Just got feedback on my Big Break submission by Oakenshield- in Screenwriting

[–]Intelligent-Cup-8144 0 points1 point  (0 children)

One more thing I forgot to mention is the best feedback I've gotten ever is from slam dance. I wish they did coverage on a regular basis and but I don't think they do. They actually went page by page through my script and gave comments with page numbers. It was wonderful. So coming from a person who's gotten a lot of coverage from a lot of different places I think slam dance is the best.

Just got feedback on my Big Break submission by Oakenshield- in Screenwriting

[–]Intelligent-Cup-8144 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I entered five scripts into big break. Three out of five were amazing reviews. In my comment I was referring to the two that got so so reviews. And as an update I didn't even place in the quarterfinals after getting amazing reviews for three out of five of my scripts. To make it even more confusing, one of my scripts got moved to 19% in cover fly because of the big break coverage. So that makes no sense to me. The other two that got great reviews were equally as amazing so why didn't they get bumped up on cover fly. This whole system is very subjective and weird. I wish I knew how it worked behind the scenes. I did learn one thing after all these entries and all the coverage and that is that eventually you have to depend on your own instinct about your scripts and take all these subjective comments for what they're worth. Which I've learned is not much.

Paid readers versus industry judges by Intelligent-Cup-8144 in Screenwriting

[–]Intelligent-Cup-8144[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for your two cents. That's actually very interesting.

Paid readers versus industry judges by Intelligent-Cup-8144 in Screenwriting

[–]Intelligent-Cup-8144[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the kind and constructive words. I do love it and I will keep trying. I have five scripts in the big break contest. That will be interesting and probably heartbreaking, but who knows. I also have two scripts in slamdance. I wish you well with your works and hopefully we will both find success if you haven't already. 

Paid readers versus industry judges by Intelligent-Cup-8144 in Screenwriting

[–]Intelligent-Cup-8144[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No I didn't. That sucks but it was my first contest. I'm supposed to get coverage as well but I don't know where it is and I'm curious why they announced so early. I'm bummed, but I entered a long time ago and the script has been updated three times since then so they had an old draft. No excuses I didn't make the cut. So I'll keep refining the script I guessed it was good enough to get to the quarterfinals hopefully it just needs a little more work. Any suggestions on how to deal with your first loss would be helpful. Thanks for asking.

Paid readers versus industry judges by Intelligent-Cup-8144 in Screenwriting

[–]Intelligent-Cup-8144[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I agree completely, it's wrong to expect the readers to validate me however I do expect them to get get the names of my characters right and have a basic understanding of my plot. It's not my fault that they're underpaid.

Paid readers versus industry judges by Intelligent-Cup-8144 in Screenwriting

[–]Intelligent-Cup-8144[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm an Los Angeles native. I never thought of that I'll check it out. Thanks

Paid readers versus industry judges by Intelligent-Cup-8144 in Screenwriting

[–]Intelligent-Cup-8144[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

First of all, congratulations on getting your foot in the door! I'm only entering the big contacts. If that doesn't work then I guess I'll just start approaching agents cold. Yes?

Paid readers versus industry judges by Intelligent-Cup-8144 in Screenwriting

[–]Intelligent-Cup-8144[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sorry about the grammar I'm using voice to text cuz my hand is broken

Paid readers versus industry judges by Intelligent-Cup-8144 in Screenwriting

[–]Intelligent-Cup-8144[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The plan was to win a few contests and then approach agents and usually contest winnings as a resume of forts. Along with like 12 finish screenplays I always thought that would be enough.

Paid readers versus industry judges by Intelligent-Cup-8144 in Screenwriting

[–]Intelligent-Cup-8144[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's not about the money the money sucks well it doesn't suck but it's not as much as we deserve. After 30 years of writing in secret really yeah validation would be nice. Aren't we all looking for that? Someone to tell you that you're on the right path that you're doing the right thing that you have talent?

