at reviews, but I try to be honest.

Exactly. Some add more, some add less in terms of comments.

Quoted from eldave1 I think peeps are going to be pissed. I submitted 30

That made me laugh.

Quoted from Warren That made me laugh.

:)

Time for me to voice an opinion...

So far I feel disappointed with the scripts I've read. I guess I just opened the wrong ones at the start. There was no rhyme or reason in the ones I had chosen so don't worry. It's got nothing to do with title or logline.

My sincere and heartfelt feeling is this:

...(and please, I do know and understand people like to joke around. I'm bad for that myself...)

I must say, I did read one that was really good though it had realism problems, but that's not the script I'm referencing here.

The ones I'm disappointed with:

Those ones that completely disregarded the parameters of the challenge.

Please, please, please, people. I know you want to have fun, but we also want to learn here and if you do this kind of thing, it kind of brings Simplyscripts down a notch I'd say in respectability.

Sandra

Quoted from Sandra Elstree. Time for me to voice an opinion...

It's been a long time Sandra.  Nice to see you back in the fold.  You were missed.

Quoted from ghost and_ghostie gal It's been a long time Sandra.  Nice to see you back in the fold.  You were missed.

Thank you a bunch! It's always good to feel one's missed. I enjoy the work, but I hate the stress. Everything has its downside.

Who would ever think that writing is stressful?

Sandra

Hey Sandra, I'm gonna go out on a limb and say you should probably avoid mine.

Not sure if you read it yet, I'm waiting to look at the no doubt ridiculously negative reviews. Lol. But please know that I did try to meet the challenge. This is far and away the hardest challenge I've ever taken part in. Romcoms simply aren't my thing.  :P

I'll pm you and reveal what I wrote so you know to avoid it.

And by the way, ditto what _ghostrider said. It's nice to see you back. :)

Zack

Quoted from Zack Hey Sandra, I'm gonna go out on a limb and say you should probably avoid mine. Not sure if you read it yet, I'm waiting to look at the no doubt ridiculously negative reviews. Lol. But please know that I did try to meet the challenge. This is far and away the hardest challenge I've ever taken part in. Romcoms simply aren't my thing. ;P I'll pm you and reveal what I wrote so you know to avoid it. And by the way, ditto what _ghostrider said. It's nice to see you back. :) Zack

No worries, Zack.  :) Never feel that you can't have fun. Go out on that limb! It adds excitement.

My comment was made more for people who "know" they're going overboard, and maybe step over the line. What IS that line? I don't know. Your guess is as good as mine, but it's just that feeling you get sometimes... like:

Somebody is playing ball on an ice-rink and calling it badmington.

Sandra

I respect your feelings, Sandra. I don't know how badly the rules were bent since I read just one but:

I noticed one thing - when we disrespect the rules for the OWC's that are in horror/sci-fi and alike genres people get very squirmy and complain a lot.

But now most say let's be kind on this one. I wonder why.

I feel like I'm playing all by myself. I guess most of you are a sleep, being the time difference and all.

Quoted from khamanna But now most say let's be kind on this one. I wonder why.

I don't know, but I'd say it's because of the genre. Comedy is tough, believable romance and creating an intimate connection is tough. Throw the two together and rom com is hard.

I realise I am a horror writer, but I do genuinely believe it's a much easier genre to write in.

Hats off to anyone that can excel with rom coms.

Yeah, mine, like many others, is getting noted as not being a true rom-com and it definitely isn't. I think it's romantic enough but getting comedy into it was tough.

I've written one out and out comedy and it was actually pretty well received on here, but I find it tough. I mostly have to go dark even with romance stories.

Fair play to the proper rom-com writers here. It's hard work.

Quoted from Warren I don't know, but I'd say it's because of the genre. Comedy is tough, believable romance and creating an intimate connection is tough. Throw the two together and rom com is hard. I realise I am a horror writer, but I do genuinely believe it's a much easier genre to write in. Hats off to anyone that can excel with rom coms.

Most importantly, romance and comedy are two strictly character-based genres. The less pages you have to work with, the harder it is to create characters people connect with. Then, it still have to be funny and it still has to have a point.

Quoted from IamGlenn Yeah, mine, like many others, is getting noted as not being a true rom-com and it definitely isn't. I think it's romantic enough but getting comedy into it was tough. I've written one out and out comedy and it was actually pretty well received on here, but I find it tough. I mostly have to go dark even with romance stories. Fair play to the proper rom-com writers here. It's hard work.

I am beginning to question what I think a Rom-Com actually is. I don't think I've actually seen one which doesn't help.

I was hoping to be romantically moved by some, I haven't been yet - Think I might be emotionally dead inside.

Trying to get through these and stay consistent with my marking is tougher than I thought it would be - I've started trying to rank them in order as I go.

I'm loving the buzz around the place though

Quoted from Sandra Elstree. No worries, Zack.  :) Never feel that you can't have fun. Go out on that limb! It adds excitement. My comment was made more for people who "know" they're going overboard, and maybe step over the line. What IS that line? I don't know. Your guess is as good as mine, but it's just that feeling you get sometimes... like: Somebody is playing ball on an ice-rink and calling it badmington. Sandra

I have been more liberal on this one in terms of the parameters than other OWCs. Normally, I am pretty much a stickler in that area. On my own personal scorecard I think I have DQ'd several entries in all of the prior OWC's.  I am far less rigid on this one.

That being said, of the 20 I have read so far there were some that struggled with the parameters. There is:

Genre bending - i.e., we're you can tell romance was not the central theme of the story and was merely a device to bend it to a genre that the writer was more comfortable with (e.g., horror, sci-fi, etc).

Where the roses, candy, chocolates beared no weight on the story line or the characters and were mere drop ins to meet the requirement.  

But I accepted all of these. However, I will consider degree of difficulty in assessing what to score them. i.e., those that strictly adhered to the requirements took a more difficult path than those that didn't.  They'll get more credit for that in my book.

I'm a bit more liberal on this one because I think Rom-com is a tough thing to do in ten pages. It is my favorite genre, but so much of it is about character interaction and that takes a lot of pages to establish. Like in As Good as It Gets - you don't get to funny stuff until you've really got an understanding of the three major players.

So I am really liberal when it comes to did it make me laugh. Almost to the point as if it was purposefully dark - okay. I have been disappointed a bit in how cavalier the roses, candy and red are woven in - like they were an after thought. But again, I think peeps struggle so much with this genre I am even more acceptable there.

The great news is that I have not seen a 4 pager or an 11 pager yet :)

Quoted from Warren I feel like I'm playing all by myself. I guess most of you are a sleep, being the time difference and all.

Because you are on the wrong side of the planet

Quoted from eldave1 Because you are on the wrong side of the planet

Yeah, Libby's side. Lol.

The only positive feedback mine has came from me.  That's never a good sign...

Hey guys, I've got tomorrow off and will throw myself into these bad boys then.

On another note, I finally worked up the courage to look at my scripts reviews and... Just as I suspected. It's getting crushed. Lol. Funny enough, the only semi-positive review is from Jeff, believe it or not.

Zack

Quoted from Dreamscale The only positive feedback mine has came from me.  That's never a good sign...

sounds like you should have listened to the girlfriend :)

Quoted from Zack Hey guys, I've got tomorrow off and will throw myself into these bad boys then. On another note, I finally worked up the courage to look at my scripts reviews and... Just as I suspected. It's getting crushed. Lol. Funny enough, the only semi-positive review is from Jeff, believe it or not.Zack

YES!!!!  See?  I'm the nicest reviewer around, right?

Don't let it get you down, Zack.  Peeps HATE mine, and it's all cool.

Quoted from eldave1 sounds like you should have listened to the girlfriend :)

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

She said the same thing.  Funny.

Quoted from eldave1 I have been more liberal on this one in terms of the parameters than other OWCs. Normally, I am pretty much a stickler in that area. On my own personal scorecard I think I have DQ'd several entries in all of the prior OWC's.  I am far less rigid on this one. That being said, of the 20 I have read so far there were some that struggled with the parameters. There is: Genre bending - i.e., we're you can tell romance was not the central theme of the story and was merely a device to bend it to a genre that the writer was more comfortable with (e.g., horror, sci-fi, etc). Where the roses, candy, chocolates beared no weight on the story line or the characters and were mere drop ins to meet the requirement.   But I accepted all of these. However, I will consider degree of difficulty in assessing what to score them. i.e., those that strictly adhered to the requirements took a more difficult path than those that didn't.  They'll get more credit for that in my book. I'm a bit more liberal on this one because I think Rom-com is a tough thing to do in ten pages. It is my favorite genre, but so much of it is about character interaction and that takes a lot of pages to establish. Like in As Good as It Gets - you don't get to funny stuff until you've really got an understanding of the three major players. So I am really liberal when it comes to did it make me laugh. Almost to the point as if it was purposefully dark - okay. I have been disappointed a bit in how cavalier the roses, candy and red are woven in - like they were an after thought. But again, I think peeps struggle so much with this genre I am even more acceptable there. The great news is that I have not seen a 4 pager or an 11 pager yet :)

I take it all back. There are some I am reviewing today that really stretch the parameters way too much. Not even close to fitting. Guess I got lucky with the first ones I read

Quoted from eldave1 I take it all back. There are some I am reviewing today that really stretch the parameters way too much. Not even close to fitting. Guess I got lucky with the first ones I read

Many, MANY don't even try to be a ROMCOM.

I've read several that I think easily fit into the ROMCOM mold, which others are saying don't, but then all these with bloody killings?  Obviously no effort at all went into them.

Just read my second script with something up someone's arse.

Somehow I did not expect that in RomComs.

Maybe I'm being anal retentive

Quoted from Dreamscale Many, MANY don't even try to be a ROMCOM. I've read several that I think easily fit into the ROMCOM mold, which others are saying don't, but then all these with bloody killings?  Obviously no effort at all went into them.

Mine has a murder, and I really did try to put my own spin on the romcom genre. Wether anyone sees it or not, I put a lot of effort into my entry. I knew I should have passed on this challenge.  ;D ;D Oh well. Live and learn.

Zack

Quoted from eldave1 Just read my second script with something up someone's arse. Somehow I did not expect that in RomComs. Maybe I'm being anal retentive

Third time's a charm  ;D ;D ;D

Okay - I am done and am ready to shift my focus to the Superbowl.

Macro observations before I take leave.

1) As always - thanks to all the folks responsible for OWCs. You are champs.  Special shout-out to Pia.

2) I am concerned about the low level of reads over the weekend. We have in excess of 40 scripts, I would have expected more comments. My theory is that there are quite a few newbies in this one and either are uncomfortable commenting or unaware.  I'm not going to fret it too much - it is what it is and the worst thing that will happen is that I get another short in the can that I would have not written otherwise - that is good stuff.

3) Four scripts stood out for me. Will not name them at this time.

4) I could have DQ'd about a dozen scripts - at least that many - maybe more.  I didn't.

At the low end, the roses, candy and red were just jammed in there - no bearing on plot, characters or story. There were many genre benders - the only romance element being that someone cared for someone else - but the story quickly shifted to horror, thriller, sci-fi or any genre other than Rom-Com. All in all there was a lot of stretching going on. Speaking of stretching:

5) Things in asses. I'll never get it. Why go there? Perhaps it would have been fine if a  
Proctologist was romancing someone - but good God.

6) Titles - my favorite was Crime of Fashion. My second favorite was 6PM - DQ'd because I thought that was actually the title.

Surprised someone didn't use "ROMANCING THE STONED".

While I was sleeping... (pun intended)

Quoted from Warren I feel like I'm playing all by myself. I guess most of you are a sleep...

Being the owl that I am I was up into the wee hours reading and reviewing until the lines started to blur. You must have been up at the crack of dawn, Warren.

Quoted from eldave1 Because you are on the wrong side of the planet

Or are we on the right side of the planet. Yes! Sunshine and crystal blue waters here. How's it going in the big freeze?.  ;D

Quoted from Mr. Blonde Yeah, Libby's side. Lol.

Ha-de-ha, Blondie.  ;D

Quoted from LC Or are we on the right side of the planet. Yes! Sunshine and crystal blue waters here. How's it going in the big freeze?.  ;D Ha-de-ha, Blondie.  ;D

I'm in  Los Angeles, baby! Sunshine and lollipops 95% of the time :)

Quoted from eldave1 I'm in  Los Angeles, baby! Sunshine and lollipops 95% of the time :)

Pfft. It's not 28° at 10 in the a.m. is it. Noooo. Soon as I posted that comment I thought, hmm, now where's Dave located... ::)

Quoted from LC Pfft. It's not 28° at 10 in the a.m. is it. Noooo. Soon as I posted that comment I thought, hmm, now where's Dave located... ::)

You're using celcius - Aussies. Pfft: )😎

Quoted from eldave1 You're using celcius - Aussies. Pfft: )😎

;D That's Celsius, Dave.  ;D
Ooh, I have to stop now.  As Mod I have to maintain decorum. Off for a jog and a quick dip in the pool.  :P

Quoted from eldave1 I have been more liberal on this one in terms of the parameters than other OWCs. Normally, I am pretty much a stickler in that area. On my own personal scorecard I think I have DQ'd several entries in all of the prior OWC's.  I am far less rigid on this one.

Thank you so much, Dave! Would you believe I didn't know what DQ'd stood for in the Burger King script? I thought it had something to do with Dairy Queen seriously!  ;D

...and here, through the Light of Context, I'z is learnin' ACROS or AC's or...   :)

Sandra

Quoted from Sandra Elstree. Thank you so much, Dave! Would you believe I didn't know what DQ'd stood for in the Burger King script? I thought it had something to do with Dairy Queen seriously!  ;D ...and here, through the Light of Context, I'z is learnin' ACROS or AC's or...   :) Sandra

:)

You people are funny - reading scripts on weekends haha. When do you go to bars and dancing and other fun stuff like playing board games? On weekdays I suppose.

I read two but tomorrow is Monday and it's my heavy reading day. I will have no merci!

Quoted from khamanna You people are funny - reading scripts on weekends haha. When do you go to bars and dancing and other fun stuff like playing board games? On weekdays I suppose. I read two but tomorrow is Monday and it's my heavy reading day. I will have no merci!

Well, Dearie, let me just see if I can find my glasses. Oh! They're on my face. Things er gettin' a bit blurry. And my lower back is hurting... Bars did you say? Like those places where you go and drink? We used to call them Discos in my day...  ;D

Sandra

Quoted from Sandra Elstree. Well, Dearie, let me just see if I can find my glasses. Oh! They're on my face. Things er gettin' a bit blurry. And my lower back is hurting... Bars did you say? Like those places where you go and drink? We used to call them Discos in my day...  ;D Sandra

Speakeasies in mine

There were neither during Soviet times - got a lot of catching up to do.

My glasses are on a string around my neck!

Me and Lochie just drink at home...and after that PATHETIC performance by my Rams, I think I'll just give the remaining scripts I haqven't read all 5 stars!!!

8) :K) :K) :K) :B :-/ :'( :'( 8) :B :( :( :( :(

Quoted from Dreamscale Me and Lochie just drink at home...and after that PATHETIC performance by my Rams, I think I'll just give the remaining scripts I haqven't read all 5 stars!!! 8) :K) :K) :K) :B :-/ :'( :'( 8) :B :( :( :( :(

It was sad. Alas, what I expected

Man, what a disappointing Superbowl. Just awful.

Zack

FUCK!!!!!   Horrible!!!

All scripts get either a 5 star pass or a 1 star fucking.  ARGH!!!!

:o :o :o :o :o :o  Just kidding!!!

Quoted from Dreamscale FUCK!!!!!   Horrible!!! All scripts get either a 5 star pass or a 1 star fucking.  ARGH!!!! :o :o :o :o :o :o  Just kidding!!!

Gentlemen, can we agree to get rid of Super Bowl? For now if not forever?

Now I'm not dissing anyone, but years ago, I gave up Hockey because there was
no loyalty to the teams. What I mean is that players would just follow the money...

...And... A family couldn't afford to go to the games anymore!!!

What's up with that?!?!

Now I love a good hockey game, but I could see the phoney junk happening. ...

AND! I don't want to pay 5 or 10 or whatever it is now: $5 Bucks for a lousy hot d-- og?!

Let me know what it is in our good old USA. It sucks if they're raping people.

I remember going to hockey games at the PNE in Vancouver and as time went on, parking  became premium and House-holders started selling their space-- in front of their property, back-- whatever... that was years ago...

Long and short-- It sucks when you know you're being taken advantage of.

Stay home. Learn to play Canasta or something. Don't pay a whole whack of money to watch (can't swear because I gave our dear writers heck on that note) advertising for cheap dumb ass beer and ( swore) but dumb ass beer called Budweiser. Why aren't Craft Breweries represented? ...

I know...

Because people are stupid and eat and drink Cr* (Don't go there Elstree) ...

Please though... Don't let those Monsters take your hard earned money.

You're smarter than that!

Sandra

Why you all call it disappointing? Everyone I met predicted Patriots would win and that's what happened. Maybe it's the score? The gap is too big or smthing?

Quoted from khamanna Why you all call it disappointing? Everyone I met predicted Patriots would win and that's what happened. Maybe it's the score? The gap is too big or smthing?

Was there a disparity in the score? I'm out of the loop. I was talking to my daughter about baking biscuits and now I feel all jazzed up to make Bannock!  :)

Sandra

Quoted from khamanna Why you all call it disappointing? Everyone I met predicted Patriots would win and that's what happened. Maybe it's the score? The gap is too big or smthing?

