I've posted on here before I think Carson Reeves from script Shadow is a complete and total idiot. Well the fact is that La La land he gave one of the most harsh reviews in the history of his site, and it's winning every single major screenwriting award. And what script did he give the best review in the history of his site? The predictable and cold Everything Must Go. He even gave Mordecai a glowing review once. Carson Reeves is barely ever right about what script makes a good movie. He thinks every "rule" of screenwriting that they teach in film school should be treated like it's holy gospel and every time someone does something different that they are committing a mortal sin. I remember reading Charlie Kaufman's unproduced Frank or Frances script and thought of how brilliant it is and Reeves panned it. And no, it isn't because it's inaccessible to audiences that it isn't being made. Kaufman could get any of his scripts made at any time, the reason he can't get the thing made is he wants to direct it himself and Synechdoche New York bombed huge. You're probably thinking okay, so what's the big deal, I think the guy has bad taste. Well I wouldn't have a problem with him, except he also reviews amateur scripts on his site for the whole world to see. That to me is dangerous. A bad review can really hurt an unknown screenwriter. Now he's never reviewed one of my scripts in case you think I have a chip on my shoulder against him or something. I just think it's a bad idea for someone to have their script dissected in front of a wide audience until it's ready to be seen by a large group. Maybe I'm wrong, but a public website seems the wrong forum for a place like this, and I really don't think Reeves is qualified to do this. He just seems clueless about what kind of script makes a successful film. Thoughts?
Screenwriting : In your face Scriptshadow... by Joseph Chastain
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Well, I certainly do not follow, nor support, nor tend to agree with opinionated blogger and self-created critic/script consultant/script reviewer/producer—whatever/whoever this guy is? "Carson Reeves" is a pseudonym. He's rather shady and unethical, so I've read and heard. Personally, I steer clear. But to each their own.
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Yeah. I used to read his blog to get an idea of what Hollywood was working on, but his reviews aren't even well written honestly. If a script doesn't have exactly the right elements according to him he tears it apart and if it follows a formulaic idea it's "impressive" or "genius." The one good thing he did was help one writer get noticed because apparently an agent read one of his reviews and the writer got noticed--but of course that was HIS claim, so I don't know if that's even true. I've read people in the industry bashing him too.
You can't please all of the people all of the time. I've seen many Oscar-winning films and thought they were terrible. It's just an opinion at the end of the day. I have a friend who thinks Dodgeball is brilliant. Is he wrong? For that type of movie, for his taste, for his demographic, it probably is brilliant. That doesn't make my friend an idiot for having a difference of opinion. Some people like musicals - I hate them. That doesn't make them bad films. But there are some, particularly critics, that are elitist in their view and if you profess a love for something less intellectual than Kafka or Kubrick they look down their noses at you. Each to their own. If he reviewed your script, then how was it not ready? How did he get hold of it?
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He never reviewed my script. The thing I have a problem with is he reviews AMATEUR scripts that are in early drafts. I don't have a problem with him socializing clients, my problem is he puts the review up publicly and embarrasses the people he reviews.
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More fool them for allowing him to do it.
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Don't know much about Carson but the only way he reviews amateur scripts "for the whole world to see" is if that amateur sends in his/her script to Carson to be reviewed.
Don't know Carson, never dealt with him. But here is his PUBLIC submission procedure: ############################################# If you’d like your script to be reviewed on the site, you can submit it to my submission address, ########. Make sure you include: Title, genre, and logline. Your script won’t get read without these! A quick paragraph about who you are and why you think I should review your script. A pdf of the first ten pages of your script. A pdf of the entire script. Now I get tons of entries so there’s no guarantee I’ll read your script. But if your concept is compelling and your query e-mail rocks, you’ve got a good shot. Oh and remember, if picked, your script WILL be posted online. ########################################### However, if you're submitting to him privately, I don't know what the parameters are. All I know is that he charges A LOT.
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Jesus, why would he do that to amateur writers? Sounds like this Carson fella is a piece of work.
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I'm not defending him but people need to get their facts before commenting. People submit their scripts to him knowing that their script, if chosen, will be reviewed on his site, that's his style and no one is being misled here. They submit their scripts for the chance of getting one form of exposure. That's how this industry works, through exposure of your material.