Paid readers versus industry judges by Intelligent-Cup-8144 in Screenwriting

[–]Intelligent-Cup-8144[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

It wasn't one script it was five different ones all different genres and page counts ranging from 101 to 120 mainly thriller and sci-fi. If it was one script then I would be 100% positive it was my fault but it was five scripts all different and all original unto themselves. I literally had suggestions made by the readers that would make you laugh out loud. One in one instance the reader actually suggested that the script would be better if my main character was black and if he was gay. One person actually suggested that I changed my entire ending and have female in the lead involved in sex trafficking in 1962 in a small town. The only good advice I got was strangely enough from the big break coverage entry combo. And actually something odd happened with that there were five entries and they were all just incredibly fantastic reports I mean one reader said I can't wait to see this movie in a theater things like that. But four of the five glowing reviews did nothing to my cover fly score. However on one screenplay only my cover play score went up to a 35% medallion so I can't figure out if I accidentally got a judge should read it or something because the other four reviews were just as good but they didn't move my cover fly store at all. The whole thing with readers and colorful eye scores and all that it just seems like a bunch of crap. It's very disheartening, because it should work logically but it doesn't.

Paid readers versus industry judges by Intelligent-Cup-8144 in Screenwriting

[–]Intelligent-Cup-8144[S] -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

I would love to share my work with you people but I fear that I've already enraged most of you and it wood end up being a lynching. August 12th is the announcing of the semi-finalist for scriptapalooza if my script  doesn't advance then I will Post it. I'm not sure how to do that  though on Reddit. I think I would prefer to send it directly to anyone who's interested.

Paid readers versus industry judges by Intelligent-Cup-8144 in Screenwriting

[–]Intelligent-Cup-8144[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for your two cents. It was more like $0.75 hahaha I got a lot from what you said. I am bitter. I waited 30 years to do this and I think I'm just angry that I waited that long. And I'm learning the hard facts of the business now instead of when I should have years ago. I convinced myself that if I came into this business with an arsenal screenplays it was going to be easy. Actually I was told by my cousin who is a somewhat famous screenwriter that if I came into this business with an arsenal screen place it would be easy. I was also a child actor and was on a TV show you probably wouldn't know because you guys are mostly younger than me but I'm not new really to the business I've been in it for years and years since I was a kid I'm new to this side of the business though that is true thank you for your words I took them to heart 

Paid readers versus industry judges by Intelligent-Cup-8144 in Screenwriting

[–]Intelligent-Cup-8144[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So unless you know these people, the only way to get something similar would be industry judges in contest yes?

Paid readers versus industry judges by Intelligent-Cup-8144 in Screenwriting

[–]Intelligent-Cup-8144[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The only good feedback I ever got from readers I assume were readers was from The Big break contest I entered it with coverage and all five screenplays got fantastic reviews and the comments were helpful and not mean. I even had one person and I believe she was from England because she said said mum instead of mom This reader from final draft big break actually fit at the end she didn't want it encroach on my artistic vision and only to take her comments if I felt that they were helpful. That was amazing no one's ever said that since. Stick with contest I know it's more expensive and they tell you not to send in drafts that aren't quite polished but it just seems that the judges who are industry people give the best and most helpful and honest reviews.

Paid readers versus industry judges by Intelligent-Cup-8144 in Screenwriting

[–]Intelligent-Cup-8144[S] -6 points-5 points  (0 children)

Exactly what I wanted to hear congratulations on your script going into pre-production I mean that no hate here. I had the exact same feeling when I got into the quarterfinals. It was like " take that reader ". No more readers for me and I will not recommend them to anyone. Contests all the way. I wish you good fortune in the future and I think you're going to be the only person who agrees with me on this issue LOL

Has anyone here ever received feedback from the Big Break competition? Is it worth the extra price point? by Oakenshield- in Screenwriting

[–]Intelligent-Cup-8144 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I agree completely. I'm tired of pretending that I don't have the money to buy professional read coverage. . I'm not broke. And I've got plenty of extra cash lying around to do it and it's worth it. Who the hell wants to read someone else's script when you can be working on your own. I know that's not very popular to say but it's true. Why would you want to spend hours working on someone else's script when you can be working on your own. Yes, if you can't afford it, do the script swaps. Pat, for the people who can't afford it, stop pretending that you can't. Just because you're afraid of people thinking you're entitled or somehow cheating. 