It was disappointing because no one knocked out Tom Brady's perfect teeth. :(

Zack

Quoted from eldave1 It was sad. Alas, what I expected

nowhere near what I expected.  13-3?  WTF??????

5 stars for all remaining scripts!!!! I 'm done...

Quoted from eldave1 I have been more liberal on this one in terms of the parameters than other OWCs. Normally, I am pretty much a stickler in that area. On my own personal scorecard I think I have DQ'd several entries in all of the prior OWC's.  I am far less rigid on this one. That being said, of the 20 I have read so far there were some that struggled with the parameters. There is: Genre bending - i.e., we're you can tell romance was not the central theme of the story and was merely a device to bend it to a genre that the writer was more comfortable with (e.g., horror, sci-fi, etc). Where the roses, candy, chocolates beared no weight on the story line or the characters and were mere drop ins to meet the requirement.   But I accepted all of these. However, I will consider degree of difficulty in assessing what to score them. i.e., those that strictly adhered to the requirements took a more difficult path than those that didn't.  They'll get more credit for that in my book. I'm a bit more liberal on this one because I think Rom-com is a tough thing to do in ten pages. It is my favorite genre, but so much of it is about character interaction and that takes a lot of pages to establish. Like in As Good as It Gets - you don't get to funny stuff until you've really got an understanding of the three major players. So I am really liberal when it comes to did it make me laugh. Almost to the point as if it was purposefully dark - okay. I have been disappointed a bit in how cavalier the roses, candy and red are woven in - like they were an after thought. But again, I think peeps struggle so much with this genre I am even more acceptable there. The great news is that I have not seen a 4 pager or an 11 pager yet :)

I'm actually really struggling to know what is the best/fairest way to score these ones is.

The challenge: rom com (must have comedic elements, must have romantic elements) then the chocolate, rose, and red, and the page count obviously.

The challenge is clear as day. So what makes a good entry, well in my eyes one that meets all those markers. And there are a fair few that do.

If your page count is not there that's a DQ straight away. If the 3 items are there all good. I think the real issue for me is the romantic/comedic aspect. I've found that some of my favourite scripts in this challenge have had outstanding stories, dialogue, and are just plain well written, but they are missing either the romance or the comedy. So how do I score them? You could argue that the ones that lack comedy or romance are then intern another genre all together. I love horror, but if the best horror ever written made its way into this OWC I couldn't give it top marks, so can I give a script that isn't a rom com top marks? Isn't that missing the entire point of the challenge, that being to meet all the parameters.

Just thinking out loud. And still not entirely sure how to mark this one. Anyone have any suggestions?

There really are some top-notch entries. Hopefully the read count somewhat reflects the script count after all is said and done.

Warren, I think if you felt the romance and it was mildly amusing and it met the parameters the writer has done their job, yes?

Obviously some stories will resonate and stick more too.
Those are the ones I tend to recommend as opposed to just consider.

But, I have no idea what the scoring will look like this time around. I'm assuming Pass, Consider, Recommend.

Quoted from LC Warren, I think if you felt the romance and it was mildly amusing and it met the parameters the writer has done their job, yes?

Yes, that's exactly what I said, maybe not very well. I'm asking about good scripts that are not romantic or not comedic.

Quoted from Warren Yes, that's exactly what I said, maybe not very well. I'm asking about good scripts that are not romantic or not comedic.

Ahh...well I'll wait for others to chime in on that.

There are a few standouts for me, but surprisingly only a few.

I've still got a few more to read though.

We've got two weeks to read these, right?

I've read about a quarter of them. I'll get through them.

People needn't worry about the low read count just yet.

Quoted from IamGlenn We've got two weeks to read these, right? I've read about a quarter of them. I'll get through them. People needn't worry about the low read count just yet.

Timeline:  Scripts are due February 1st at 11:59PM EST.

Scripts will be posted February 2nd.

Votes are due February 15th.

Scores will be posted Sunday February 17th.

As far as the superbowl goes, I couldn't care less. I don't follow any sports these days. Why? Because I'm getting old and I'm realizing we don't have an endless supply of time. I have soooo much I want to do in life and I will do. Why on earth would I want to waste any of my precious time watching other people live their dream? I rather go out and live my own.  :)

On scoring the scripts. None of us are judges. We're just writers and readers. Score them according to how you liked the story. If you see someone blatantly ignoring the parameters, I would definitely hold that against that script, but in the end, it's usually the good stories that float to the top.  :)

In my super organised spreadsheet, I have highlighted those I think have bent the rules too much - help me to remember to knock scores off.

I'm also adding scores on for those who use the chocolate, roses and red in inventive ways and ways that are actually intertwined with the story.
So many get them out the way in the first page and then never come up again

Also, I am surprised at the amount of comments on spelling/grammar - Being a one week challenge from parameters to idea to writing, I thought people would have been more lenient on such things and focused more on the story and the decisions people make in using the chocolate/red/roses

Quoted from Grandma Bear As far as the superbowl goes, I couldn't care less. I don't follow any sports these days. Why? Because I'm getting old and I'm realizing we don't have an endless supply of time. I have soooo much I want to do in life and I will do. Why on earth would I want to waste any of my precious time watching other people live their dream? I rather go out and live my own.  :) On scoring the scripts. None of us are judges. We're just writers and readers. Score them according to how you liked the story. If you see someone blatantly ignoring the parameters, I would definitely hold that against that script, but in the end, it's usually the good stories that float to the top.  :)

Damn right.

I'm not sure how many scripts I've read that used Valentine's day as a premise... probably about 60 % so far.

Thinking outside the box ;D

I'm scoring based on creativity with making me laugh and of course the element of romance. Which seems to be lacking in a lot of scripts.
Some peeps seem to be digging through their pornhub accounts for stories ;D

Quoted from irish eyes Some peeps seem to be digging through their pornhub accounts for stories ;D

When jumping into reviewing these, I honestly didn't think I would be reading about anal manipulation and golden showers. Guess I have a more old fashioned sense of romance lol

Quoted from Matthew Taylor When jumping into reviewing these, I honestly didn't think I would be reading about anal manipulation and golden showers. Guess I have a more old fashioned sense of romance lol

You and me both bud

;D;D;D

Quoted from irish eyes You and me both bud ;D;D;D

Add me to the list.
I wanted romance, dammit! Least we got some.

Well, I accidentally read the news article about the Superbowl. See - I'm trying to remember that Superbowl means football and not baseball.

Anyway, it was 3-3 in the third quarter and then one of the teams scored 10 more in the fourth quarter and the score jumped up to 13-3.

How weird. People of SimplyScripts ought to know!

I've only read a handful so far and am glad to say I haven't ran into a pisser yet. Nothing really great as the ones I wanted to like had some series faults in structure or story that keeps them from being top tier.

That said, been looking at reviews on mine and am a bit salty on a comment that keeps coming up that I totally disagree with. But I'm assuming some of the people here just have little experience with the subject matter and there isn't much I can do about that.

I'll keep reading and whittling these down though. Thankful for the 2 weeks of review time and opportunity to participate. Some of these scripts with a bit of spit polish could be solid little stories.

Quoted from khamanna Well, I accidentally read the news article about the Superbowl. See - I'm trying to remember that Superbowl means football and not baseball. Anyway, it was 3-3 in the third quarter and then one of the teams scored 10 more in the fourth quarter and the score jumped up to 13-3. How weird. People of SimplyScripts ought to know!

In American Football, it's possible to score 1, 2, 3, or 6 points at a time, but some combinations are more common than others. 10 (6+1+3) isn't unusual. I did see once a score of 5-0 and the announcers were kidding that someone accidentally posted a baseball score.

The last couple times I watched the Superbowl was just for the commercials, and play-it-safe marketing has even taken the fun out of those. So this year I just did something else.

Quoted from FrankM In American Football, it's possible to score 1, 2, 3, or 6 points at a time, but some combinations are more common than others. 10 (6+1+3) isn't unusual. I did see once a score of 5-0 and the announcers were kidding that someone accidentally posted a baseball score. The last couple times I watched the Superbowl was just for the commercials, and play-it-safe marketing has even taken the fun out of those. So this year I just did something else.

Oh, interesting. Then I don't understand why people complain.

Quoted from Warren I'm actually really struggling to know what is the best/fairest way to score these ones is. The challenge: rom com (must have comedic elements, must have romantic elements) then the chocolate, rose, and red, and the page count obviously. The challenge is clear as day. So what makes a good entry, well in my eyes one that meets all those markers. And there are a fair few that do. If your page count is not there that's a DQ straight away. If the 3 items are there all good. I think the real issue for me is the romantic/comedic aspect. I've found that some of my favourite scripts in this challenge have had outstanding stories, dialogue, and are just plain well written, but they are missing either the romance or the comedy. So how do I score them? You could argue that the ones that lack comedy or romance are then intern another genre all together. I love horror, but if the best horror ever written made its way into this OWC I couldn't give it top marks, so can I give a script that isn't a rom com top marks? Isn't that missing the entire point of the challenge, that being to meet all the parameters. Just thinking out loud. And still not entirely sure how to mark this one. Anyone have any suggestions? There really are some top-notch entries. Hopefully the read count somewhat reflects the script count after all is said and done.

Just for me:

On this one, I only DQ'd the page count violaters. They made it easy by going way over the limit.

There was one script that I really thought was well done - other than the fact it was not really a Rom-com. It was a Rom-drama.  I had to downgrade that one.  It would have been a 5 on my scale of 1 to 5. Instead it is a 4.

There were many others that bent the genre to their liking - but it really didn't matter because they were middle of the road anyway.

So, in terms of genre, it only impacted one script that would have made by top grouping.

In terms of the Roses. chocolates, and candy. That was tougher for me. Personally, I think that many scripts where they were really just props. They didn't tie into a plot point, a character reaction, etc. They were just there. One script that I otherwise especially liked suffered from this.  However, there were so many like this that I did not downgrade any for this issue. If they were in the script, okay. Maybe not fair because I think it is more difficult to write a Rom-com when these elements affect the story than it is to write a Rom-Com when they are merely present in a story. Oh well.

Quoted from Matthew Taylor Also, I am surprised at the amount of comments on spelling/grammar - Being a one week challenge from parameters to idea to writing, I thought people would have been more lenient on such things and focused more on the story and the decisions people make in using the chocolate/red/roses

My problems were bad page ones in this regard. If I am several pages in I generally don't give a damn about those issues in an OWC, but if my read is stumbling out of the gate because of them it creates a problem for me. Just me.

Quoted from eldave1 My problems were bad page ones in this regard. If I am several pages in I generally don't give a damn about those issues in an OWC, but if my read is stumbling out of the gate because of them it creates a problem for me. Just me.

No, not just you...me too!

Quoted from eldave1 My problems were bad page ones in this regard. If I am several pages in I generally don't give a damn about those issues in an OWC, but if my read is stumbling out of the gate because of them it creates a problem for me. Just me.

If it affects your read, it can be very annoying - I'm trying to be lenient with it because of the time restraint in proof reading, or am i being too soft?

Some people spot these things easier than others - I am terrible at spelling and grammar, I know that is one of my weaknesses. So I don't spot others mistakes as much as you probably do.

Quoted from Matthew Taylor If it affects your read, it can be very annoying - I'm trying to be lenient with it because of the time restraint in proof reading, or am i being too soft? Some people spot these things easier than others - I am terrible at spelling and grammar, I know that is one of my weaknesses. So I don't spot others mistakes as much as you probably do.

I can only explain it like starting a car. An error riddled first page is like turning the ignition over and over and the motor just won't engage. Makes me want to say fuck it - I'll just stay home.

Conversely, if the motor engages right away I am happily on the road and don't even notice the occasional pothole or speed bump on the way.

i.e., let me get started. Clean up that first page.

Quoted from eldave1 I can only explain it like starting a car. An error riddled first page is like turning the ignition over and over and the motor just won't engage. Makes me want to say fuck it - I'll just stay home. Conversely, if the motor engages right away I am happily on the road and don't even notice the occasional pothole or speed bump on the way. i.e., let me get started. Clean up that first page.

Good analogy - Totally understand.

It's similar to how I feel with overwriting - when I open up the script and the first action block is a big 7 line mess, I'm out - but if it appears later on I'll be a bit more forgiving.

Quoted from Matthew Taylor Good analogy - Totally understand. It's similar to how I feel with overwriting - when I open up the script and the first action block is a big 7 block mess, I'm out - but if it appears later on I'll be a bit more forgiving.

Cool. Same page

I used to be terrible at reviews because I never wanted to tell people my opinion about their scripts because I didn't want to sway them away from their visions. So, what I would do is individually list every grammatical, spelling or punctuation error I found, in order, so that no one would be able to get hung up on mistakes when they went for their rewrite. As a result, I'd have those bases covered while I let everyone else help them out with story and things like that. The only real problem was that it took so long to get through that I usually wouldn't be able to get through all the scripts before the time voting started.

Quoted from Mr. Blonde I used to be terrible at reviews because I never wanted to tell people my opinion about their scripts because I didn't want to sway them away from their visions. So, what I would do is individually list every grammatical, spelling or punctuation error I found, in order, so that no one would be able to get hung up on mistakes when they went for their rewrite. As a result, I'd have those bases covered while I let everyone else help them out with story and things like that. The only real problem was that it took so long to get through that I usually wouldn't be able to get through all the scripts before the time voting started.

For sure - once you get to two or three you just have to let a writer know that there may be issues throughout and move on

Quoted from eldave1 For sure - once you get to two or three you just have to let a writer know that there may be issues throughout and move on

I can't do that. I always get hung up on errors and I'm actually disappointed nobody pointed out the four errors I've found in mine thus far. Lol. But, believe me, if I had the time (and if we didn't have 43 entries), I'd have reverted to my old style for this challenge. I liked doing it that way because I felt like it could be legitimately helpful.

Quoted from Mr. Blonde I can't do that. I always get hung up on errors and I'm actually disappointed nobody pointed out the four errors I've found in mine thus far. Lol. But, believe me, if I had the time (and if we didn't have 43 entries), I'd have reverted to my old style for this challenge. I liked doing it that way because I felt like it could be legitimately helpful.

One would think, but for some reason, peeps don't want to know about the mistakes they're making. It truly baffles me, as like you, if I made a mistake and didn't catch it on the 10+ reads I did of it, I want to know!

I think the bigger problem is that most peeps don't even understand they're making mistakes over and over...they don't see "the mistake" as being a mistake.

It's quite frustrating.

I would say hidden in plain sight.  A single mistake on an otherwise perfect page may not stand out to the writer.

Time is your best editor.  Give it a few days if you can, read it, then the errors should stand out.  At least that’s what I believe.

On the subject of romcom.  People may think of those traditional romcoms like Sleepless In Seattle.  One of the few romcoms I�ve seen.  I�m not one into this traditional storytelling and prefer something less traditional.

So if you�ve got romance and a shooting, I don�t mind.  People find love in the oddest of scenarios.  If people can marry inanimate objects, we can like the stories that bend the rules.

Sean, it's a wonderful thing you did. I like it when people do that. It's helpful.

Quoted from Dreamscale I think the bigger problem is that most peeps don't even understand they're making mistakes over and over...they don't see "the mistake" as being a mistake.

Yeah, I don't.
I'm with Xavier - I may see many in time, not all probably. But I'm thankful when someone lists my mistakes. That way I know for sure.

Quoted from khamanna Yeah, I don't. I'm with Xavier - I may see many in time, not all probably. But I'm thankful when someone lists my mistakes. That way I know for sure.

I agree with Javier and Khamanna. Time is your best ally.

But any help is always welcome, and I'm truly thankful when that happens.

Ok I'm done

All read and accounted for.

A great challenge  thank you Don and Pia

Very talented writers on here.
Hopefully everyone gets the same balance of scripts read by the end!

Quoted from irish eyes Ok I'm done All read and accounted for. A great challenge  thank you Don and Pia Very talented writers on here. Hopefully everyone gets the same balance of scripts read by the end!

Good on,ya - nice effort

Quoted from irish eyes Ok I'm done All read and accounted for. A great challenge  thank you Don and Pia Very talented writers on here. Hopefully everyone gets the same balance of scripts read by the end!

Yeah, but you shitted on mine!  I thought  for sure, at least you would find it funny.

Alas, moral of the story is, "don't get too stoned when conceiving and writing a script, as it may seem very funny to you, but won't to the masses".

Quoted from Dreamscale Alas, moral of the story is, "don't get too stoned when conceiving and writing a script, as it may seem very funny to you, but won't to the masses".

At least reviewers aren't calling out your character. Fairly certain at least one reviewer believes I might be a serial killer. Lol. His review alone was worth entering this challenge.  ;D ;D ;D ;D

Zack

Quoted from Jeff Bush Yeah, but you shitted on mine!  I thought  for sure, at least you would find it funny.

;D sorry bro, there's a lot of scripts I shit on(apologies to those) and there were quite a few that I laughed out loud, but did not see any link to romanticism.

I'm just glad i don't have to see "Valentine's Day" anymore ;D I've moved my percentage up to 85% of the entries ;D;D;D

Quoted from eldave1 There was one script that I really thought was well done - other than the fact it was not really a Rom-com. It was a Rom-drama.  I had to downgrade that one.  It would have been a 5 on my scale of 1 to 5. Instead it is a 4.

