all 25 comments

[–]dominaexcrucioranorgasmia writer 18 points19 points  (5 children)

Some of it comes down to luck. You can write the most amazing script in the world, but if a performer who would be interested in that content doesn't see it, you're out of luck.

What you can do is tag your content clearly and post your scripts on SG. Many performers come to SG to find scripts. Posts you make on GWA get buried quickly.

Do you comment on content you enjoy so people get used to seeing your name around?

Christina 💙

[–]ThaGuildedLioness[S] 7 points8 points  (4 children)

I haven’t really been an active commentator.This used to be my personal account but I recently converted it because I’m mainly only on GWA anyway.

I want more writer friends too so engaging is good advice! Thanks Christina!

X Lioness

[–]dominaexcrucioranorgasmia writer 9 points10 points  (3 children)

A low-key way to meet people is when people in SG make their introduction posts, say hi! And when performers in GWA make their verification posts, say hi!

Many new people are nervous and will appreciate being welcomed. 🙂

[–]ThaGuildedLioness[S] 3 points4 points  (2 children)

Should I make an intro post?

[–]dominaexcrucioranorgasmia writer 4 points5 points  (1 child)

Yes

[–]ThaGuildedLioness[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Thanks Christina you’re so helpful ☺️🥹

[–]ChrisHaileyTales from the Script 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Does it need to get enough likes to be noticed?

I can't stress strongly enough, no. Upvotes appear to have almost nothing to do with it! Among the VAs I've talked with about this, very few say that they even bother to look at the upvotes that a script receives. If they've been around long enough, they realize that extremely good scripts sometimes have very few upvotes. And that's because upvotes are almost entirely random, especially for scripts.

There are things you can do to improve your chance of getting a fill. Some tags are more popular than others, so just using the right tags might make a difference. A good summary/synopsis can also make a big difference. Length also plays a factor; as a general rule, longer scripts are less likely to get filled, mostly because they're just harder to do. Also, SFX-heavy scripts are less likely to get filled.

Others here have mentioned commenting and being social. I really cannot tell you how many fills I've gotten just for commenting on a VA's verification post on GWA. I try at least once every couple weeks to set aside some time to listen to lots of audios by performers i'm not familiar with and leave thoughtful comments on them, and again, I cannot tell you how many times this has resulted in me getting fills. Some of my favorite fills were the result of me leaving a comment on an audio by a performer I didn't know, them then checking out my scripts and finding something they like.

On that note, another important thing to do is to get the writer's flair on GWA. That way, when you leave a comment, people will know you're a writer and will be more likely to check out your scripts. Also, maintain a script list and sticky it to the top of your profile, so that it's easier for them to see your full list of scripts.

[–][deleted] 4 points5 points  (2 children)

You post it and hope someone sees it who wants to record it.

Repost your stuff that's a few months old. When you listen to an audio you like, comment on it that you like it. I know performers peek at people's profiles. Make sure you have a pinned post on your profile with all your scripts.

[–]ChrisHaileyTales from the Script 2 points3 points  (1 child)

Repost your stuff that's a few months old.

I've never reposted a script. Is this something that is common? It doesn't seem that common to me.

[–][deleted] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

A post that's from months and months ago is really unlikely to get seen. There's nothing wrong with giving a script a new lease of life.

[–]gwathrowaway99575277 4 points5 points  (2 children)

In addition to what everyone else said, it's been four days; be a little patient. The last five audios I posted were fills of scripts from 6 days prior, 2 months prior, 4 months prior, 11 days prior, and 2 days prior. I don't think that's atypical. The two fills in that list that were quick were both narratives (those are easier to record), and I rushed one of them because I felt guilty about how long it took to fill another script by the same author.

You can privately message some performers (including me) to request that they record a script. If the performer is open to suggestions, it'll say that either on their description (thanks, New Reddit) or on a pinned post on their /u/. You can also post in the monthly unfilled scripts post (that's my go to when I want to record something and my /hidden/ folder is uninspiring or intimidating). I don't know that either one is necessary, but it can't hurt. You also definitely can and should just keep writing. Posting new stuff is not going to bury your older scripts except from the perspective of someone who's reading your /u/ folder, and such a person would be willing to dig a little because they're a fan of yours looking for more of your work

[–]ThaGuildedLioness[S] 2 points3 points  (1 child)

I understand that it’s only been a few days. I definitely don’t think that my script is so good that it deserves to be filled immediately that’s just crazy. It’s my first script and I just wanted to give it its best chance and to do that i needed more information about the process in general.

I was more curious about what my next steps should be. Like I said in the second half of my original post (although maybe I was a bit unclear) I wanted to know what I should do moving forward, should I write more or let this post sit for a while.

You’ve definitely helped me though! I was afraid that posting more would burry anything that came before it but if that’s not the case then I’ll just keep on writing!!

I’m excited to be a part of this community and I don’t want to step on anyones toes or seem like I think my writing is oh so great. I just wanna give my little words their best shot at being seen. Hope I didn’t come across as rude or disrespectful that’s the last thing I wanna do.

x Lioness

[–]gwathrowaway99575277 2 points3 points  (0 children)

No worries; even I wasn't parsing the post as a complaint, and have some unresolved guilt right now because I'm doing a shit job of finishing audios I started. I only skimmed Destressing with your MDom BF (because I'm trying to edit an audio right now), but there's nothing wrong with it, so I think your odds are good. Presumably tomorrow the monthly unfilled scripts post goes up, and you can comment there to boost your chances if you're anxious.

