Apologies if this is repetitive from something I posted the other day... but I’ve been sending the most recent draft of a script I wrote to a variety of coverage services, to get a sense of where it’s at. Have done so for a number of drafts. And yes, I’m well aware of the difference between notes and coverage, and who is good and who is bad. So far I’ve done about seven of them from different places and I’ve been pleased with all the feedback, both good and not so good. I’ve also been lucky, insomuch that all of them have come back as a Consider or Reccomend. This helps me get a sense of the state of the draft, before I’m willing to submit to contests, etc.
Also, I’m a grown up with thick skin. I can take gladly take criticism. However, I just got feedback from The Script Joint folks... and all I can say is... Holy Hell!! Their score was so wildly divergent from anything else I’ve gotten, and that includes earlier drafts. But this was borderline sadistic. I don’t mind direct criticism, but to do so with contemptuous disdain is weird. Not that I expect them to be precious with me, but man, that sorta felt like being slapped in the gob with a frozen kipper. Yikes!
Interested to hear if any other folks have worked with them before?
I am curious as to what constitutes "contemptuous disdain" in your mind? I haven't had any direct experience with their service, but from a quick perusal of their website I can see they have no intention of mollycoddling anyone.
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In the future, I would personally try to get other amateurs on sites like Zoetrope, Cvoerflyx, Talentville, Reddit screenwriting, simply scripts, and here to read and give you feedback before paying. Maybe swap scripts with some people. I get just as valuable feedback/critiques from those sites and people I've befriended at all these places as I have from paid and contest feedback.
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All good comments and insights. Having come from a writerly family I’m aware of these pitfalls, My uncle David rather famously only received feedback from two or three trusted people and that was it. Didn’t hurt him, considering he was a booker prize winner and won numerous Tony’s for his plays. Sadly he is no longer with us. So can’t go to him anymore for advice.
My tickling of these services has dual purpose. The first one is explicit, the second implicit. Hence, why I’m asking questions.
The explicit is more about my own curiosity. The second is for something else to do with where I work,
As for the comment about me accepting that they pull no punches... agree. And that is fair. I just don’t really dig it when feedback comes across as personal. No need for that.
I just used the script joint. They are horrible and a rip off. Beware.
I just wrote them about my concerns. They replied with insults and lies. WOW. Incompetent and unprofessional.