This is exactly the issue I'm talking about. For me, and I think for most people, a drama is easier to write than a comedy. I believe I could have put up a better rom drama than a rom com, or even a better rom horror, but my script may have suffered because I tried to play within the parameters.

If a rom com isn’t the Writer's Choice that would be pretty odd, and in my opinion defeats the purpose of the challenge, which was to write a rom com.

In saying that, I still think there are probably a few ways you could write one, but if it isn’t comedic and romantic, then it isn’t a rom com. Or maybe it is and I just have no idea what a rom com is :)

Quoted from Warren This is exactly the issue I'm talking about. For me, and I think for most people, a drama is easier to write than a comedy. I believe I could have put up a better rom drama than a rom com, or even a better rom horror, but my script may have suffered because I tried to play within the parameters. If a rom com isn’t the Writer's Choice that would be pretty odd, and in my opinion defeats the purpose of the challenge, which was to write a rom com. In saying that, I still think there are probably a few ways you could write one, but if it isn’t comedic and romantic, then it isn’t a rom com. Or maybe it is and I just have no idea what a rom com is :)

Concur  with you here

Quoted from Zack At least reviewers aren't calling out your character. Fairly certain at least one reviewer believes I might be a serial killer. Lol. His review alone was worth entering this challenge.  ;D ;D ;D ;D Zack

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D  WOW...that's funny!

One reviewer's comments on mine, who I'll keep nameless for the time being, were so completely crazy, I seriously have no idea what he was even trying to say...and I mean that in complete seriousness.  I actually am looking forward to asking what his comments were supposed to mean.   ;D ;D ;D

Quoted from Zack At least reviewers aren't calling out your character. Fairly certain at least one reviewer believes I might be a serial killer. Lol. His review alone was worth entering this challenge.

Pretty sure I know your script and who you're talking about  :P

Quoted from irish eyes Pretty sure I know your script and who you're talking about  :P

;D ;D ;D ;D I considered DQing mine like Sean did with his, but I honestly did TRY to put my own spin on the romcom genre. It's a dark and twisted spin on the genre, for sure, but I did try. According to the reviews, my script couldn't be further from a romcom. Oh well. I tried.  :P  ;D

Zack

Quoted from irish eyes Pretty sure I know your script and who you're talking about  :P

Me too.

Quoted from irish eyes Pretty sure I know your script and who you're talking about  :P

Me 3!

I guess the cat's out of the bag now. :D Oh well. :P

Zack

Quoted from Mr. Blonde I can't do that. I always get hung up on errors and I'm actually disappointed nobody pointed out the four errors I've found in mine thus far. Lol. But, believe me, if I had the time (and if we didn't have 43 entries), I'd have reverted to my old style for this challenge. I liked doing it that way because I felt like it could be legitimately helpful.

I am happy to be this nit-picky after the OWC finishes.

I have a few reasons why. I believe some of the entries will be throw away scripts intended only for the OWC. I don’t want to spend time going over it with a fine-tooth comb if the script is never going to be looked at again. I also think that, in most OWC's, there are some writer's that do a dump and run.

By offering to give detailed reviews after the challenge I feel that the people that ask actually want me to go in-depth.

This would be different if there were 10 or 15 entries, but there are over 40.

Quoted from Warren By offering to give detailed reviews after the challenge I feel that the people that ask actually want me to go in-depth.

I don't think you need to worry about getting too many takers, there, Warren.  ;D ;D

Quoted from Dreamscale I don't think you need to worry about getting too many takers, there, Warren.  ;D ;D

No issue there, just as happy not to.

Although I'm not sure what's worse, coming to me after the fact and having to deal with my notes, or having yours thrust onto people.

It's a tough one :P

One thing that comes to mind as I read is how important your title is. There’s some pretty bad titles thrown in here, and some good ones. It’s the first thing that catches your eye — usually, I guess. So think about it more before you just throw something random out there.

Quoted from SAC One thing that comes to mind as I read is how important your title is. There’s some pretty bad titles thrown in here, and some good ones. It’s the first thing that catches your eye — usually, I guess. So think about it more before you just throw something random out there.

Would a script's title change the final score? So a great script with a bad title vs a bad script with an excellent one, are they gaining and losing points?

I’m interested to know how it effects the script in terms of the OWC or do you mean in general?

To be honest it’s not something I’ve ever thought about. I great title will catch my eye but has no bearing on the way I view the script. A bad title will just be a title I read and then move on from with no adverse feeling. Unless it’s so bad its offensive or something along those lines of course.

Quoted from Warren Would a script's title change the final score? So a great script with a bad title vs a bad script with an excellent one, are they gaining and losing points? I’m interested to know how it effects the script in terms of the OWC or do you mean in general? To be honest it’s not something I’ve ever thought about. I great title will catch my eye but has no bearing on the way I view the script. A bad title will just be a title I read and then move on from with no adverse feeling. Unless it’s so bad its offensive or something along those lines of course.

I never really pay much attention to the titles. Though, good ones do catch my eye once in a while. If it's a feature... definitely important. For an OWC, I don't put any stock into it. Same with the logline. In fact, with the logline, I actively try to avoid it in the OWC, since it can color my view of the script... or ruin a twist that might be at the heart of the script's success.

No, Warren, I mean with the OWC in particular. And in general too. But especially for these challenges. I don’t think the title will effect how you view the script.  A good script is a good script regardless of the title. A title won’t change my opinion. I’m just saying that a lot of these OWC scripts languish, with few reads and few views. That might have something to do with the title. And some peeps are just lazy.

I gotta admit I’ve always been obsessed with how many views my script gets. I’m strange like that.

Quoted from SAC No, Warren, I mean with the OWC in particular. And in general too. But especially for these challenges. I don’t think the title will effect how you view the script.  A good script is a good script regardless of the title. A title won’t change my opinion. I’m just saying that a lot of these OWC scripts languish, with few reads and few views. That might have something to do with the title. And some peeps are just lazy. I gotta admit I’ve always been obsessed with how many views my script gets. I’m strange like that.

Probably the reason I take very little notice in an OWC is because I know I’m going to read all of them, but for the people that don’t it may very well be the case that a good title is attracting their attention.

I would be interested to know what your favourite titles of the OWC are when all is said and done.

I always intend to read all the scripts, even though I don't enter and have to try to read all the comments, which can be very hard, especially when there are this many. I usually pick either the scripts with the fewest reads or in this case, I just started from the bottom of the list and attempting to work my way up. I'm sorry to the writers that wrote more than 10 page scripts, but with these many entries, I just can't read those. I'll try to read Sean's at some point though, because, well, he's Sean, lol!

I guess what I'm saying is that I do not care about the titles or loglines at all since my approach to the reading is more of a work type thing rather than cherry picking something that might appeal to me.  :)

Btw, if I don't get to read all of them and you want me to read yours. There's always PM.   :)

Quoted from Grandma Bear I guess what I'm saying is that I do not care about the titles or loglines at all since my approach to the reading is more of a work type thing rather than cherry picking something that might appeal to me.  :)

Agree 100%

Quoted from Warren I would be interested to know what your favourite titles of the OWC are when all is said and done.

Mine.

No seriously. I’m very much with Pia on how I read OWC scripts. I will also usually start from the bottom and work my way up, or read the ones with the fewest comments first. Title doesn’t effect the way I read the scripts, but yes, for some it may.

Title does matter to me.

Last OWC I read in the order they came.

This time around I've picked at random, titles I like, and loglines that appeal, obviously.

I kept seeing:
Omg! Leo's Got  Leukemia!

Skirting over it cause I'm really not fond of that title.
Turns out I really enjoyed it.

I usually point out where I think a title doesn't do justice to the story. Of course that's subjective.

Quoted from SAC Mine.

I'm expecting big things :p

Quoted from Warren I'm expecting big things :p

So was I.

The thing I found most in these scripts is that there is a lot of rom, very little (to no) com, and in some cases, neither.  It is a difficult genre to write in, but that's why I loved the challenge -- it really took me out of my comfort zone and made me try to write to the challenge. The same thing I would do if I were getting a spec hire to write something I'm not comfortable with.

There are a lot of solid scripts -- just not many that actually meet all the parameters of the challenge.  I think if we were judging these on their own merits outside of the challenge, we'd probably think a little differently about them.  But with my judging hat on, I'm going to be looking at how they tailored the script to the specificities provided them.  

I also like titles, but that doesn't play a role in my judging.  I'm also the world's worst at titles, so I can't hold it against anyone else.

Gary

Quoted from Warren Would a script's title change the final score? So a great script with a bad title vs a bad script with an excellent one, are they gaining and losing points? I’m interested to know how it effects the script in terms of the OWC or do you mean in general? To be honest it’s not something I’ve ever thought about. I great title will catch my eye but has no bearing on the way I view the script. A bad title will just be a title I read and then move on from with no adverse feeling. Unless it’s so bad its offensive or something along those lines of course.

I rarely consider the title or the logline when grading the scripts, unless the title is so off the mark that I feel the writer didn't achieve what they were going for. But those scripts are rarely graded well to begin with, so no harm done.

I only glance at the logline just before reading the script to get a sense of what I'm in for, but they're never really close either. It should take days, even weeks to work out a real logline, I never take them seriously for the OWC (which is why mine usually suck balls).

Considering this is the first time I've even attempted writing a rom com, I'm happy to report my reviews are coming in strong on the "whoops" side.  I'm just happy I got close to getting it right. 8)

Quoted from LC Title does matter to me. Last OWC I read in the order they came. This time around I've picked at random, titles I like, and loglines that appeal, obviously. I kept seeing: Omg! Leo's Got  Leukemia! Skirting over it cause I'm really not fond of that title. Turns out I really enjoyed it. I usually point out where I think a title doesn't do justice to the story. Of course that's subjective.

I try to do the same and like someone also stated in this thread, I thought the titles were lacking.

The same thing has happened to me with Omg! ... I thought, the person who titled that is either really immature, stupid, heartless or all three (apologies ahead of time, but I'm being honest and mean to just inform that's that what I was really feeling and a writer might choose well to be sensitive to the audience) and I won't read it. I'm sorry, but I will not even open it. I have several people in my life right now dealing with cancer, not to mention Kevin on our boards and it really really bothers me.

Other than "for obvious reasons", I will often work my way up or down the page and skip scripts that have outed themselves in the title and the logline and do not fit with the parameters or the spirit of the OWC. One that comes to mind is Love Terror or something to that effect. Words affect people. Sticks and stones may break my bones, but really in truth, names do hurt me. Words are swords.

Also...

We need to recognize that some young authors spend money on contests and vanity publishers. What kind of teaching experience are we giving here if this goes that goes and the other thing goes... Yes, this is not a contest, but it serves as a training ground and we shouldn't give young people the impression that serious readers and judges are going to be so easy.

It's not hard to weed out the scripts that blatantly stuck their middle finger up at the parameters of the challenge.

Sandra

Quoted from Sandra Elstree. We need to recognize that some young authors spend money on contests and vanity publishers. What kind of teaching experience are we giving here if this goes that goes and the other thing goes... Yes, this is not a contest, but it serves as a training ground and we shouldn't give young people the impression that serious readers and judges are going to be so easy.

We also need to recognise that this is a free site and people use their own free time to provide reads and reviews.

I'm definitely not taking on the responsibility of teaching writers. I will offer opinions, if someone likes it they can use it, if they don’t they can leave it. I feel no responsibility, other than reading all the scripts, if I have decided to take part in an OWC.

Sometimes I will provided extremely detailed feedback on a script and sometimes it will be very basic, depends how I feel on the day, or on how many entries there are.

I thought of being more strict with this challenge and mark down the entries if I don't think they are done in the required genre but I notice I'm in disagreement with the reviewers on what the rom com is. Don't want to point at the entries, but there were several I thought fitting and found myself in disagreement with other reviewers.

Once again proves how subjective our perception of things is.

So, I'm judging the way I always do. It all depends if I like the entry or not. Unless I'm certain it didn't follow the requirements.

I think many unknowingly do the same.

Quoted from Sandra Elstree. The same thing has happened to me with Omg!

Interesting - it's one of my favorite titles this OWC. Maybe I need to shut up))

One thing that annoys me is a condescending review.

One person on here (I don't know them, they don't know me) left one such review on mine. I can take bad reviews, getting a few this time out. But this one got under my skin and it's the type of review that could turn people off writing. It won't do so to me but people should keep things like this in mind.

I don't know if I'll ask the person after about some of the stuff they were talking about, as a lot didn't make very much sense. Or I'll leave it because it matters very little.

Quoted from IamGlenn One thing that annoys me is a condescending review. One person on here (I don't know them, they don't know me) left one such review on mine.

Hope it wasn't me. I have been drinking more wine than usual when reading these lol.

Not you, Matthew. Keep enjoying that wine :)

I have been lucky with the replies on my entry so far.

It's not winning everyone over by any means - But the comments have been helpful so I have already been able to jump in with a rewrite.

@Glenn, I say forget it.

When we don't like entries we feel somehow offended that writer wrote something like that. That's crazy but I always have this feeling that a writer wrote it apecifically to annoy me. So, I for one get overly sensitive and never make a lot of sense when writing an unfavorable review.

I also picked out a condencensing review on mine but then decided that it's okay.

Hope it's not me btw.

I don’t think, Hope not, any writers on here are looking to offend anyone. I could be wrong. But specifically - OMG! Leo’s Got Leukemia. While I admit the title threw me off and may not be exactly what you want to name a script, the story itself was enjoyable and wasn’t meant to poke fun of or take Leukemia lightly. So yes, bad title — but don’t judge a book by its cover. Or refuse to read because you think that what’s inside is going to be something that offends you. I mean, it is certainly someone’s prerogative to do just that — not read. I’m just saying you might be missing out on something really good.

There is also a review fatigue factor, IMO.

One starts off fresh as a daisy, ready to enjoy and provide that really insightful feedback.

Insert: THE HOUR HAND SPINNING AROUND A CLOCK

Three anal insertions,  two horrors, a sci-fi, your fifth valentine's themed story, the ninth time someone missed a Fade In, the wife yelling are you going to up there all day and one can devolve from loving positive feedback person to - fuck it - painted flowers ain't flowers!!

Just saying, reviewers get fatigue too :)

Quoted from eldave1 There is also a review fatigue factor, IMO. One starts off fresh as a daisy, ready to enjoy and provide that really insightful feedback. Insert: THE HOUR HAND SPINNING AROUND A CLOCK Three anal insertions,  two horrors, a sci-fi, your fifth valentine's themed story, the ninth time someone missed a Fade In, the wife yelling are you going to up there all day and one can devolve from loving positive feedback person to - fuck it - painted flowers ain't flowers!! Just saying, reviewers get fatigue too :)

Can we make an early morning appointment for our reviews?  Asking for a friend.

Quoted from eldave1 Three anal insertions,  two horrors, a sci-fi, your fifth valentine's themed story, the ninth time someone missed a Fade In, the wife yelling are you going to up there all day and one can devolve from loving positive feedback person to - fuck it - painted flowers ain't flowers!! Just saying, reviewers get fatigue too :)

How would you like to be a comp reader?  :)

I try to read four or so every day, but I didn't enter so I don't feel stressed about it either.

Quoted from eldave1 Three anal insertions)

There's a third one? Looks like I still have 1 more to look forward to lol

Yea, you can tell how far into the reads some of the reviewers are.

Why is everyone hating on the Valentines day theme? It's a Rom-Com challenge set in Feb! No one complains that Christmas movies are based on and around, you guessed it, Christmas

Quoted from Gary in Houston Can we make an early morning appointment for our reviews?  Asking for a friend.

Yes - 8:30 is perfect for me. Cup of coffee in hand and relaxed.

Quoted from Grandma Bear How would you like to be a comp reader?  :) I try to read four or so every day, but I didn't enter so I don't feel stressed about it either.

I would be a bad one.

I really like one script at one time so that you can immerse yourself in it. Otherwise my brain gets cluttered.

It is easy to see why so many otherwise good scripts might get binned by production houses et al - probably the 30th script they picked up that day.

Quoted from Grandma Bear I guess what I'm saying is that I do not care about the titles or loglines at all since my approach to the reading is more of a work type thing rather than cherry picking something that might appeal to me.  :)

I've reviewed all the scripts so the titles are irrelevant to me other than I will compliment someone for a clever one.

Did not look at a single logline before reading a script. I wanted to be surprised and since it ain't a logline challenge - who really cares..

Quoted from eldave1 There is also a review fatigue factor, IMO. One starts off fresh as a daisy, ready to enjoy and provide that really insightful feedback. Insert: THE HOUR HAND SPINNING AROUND A CLOCK Three anal insertions,  two horrors, a sci-fi, your fifth valentine's themed story, the ninth time someone missed a Fade In, the wife yelling are you going to up there all day and one can devolve from loving positive feedback person to - fuck it - painted flowers ain't flowers!! Just saying, reviewers get fatigue too :)

Yeah...totally.

And the real problem is that so many of these are so poorly written.  Yeah, yeah, I know, but we only a had a week to create and write it...give us a break, man!  But no, that's not the problem.  The mistakes I'm talking about are not based on lack of time...some, maybe. but not the majority.  It's a lack of understanding how to write.

It's gets so tedious seeing the same things over and over.

It's gets so tedious seeing peeps trying to be creative, but by doing so, stretching the idea so far outside the box that it's no longer even near the box.

And, maybe, just maybe, it's the reality that so few are actually reading and commenting, and the majority of those provide a few sentences at best, rarely anything remotely helpful.

