Screenwriting : No solid footing by John Luerding

All notes should be taken with a oinch of salt, you'll sometimes get contradictory ones, you'll sometimes get ones you flat out disagree with! Key is to remember that it's your script, if the feedback makes sense to you, and you think it'll make the script better, use it.

The sooner any screenwriter experiences this the better. This is why you have to strongly consider where feedback is coming from, focus on the people who genuinely appreciate your script and want to see it improve. Beware those just looking for the opportunity to criticise.

Indeed, subjectivity, subjectivity, subjectivity. Don't let it get to you. Also polarisation can be a very promising thing, the problem is most systems like screenplay competitions penalise scripts for that. If you plan to through routes like that you need to be generically appealing. Plus you need to play by the rules to meet the scoring criteria. Laurie Ashbourne recently posted an excellent blog about that; http://1st10pages.com/2015/04/20/before-you-submit-to-that-contest/

It is very subjective, however the contests with more prestige typically have readers who are able to set aside personal preferences and some assign scripts in the genre you prefer. It's important to realize that those that provide feedback have a template the reader has to adhere to (not all are created equal). Many writers submit to contests JUST for feedback, which is absurd to me, but hey everyone has a different method and measure of progress.

Yes, and some of the better competitions out there share how their scoring system works. In some cases you have to pay but it can be enlightening.

While it's always helpful to get advice from others that advice is ALWAYS subjective. Even professionals give notes based on their personal experiences. The only "notes" that really matter are notes from the producer who buys your script. So as a writer moves along the path to a sale be cautious. Even subjective notes can be valuable. But as John discovered one person will suggest a change that another person will not like. Stay true to YOUR script.

Yeah... the subjectivity lottery, it's just one of the many inconvenient truths about festivals and screenwriting competitions. One way to navigate the variants in reviews is to develop an instinctual barometer about your own work and screenwriting in general. Build your confidence. All reviews are helpful in some way, the key is to learn how to decipher the helpful points from the not so helpful. Of course, if the same issue is noted repeatedly from different reviewers you know that is an issue that does merit your attention. As you gain more and more experience and become more objective when regarding you're own work, you'll accept the reality that while your script may engage some it may not engage others. Regardless, stay true to your goals and hone your craft. Keep fighting the good fight! I wish you the best, John! :)

Well put, Beth. You make a great point about confidence and I think this, providing it stems from honing one's craft, is absolutely key. I took huge steps backwards in my early days of writing because I took all feedback as gospel and hacked up my scripts. I look back at the early feedback I got and some of it makes me laugh now. Reading about the craft, practicing my skills, tackling my weaknesses, and talking with peers, that really put me in a position where I was better to objectively analyze my own work.

Opinions on scripts are like assholes, everybody has one. Do your research on each competition and how the judges are. Keep in mind where feedback comes from. Plus these contests people are reading soooo many scripts. Just keep working and I'm sure you will see mistakes in your work others might take notice on. Growth and time!

Hey John: I tend to agree with Mister Levy and subscribe to the O's are like A's philosophy. If the critiques are all over the map, then take it with a grain. However, if you have five people say similar or the same thing, then you may wish to give it more weight. You have do decide what's your primary objective. For most it's optioning the script and hopefully getting it made into a film. However, you have to give weight to how much feedback you wish to incorporate into your work.

You all have very valid and strong points. After the first butchering of my script, I went in and did a complete Frankenstein rewrite. Sent it in with no responses.. I then left it alone and a month later sat down and looked over it min by min.. hour by hour and noted vast amounts of mistakes, most likely made out of my anger and haste to fix. I then rewrote it and even expanded it more to a point that I feel it ebbs and flows like a gentle tide, if the horror genre can be considered gentle. LOL So now as I write on others, I develop a stack of scripts and I'm left with what now? I realize sending out letters of inquiry are a good practice. I've done that and have had 0 success either because the agents are no longer in business and moved on or just don't care to reply. I've pounded the key pads on phones calling agencies for address verification and similar to sending out letters, the number is no longer valid or they are not taking in new material. I'm at the point right now, where I feel as if I'm throwing sand against the wind. I love to write and continue to do so... Getting my script read by industry execs or by agents, seems like an exercise in futility.

Have you tried pitching it through the Happy Writers here on the site? It's a tremendous resource that truly lives up to the name.

Great point Laurie! Check out the pitch sessions and I know there is a Pitchfest coming this weekend. Look under the "Happy Writers" tab and get your pitch together, written or via Skype!

Hi John, producers often ask me to change my script. but I´ve a very critical look at their notes and when I think that some of their remarks will improve the script, then I make those changes but I notice often that they´ve only read it half way. Most producers do not read your entire script. thatś what you´ve to keep in view

I've always thought the only critiques worth paying attention to are: 1) those from a genuine industry insider who's tight with producers or 2) those suggestions/comments that are repeated from some number of readers. If multiple sources are telling you the same thing, there's probably some validity there.

Thanks CJ, good article!

Laurie I'll give the "Happy Writers" a go. Can't hurt LOL

I've learned the hard lesson.. I don't change the script for anyone now other than for my own self worth. That is of course unless a producer wants the script. Then and only then will I alter it for their needs knowing it will get picked up.

As said by a few above, even if five people say you should change something that doesn't mean it's the right thing to do. There's countless examples of great scripts where only one or two people believed in them. When it comes to changes by producers, I have only dipped my toe into this experience but personally I've found it to be a completely different experience. It feels like you're moving forward rather than taking a gamble.

I´ve also the same experiences John. The general answer I always get is that they do not accept unsollicited material or you are allowed to send only a logline and you won´t hear from them any more. Beside, Laurie, that pitchfest of Happy Writes may be a unique occasion but I can´t afford the fee unfortunately.

It's -very- hard to get through with email queries these days. You have to remember that, if you can do it, so can thousands upon thousands of others.