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Hmmm! I don't know if this is the appropriate forum to beat up the Script Shadow for his adherence to film school principles. And believe me, among other things, I violate principles all the time. I'm also inclined to like any thread that doesn't ask for logline advice and that's controversial. So this is a good one. But I say, judge not lest ye be judged. Or you can read his reviews at http://scriptshadow.net/ and judge the shit out him. At first glance, his reviews are well written and entertaining.
If spec writers want their script produced they need exposure, they need to get it in front of people and Script Shadow is just one form of exposure. I'm not talking about people who run the sites that offer exposure, I'm talking about the people who need to get their material out to the world.
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Well, surely, there are better options. Consider this more buyer beware. "Carson Reeves"—his real name is Christopher Eads—is rather unethical in his practices. Should anyone be interested here's an older article (2012) from The New York Times about "Mr. Reeves" and ScriptShadow: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/02/movies/carson-reeves-script-doctor-and....
I'm too nice a guy to verbally stomp on someone in public. I prefer to stomp on people privately and in dark alleys. It makes me feel...so.....ALIIIIIIIIIVE. And a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Matt Muttenweg, creator of WordPress!!!
Bill C: I'm with you on settling things in dark alleys and sometimes remote locations (when available). When I was a Mercenary for hire working in Africa and South America a few years back, we used to have saying, "If you're going shoot somebody in the head, don't announce it a half hour before you do it." God bless Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner.
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Ummm, isn't stomping on writers and projects on a public platform what "Mr. Reeves" does on ScriptShadow? Just saying... He posts scripts still in development and slams them, potentially damaging writers and/or derailing projects.
"potentially damaging writers and/or derailing projects" umm, do you really believe that for one second, that a studio is even going to entertain the thought that "Oh Carson Reeves doesn't like this script? That's it guys, let's pull the pin"?
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Yes. Perhaps read the article I posted. I've also heard commentary about his practices on various podcasts.
Yes, perhaps I did read the article. " In a city often skittish about spending millions, raising doubt over work still being refined could derail deals." This is a speculative comment made by John August. There is no grounding in it and I don't believe for a second that it will ever happen. If a well-known producer bags a script that another producer is on board to make, then they may rethink the deal but no producer is going to care what Carson Reeves says about a script that they are considering buying. By saying that, Beth, you're giving him way more credit and influential power than he actually has.
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Look, I'm not one for public "shaming" either. My comments on this thread are more about awareness.
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I never posted this to shame anyone either, i was just posting this to prevent anyone from trying to get their script reviewed by him. I think it's a bad idea, in case your script might not be ready and you do that and he finds the premise interesting and reviews it. It's better to get coverage IMO.
BTW Dan if Kaufman's films are only for two cities explain how I don't live in L.A. and I know tons of people who love Kaufman? I talk to people all over the world who know who he is. Eternal Sunshine made a lot of money at the box office, and all his live action movies other than Synechdoche and Human Nature have turned some profit, though not a huge one other than Sunshine, which was a pretty big hit. Yeah, he's not Niche. Not huge box office, but he's not Gregg Araki either.
Plus I don't see what box office has to do with whether someone should like about a writer or not either. One of the best books I ever read was Each in His Own Darkness and I've never met a single other person who's read it (I understand the writer once had a big following in France)
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The article says much more than that, talks about ethics. Many feel his are questionable.
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Anyway, I would stress some caution here too. And kindly suggest that people do their due diligence before deciding. But again, to each their own. ;)
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Phillip E. Hardy: I've traveled many a road, near and far, and you are still the only person that I have ever seen perform a 21-Gun Salute all by yourself. Hats off - and hands up! - to Phillip!
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I do have to say I do respect him for admitting he writes bad scripts. As for scripts being leaked derailing project. Hateful Eight was nearly cancelled and rewritten because of a script leak. I do have to say I've read leaked scripts though, so I'm a bit of a hypocrite.
And Chiu is the shortened version of Chiuzewskiopoulosbergintinistein. Good choice, Dan!
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Dan M, sorry, I struggle to see the value here? How does allowing a former tennis player and self-appointed critic with no professional experience or credentials to potentially slam your work and allow others to do so on a public forum beneficial? Just saying... How? Honestly. This baffles me?
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Reviewing somebody's script for them, (especially newer writers) should always be a confidential and constructive affair, unless the writer chooses comments can be shared. In that regard, STAGE32 seems a particularly safe place. Safe is the operative word. I have seen peoples early writings ripped apart on other forums. If that had happened to me at the beginning, I'd have been far less able to cope with the inevitable rejections that happen on the 'writer's journey' (no mythic structure reference intended) in any case.