I've commented on about 34 scripts now and as most know, whether you like what I have to say or not, I'm saying quite a bit, even when I don't finish the script.  My script has less than 10 reads and in total, maybe a 3/4 of a page of feedback.

At this point, I'm wondering if I should even read the last 9?

Fatigue is absolutely a factor.

I've read studies that show that the time of day you appear before a judge can have dramatic differences in how harsh a sentence you get.

Let's just say, you don't want to be standing in the courtroom right before lunch.

If I remember correctly, the lightest sentences came in the slot right AFTER lunch. So, I'm encouraging everyone to read my script around 1.

Quoted from Dreamscale Yeah...totally. And the real problem is that so many of these are so poorly written.  Yeah, yeah, I know, but we only a had a week to create and write it...give us a break, man!  But no, that's not the problem.  The mistakes I'm talking about are not based on lack of time...some, maybe. but not the majority.  It's a lack of understanding how to write. It's gets so tedious seeing the same things over and over. It's gets so tedious seeing peeps trying to be creative, but by doing so, stretching the idea so far outside the box that it's no longer even near the box. And, maybe, just maybe, it's the reality that so few are actually reading and commenting, and the majority of those provide a few sentences at best, rarely anything remotely helpful. I've commented on about 34 scripts now and as most know, whether you like what I have to say or not, I'm saying quite a bit, even when I don't finish the script.  My script has less than 10 reads and in total, maybe a 3/4 of a page of feedback. At this point, I'm wondering if I should even read the last 9?

Yes you should. We don't give feedback just to get it do we?

You managed to get to at least page 3 of my script before bailing out - I'm counting it as a victory that you didn't bail on page 1 lol (I'm one of those who can't write for shit) - Anyway, the point is, even though you only read 3 pages (possibly only 2) the comments you left were helpful and have already been incorporated into a rewrite

At the risk of sounding like an ass kisser - Some people appreciate the effort

That's good to hear.  My ass doesn't get a whole lot of kisses these days.

No, "we" don't give feedback to get feedback, but fair is fair, and it sucks when you spend numerous hours of giving, while getting very little back in return.

Yes I'm with you Jeff, fair is fair and no disrespect to "of death" for example, but when you see 27 reviews and yes I'm aware of the conversation on the thread. Its still mind blown that other scripts are sitting 10 on Tuesday.

And just like Jeff I've reviewed them all for what  time I had and of course my script is sitting at the low end of reviews... It can just be frustrating at times.

I think a lot of the problem is a majority of the scripts are not on first page front and center and so instead of searching for the other scripts, particular newbies might just pick what's in front.

My evil suggestion is that when a script gets to a certain point say 15 it should be blocked until the rest catch up.  That way peeps HAVE to read the lesser reviews

I would hope that when it is all said and done, all entries will have roughly even amount of reviews and that most of the writers who submitted an entry will leave reviews for all other entries.

I'm assuming that some people have put in more than one script, and I'm assuming that some newbies might be too intimidated to leave reviews - so the ratio of reviews to entries will be lower.

There's still a while to go before the scores need to be in, I'm optimistic that more people will come out with reviews.

A lot of respect to those who are reviewing without having a script in the challenge

P.S my entry is also languishing at the bottom in terms of interest

and of course there’s those who read the reviews and says — well, no one else seemed to like this so I guess I won’t read it. Ridiculous.

Jeff got all the way through mine, I think. Didn't like it, but I've got to welcome minor victories with open arms.

The uneven amount of reviews per each entry is quite odd. Hope it evens out.

Quoted from irish eyes Yes I'm with you Jeff, fair is fair and no disrespect to "of death" for example, but when you see 27 reviews and yes I'm aware of the conversation on the thread. Its still mind blown that other scripts are sitting 10 on Tuesday. And just like Jeff I've reviewed them all for what  time I had and of course my script is sitting at the low end of reviews... It can just be frustrating at times. I think a lot of the problem is a majority of the scripts are not on first page front and center and so instead of searching for the other scripts, particular newbies might just pick what's in front. My evil suggestion is that when a script gets to a certain point say 15 it should be blocked until the rest catch up.  That way peeps HAVE to read the lesser reviews

There is some logic to this but I am not sure it is surmountable.

Personally, I go to the SCRIPTS OF THE OWC thread where all the scripts are listed and go down the list since I know I'm reviewing them all anyway.

But I assume some folks routinely open the recent threads page and those that are most recently review show so they click those and there is kind of an exponential impact - i.e., reads yield reads.

I would not cap the reviews on any script nor would I change the site. But I agree with your observation.

I think the scoring is done on an average so the number may not impact the results. But it certainly impacts the amount of feedback one gets to improve their story.

Quoted from Dreamscale   My ass doesn't get a whole lot of kisses.

Now that would have been a good title for a RomCom.

Quoted from eldave1 Now that would have been a good title for a RomCom.

lol too funny

Quoted from SAC and of course there’s those who read the reviews and says — well, no one else seemed to like this so I guess I won’t read it. Ridiculous.

Haha, this is lol, too

On my scoring spreadsheet, I have a script called MiCRO - Just went to read it but I can't find it anywhere.

Am I being stupid? did it ever exist? am i losing my mind...

Quoted from Matthew Taylor On my scoring spreadsheet, I have a script called MiCRO - Just went to read it but I can't find it anywhere. Am I being stupid? did it ever exist? am i losing my mind...

No it was there, but now it's not. I imagine the writer may have pulled out.

It happens on occasion.

Quoted from Matthew Taylor On my scoring spreadsheet, I have a script called MiCRO - Just went to read it but I can't find it anywhere. Am I being stupid? did it ever exist? am i losing my mind...

But on another note, the score sheets are out?

I don't seem to have one.

I'm guessing Matthew means his personal scoring sheet?

Quoted from IamGlenn I'm guessing Matthew means his personal scoring sheet?

Hmm... Not sure. Has anyone received score sheets yet?

I think you may be right.

Quoted from Warren I don't think so. The script doesn’t exist on the boards anymore, so it looks like it was removed.

What Glenn is saying is that Matthew had it down in his personal spreadsheet or whatever method each of us are using to keep track of the scripts and not something that SS has supplied.
Yes it looks like it's been removed by the writer

Hope i cleared that up ;D

Quoted from irish eyes What Glenn is saying is that Matthew had it down in his personal spreadsheet or whatever method each of us are using to keep track of the scripts and not something that SS has supplied. Yes it looks like it's been removed by the writer Hope i cleared that up ;D

I got that right after posting the comment, and replaced it with the one above. You were too quick in quoting me :)

Quoted from Warren No it was there, but now it's not. I imagine the writer may have pulled out. It happens on occasion.

Given the subject of the short, I'm going to give you the Micheal Scott "That's what she said" award for the day.

Quoted from Gary in Houston Given the subject of the short, I'm going to give you the Micheal Scott "That's what she said" award for the day.

Very good.

The good ones seem to be about mental people. Interesting.

I wanted to close on 20 today but have to stop at 17 because I hit a really good one. Really really great one and if I read any more I'll compare all to that one. That won't be good, so I need to give the reads a rest. Maybe in several hours or only tomorrow.

You guys do that too? I think that's a fair thing to do.

Quoted from khamanna The good ones seem to be about mental people. Interesting.

;D

And people seem to love the setting!

Can't say I blame them. Don't have to fight the traffic. Food all prepared. Free drugs!  ;D

What's not to like?!

Sandra

Quoted from khamanna I wanted to close on 20 today but have to stop at 17 because I hit a really good one. Really really great one.

Probably mines. ;D ;D ;D

Quoted from khamanna I wanted to close on 20 today but have to stop at 17 because I hit a really good one. Really really great one and if I read any more I'll compare all to that one. That won't be good, so I need to give the reads a rest. Maybe in several hours or only tomorrow. You guys do that too? I think that's a fair thing to do.

Yeah me too. I like to finish on a good mood.

Quoted from khamanna I wanted to close on 20 today but have to stop at 17 because I hit a really good one. Really really great one and if I read any more I'll compare all to that one. That won't be good, so I need to give the reads a rest. Maybe in several hours or only tomorrow. You guys do that too? I think that's a fair thing to do.

A script so good you had to stop reading for the day. Wow I hope mine has that effect on people.  

At the very least I'd be happy that it wasn’t so bad that people had to stop reading :p

Nobody should be outing themselves at this stage. Not even hints. C'mon, too early...

Okay, I got the wrong end of the stick. Carry on.

Quoted from LC Nobody should be outing themselves at this stage. Not even hints. C'mon, too early... Okay, I got the wrong end of the stick. Carry on.

Well done

Quoted from Warren No it was there, but now it's not. I imagine the writer may have pulled out. It happens on occasion.

Thanks for the clarification - I wondered if I had made up a script lol

I have just gone to read another one "My Favourite Pervert" and I can't find that either - I hope people aren't pulling their scripts because of bad reviews, the bad ones are usually the most helpful.

Warren, yes I meant my own personal spreadsheet that I started at the beginning lol sorry for the confusion.

Quoted from Matthew Taylor Thanks for the clarification - I wondered if I had made up a script lol I have just gone to read another one "My Favourite Pervert" and I can't find that either - I hope people aren't pulling their scripts because of bad reviews, the bad ones are usually the most helpful. Warren, yes I meant my own personal spreadsheet that I started at the beginning lol sorry for the confusion.

Not a problem, I didn't read it correctly. Seems to be happening a lot lately :)

Okay people! I have deleted about 20 posts here now! Quit outing yourselves or others!!!!! We are still only halfway into the OWC. We are not to the point where we start guessing yet!   :-/

Quoted from Grandma Bear Okay people! I have deleted about 20 posts here now! Quit outing yourselves or others!!!!! We are still only halfway into the OWC. We are not to the point where we start guessing yet!   :-/

Word...modding to a level that Paul Weller would be proud of

Quoted from Grandma Bear Okay people! I have deleted about 20 posts here now! Quit outing yourselves or others!!!!! We are still only halfway into the OWC. We are not to the point where we start guessing yet!   :-/

20 deleted posts?  Damn...what did I miss?  No fair deleting posts before I get to read them.

Quoted from Grandma Bear Okay people! I have deleted about 20 posts here now! Quit outing yourselves or others!!!!! We are still only halfway into the OWC. We are not to the point where we start guessing yet!   :-/

I don’t let the author affect my reviews, but I haven’t even had a chance to start yet. Some unreasonable people at my job expect me to do work or something  :P

Can I just bring something to the attention of some of the reviewers on the challenge, without attempting to open a can of worms, but rather open minds, maybe...the word “fuck” being apparently out of place in a romcom.

Now, we don’t all swear but swear words are in the dictionary and have been utilised frequently when it comes to romcoms: insert Four Weddings example —> https://youtu.be/bjixdVvkfL4

The above is one example, it’s not hard to find others, and let’s not get started on the fake orgasm scene in When Harry Met Sally, we’ll be here all day. Basically, naughty words have as much a place within the confines of these scripts and this challenge as nice ones do. As we’re having a spoilertastic reveal morning (thanks for the cleanup Pia) I shall neither confirm nor deny if I’ve been picked up on dropping f bombs, but let it go when you’re reviewing these, it’s not exactly review worthy comment if someone is using a naughty word or 10.

Right, back on my high horse, with helmet now firmly on,

Cam

Quoted from Cameron Can I just bring something to the attention of some of the reviewers on the challenge, without attempting to open a can of worms, but rather open minds, maybe...the word “fuck” being apparently out of place in a romcom.

I'm not allowed to hint which entry is mine, right? So I will say this - I think I have/have not annoyed a few people with my use/omission of the F word and variants thereof. Looking back, there were too many/too few uses of it in such a small/large space that even I thought to myself "Why the fuck did I do that?"

Curious though, do people not like the word in general? or is it purely in a Rom-com?

What a boring world we’d all live in if we couldn’t swear.  I personally don’t write or say as much as I use to.  It sure as hell adds colour.  Also, it’s realistic.  If we never wrote swear words, what would we write if a brick fell on your foot?  One word springs to mind for me.

Quoted from Matthew Taylor Curious though, do people not like the word in general? or is it purely in a Rom-com?

Primarily people who never saw There's Something about Mary.

This seems to have been a new thing for this challenge, where I’m assuming that some members think naughty words and scenes have no place within the confines of a romcom. However, as has been shown on both sides of the Atlantic (though probably more the uk) romcoms can utilise naughty words and scenes as a humorous counterpoint to their sickly sweet nature.

Added to this, I’ve just had a talk from the former head of the BBFC, David Clarke, where he broke down at length what is offensive and what not. It won’t come as much of a shock that language has gone down the list of cinematic certification crimes a fair bit, Trainspotting saw to that in the 90s and it’s 2019 now. Let it go, peeps.

Quoted from FrankM Primarily people who never saw There's Something about Mary.

And Kingpin, which is far superior. Yeah, come at me!

Quoted from Grandma Bear Okay people! I have deleted about 20 posts here now! Quit outing yourselves or others!!!!! We are still only halfway into the OWC. We are not to the point where we start guessing yet!   :-/

Well done

Quoted from Cameron Can I just bring something to the attention of some of the reviewers on the challenge, without attempting to open a can of worms, but rather open minds, maybe...the word “fuck” being apparently out of place in a romcom. Now, we don’t all swear but swear words are in the dictionary and have been utilised frequently when it comes to romcoms: insert Four Weddings example —> https://youtu.be/bjixdVvkfL4 The above is one example, it’s not hard to find others, and let’s not get started on the fake orgasm scene in When Harry Met Sally, we’ll be here all day. Basically, naughty words have as much a place within the confines of these scripts and this challenge as nice ones do. As we’re having a spoilertastic reveal morning (thanks for the cleanup Pia) I shall neither confirm nor deny if I’ve been picked up on dropping f bombs, but let it go when you’re reviewing these, it’s not exactly review worthy comment if someone is using a naughty word or 10. Right, back on my high horse, with helmet now firmly on, Cam

I agree. Now go @#$% yourself.

Hey - who edited my post!!!

Quoted from eldave1 I agree. Now go @#$% yourself. Hey - who edited my post!!!

Hahaha, well you do have that rather Scottish sounding surname, Dave, that language has got to be hiding in the gene pool somewhere! Harness your inner Begbie and run with it...

I love it how two women control the boards and edit the hell out of everything!

Quoted from khamanna I love it how two women control the boards and edit the hell out of everything!

Just to clarify. We don't edit posts, unless for comedic purposes, we delete the whole post.  :)

Quoted from Grandma Bear Just to clarify. We don't edit posts, unless for comedic purposes, we delete the whole fucking post.  :)

Quoted from Dreamscale

I like Silent Jeff.

Quoted from khamanna I love it how two women control the boards and edit the hell out of everything!

Yep - they are a couple of Emily Posts (post - get it - God, I crack me up).

Manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others. If you have that awareness, you have good manners, no matter what fork you use.

Emily Post

Quoted from ReneC I like Silent Jeff.

I like everything about this challenge except for my scriot.

Quoted from ReneC I like Silent Jeff.

You mean Wrylie Coyote?

Quoted from Dreamscale

:D  Well, I should've said edit quoted posts. Not the posts themselves.

Quoted from eldave1 You mean Wryly Coyote?

He’s all over them freakin wrylies this challenge. Not a meep meep about orphans, but oh then wrylies. ARGH!!!

I've been one to mention "naughty" content in a few of my reviews.

To clarify my position just a bit: In one review, I mentioned that a singular f word felt out of place. It wasn't that it shouldn't have been there in a romcom, it's that the one line felt out of tone with the rest of the script.

In another script, I thought a scene had too much sexual content. Again, it wasn't that the content was inappropriate, it's just, in this particular script, I felt it would work better without it.

And, yes, on a few, I did feel the content was way over the top. So, I do believe that TOO much sexual content takes the romance out of the romcom.

I guess I feel like there's a middle ground in there somewhere. And, maybe since these are shorts, not features, that middle ground is a bit harder to establish.

Not sure if these very slight distinctions will make sense to anyone else, but, somehow they make sense to me.

I know what an orphan is now. Could someone enlighten me on a wrylie please?

Quoted from PKCardinal I've been one to mention "naughty" content in a few of my reviews. To clarify my position just a bit: In one review, I mentioned that a singular f word felt out of place. It wasn't that it shouldn't have been there in a romcom, it's that the one line felt out of tone with the rest of the script. In another script, I thought a scene had too much sexual content. Again, it wasn't that the content was inappropriate, it's just, in this particular script, I felt it would work better without it. And, yes, on a few, I did feel the content was way over the top. So, I do believe that TOO much sexual content takes the romance out of the romcom. I guess I feel like there's a middle ground in there somewhere. And, maybe since these are shorts, not features, that middle ground is a bit harder to establish. Not sure if these very slight distinctions will make sense to anyone else, but, somehow they make sense to me.

They do.

If someone drops a curse word and I laugh - all good.

If someone drops a curse word and I empathize - all good.

If someone drops a curse word and I cringe - no good.

It'a about the context.  When someone uses profanity that yields in a laugh or empathy in terms of what's happening in a story then it works. If it looks gratuitous - it doesn't work.

Quoted from khamanna I know what an orphan is now. Could someone enlighten me on a wrylie please?

I second this. :)

Zack

Quoted from khamanna I kniw what an orphan is now. Could someone enlighten me pn a wrylie please?

DAVE
Khamanna, a wrylie is...
(takes a sip of coffee)
The same thing as a parenthetical.

Some writers universally avoid them. That is a mistake, IMO. Some writers way overuse them. That is a mistake, IMO. In both cases, you'll know it when you see it.