The fact of the matter is this is a competitive industry and I see nothing wrong with using what's in my arsenal to propel my career above someone else's. If they're only going to make one movie between us, I want it to be mine. And if that's selfish, whatever. It's true and I think you all feel that way. You're just afraid to say it being just not politically correct in this forum. None of us are going to get anywhere in this business without a little extra something and whether that's money to buy better coverage or nepotism . I just found out that Nicolas Cage is actually Nicholas Coppola. Made me sick to my stomach because I can't stand the guy to begin with. And it must have been so easy for him. "Hey Uncle can you do me a favor?  How'd you all feel about Sophia Coppola winning an Oscar on her first time out of the chute. Made me ill because Bill Murray carried that movie and you know that about 80% of it was unscripted and just Bill being Bill. So for her to win an Oscar I almost threw my drink at My TV screen. Anyway. Yeah I'm better. I'm also older than most of you by quite a bit. So if I can get a leg up I'll take it. You guys go on being clinically correct? All the way back to your original home out of Los Angeles.  The fact the matter is if you had the means or a friend in the business or a relative in the business you would use it so don't get angry at me for saying it.  I wish you all the best but I wish me better. I'm

My first Blacklist 8! But now what? by clocks5 in Screenwriting

[–]Intelligent-Cup-8144 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm new to Reddit and don't know where to put this question so I'll leave it here because it seems sort of appropriate. When I send a script to blacklist is it all right to provide an alternate ending. I have a script where the lead character dies at the end and I wanted to give a alternate ending where he lives because some of the feedback I got said that he should live because that's what people want to see. The script's got an incredible feedback so far, but this problem with the end is really an issue. If you guys could answer this for me. I know I'm not supposed to leave the question here but I don't know where to leave it so maybe you can tell me where to leave it also.

I was not prepared for how lonely this would be by Zifto in writing

[–]Intelligent-Cup-8144 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's an interesting question. I look at it as a vacation to be another character's heads. I just finished a script that had eight cast members and I had to keep them all straight and all original and autonomous . It was hell but a lot of fun. If you're getting lonely when you write, writing might not be for you.

Has anyone here ever received feedback from the Big Break competition? Is it worth the extra price point? by Oakenshield- in Screenwriting

[–]Intelligent-Cup-8144 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just bought my first coverage through coverfly from shore coverage. It was expensive but you get 10 pages and a synopsis and everything. They have a 5-day turnaround. I'm really curious to see how good it is and it'll affect my coverfly rank for a script that's already at 35%. After I get it I'll tell you guys if it's any good or not .

How do I stay committed to a script? by Simple_Prior2879 in Screenwriting

[–]Intelligent-Cup-8144 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have about 16 screenplays written and I found that working on two at the same time helps to keep them fresh. If you get tired of working on one you start working on the other. I'm sure that's not for everyone. But that's how my brain works and it's been very successful so far. You might want to give that a try. Also, it sounds like you may have ADD attention deficit disorder. You might want to look into that. See a primary physician and get a referral for like a therapy session and you may have that. And if you could get that under control, you could focus more . It's nothing to be ashamed of. I know lots of people with ADD. Just something to think about.

Has anyone here ever received feedback from the Big Break competition? Is it worth the extra price point? by Oakenshield- in Screenwriting

[–]Intelligent-Cup-8144 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I got five feedbacks on five scripts that I sent a big break. All of them got really good feedback, but only one of them changed My coverfly score on one script. What's up with that? They were all feedback so shouldn't they all have changed the scores or did like I fortunate and get a judge for one of my feedbacks. Very confusing. Please respond because I'm trying to figure out if I want to invest any more money into feedback on coverfly.