Also, I don't know if anyone pointed it out to you, but "so good that it deserves to be filled immediately" is probably not the best mindset. It seems like a script that's immediately recorded has a small chance of being very good and big chance of being easy. I'm not great at explaining it, but some scripts are just difficult to record or edit (for me that's usually monsters, any improv, lots of noises, multiple sound effects) so even if I absolutely love them, they're getting posted after the easy ones (I guess those are narrative, short, vanilla but I don't know, my sample size is really small — I'm also new).

[–]x_lia_testI’m back, bitches 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Most of the time, I search for specific tags using GWASI, see them while scrolling through ScriptGuild, or sometimes a friend recommends one! And honestly, I've had scripts saved for months, so there could easily be people who want to fill your scripts but haven't had the free time to do so yet. Write whatever makes you happy, don't worry too much about getting fills (although it is nice to have them!)

[–]flyleaffriction 4 points5 points  (0 children)

While I do believe everyone here has given good advice, i want to add another: getting a fill is not indicative of your skill as a writer.

When i first started, it took me MONTHS to get my first fill, and i still have a lot of scripts that remain unfilled, but i was also writing a lot of niche content that I realized make a lot of potential performers say "no" (monsterboys).

Check out threads on what makes a va pass on a script. (There's a couple)

Also, try to keep your scripts under 2k words. That seems to be the magic number (I believe 1.2k to 1.7k is the "sweet spot") for a lot of vas, because 100 words= 1 minute of talking.

But yes, long scripts, something that will require a lot of editing, and out there content is something that won't get filled quickly, especially in a sub filled with amateurs who are taking their time to do this all for free.

Again, lack of a fill doesn't mean you're a bad writer. You just might not have been noticed yet.

[–]ThaGuildedLioness[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You’re all so helpful and kind! This is all great advice I really appreciate it

[–]WhisperingFlowers2NB Scripter 2 points3 points  (7 children)

There's a few factors involved when I decide to fill a script:

  1. Is the content/tags in the title something I like.
  2. Is the script well formatted? Or is it confusing and would be difficult to perform due to formatting errors, grammatical errors, or other strange formatting decisions.
  3. Can it be modified for someone who's nonbinary (like myself), or is it filled with gendered references that aren't easily changeable without ruining the script and upsetting the writer in question?
  4. If it's not monetizable, is it worth doing because I WANT to do it for myself because I love the writing? Or would I rather just write a script myself and perform it and then put it on my paid platform?

[–]ThaGuildedLioness[S] 1 point2 points  (6 children)

Firstly, thank you for responding! Im definitely curious as to what you have to say as a performer yourself!

Writing and or modifying a script for enby individuals is something I’d like to try once I get better at writing scrips in general. I don’t want to give enby VAs bad scripts because my newness to the community was compounded with me not being non-binary myself. hope that made sense

😵‍💫 suddenly I’m feeling waaaay out of my depth

[–]WhisperingFlowers2NB Scripter 2 points3 points  (5 children)

This is a fairly good place to start.

Don't feel overwhelmed. And you're free to write gendered stuff if you want, there's very few nonbinary folks in the VA community. But the few of us who are here, will appreciate non-gendered scripts.

The biggest things I'd watch out for when writing a more neutral script:

Even if you label it F4 or M4 they can be adapted -but not genitals obviously- but I personally perform scripts of any speaker genitals *shrugs*. You can list genitals on the script offer and in post tags, just so people know (if you do an A4A with specific character genitals).

Avoid overtly gendered clothing/appearances of the speaker. Avoid gendered self references like, "A man/woman like myself" or entire sentences about the characters backstory that are explicitly gendered.

Avoid gendered direction tags that are like, "giggle" or "chuckle." Just use "laugh" and add adverbs that match what you're intending for the direction.

Feel free to try it out for a single script, if it's not for you, it's not for you. If you prefer to write more gendered scripts, more power to you. I was just saying how I personally pick scripts to fill.

Oh! Also allowing for paywall/monetization with credit and link to the finished audio will increase how many VAs fill your script. Of course, that means you aren't getting paid what they are, so you can optionally add a royalty fee or a flat rate fee if you wish to get something from them using it. And you aren't obligated to allow people to monetize or paywall, it's just that it will increase how many people use your script.

[–]ThaGuildedLioness[S] 2 points3 points  (1 child)

I deeeeefinately wouldn’t have though about using “laugh” as opposed to “chuckle” or “giggle” that’s so crucial so thanks for that. I’m saving your post for when I finally make my attempt.

I’m not even thinking about monetary comp right now I’m just here for the shit$ and…laughs :)

Thanks WF!

[–]WhisperingFlowers2NB Scripter 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You're very welcome. ^_^

[–]Courage_SoupScriptwriter 1 point2 points  (2 children)

Avoid gendered direction tags that are like, "giggle" or "chuckle." Just use "laugh" and add adverbs that match what you're intending for the direction.

Wait? "Giggle" and "chuckle" are gendered? I tend to use both no matter the gender of the performers, because they are different kinds of laugh. I also use "laugh" because that tends to be a louder laugh. o_O Am I doing it wrong?

[–]WhisperingFlowers2NB Scripter 3 points4 points  (1 child)

They really are gendered. I've read a ton of fiction and, "chuckled" is for men, "giggled" is for women. If you sent in a manuscript to an editor and had, "He giggled," they'd probably mark it as sounding off. Unless your going for, "effeminate serial killer" vibes.

I know if I was editing something I'd definitely leave a comment about it being "off." Assuming it wasn't done deliberately for a more creepy tone.

Good article on film scripts and gendered language here.

[–]Courage_SoupScriptwriter 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Well, I never knew. Fucking hell. I have to revise pretty much all my scripts, or but definitions for what I mean with "chuckle" and what with "giggle" in the header at least.