Using the above example. If as a writer I think there is something important about Dave taking that sip of coffee (let's say Jeff put poison in it), then that is an effective use. It is better than:

DAVE
Khamanna, a wrylie is...

Dave takes a sip of coffee.

DAVE (CONT'D)
The same thing as a parenthetical.

Because it uses less space and does not interrupt the dialogue flow. Now, if the coffee sip is not important, than I wouldn't use a wrylie or write an action line.

Also effective for non-obvious emotions. e.g.,

DAVE
Khamanna, a wrylie is...
(sarcastic)
The worst thing a writer can do.

Quoted from Zack I second this. :) Zack

see above

Quoted from SAC He’s all over them freakin wrylies this challenge. Not a meep meep about orphans, but oh then wrylies. ARGH!!!

But have you run into

(a wrylie with an
orphan)

Quoted from FrankM But have you run into (a wrylie with an orphan)

Been there, done that.

Quoted from Cameron Can I just bring something to the attention of some of the reviewers on the challenge, without attempting to open a can of worms, but rather open minds, maybe...the word “fuck” being apparently out of place in a romcom. Now, we don’t all swear but swear words are in the dictionary and have been utilised frequently when it comes to romcoms: insert Four Weddings example —> https://youtu.be/bjixdVvkfL4 The above is one example, it’s not hard to find others, and let’s not get started on the fake orgasm scene in When Harry Met Sally, we’ll be here all day. Basically, naughty words have as much a place within the confines of these scripts and this challenge as nice ones do. As we’re having a spoilertastic reveal morning (thanks for the cleanup Pia) I shall neither confirm nor deny if I’ve been picked up on dropping f bombs, but let it go when you’re reviewing these, it’s not exactly review worthy comment if someone is using a naughty word or 10. Right, back on my high horse, with helmet now firmly on, Cam

Let's be clear, ah, well... let's try and be clear.  ;D

Seriously though

My problem isn't with a swear word, I'm the one who went walking down the street singing, Lilly Allen's Fuck You and having a gay old time  ;D Really.

My problem is with weak writing. Can't people come up with anything else rather than smearing that around all the time? If a character talks like that, ok. But all these characters are talking the same way and that's what bothers me. It's too much and I get sick of it.

;D But I did make my way through ( so and so's) and it was really good despite, well, you know.

Quoted from Mr. Blonde Been there, done that.

I've done that one, too. Looks horrible on the page. But, it can be a tough one to work around. I usually switch those to action lines if I can, but sometimes it's damn near unavoidable. Tough to shorten, and you REALLY don't want to lengthen.

Quoted from Sandra Elstree. Let's be clear, ah, well... let's try and be clear.  ;D Seriously though My problem isn't with a swear word, I'm the one who went walking down the street singing, Lilly Allen's Fuck You and having a gay old time  ;D Really. My problem is with weak writing. Can't people come up with anything else rather than smearing that around all the time? If a character talks like that, ok. But all these characters are talking the same way and that's what bothers me. It's too much and I get sick of it. ;D But I did make my way through ( so and so's) and it was really good despite, well, you know.

Overuse definitely weakens the power of the word. If it's every third word on the page, it has no punch whatsoever. It's like any other device - overuse limits its effectiveness.

Quoted from eldave1 see above

Thank you for the clarification, Dave. Really appreciate it.

Zack

Quoted from Zack Thank you for the clarification, Dave. Really appreciate it. Zack

My pleasure

Alert***

I just opened something that won't allow me to stop laughing. I can't write and laugh at the same time. I've got problems!!! ;D I need to switch from coffee to chamomile.

And reading the comments is way better than my script!!!  ;D

Quoted from Sandra Elstree. Alert*** I just opened something that won't allow me to stop laughing. I can't write and laugh at the same time. I've got problems!!! ;D I need to switch from coffee to chamomile. And reading the comments is way better than my script!!!  ;D

Sandra, those two women teamed up because they have whips. We need to team up with you too. We both have glasses after all. And even lower back problems. Probably some other problems, I don't know...

Quoted from khamanna Sandra, those two women teamed up because they have whips. We need to team up with you too. We both have glasses after all. And even lower back problems. Probably some other problems, I don't know...

;D ;D ;D

Dave, I'm just seeing your explanation, thanks for that.

So, that's what a wrylie is.

And I know what a slug is btw. Just thought I'd boast about that, when I was new to the site I totally didn't.
And I'll tell you to prove I know it - a slug is a scene heading.

Quoted from khamanna Dave, I'm just seeing your explanation, thanks for that. So, that's what a wrylie is. And I know what a slug is btw. Just thought I'd boast about that, when I was new to the site I totally didn't. And I'll tell you to prove I know it - a slug is a scene heading.

My pleasure

Quoted from khamanna Dave, I'm just seeing your explanation, thanks for that. So, that's what a wrylie is. And I know what a slug is btw. Just thought I'd boast about that, when I was new to the site I totally didn't. And I'll tell you to prove I know it - a slug is a scene heading.

Don’t put salt on your slugs. It’s just mean.

(And you never know if the slug has a gurza friend.)

Regarding swearing in scripts:

Quoted from eldave1 They do. If someone drops a curse word and I laugh - all good. If someone drops a curse word and I empathize - all good. If someone drops a curse word and I cringe - no good. It's about the context.  When someone uses profanity that yields in a laugh or empathy in terms of what's happening in a story then it works. If it looks gratuitous - it doesn't work.

I completely agree with this.

I don’t have a problem with swearing in a script, but it needs to be done right, and I feel that there are a few scripts in this OWC where it hasn’t been. So for me otherwise good scripts have been let down by inappropriate bad language. On a few occasions it’s changed the tone of the script so much that it's been jarring.

One thing I definitely don’t agree with, because I personally don’t like it, are the really over-sexualised scripts. Sure you can say “what about Something About Mary”, but that was comedy gold. If you pull something like that off I'll let it slide, but until then I might pass on the anal manipulation and overly-crude jokes.

Quoted from PKCardinal I've been one to mention "naughty" content in a few of my reviews. To clarify my position just a bit: In one review, I mentioned that a singular f word felt out of place. It wasn't that it shouldn't have been there in a romcom, it's that the one line felt out of tone with the rest of the script. In another script, I thought a scene had too much sexual content. Again, it wasn't that the content was inappropriate, it's just, in this particular script, I felt it would work better without it. And, yes, on a few, I did feel the content was way over the top. So, I do believe that TOO much sexual content takes the romance out of the romcom. I guess I feel like there's a middle ground in there somewhere. And, maybe since these are shorts, not features, that middle ground is a bit harder to establish. Not sure if these very slight distinctions will make sense to anyone else, but, somehow they make sense to me.

Agreed, it's all about how it's done.

I agree too that there's a time and a place for it in scripts, but I have literally seen one review where the reviewer stopped at page one because there were some f bombs, which I don't think is even a possible position from which to judge the appropriateness of the language within the context...anyway, let's let it lie.

The overt sexuality, now there's an interesting one. To me, a romcom MUST HAVE COMEDY (annoyingly subjective as it is)!!!! And then there is a relationship between two people which ends up in peril, but somehow through a romantic connection it is saved and becomes a fuller union.

There's one exceptionally sexual script here that kinda ticked the romantic trauma box and it really threw me (as well as tortured my mind a bit). It didn't have the funnies though (again, subjectively IMO), and so that solved the first problem but if it was an LOL-er it would have been one hell of a dilemma.

Quoted from Cameron To me, a romcom MUST HAVE COMEDY (annoyingly subjective as it is)!!!!

I agree. That's what it came down to for me. There was a strong contender that would have been in there, but they had "one of these things belong together, one of these things just doesn't belong". Too bad, because I liked that one.

I've got my top three chosen.  :)

So on a totally different matter, but entirely related to the one week challenges, my short script "Skip" from the Quickie challenge last year was filmed last week in L.A.  So proof once again that these one week challenges do matter and they are looked at by up and coming producers and directors.  

It was shot with an all-African American cast and crew, which I'm also proud of.  The film is going into a lot of black film festivals, and once that's out of the way, I'll post the video here on the site.

But it's just another indicator that this is the best site anywhere for getting people to see your work!

Gary

Quoted from Gary in Houston So on a totally different matter, but entirely related to the one week challenges, my short script "Skip" from the Quickie challenge last year was filmed last week in L.A.  So proof once again that these one week challenges do matter and they are looked at by up and coming producers and directors.   It was shot with an all-African American cast and crew, which I'm also proud of.  The film is going into a lot of black film festivals, and once that's out of the way, I'll post the video here on the site. But it's just another indicator that this is the best site anywhere for getting people to see your work! Gary

Very cool

Quoted from Gary in Houston So on a totally different matter, but entirely related to the one week challenges, my short script "Skip" from the Quickie challenge last year was filmed last week in L.A.  So proof once again that these one week challenges do matter and they are looked at by up and coming producers and directors.   It was shot with an all-African American cast and crew, which I'm also proud of.  The film is going into a lot of black film festivals, and once that's out of the way, I'll post the video here on the site. But it's just another indicator that this is the best site anywhere for getting people to see your work! Gary

Gary, that is such good news!!! I'm really happy to hear that. When you work so hard and you can see your words turn into pictures, vision from directors, producers & feelings from actors and all the work from all the sound people and. these people and those people... so many...-- man, that's gotta be special!

Thank you for sharing that!

:) :) :)

Quoted from Gary in Houston So on a totally different matter, but entirely related to the one week challenges, my short script "Skip" from the Quickie challenge last year was filmed last week in L.A.  So proof once again that these one week challenges do matter and they are looked at by up and coming producers and directors.   It was shot with an all-African American cast and crew, which I'm also proud of.  The film is going into a lot of black film festivals, and once that's out of the way, I'll post the video here on the site. But it's just another indicator that this is the best site anywhere for getting people to see your work! Gary

Congrats, that's makes 2 produced from the same challenge. Will go back and have another read of it.

Quoted from Warren Congrats, that's makes 2 produced from the same challenge. Will go back and have another read of it.

I rewrote the script just a bit for the filming.  Here is the updated version:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/wavkowg4jgtmz7x/SKIP_v5_yf.pdf?dl=0

Gary

Brilliant, Gazza.
Look forward to seeing it when we can.

Congratulations! Totally awesome!!!!

Would be interesting to know how many OWC and 6WC scripts have been produced by now. I know at least two features from the 6WC and there seem to be a LOT of the OWCs.  8)

Quoted from Gary in Houston I rewrote the script just a bit for the filming.  Here is the updated version: https://www.dropbox.com/s/wavkowg4jgtmz7x/SKIP_v5_yf.pdf?dl=0 Gary

Excellent, thanks I'll have a read.

Quoted from Grandma Bear Congratulations! Totally awesome!!!! Would be interesting to know how many OWC and 6WC scripts have been produced by now. I know at least two features from the 6WC and there seem to be a LOT of the OWCs.  8)

4 of my produced shorts have been from either an OWC, the Quickie Challenge, or the Writer's Tournament.

SS is seriously the best place to get stuff made, but also to get the creative juices flowing. I would never have written those scripts otherwise.

Congrats, Gary.  That's awesome!

Quoted from Warren 4 of my produced shorts have been from either an OWC, the Quickie Challenge, or the Writer's Tournament. SS is seriously the best place to get stuff made, but also to get the creative juices flowing. I would never have written those scripts otherwise.

This is what I keep repeating. I sound like a broken record, but these challenges really do challenge us to write... And that's what it's all about.

I had been working for a good seven months on the same thing without switching things up. Well, that's not totally true, I was reading and studying various films etc... But I really needed to have a break from what I was doing.

The challenges help us if we're in a dry spell or not, but we just need the challenge. To sharpen our keyboards and get us crackin'. ... And then when we work to crit others' work, that's a whole different aspect that helps us so much also.

Yes, we have a lot of people to thank for the headway we might make.  :)

Sandra

Quoted from Gary in Houston So on a totally different matter, but entirely related to the one week challenges, my short script "Skip" from the Quickie challenge last year was filmed last week in L.A.  So proof once again that these one week challenges do matter and they are looked at by up and coming producers and directors.   It was shot with an all-African American cast and crew, which I'm also proud of.  The film is going into a lot of black film festivals, and once that's out of the way, I'll post the video here on the site. But it's just another indicator that this is the best site anywhere for getting people to see your work! Gary

Nice one, Garry!! Congrats

Quoted from Gary in Houston I rewrote the script just a bit for the filming.  Here is the updated version: https://www.dropbox.com/s/wavkowg4jgtmz7x/SKIP_v5_yf.pdf?dl=0 Gary

Just read the updated version. Very sweet little script. I look forward to seeing it.

Thanks everyone!  Very excited to see it myself -- I think I'm supposed to get a download of the file next week. So fingers crossed!

I really can't wait to see who wrote what. It's going to be such a long week.

Quoted from Warren I really can't wait to see who wrote what. It's going to be such a long week.

Never too early to start the guess game.   :)

I've got Sean pegged for 6AM. Though I could be wrong.  :P

BTW. Congrats, Gary!

Zack

Quoted from Zack I've got Sean pegged for 6AM. Though I could be wrong.  :P

Sorry, Zack, you lose! It was Professor Plum! Lol.

Quoted from Mr. Blonde Sorry, Zack, you lose! It was Professor Plum! Lol.

Damn! I'm almost as bad at the guessing game as I am at writing RomComs. Almost.  ;D ;D ;D ;D

Zack

Quoted from Zack Damn! I'm almost as bad at the guessing game as I am at writing RomComs. Almost.  ;D ;D ;D ;D

"Just because it's a love story doesn't mean we can't have a decapitation or two." - Robert Englund

Quoted from Gary in Houston So on a totally different matter, but entirely related to the one week challenges, my short script "Skip" from the Quickie challenge last year was filmed last week in L.A.  So proof once again that these one week challenges do matter and they are looked at by up and coming producers and directors.   It was shot with an all-African American cast and crew, which I'm also proud of.  The film is going into a lot of black film festivals, and once that's out of the way, I'll post the video here on the site. But it's just another indicator that this is the best site anywhere for getting people to see your work! Gary

That's fantastic, Gary! Congrats!

I still have so many scripts to read...

I want to! It's just my job and my family have such unreasonable expectations of my time.  ::)

Quoted from ReneC I still have so many scripts to read... I want to! It's just my job and my family have such unreasonable expectations of my time.  ::)

Luckily, my job and family have extremely low expectations of me, and thus, I only have 4 more to read.   ;D ;D ;D ;D

I'm done!! hallelujah

I guess I will have to skim them over again when the score sheets come out.

I really underestimated how hard it is to see comments on my script and not be able to respond - So to relieve some of the pressure building in my head, I'm going to leave my comment below instead of on my script thread:

"I'M SORRY!!! I CAN FIX THIS MESS, I PROMISE"

Phew... I feel better.

Well done to everyone who entered the challenge - I for one did not find it easy.

P.S Newbies who aren't reviewing - just do it - it's not as scary as you think.

P.P.S well done Hawkeye on your filmed OWC - gives new people like me hope that we may get there one day  :)

Thanks, Matthew, and glad you were such a willing reader in this contest, which seems to be the opposite (per usual) of most of the noobs that have entered.

I don’t know whether it is fear of expressing their opinion for the first time or they just want to enter a contest but not but any other effort into it, we always seem to have this issue arise. So here is my very modest but completely wacky proposal to address this for future contests:

1.  Anyone who enters who doesn’t review at least a third (33%) of the entires is DQ’d.  That might be viewed as harsh, especially if life’s circumstances sometimes get in the way, but a lot of life is unfair, and the film business itself is particularly unfair.

2. Any noob who doesn’t actively participate in their first contest by reviewing can’t enter another contest until they actively review at least 20 short scripts on the general board. You need to contribute to the community.  That’s how this site thrives.  More than one word reviews are also required.  “Interesting” isn’t really a review, IMO.

I’m sure there are other methods of incentivizing reviews, but those were the first two that came to my head.  I know that it would be likely impossible to enforce, and we don’t need to add any more to Don’s or the moderators plates, but It’s frustrating putting the effort into reading 42 scripts and yours only get 15 in return. Something’s wrong with that picture.

Fire away with your criticisms. I’m know I’m just an old man yelling at clouds here.

Gary

Sounds reasonable, but not likely. Although I do agree the dude who just wrote one word or one sentence for his reviews needs to step up his game and provide a little more insight. Like, maybe, two sentences.

Quoted from Gary in Houston Thanks, Matthew, and glad you were such a willing reader in this contest, which seems to be the opposite (per usual) of most of the noobs that have entered. I don’t know whether it is fear of expressing their opinion for the first time or they just want to enter a contest but not but any other effort into it, we always seem to have this issue arise. So here is my very modest but completely wacky proposal to address this for future contests: 1.  Anyone who enters who doesn’t review at least a third (33%) of the entires is DQ’d.  That might be viewed as harsh, especially if life’s circumstances sometimes get in the way, but a lot of life is unfair, and the film business itself is particularly unfair. 2. Any noob who doesn’t actively participate in their first contest by reviewing can’t enter another contest until they actively review at least 20 short scripts on the general board. You need to contribute to the community.  That’s how this site thrives.  More than one word reviews are also required.  “Interesting” isn’t really a review, IMO. I’m sure there are other methods of incentivizing reviews, but those were the first two that came to my head.  I know that it would be likely impossible to enforce, and we don’t need to add any more to Don’s or the moderators plates, but It’s frustrating putting the effort into reading 42 scripts and yours only get 15 in return. Something’s wrong with that picture. Fire away with your criticisms. I’m know I’m just an old man yelling at clouds here. Gary

I know it's frustrating. It would be nice if there were more reviews. But...

