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You don’t need a spell check program to do a spell check. All you need is a dictionary, something readily available to most people. Surely you’re not suggesting that you can afford three computers but not a dictionary? And if you don’t own one, you can go to the library.
Most of the misspellings are actually typos (there is a difference) that can be readily corrected by simply reading the script. If people are not willing to spend the time to read their own scripts, then there's no reason for us to.
Maybe it's just me, but I find it kinda funny that all of the people commenting in this thread are all GOOD writers, who put out GOOD scripts, and give pretty GOOD reviews.
Most of the misspellings are actually typos that can be readily corrected by simply reading the script.
You’re absolutely right. Sometimes, it is only a matter of reading it over.
Once I misused the word “trader” where I meant to use the word “traitor.” I know better. I just made a mistake. And no spell check is going to catch that kind of mistake. I proofread the piece umpteen million times and missed it every time. Thankfully, Greg caught it and saved me any further embarrassment.
I don’t get these writers who think they’re helpless to proofread and I don’t understand how someone who wants to be a writer can accept that his/her work is just riddled with misspellings. I mean, if a writer doesn‘t have decent spelling and grammar skills, who can be expected to?
But it would be a shame to frighten off others who it might one day be possible to say the same of.
Yeah, I know what ya mean. New folk reading this could be scared shitless right now, which isn't good since it takes alot of guts to show your work.
So yeah, this isn't to frighten off newbs, but just read a few scripts first and make sure your formatting is at least good. It'll make me that much happier
Well, I'm not sure what I will do from now on...I'm not an "anglosaxson" (it isn't any "Bird" son) and it is to difficult to me to understand what really you all are trying to say here...Maybe it seems to be a type of lottery - maybe you have luck if any writers (very young, young or old or very old) will read your draft...Anyway,
I decided to put in votation: who wants to see any script written by me off from this site?
Say now, please! It's so simple like that! I’ll authorize Don to rip it off! I wont to see any writer here embarrassed with my writing.
I don't support to hear half words when it has to be a complete one. I like to hear from anybody the truth, not more than that. Just the truth!
The real key, I think, to getting your work read is to write a compelling logline for it. If you can come up with something that makes people say "I want to read that!" then you'll get reads. If it sounds ho-hum, then people will assume it is even if it is awesome. Personally, I have all kinds of trouble writing a logline that is a grabber, however I've been told my scripts are pretty good.
On that note, I'm not sure what to say when it comes to volume because though some may think they've got a lot up here, I searched for myself up there in the search bar and I think if I'm not on the top of the heap, I'm up there on volume submissions (and not all of them submitted by me either). If you type my name in the search bar on the main SimplyScripts.com site (not the one on the top of the boards), you'll come back with 29 scripts. 9 Feature length, 1 co-written feature length, 13 hour-long, 1 co-written hour long, 1 half hour, and 4 shorts. There's even 1 more hour-long that isn't in the search engine yet as well as a few scripts that aren't posted here.
Do I get read? Sometimes. All the volume has done for me is put me in lots of places so that sometimes I get stumbled upon. No one person has read everything I've written. Do I welcome critique? Sure. I tell people to tear me apart. In fact, I prefer nasty reviews that tear something to pieces; I find them to be the most useful kind of review there is. I could post some reviews of a couple of scripts I've gotten on other sites (gasp!) that would make your hair curl. People around here were nice by comparison. However, these nasty reviews were all constructive in that I took something away from every one of them...even if it was things I couldn't fix or change -- stuff that didn't fit the personality or preference of the reviewer.
Point is that if anyone new(er) is reading this thread and feeling a bit perturbed or fightened by all us regulars, there's no reason to be. We want help as much as the next person, and while some people get nasty sometimes about ideas or scripts, I always keep in mind one basic point: it is better to be torn apart when you can fix it, than to be torn apart when you can't. It would be better to know the shortcomings of your script now than to hook a producer with your logline only to have his reader chuck the script in the trash because it's no good.
So if you're lucky enough to have your baby ripped to shreds by someone who reads a lot, don't complain or run off and hide -- throw a freakin' party! Someone cared enough to read what you wrote and post comments about it. If someone comments on anything, even if they say it sucks, they still read something and left a comment. As for producers, if it's been a year, they probably said no.
Your situation is different from others here. From what I gather (forgive me if I'm wrong), English is not your first language. You're doing the best you can; others here (who speak English as a first language) are being lazy.