Not a fan of adding more bureaucracy to this. It's an exercise. The challenge is to write.

Yeah, those who review all only get around a 1 to 3 exchange from the review process. But the reviews we are getting are from predominately experienced writers and really the ones you want to hear from the most.  In terms of quid pro quo, with one rare exception that I can recall, the winning scripts are typically from active reviewers. I may change my mind and agree with you if I start seeing a pattern of winners that were not reviewers. i.e., folks that just bomb in to take part of in the challenge to get exposure without returning anything to the boards. But again -  in my experience that is really rare.

I have empathy for the newbies. More than likely their scripts are getting pounded and as such they may feel their reviews will as well. I know that is not the case - but I can see it percolating in their minds.

Quoted from Matthew Taylor "I'M SORRY!!! I CAN FIX THIS MESS, I PROMISE"

Said most of the OWC writers in every OWC before the reveal.

Quoted from eldave1 I know it's frustrating. It would be nice if there were more reviews. But... Not a fan of adding more bureaucracy to this. It's an exercise. The challenge is to write. Yeah, those who review all only get around a 1 to 3 exchange from the review process. But the reviews we are getting are from predominately experienced writers and really the ones you want to hear from the most.  In terms of quid pro quo, with one rare exception that I can recall, the winning scripts are typically from active reviewers. I may change my mind and agree with you if I start seeing a pattern of winners that were not reviewers. i.e., folks that just bomb in to take part of in the challenge to get exposure without returning anything to the boards. But again -  in my experience that is really rare. I have empathy for the newbies. More than likely their scripts are getting pounded and as such they may feel their reviews will as well. I know that is not the case - but I can see it percolating in their minds.

I agree with this. We get plenty of reviews as it is and the ones reviewing are leaving good notes. We aren't missing out on anything, so it's really about entering the free and casual challenge and not following through on the community aspect, but so what? The ones who see the value in it will be back for more, and the more they participate and the better they get, the more they'll give back in the long run.

Leaving reviews for the sake of it promotes weak or unhelpful reviews. Let the new writers learn as much from the reviews as from the challenge. Give them a chance to build confidence in their abilities as readers as well as writers and before long they'll be an active part of the community.

Quoted from Gary in Houston So on a totally different matter, but entirely related to the one week challenges, my short script "Skip" from the Quickie challenge last year was filmed last week in L.A.  So proof once again that these one week challenges do matter and they are looked at by up and coming producers and directors.   It was shot with an all-African American cast and crew, which I'm also proud of.  The film is going into a lot of black film festivals, and once that's out of the way, I'll post the video here on the site. But it's just another indicator that this is the best site anywhere for getting people to see your work! Gary

Hey Gary,

That's awesome.

Congrats!

Quoted from Gary in Houston Thanks, Matthew, and glad you were such a willing reader in this contest, which seems to be the opposite (per usual) of most of the noobs that have entered. I don’t know whether it is fear of expressing their opinion for the first time or they just want to enter a contest but not but any other effort into it, we always seem to have this issue arise. So here is my very modest but completely wacky proposal to address this for future contests: 1.  Anyone who enters who doesn’t review at least a third (33%) of the entires is DQ’d.  That might be viewed as harsh, especially if life’s circumstances sometimes get in the way, but a lot of life is unfair, and the film business itself is particularly unfair. 2. Any noob who doesn’t actively participate in their first contest by reviewing can’t enter another contest until they actively review at least 20 short scripts on the general board. You need to contribute to the community.  That’s how this site thrives.  More than one word reviews are also required.  “Interesting” isn’t really a review, IMO. I’m sure there are other methods of incentivizing reviews, but those were the first two that came to my head.  I know that it would be likely impossible to enforce, and we don’t need to add any more to Don’s or the moderators plates, but It’s frustrating putting the effort into reading 42 scripts and yours only get 15 in return. Something’s wrong with that picture. Fire away with your criticisms. I’m know I’m just an old man yelling at clouds here. Gary

I'm with you, bro.  I've said this same kind of thing for years.

To call it frustrating, is missing the point...it's actually maddening.

We've now had basically a whole week, and most of these scripts have less than 15 actual reviews, as some have a few back and forths, a few reviews that mean absolutely ZERO, and a few others that don't say much of anything.

It's sad, but it's the way these things play out.

Congrats Gary! Good to know:)

Quoted from SAC Sounds reasonable, but not likely. Although I do agree the dude who just wrote one word or one sentence for his reviews needs to step up his game and provide a little more insight. Like, maybe, two sentences.

I have a feeling his script is getting hammered because he doesn’t have much good to say about anything.

I wrote 2 one-sentence reviews this time. I greatly praised the script in one.

The other script with my one-sentence - I got somehow offended by the script. It's not a bad script, but I acted on emotion I guess and I shouldn't have. But that one-sentence said volunes - I made sure of that. Probably shouldn't have done that either.

Those OWC's are all in good fun, we shouldn't take it all close to heart I think.

Quoted from Gary in Houston Thanks, Matthew, and glad you were such a willing reader in this contest, which seems to be the opposite (per usual) of most of the noobs that have entered. I don’t know whether it is fear of expressing their opinion for the first time or they just want to enter a contest but not but any other effort into it, we always seem to have this issue arise. So here is my very modest but completely wacky proposal to address this for future contests: 1.  Anyone who enters who doesn’t review at least a third (33%) of the entires is DQ’d.  That might be viewed as harsh, especially if life’s circumstances sometimes get in the way, but a lot of life is unfair, and the film business itself is particularly unfair. 2. Any noob who doesn’t actively participate in their first contest by reviewing can’t enter another contest until they actively review at least 20 short scripts on the general board. You need to contribute to the community.  That’s how this site thrives.  More than one word reviews are also required.  “Interesting” isn’t really a review, IMO. I’m sure there are other methods of incentivizing reviews, but those were the first two that came to my head.  I know that it would be likely impossible to enforce, and we don’t need to add any more to Don’s or the moderators plates, but It’s frustrating putting the effort into reading 42 scripts and yours only get 15 in return. Something’s wrong with that picture. Fire away with your criticisms. I’m know I’m just an old man yelling at clouds here. Gary

I’m counting about 33 reviewers total at the moment, and at least 2 don’t actually have a script in the comp, so potentially 31 participants at a minimum. There is also the chance that people wrote multiple scripts, although I can’t see much of a link between any of them.

So I think 15 reviews is pretty low, but there is still another week, so it is early days.

I don’t think you're ever going to get as many as you would like, but at the very least it would be nice if they were roughly the same across the board.

I have no idea how the scoring works, but how does a script with 15 reviews compete with one that’s had 25?

Quoted from Warren I have a feeling his script is getting hammered because he doesn’t have much good to say about anything.

There is another new member - I won't name him but if he reads this he will probably know - Who was very enthusiastic leading up to the challenge, and at the very start was jumping in with reviews - and to be honest, the reviews he did were good (By that I don't mean they were right or wrong, but you could see actual effort was put in)

But then, the reviews stopped - and I can't help thinking, is it because his entry is getting slammed that he has stopped? Do other newbies see the bad reviews on their entries and think "screw them Im not joining in" - because thats not really in the spirit of things.

Now I may be assuming, and there may be other reasons the reviews stopped - but I can see that member is still logging in a lot - who knows

Quoted from Matthew Taylor There is another new member - I won't name him but if he reads this he will probably know - Who was very enthusiastic leading up to the challenge, and at the very start was jumping in with reviews - and to be honest, the reviews he did were good (By that I don't mean they were right or wrong, but you could see actual effort was put in) But then, the reviews stopped - and I can't help thinking, is it because his entry is getting slammed that he has stopped? Do other newbies see the bad reviews on their entries and think "screw them Im not joining in" - because thats not really in the spirit of things. Now I may be assuming, and there may be other reasons the reviews stopped - but I can see that member is still logging in a lot - who knows

I think they do an average

Quoted from ReneC Said most of the OWC writers in every OWC before the reveal.

I can imagine.

But it's the strangest thing. None of you know me, I don't know any of you, but because I have been trawling the boards so much, reading everyone's posts and conversations, I feel like I do know some of you. So when some members haven't liked my entry, I kinda feel like I have let them down lol -  think I need to get out more

Quoted from Warren I’m counting about 33 reviewers total at the moment, and at least 2 don’t actually have a script in the comp, so potentially 31 participants at a minimum. There is also the chance that people wrote multiple scripts, although I can’t see much of a link between any of them. So I think 15 reviews is pretty low, but there is still another week, so it is early days. I don’t think you're ever going to get as many as you would like, but at the very least it would be nice if they were roughly the same across the board. I have no idea how the scoring works, but how does a script with 15 views compete with one that’s had 25?

2 comments here...

You say "it is early days", as in we still have alot of time to receive feedback, but let's understand that in the past, it was pretty much always 1 week to read and review, then voting and reveal.  When these types of things "drag" on for over 2 weeks, interest is gone...both from the individual writer, looking at his feedback, and the reviewer, who sees x amount of reads under every script.  Whatever comes in next week is merely stragglers, IMO.

As to voting, if someone who is voting didn't read/review a script, they shouldn't be scoring it, so if Reader A reads 42 scripts, he'll score 42 scripts, and if Reader B reads 3, he'll score 3.  In theory, no one is "hurt" by having less reads and scores, but the reality is if someone reads 3 scripts and thinks to himself 1 should be a high score, 1 should be a middle score, and 1 should be a low score, then they are skewing the score, because they have no clue if the 3 they read were good, bad, or middling compared to all the scripts.  Know what I'm saying?

Quoted from Warren I have no idea how the scoring works, but how does a script with 15 views compete with one that’s had 25?

Irrelevant. The only review that matters for your vote is your own. Granted, you might glean something from the other reviews, but how many other reviews to do need to get a point you might have missed or something you didn't think of?

Quoted from Matthew Taylor There is another new member - I won't name him but if he reads this he will probably know - Who was very enthusiastic leading up to the challenge, and at the very start was jumping in with reviews - and to be honest, the reviews he did were good (By that I don't mean they were right or wrong, but you could see actual effort was put in) But then, the reviews stopped - and I can't help thinking, is it because his entry is getting slammed that he has stopped? Do other newbies see the bad reviews on their entries and think "screw them Im not joining in" - because thats not really in the spirit of things. Now I may be assuming, and there may be other reasons the reviews stopped - but I can see that member is still logging in a lot - who knows

I know exactly who you're talking about and "he" even said in a post before the scripts were posted, that he would read and provide feedback on every script and it would be very easy for him to do that.

Oooops...looks like he was wrong...way wrong.

Quoted from Matthew Taylor There is another new member - I won't name him but if he reads this he will probably know - Who was very enthusiastic leading up to the challenge, and at the very start was jumping in with reviews - and to be honest, the reviews he did were good (By that I don't mean they were right or wrong, but you could see actual effort was put in) But then, the reviews stopped - and I can't help thinking, is it because his entry is getting slammed that he has stopped? Do other newbies see the bad reviews on their entries and think "screw them Im not joining in" - because thats not really in the spirit of things. Now I may be assuming, and there may be other reasons the reviews stopped - but I can see that member is still logging in a lot - who knows

Yes I noticed this as well, but I do think it would be easy as a new member to say "screw this I'm not joining in".

I know when I first started here I struggled with bad reviews, and there were a lot of them, but I used the advice that was given to me and improved my writing. I still don’t like seeing a bad review, I don’t think anyone does, but it’s all about finding the useful stuff and applying it to your writing. Surprisingly, I even got something useful from Jeff when I was a very-new newb that I still apply to my writing today, but don't tell him that. Take the good, toss the bad.

Quoted from ReneC Irrelevant. The only review that matters for your vote is your own. Granted, you might glean something from the other reviews, but how many other reviews to do need to get a point you might have missed or something you didn't think of?

I'm sorry Rene, I read that a few times and I don't quite understand what you're trying to say.

Quoted from Dreamscale 2 comments here... You say "it is early days", as in we still have alot of time to receive feedback, but let's understand that in the past, it was pretty much always 1 week to read and review, then voting and reveal.  When these types of things "drag" on for over 2 weeks, interest is gone...both from the individual writer, looking at his feedback, and the reviewer, who sees x amount of reads under every script.  Whatever comes in next week is merely stragglers, IMO. As to voting, if someone who is voting didn't read/review a script, they shouldn't be scoring it, so if Reader A reads 42 scripts, he'll score 42 scripts, and if Reader B reads 3, he'll score 3.  In theory, no one is "hurt" by having less reads and scores, but the reality is if someone reads 3 scripts and thinks to himself 1 should be a high score, 1 should be a middle score, and 1 should be a low score, then they are skewing the score, because they have no clue if the 3 they read were good, bad, or middling compared to all the scripts.  Know what I'm saying?

I guess I'm being mildly optimistic that the review count will go up, but yes I agree that interest starts to wane the longer it goes for.

As far as the voting goes, yes I get what you’re saying.

For many noobs, getting negative reviews is tough. When you first start writing, it can be very personal.

It takes a bit to learn to take notes. And, it takes a bit to realize reviewers are most often right.

So, here are a few quick bits of advice to our new screenwriters:

1. This is a profession and an art. There are techniques. There are rules. There are correct ways to do things. It takes time to learn them. And, you'll make many mistakes along the way. Know this: there are reasons things are done the way they are. And, we've all made the exact same mistakes as you. If you listen to the reviewers, you can speed up your learning curve. And, trust me, you'll see your writing get better.

2. It's not personal. Most everyone here wants to help. Some are better at formatting, some are better at story. Some are great at dialogue. But, most everyone has something to offer. For example, Dreamscale is going to pick your opening slug and action block apart. He gets in your head. And, let me tell you, you begin to really watch how you open your script. And, he's right. Your script's first impression changes everything. (You get better because of him.)

3. Get over it. Seriously. You're a professional. You want people to pay you to do this. You think this is hard? Wait until you have money and reputation on the line. So, practice here. Practice taking it on the chin and responding professionally. Practice staying in the game.

That's enough preaching for now. Sorry for the long post.

A few years back Don implemented an asterisk system where you could see how many scripts in an OWC  a person had read. He would apply it to that persons script so if it showed they had reviewed bugger all then you could opt not to vote for that script.

There have been a couple of challenges ‘won’ by ring ins who entered, wrote a really good script and were voted the ‘winner’ all without reviewing any other scripts!!! lol!!!

Quoted from stevie A few years back Don implemented an asterisk system where you could see how many scripts in an OWC  a person had read. He would apply it to that persons script so if it showed they had reviewed bugger all then you could opt not to vote for that script.

Actually, Don put an asterisk next to the script where the writer had been reviewing, I think. That way you could see if the script's writer was taking part or not and decide if you wanted to comment on the slacker's scripts.

Bert usually comment on all of the scripts (when he submits something) and then when the writers are revealed and it turns out some didn't review, goes back and deletes his reviews for those writers' scripts. That works too, IMO. That way the writer knows s/he is being punished, but sort of in a quiet way.

Quoted from PKCardinal For many noobs, getting negative reviews is tough. When you first start writing, it can be very personal. It takes a bit to learn to take notes. And, it takes a bit to realize reviewers are most often right. So, here are a few quick bits of advice to our new screenwriters: 1. This is a profession and an art. There are techniques. There are rules. There are correct ways to do things. It takes time to learn them. And, you'll make many mistakes along the way. Know this: there are reasons things are done the way they are. And, we've all made the exact same mistakes as you. If you listen to the reviewers, you can speed up your learning curve. And, trust me, you'll see your writing get better. 2. It's not personal. Most everyone here wants to help. Some are better at formatting, some are better at story. Some are great at dialogue. But, most everyone has something to offer. For example, Dreamscale is going to pick your opening slug and action block apart. He gets in your head. And, let me tell you, you begin to really watch how you open your script. And, he's right. Your script's first impression changes everything. (You get better because of him.) 3. Get over it. Seriously. You're a professional. You want people to pay you to do this. You think this is hard? Wait until you have money and reputation on the line. So, practice here. Practice taking it on the chin and responding professionally. Practice staying in the game. That's enough preaching for now. Sorry for the long post.

I think every new writer to this board should be required to read this post, because it is spot on.

Quoted from Warren I'm sorry Rene, I read that a few times and I don't quite understand what you're trying to say.

The number of reviews a script gets doesn't matter. The only review that matters is your own since you're the one voting.

Quoted from PKCardinal For many noobs, getting negative reviews is tough. When you first start writing, it can be very personal. It takes a bit to learn to take notes. And, it takes a bit to realize reviewers are most often right. So, here are a few quick bits of advice to our new screenwriters: 1. This is a profession and an art. There are techniques. There are rules. There are correct ways to do things. It takes time to learn them. And, you'll make many mistakes along the way. Know this: there are reasons things are done the way they are. And, we've all made the exact same mistakes as you. If you listen to the reviewers, you can speed up your learning curve. And, trust me, you'll see your writing get better. 2. It's not personal. Most everyone here wants to help. Some are better at formatting, some are better at story. Some are great at dialogue. But, most everyone has something to offer. For example, Dreamscale is going to pick your opening slug and action block apart. He gets in your head. And, let me tell you, you begin to really watch how you open your script. And, he's right. Your script's first impression changes everything. (You get better because of him.) 3. Get over it. Seriously. You're a professional. You want people to pay you to do this. You think this is hard? Wait until you have money and reputation on the line. So, practice here. Practice taking it on the chin and responding professionally. Practice staying in the game. That's enough preaching for now. Sorry for the long post.