The real key, I think, to getting your work read is to write a compelling logline for it. If you can come up with something that makes people say "I want to read that!" then you'll get reads. If it sounds ho-hum, then people will assume it is even if it is awesome. Personally, I have all kinds of trouble writing a logline that is a grabber, however I've been told my scripts are pretty good.
This holds especially true if your script is about 'a group of teenagers find themselves the focus of a homicidal maniac's rage' or about 'a group of teenagers who must battle an army of zombies in order to survive.'
If you can't write a synopsis that separates your script from the scores of others like it, then don't post it. Wait until you can describe it in a way that atleast makes it sound different.
Point is that if anyone new(er) is reading this thread and feeling a bit perturbed or fightened by all us regulars, there's no reason to be. We want help as much as the next person, and while some people get nasty sometimes about ideas or scripts, I always keep in mind one basic point: it is better to be torn apart when you can fix it, than to be torn apart when you can't. It would be better to know the shortcomings of your script now than to hook a producer with your logline only to have his reader chuck the script in the trash because it's no good.
So if you're lucky enough to have your baby ripped to shreds by someone who reads a lot, don't complain or run off and hide -- throw a freakin' party! Someone cared enough to read what you wrote and post comments about it. If someone comments on anything, even if they say it sucks, they still read something and left a comment. As for producers, if it's been a year, they probably said no.
And don't cop an attitude! Doing so is a great way to make sure that no one reads your work in the future. The best example of this comes from the guy who wrote 'Street Scriptures.'
After so much of this idiot's rants and self-glorification, everyone who commented on his scripts deleted their messages and left him alone. He left shortly afterwards.
I would consider you to be a serious writer. It shows in your drive. I mean, English is not your first language and to be honest, I think your English is pretty darn good for it to be a second language.
So good in fact that you actually write with better spelling and grammar than some of the writers for whom English is a first language.
All I’m saying is that I think it’s sad that some people can say they want to be writers and yet don’t seem to care about the craft of writing.
I don’t consider myself to be anything other than a mediocre talent at best but I want to be a great writer really bad and I hope that shows in my work. If it doesn’t, it’s because I lack talent, not because I lack desire or because I’m not willing to put forth the effort.
My problem is with the writers who don’t put forth the effort. Maybe I just grew up in a different era. I was always taught that if you want something, you have to do the work to achieve it. I think a lot of writers here are doing just that.
But when a writer throws something together without so much as a proofread, like Dogglebe said, why should we care if they don’t?
I think you’re a talented writer Helio and I’ve very much enjoyed some of your work. I always know there will be something interesting and creative when I see your name.
I don’t want to upset people. I’m just stating my opinion (which is worthless) and telling why I don’t bother with some scripts by some people who don’t even care enough to so much as even proofread their logline. To me, that’s ridiculous.
And don't cop an attitude! Doing so is a great way to make sure that no one reads your work in the future. The best example of this comes from the guy who wrote 'Street Scriptures.'
After so much of this idiot's rants and self-glorification, everyone who commented on his scripts deleted their messages and left him alone. He left shortly afterwards.
Thanks for the laugh. That was truly hilarious, especially the part about you being a fallen disciple. -- hahaha!
And don't cop an attitude! Doing so is a great way to make sure that no one reads your work in the future. The best example of this comes from the guy who wrote 'Street Scriptures.'
After so much of this idiot's rants and self-glorification, everyone who commented on his scripts deleted their messages and left him alone. He left shortly afterwards.
I love going back to reread that thread occasionally. That guy was hilarious. Oh, Dogglebe, my fallen disciple. Art thou placing thyself beneath my lava lamp again. Dost thou find thyself worthy of such praise. My final words: These are not my final words for I will speak again to my brethren soon. From "The Overlooked One" and "The World's Greatest Cynic" George Willson.
You've gotta love someone that self-obsessed. I should actually read Street Scriptures at some point. Might work well for a lark.
Breanne, you're too hard on yourself. I've read some of your stuff and consider you one of the better talents on this site, so I think your opinion is pretty valid.
Helio, it's funny that English is your second language, yet your scripts have better grammar and spelling than some of the other shtuff posted on here. Alot of the grammatical mess from inexperienced folk are things like "their" and "there" or the misuse of apostrophes. I can't stand that!!! I think you should start writing longer things and avoiding posting something new every week. As someone said earlier in this thread, the anticipation to read your stuff will be greater.
Phil, thank you for posting that thread, I got a good laugh out of it