Well said.

Quoted from ReneC The number of reviews a script gets doesn't matter. The only review that matters is your own since you're the one voting.

I don't get this either, Rene, and I don't think you're getting what others are saying.

If your script got, let's say 2 reviews from peeps who didn't have a clue what they were saying and they didn't like the fact that you had some sex in the script for instance, your "score" would be very low, right?

If you got 40 reviews from a mix of seasoned and unseasoned peeps, some who like sex in a script, some who don't, your "score" wold be much more down the middle.

We're all winners just for entering, but we all know that we all want to "win", in terms of a good score overall.

Quoted from Dreamscale I don't get this either, Rene, and I don't think you're getting what others are saying.

Okay I'm glad it isn’t just me.

Quoted from Warren I have no idea how the scoring works, but how does a script with 15 views compete with one that's had 25?

This is what I was responding to. You asked about scoring and how a script with 15 views competes with a script that's had 25. My point is, the only view that matters is yours since you're the one voting, so only your view affects your scoring.

Did I misinterpret that?

Quoted from ReneC This is what I was responding to. You asked about scoring and how a script with 15 views competes with a script that's had 25. My point is, Did I misinterpret that?

I might be having a really slow morning, but no I still don't, I'm sorry.

My point is that if some scripts are read and reviewed 15 times and some are read and reviewed 25 times, one will have 10 more votes than the other. So that’s what my question was regarding.

It's this that I can't get my head around, " the only view that matters is yours since you're the one voting, so only your view affects your scoring."

Quoted from Warren I might be having a really slow morning, but no I still don't, I'm sorry. My point is that if some scripts are read and reviewed 15 times and some are read and reviewed 25 times, one will have 10 more votes than the other. So that’s what my question was regarding. It's this that I can't get my head around, " the only view that matters is yours since you're the one voting, so only your view affects your scoring."

You and me both. I don't understand either. Rene can you clarify please? Thanks.

Okay, it's me, not you. I read that differently, but I get what you and Jeff are saying.

I just don't think it's that big a deal, and I don't think the views count for as much as you think. Some writers look at their own reviews an awful lot, like multiple times a day, and that adds to the thread count. Not me, of course, but a friend of mine...okay, it's me.

Some writers read a script but don't leave a review. I've done that too, for a variety of reasons. I do that a lot less now, but in the past I've bailed on reviewing because I really disliked something or felt I couldn't help the conversation or was in a mood or didn't have time or wrote a detailed review and my browser crashed and I didn't want to type it all again...or whatever.

If you really think it's a big deal, ask Don how he tabulates the numbers. Then see if there's a better way to do it. Otherwise, the same argument happens every OWC but I say if it isn't broken then maybe it's fine the way it is.

The quality of your review is important imho.

If you knew the writer of the piece would you frame your critique in the same way?

If a review starts with 'this is terrible' then I for one fail to see how it will encourage a Newb writer. You may well argue writers have to get used to this kind of reality check from industry professionals but this is not the case here. It's clear in this challenge quite a few entries are from people starting out. As Pia said we are writers and readers and quasi reviewers, the latter meaning a lot of us have learned our stuff. But, being constructive and helpful is of far greater value than plain out hammering a point home by being thoughtless and careless in your approach.

I also don't think review count helps if it's just jumping on the bandwagon (with reader fatigue at a certain point) and agreeing with the previous reviewer  verbatim - what he/she said.

Far better if you have something to contribute that's an original thought on story or construction that someone else hasn't mentioned. You still get to vote on a particular entry as long as you've read it. You don't have to add your comment if it's already been said a few times.

Also, relating to Glenn's complaint, try not to be condescending. Some of this might not even be intentional but read what you've written and ask yourself: could I phrase this better?

To reiterate Don's advice: be nice.
And I'll add, try to be respectful.

We don't want to scare people away from SS.

What I've noticed over the years is that Anon challenges sometimes cause people to throw their manners out the window which sets a tone and often mob mentality leads to jumping on that same bandwagon.

Quoted from ReneC Okay, it's me, not you. I read that differently, but I get what you and Jeff are saying. I just don't think it's that big a deal, and I don't think the views count for as much as you think. Some writers look at their own reviews an awful lot, like multiple times a day, and that adds to the thread count. Not me, of course, but a friend of mine...okay, it's me. Some writers read a script but don't leave a review. I've done that too, for a variety of reasons. I do that a lot less now, but in the past I've bailed on reviewing because I really disliked something or felt I couldn't help the conversation or was in a mood or didn't have time or wrote a detailed review and my browser crashed and I didn't want to type it all again...or whatever. If you really think it's a big deal, ask Don how he tabulates the numbers. Then see if there's a better way to do it. Otherwise, the same argument happens every OWC but I say if it isn't broken then maybe it's fine the way it is.

Oh, you mean you were talking about how many times a thread has been opened. Not the actual reviews? I think I get what you're saying.  :)

Quoted from Sandra Elstree. Oh, you mean you were talking about how many times a thread has been opened. Not the actual reviews? I think I get what you're saying.  :)

I get what you’re saying now as well, I think I confused the situation as I wrote ‘views’ in my original post, where I should have said reviews.

I don’t care about the view count at all.

And definitely not enough of an issue for me to worry about, it was more out of interest :)

Quoted from LC . I also don't think review count helps if it's just jumping on the bandwagon (with reader fatigue at a certain point) and agreeing with the previous reviewer  verbatim - what he/she said.

That's why I like to read something without looking at the reviews first. Then I know I'm not biased by what others have said.

Once I've already come to my own conclusions, then I'll often go back and see what others have to say and I find this is a good learning opportunity to learn.

Sandra

Quoted from Sandra Elstree. That's why I like to read something without looking at the reviews first. Then I know I'm not biased by what others have said. Once I've already come to my own conclusions, then I'll often go back and see what others have to say and I find this is a good learning opportunity to learn. Sandra

This is how I've done it for the last maybe 3 challenges. The only time I will read them before writing my review is if I feel like there is something I'm really not getting. There was one in this challenge that I did that for.

But my thoughts are my own, and not influenced by any other writers.

Quoted from Warren This is how I've done it for the last maybe 3 challenges. The only time I will read them before writing my review is if I feel like there is something I'm really not getting. There was one in this challenge that I did that for. But my thoughts are my own, and not influenced by any other writers.

How do you feel about voting regarding the genre? There's one script in the challenge, really well written, but not quite Rom Com. I'd like to vote for it, but feel I shouldn't.

Quoted from Sandra Elstree. That's why I like to read something without looking at the reviews first. Then I know I'm not biased by what others have said. Once I've already come to my own conclusions, then I'll often go back and see what others have to say and I find this is a good learning opportunity to learn. Sandra

I usually read first, then scan the reviews before writing my own, for a few reasons.

For one, I don't want to beat a dead horse, so I'll quickly agree with the others on a point that's already been made and move on.

For another, I sometimes disagree with something another reviewer said and want to give my own opinion on that point. Not putting down the other reviewer, just to comment so the writer has another perspective, where I might not have commented at all on that particular point had I not seen the earlier review.

Also, if I see that nobody is commenting on a point I think is important, I'll go further into my comments about it since I seem to be the only one saying anything about it.

Not saying everyone should do this, it's just my method. I'll go back to reading now before my kids get home.

Quoted from ReneC I'll go back to reading now before my kids get home.

My sympathies.  :) These days, it's a lot of work just looking after the cats.  ;D

Kids... those were the days. It's a wonder we as parents make it through it alive!

Quoted from Sandra Elstree. How do you feel about voting regarding the genre? There's one script in the challenge, really well written, but not quite Rom Com. I'd like to vote for it, but feel I shouldn't.

There are several like this that I PERSONALLY think fit into this statement. I still don’t really know how I'm going to vote. I think I'm leaning towards being the hardest on not meeting the genre restriction. I mean that’s the actual challenge here, right? We can all hit 5 to 10 pages, we can all put chocolates, roses, and red in any script, but can we all write rom coms? Well no we can't, and this challenge has proved that. I really hope a rom com is the Writer's Choice because that was the challenge.

Like I said in a previous post, I know I can write a better drama or horror than I can a comedy, and definitely a romantic comedy. So it feels a bit weird to give high scores to a script that isn’t in the genre. Of course it can be a great script, but did it meet the requirements? I think a good script that hits all the marks is better than a great script that doesn’t in terms of the OWC.

But like most things it's subjective. Scripts that I thought didn’t have a certain element other people seemed to find, so at the end of the day the most liked script will rise to the top and that’s fair enough  :)

OK, I'm not going to throw quotes out here, but I actually really wanted to, but as I keep reading more posts, I realized that would be redorkulous and take up maybe 4 or 5 more posts.

But, I do want and need to comment...and yeah, I'm sure I've said this all before, so sorry in advance.

If you open up a script and then hit "reply" on the end of the thread, in theory, you haven't read the feedback before you've read the script, because, in theory, you want to comment as you read.  If this is the case, no one should be saying, yeah, "like so and so said, I agree".  You should read and comment as you feel.  If you want to go read the feedback before you post, great, you can add an, "I agree with Joe", or I really disagree with what everyone is saying here", but your comments should be yours, as you read or right after you read.

In terms of the always prevalent, "He's way too mean", "She's way too nice" comments...c'mon, peeps!  We're each our own person and we act, talk, write, etc, the way we choose to.  It's called personality and it makes the frickin' world go round.  Kid Gloves can be great...and they can also be just downright wrong.  If you really like something, awesome!  Tell the world.  If you think something sucks, let it be known.  If you "know" something's wrong, help the peeps out and say it...however you need to say it.

Peeps on SS generally choose to hate on me and I get that.  But then, those same peeps throw out a compliment, and/or downright say, "Jeff's helped me".

I want to help and I want to enlighten.  I'm me and I do things the way I choose, and this old dog ain't gonna be changing his tune anytime soon, if not ever.  Take it in stride and if it helps, then my day is made.  If it hurts, I'm sorry.

I'm ready for the reveal...my interest is subsiding...quickly.

I’m hung up on views. Sometimes, that’s all I’ve got. As in, everyone hates my script but at least I’m in the top 5 in total views. And no, I don’t open my own script a hundred times. More like 80-85 times. A day.

When I’m scoring a script, I have a spreadsheet that I keep open and then score afterwards. I score it in the following categories:  dialogue, characters, plot, tone, and challenge (I.e. did I feel like it met the parameters of the challenge) and grade each one on a scale of 1 to 5. If they only meet part of the challenge (has the flowers and chocolate but they’re just props, I’ll Lower the score). So well written scripts might have a generally high score otherwise but get dinged on the challenge part and the overall is going to reflect that.

If there are two equally well written scripts and one met all the parameters and one didn’t, we’ll, you know which way I’m leaning.

Quoted from Gary in Houston When I’m scoring a script, I have a spreadsheet that I keep open and then score afterwards. I score it in the following categories:  dialogue, characters, plot, tone, and challenge (I.e. did I feel like it met the parameters of the challenge) and grade each one on a scale of 1 to 5. If they only meet part of the challenge (has the flowers and chocolate but they’re just props, I’ll Lower the score). So well written scripts might have a generally high score otherwise but get dinged on the challenge part and the overall is going to reflect that. If there are two equally well written scripts and one met all the parameters and one didn’t, we’ll, you know which way I’m leaning.

I hear you. My problem is the fact that I think the best written script in this OWC is completely not a Rom Com, but I have to vote for what are I feel are at least close to being Rom Com.

I have a similar spreadsheet, with 4 categories - Writing, Challenge, Story, and Other.  5 points available in each category.

I have 1 to read still and my scores range from 0 to 17.5.  Most are between 4 and 7.

Quoted from Dreamscale I have a similar spreadsheet, with 4 categories - Writing, Challenge, Story, and Other.  5 points available in each category. I have 1 to read still and my scores range from 0 to 17.5.  Most are between 4 and 7.

Is that...the Dreamscale?  ;)

Quoted from ReneC Is that...the Dreamscale?  ;)

Yeah, what the hell is a Dreamscale anyway? Fess up, Jeff.

Quoted from ReneC Is that...the Dreamscale?  ;)

Ahhh...could be...nice!

Quoted from SAC Yeah, what the hell is a Dreamscale anyway? Fess up, Jeff.

I revealed this a long time ago on SS.  Guess it will remain a mystery...for awhile...

:o :o :o :o :o

Quoted from Dreamscale I have a similar spreadsheet, with 4 categories - Writing, Challenge, Story, and Other.  5 points available in each category. I have 1 to read still and my scores range from 0 to 17.5.  Most are between 4 and 7.

I'm a woman who works more with intuition and less on numbers; so thanks guys, I need you for that department!  :)

A couple days ago, somebody posted a thread on Rendevous and it got me thinking back to about ten years ago: About your script, Jeff: FADE TO WHITE and another script: THE BIG FADE...

Back then, I wanted to try and help the writer of the latter because I thought it was a really good script.

FLASHFORWARD TO THE FUTURE:

Sandra thinks about this and wonders: Was I right? Or was I just in some la-lah land?

Turns out I was right.

Today I dug out the old file and started reading it again. MAN! It's a good script. And it is LOADED WITH SWEARING, but that doesn't bother me. Simply because it's so darn real it's scary!

You can't make that shit up. Either the writer lived in this world, knew someone who did... Or else, the other option is that I guess, he was just that good of a writer, but I'd think more towards the first two options.

Anyways,

I didn't use numbers.

But...

I also notice that years ago I used to give a lot of feedback on grammar etc... Now, I just won't go into that much detail. Like Pia says, getting old, no time for football.  :) I feel the same way... A person wants to be productive, learn new things, experience life in new ways... That's why finding an exceptional script or book has a way of often teaching us something, not just being entertaining.  :)

Quoted from Dreamscale I revealed this a long time ago on SS.  Guess it will remain a mystery...for awhile... :o :o :o :o :o

And your legend continues to grow. ;D

I do not think you are a Libra, Jeff, but...

__^__

?  :)

Quoted from Sandra Elstree. I do not think you are a Libra, Jeff, but... __^__ ?  :)

I'm a Taurus!!!!  The Bull is back!!   ;D ;D ;D ;D

Quoted from Dreamscale I'm a Taurus!!!!  The Bull is back!!   ;D ;D ;D ;D

I thought so !!!!!d HUH! Intuition!!!!! Yah! ;D

Quoted from Sandra Elstree. I thought so !!!!!d HUH! Intuition!!!!! Yah! ;D

Really?  Very impressive!!

Quoted from Dreamscale Really?  Very impressive!!

Yep, I always thought that, but I wasn't sure. That or maybe Scorpio, but you're a little too fun for a Scorpio, I think. Not that Scorpios aren't fun. It probably has a lot more to do with just sign... All that this and that rising... I don't know.

Now, what am I? (Besides crazy)  ;D

Just tying in some of the thread conversation on one of the entries and the script scoring we spoke about earlier.

Obviously everyone isn’t going to find the same stuff funny, but it does make sense that enough people will find a certain script funny enough for it to be the one that is voted better than all the others.

So just because a handful don’t find it funny doesn’t mean that the bulk of readers wont either. That doesn’t make the handful that didn’t find it funny wrong. Different strokes and all that.

Quoted from Warren Just tying in some of the thread conversation on one of the entries and the script scoring we spoke about earlier. Obviously everyone isn’t going to find the same stuff funny, but it does make sense that enough people will find a certain script funny enough for it to be the one that is voted better than all the others. So just because a handful don’t find it funny doesn’t mean that the bulk of readers wont either. That doesn’t make the handful that didn’t find it funny wrong. Different strokes and all that.

Which one did you find most funny? I was in a crazy "laugh at a blank page" world yesterday and the moon was only a little sliver; so who knows, but there's one I started reading aloud: not a Rom Com, but I was starting to find it funny and that's why I think it's back in the running for me.

Quoted from Sandra Elstree. Which one did you find most funny? I was in a crazy "laugh at a blank page" world yesterday and the moon was only a little sliver; so who knows, but there's one I started reading aloud: not a Rom Com, but I was starting to find it funny and that's why I think it's back in the running for me.

I'll probably wait to disclose that once the voting has gone in  :P

But I definitely have a best script, and then a best rom com script and they are not the same script.

Quoted from Warren I'll probably wait to disclose that once the voting has gone in  :P But I definitely have a best script, and then a best rom com script and they are not the same script.

That's fair. Me too. Best script and best Rom Com. That sums it up for me. And I have one that is kind of hovering around and I'm not sure about.

I'm definitely going to look at things again in the morning when I'm fresh.

I think we will be entering a lull.

Quoted from eldave1 I think we will be entering a lull.

Yes, it feels like it is coming.

Quoted from Warren Yes, it feels like it is coming.

I've only read 25 so far.  It feels like I've read 125.  I may have to have a lull to clear my head.

Quoted from Gary in Houston I've only read 25 so far.  It feels like I've read 125.  I may have to have a lull to clear my head.

That's what happened to me in the beginning, but they got better as I moved along.

But yes... I need to clear my mind, too. Get back to some of my regular reads and studies.

I think Jeff does have something regarding, "the petering out". For those who've been working on them in the beginning and for a week already, it's pretty understandable.

Anyone know where to get a hold of the script: Marienbad?

Quoted from Dreamscale I'm a Taurus!!!!  The Bull is back!!   ;D ;D ;D ;D

The bull never left

30 down 10 to go! Getting there!

Quoted from khamanna 30 down 10 to go! Getting there!

:)

Yay, in the stretch!

Quoted from Sandra Elstree. ... Anyone know where to get a hold of the script: Marienbad?

Sandra, are you talking about this? 1961?

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0054632/

Unless it was remade you might have a task ahead of you finding an English language version of the script, or even French for that matter.

P.S. You might have better luck  if you post that question here:
https://www.simplyscripts.net/cgi-bin/Blah/Blah.pl?b-looking/

Likely to get lost in all this chitchat. :)

Quoted from LC Sandra, are you talking about this? 1961? https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0054632/ Unless it was remade you might have a task ahead of you finding an English language version of the script, or even French for that matter. P.S. You might have better luck  if you posting that question here: https://www.simplyscripts.net/cgi-bin/Blah/Blah.pl?b-looking/ Likely to get lost in Al this chitchat. :)

Yes! I was doing some film studies in the fall and came across it!!! But do you think I can find the script? Not in French or English.  Humph.

Sandra

Quoted from eldave1 I think we will be entering a lull.

I’m still reading!

I have...19 to go?  :-/

Quoted from eldave1 I think we will be entering a lull.

"This is what we in the business call a lull."

*** later ***

"The lulls... don't usually pile up like this."

-- The Tick

I still have 16 to read. Thought I was further along than that.

The good news is yesterday I hit a pocket of actual romcoms. That was refreshing. Hoping for more going forward.

And............. done.

Whew. What a ride.

Thanks to everyone who shared scripts. That was fun.

Now I'll go back and again read the script that was my clear favorite. See if I still like it, since it was one of the first I read.

Quoted from PKCardinal And............. done. Whew. What a ride. Thanks to everyone who shared scripts. That was fun. Now I'll go back and again read the script that was my clear favorite. See if I still like it, since it was one of the first I read.

You'll like it, because it's mine.  Just throw the vote in there and we're all cool.

Quoted from PKCardinal And............. done. Whew. What a ride. Thanks to everyone who shared scripts. That was fun. Now I'll go back and again read the script that was my clear favorite. See if I still like it, since it was one of the first I read.

Did you leave feedback on all the scripts?  I think you missed some!

Got my ballot in. No reveals yet, but 3 scripts received my top vote and that is going to be a real horse race methinks. Several others were just a notch behind.

Just reposting:

Voting deadline and details, as per Don's instructions:

Please do not share the (the ballot form) with anyone.  Please put your name and email on
the voting form.  

Anonymous ballots are tossed.  

Votes are due midnight
February 15th edt.

Quoted from LC Just reposting: Voting deadline and details, as per Don's instructions: Please do not share the (the ballot form) with anyone.  Please put your name and email on the voting form.   Anonymous ballots are tossed.   Votes are due midnight February 15th edt.

And don't vote for your own.

Quoted from eldave1 And don't vote for your own.

  Unless it's the BEST!!!!   ;D ;D ;D ;D

Quoted from eldave1 And don't vote for your own.

Right. I know opinions have wavered a lot in past OWCs.

Rate every script.  It's a 0-5 scoring system.

I'm sure The Don doesn't include scoring on your own script, but IMO, there's nothing wrong if it is included.

Don't worry,,,mine will not be getting a 5 from me.   ;D ;D ;D

Quoted from Dreamscale Rate every script.  It's a 0-5 scoring system. I'm sure The Don doesn't include scoring on your own script, but IMO, there's nothing wrong if it is included. Don't worry,,,mine will not be getting a 5 from me.   ;D ;D ;D

Mine’s not getting a 5 from you, either. Or anyone, for that matter!

Ah, just noticed...

Don will screen out self votes anyway.

Best for me are 17.5 and 16.5 out of 20, so...probably no 5's being given out, but may have to give them a 5 to show a difference in the poorer ones.  Not sure yet...

Will the writer of the worst script receive a broken mug? I'd be happy with even just a handle.

;D ;D ;D ;D

Zack

I'm holding out for the real prize -- the SimplyScripts toilet -- because my entry this time was pure shit.

The lull..........

Quoted from Dreamscale The lull..........

And yet there is still quite a gap in the reviews, between 14 and 30, even including the ones that have had some back and forth, that's a fair bit.

Quoted from Warren And yet there is still quite a gap in the reviews, between 14 and 30, even including the ones that have had some back and forth, that's a fair bit.

Yep. Except dead air for a while

Quoted from Warren And yet there is still quite a gap in the reviews, between 14 and 30, even including the ones that have had some back and forth, that's a fair bit.

Yep...not cool...

Quoted from eldave1 Yep. Except dead air for a while

or..."expect" dead air.

Sorry, Dave...couldn't resist!  8) 8) 8)

Quoted from Dreamscale The lull..........

Still just under a week to go so tardy reviewers have plenty of time to hop to it.

Trying out my Pollyanna routine.  :D

Quoted from LC Still just under a week to go so tardy reviewers have plenty of time to hop to it. Trying out my Pollyanna routine.  :D

Yes, in your new role you must take everything in "moderation."

Yep - with one exception, it appears all latest reviews are from those who had already started and are now getting to the end of the cycle. We are going to average around 18/19 which will end up being a bit lower than the last two challenges which had considerably less entrants.

So, we may find that (1) a lot peeps wrote more than one script (2) this one brought in more newbies than most OWCs (3) something else :)

Quoted from eldave1 Yes, in your new role you must take everything in "moderation."

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
:P

Dave, moderation in moderation (let loose once in a while).

And for reviews, I intend to start but haven't gotten away from work/family commitments yet.

And DONE!  Wow, that was a lot to get through.

Under my handy-dandy spreadsheet, I counted exactly one-half that I gave a grade of "good" or better on.  And I'm usually not a very tough grader.  Think there were a few pissers along with some new writers involved on this one.

Alrighty! I've sent in my report!  :)

And the top three for me are...

:)  I'm excited to find out what others think!

And here's that lull Dave was talking about.  :)

The Lull...

ARGH!!!!!

Looks like reads are slowing to a halt.

Looks like most didn't read more than 3 and some ZERO!  Pathetic!!

Quoted from Dreamscale The Lull... ARGH!!!!! Looks like reads are slowing to a halt. Looks like most didn't read more than 3 and some ZERO!  Pathetic!!

There seems to be a few that are still slowly working their way through the scripts, but probably not as many as should expected.

As it stands, I think it’s going to be a fairly uneven review count on this OWC.

Could the low review count be down to the number of entries?

As in, some writers put in an entry with the intention of reviewing all, but when they saw the number they had to get through, were put off? and instead of reviewing as many as they could, simply did none.

Quoted from Matthew Taylor Could the low review count be down to the number of entries? As in, some writers put in an entry with the intention of reviewing all, but when they saw the number they had to get through, were put off? and instead of reviewing as many as they could, simply did none.

Doubtful, but who knows.

I saw some writers say right on this thread they had read and reviewed them all, but missed mine and others as well.  No clue how or why?

My take is hat peeps are just dumbarses most of the time, and don't give a shit.

I'll be sending my votes in today.  In first place, Micro!   ;D ;D ;D ;D

I'm still hopeful some are not finished reviewing yet...

One can only hope.

It sure was a huge turnout for a genre a lot would normally steer clear of.

A terrific challenge Pia thought up.

I specifically want to give a big shout out to Ghostie and Andrea for their very enjoyable and astute reviews.

That was going well beyond the call of duty.

Thank you both on behalf of your fellow SSers.   :D

According to my calculations I have 3 left but go figure which ones.

Quoted from Dreamscale Doubtful, but who knows. I saw some writers say right on this thread they had read and reviewed them all, but missed mine and others as well.  No clue how or why? My take is hat peeps are just dumbarses most of the time, and don't give a shit. I'll be sending my votes in today.  In first place, Micro!   ;D ;D ;D ;D

I'm guessing you're talking about me. I didn't say I reviewed them all. I said I was done (reading). I've read them all and scored them all. I haven't reviewed 2 or 3 for various reasons. My intention is to go back and review the remaining scripts, though your reaction (and the fact I obviously skipped yours) gives me pause. This seems to be a rare chance to irritate you with something other than a bad slug... :)

If I give my wife a sedative, I should finish up by Thursday.

Quoted from DaveTroop If I give my wife a sedative, I should finish up by Thursday.

I’ve had to nag my missus to let me have these next few days since valentines is approaching.  It’s annoying how you have to pick between reading scripts or spending time with the missus.

Ugh, just found out it's more than 40 entries. You people love to write, don't you.

So, I have 3 more after all. Located them already and put a pin on them - today or tomorrow unless I die.
And Sean's entry but I can take my time with it since it's not in the challenge.

Quoted from jayrex I’ve had to nag my missus to let me have these next few days since valentines is approaching.  It’s annoying how you have to pick between reading scripts or spending time with the missus.

Reading scripts. ;D

Quoted from jayrex I’ve had to nag my missus to let me have these next few days since valentines is approaching.  It’s annoying how you have to pick between reading scripts or spending time with the missus.

Logline: With a pair of deadlines fast approaching, jayrex must decide if reviewing romantic scripts is worth sacrificing any chance of romance in his real life.

I think my wife would be thrilled if I decided to spend every waking hour at home reading scripts instead of interacting with her.  :-/

Quoted from PKCardinal I'm guessing you're talking about me. I didn't say I reviewed them all. I said I was done (reading). I've read them all and scored them all. I haven't reviewed 2 or 3 for various reasons. My intention is to go back and review the remaining scripts, though your reaction (and the fact I obviously skipped yours) gives me pause. This seems to be a rare chance to irritate you with something other than a bad slug... :)

No, not aimed at you or anyone in particular.  Several peeps have said they're all done, yet I can tell they haven't provided feedback on every script.

Peeps enjoy irritating me...or maybe it's me who enjoys being irritated?   ;D ;D ;D

Quoted from Gary in Houston I think my wife would be thrilled if I decided to spend every waking hour at home reading scripts instead of interacting with her.  :-/

Yeah...here too!  My girlfriend loves it when I'm out golfing, skiing, away on business, or just holed up in my office reading.

Hmmm, should this tell me something?

Quoted from Dreamscale No, not aimed at you or anyone in particular.  Several peeps have said they're all done, yet I can tell they haven't provided feedback on every script. Peeps enjoy irritating me...or maybe it's me who enjoys being irritated?   ;D ;D ;D

Dangit. All you leave me is the slugs then. Fine.

INT. VALLEY - MOUNTAIN RANGE - LATE DAYTIME - CONTINUOUS

And.... go!

Quoted from PKCardinal Dangit. All you leave me is the slugs then. Fine. INT. VALLEY - MOUNTAIN RANGE - LATE DAYTIME - CONTINUOUS And.... go!

INT. VALLEY - MOUNTAIN RANGE - LATE DAYTIME - CONTINUOUS (1974)

Quoted from Warren INT. VALLEY - MOUNTAIN RANGE - LATE DAYTIME - CONTINUOUS (1974)

Even better.

INT. VALLEY - MOUNTAIN RANGE - LATE DAYTIME - CONTINUOUS (1974)

(A quiet night)

Quoted from eldave1 INT. VALLEY - MOUNTAIN RANGE - LATE DAYTIME - CONTINUOUS (1974) (A quiet night)

If nothing else, I get a good laugh from SS almost every day.

Yes, good laughs, indeed.

Hey, on a more serious note, if anyone is wondering where Mistress Pia has been, and why she hasn't been posting anything for awhile, I can tell you she's fine and enjoying a cruise to St. Martin.

Quoted from eldave1 INT. VALLEY - MOUNTAIN RANGE - LATE DAYTIME - CONTINUOUS (1974) (A quiet night)

PAT, 30's - 50s, stands tall in the mountain valley.

             PAT
      (sarcastically, looking out over the river, at his goat, stuck on the other side
        of the mountain valley river)
   This is good. Real good.

Quoted from FrankM Logline: With a pair of deadlines fast approaching, jayrex must decide if reviewing romantic scripts is worth sacrificing any chance of romance in his real life.

Funny!  Read this out to the missus.  I think she liked it deep down.  :)

Quoted from PKCardinal PAT, 30's - 50s, stands tall in the mountain valley.              PAT       (sarcastically, looking out over the river, at his goat, stuck on the other side         of the mountain valley river)    This is good. Real good.

We PAN the valley to take in the majestic splendor, then slowly ZOOM IN for a CLOSE UP of Pat’s crinkled face. Something is rotten in the State of the Mountain River Valley, and it’s not the goat.

Quoted from PKCardinal PAT, 30's - 50s, stands tall in the mountain valley.              PAT       (sarcastically, looking out over the river, at his goat, stuck on the other side         of the mountain valley river)    This is good. Real good.

KELLY, male or female, any age over 20, at least 5 feet six inches tall, and depending on sex, either 120-140 pounds, or 190-225 pounds, stands still...for a BEAT or two, then he/she starts to think about some things that happened to him/her many years ago, as a really large BIRD flies over him/her, and takes a humongous crap on his/her head, like only  really large birds can.

Quoted from Gary in Houston We PAN the valley to take in the majestic splendor, then slowly ZOOM IN for a CLOSE UP of Pat’s crinkled face. Something is rotten in the State of the Mountain River Valley, and it’s not the goat.

Is it just me? Or are we on our way to writing a complete feature. One line at a time. Probably could get it finished by the time the votes are due

Quoted from eldave1 Is it just me? Or are we on our way to writing a complete feature. One line at a time. Probably could get it finished by the time the votes are due

I'm in... as long as we call it: GOATS OF THE MOUNTAIN RIVER VALLEY

Oh, wait... gotta have THE....

THE GOATS OF THE MOUNTAIN RIVER VALLEY

Though, I'll settle for: UNTITLED MOUNTAIN RIVER VALLEY GOATS PROJECT

Quoted from PKCardinal I'm in... as long as we call it: GOATS OF THE MOUNTAIN RIVER VALLEY Oh, wait... gotta have THE.... THE GOATS OF THE MOUNTAIN RIVER VALLEY Though, I'll settle for: UNTITLED MOUNTAIN RIVER VALLEY GOATS PROJECT

Count me in! But only if stars John Malkovich as Pat.

Quoted from PKCardinal I'm in... as long as we call it: GOATS OF THE MOUNTAIN RIVER VALLEY Oh, wait... gotta have THE.... THE GOATS OF THE MOUNTAIN RIVER VALLEY Though, I'll settle for: UNTITLED MOUNTAIN RIVER VALLEY GOATS PROJECT

How about THE JEFF WHO STARES AT GOATS

Pat watches as the goat approaches the mountain valley river for a drink of cool, refreshing water. We hear the sound d of ominous music. Dah duh. Dah duh dah duh.

Before Pat can react, a giant EAGLE swoops down and carries the hapless animal away, leaving Pat to shake his head.

              PAT
We’re going to need a bigger goat.

Very good, Gazza.  ;D

Quoted from Gary in Houston Pat watches as the goat approaches the mountain valley river for a drink of cool, refreshing water. We hear the sound d of ominous music. Dah duh. Dah duh dah duh. Before Pat can react, a giant EAGLE swoops down and carries the hapless animal away, leaving Pat to shake his head.               PAT We’re going to need a bigger goat.

That was excellent. But I would add a wrylie.

PAT
(sheepishly)
We’re going to need a bigger goat.

Quoted from eldave1 That was excellent. But I would add a wrylie. PAT (sheepishly) We’re going to need a bigger goat.

;D
You guys!

C'mon, Frank, top that.

Quoted from eldave1 That was excellent. But I would add a wrylie. PAT (sheepishly) We’re going to need a bigger goat.

I'd change the wrylie to read, "squinty eyes, dead, black, like a shark's".

That way, your wrylie will take up 2 lines and look very good!   ;D ;D

Quoted from Dreamscale I'd change the wrylie to read, "squinty eyes, dead, black, like a shark's". That way, your wrylie will take up 2 lines and look very good!   ;D ;D

And lose the the goat/sheep humor???

Quoted from eldave1 And lose the the goat/sheep humor???

Well...that's a good point, but I was moving onto the "bigger boat" pun.

Maybe a combo of yours and mine?  Yes!!!  Perfect!!!

I'm done!!
Are you?

"Gonna need a bigger goat"... can't stop laughing.

Shared with my wife... big laugh from her, too.

Well done.

My apologies to the writer of Crimes of Fashion. Missed that one but sent my votes in anyway. The reason is I was halfway through with the votes already. I'll read and comment later.

Quoted from Dreamscale No, not aimed at you or anyone in particular.  Several peeps have said they're all done, yet I can tell they haven't provided feedback on every script.

I'm not done yet, but I've only once left a review for every script. I hated reviewing my own, it's fake news (hahaha!) and I don't waste my time reviewing a script that wasted my time reading it unless I really have something to say. Or I'm really pressed for time and have to breeze through the last few, I might not leave a review unless I have something new to add to the comments already left.

Ooh, there's an echo in the room again...

Quoted from LC Ooh, there's an echo in the room again...

in the room again... again... again...

Quoted from Zack ... in the room again... again... again...

;D Ha! At least I'm not alone in the room.Thanks, Zack.

Quoted from LC ;D Ha! At least I'm not alone in the room.Thanks, Zack.

I'm still here. :D Sorry for my recent absence. Works been Hell. Lol. I've got some catching up to do in terms of reviews. To the scripts!  ;D ;D

Zack