Today I wanted to take a look back at some of our earlier reviews.
When Roy and I started, we had no clue if this would be beneficial or not. We knew amateur writers wanted to be read, but there were diminishing returns on where they could do so. Although it’s still our overall goal to become a screenwriting workshop site, we do know that most people come here for free detailed notes.
We’re not that stupid…or at least Roy isn’t.
This week we had the opportunity to check out Classy’s Blaze project. After Roy’s detailed review he, I and even Classy found it extremely interesting that most of the same issues were found in the paid notes Classy received from Script Shadow.
We were interested for two reasons, the first being that those are definitely issues the script needs to address, but second, Roy and I are really onto something here.
Keep in mind, Classy paid for the notes he added into the comments section, and as most of you have said here or otherwise, notes from Script Shadow’s paid service are of high value. They can cost anywhere from $300-600 from a reputable source, and here we are saving you a couple hundred bucks
So what does this mean, Hank? You’re FINALLY going to offer a paid service for your notes?
Well, not yet. Roy and I have discussed it and still don’t think we’re there, especially considering the number of readers we have each day. As I told him checking our stats, I’m not sure we’d even have enough people interested yet.
What we do want to point out is that we’re putting in the time for free, and now there’s a comparison so you can judge for yourself how to use them.
We appreciate the continued respect for what we’re trying to do here, so thank you.
(But don’t be afraid to mention what we’re doing on other sites too, now that you have something to compare the quality of the notes to.)
Now onto what I wanted to get to today. I want to go back and see what the author’s are up to that we first reviewed.
Are they revising their scripts?
Have they found an entirely new and awesome idea they’re committing to paper?
Did they decide to go back and take a class, read a script, or check out a book to sharpen their skills?
Or did they take our notes and essentially tell us to go F ourselves?
There’s no right answer, but I know one of the reasons I like having Roy as a writing partner is he’ll ask me, “How many pages did you write today?”
I can easily lie or rationalize my lack of writing to myself, but when it comes to telling Roy, he’ll ask if I REALLY needed to put off writing. I’d like to think I do the same for him.
Consider this Roy and I being your writing partner for the day. If we don’t hear from you via this article, we might be forced to email you, then stalk your house, then chain you to the chair at your computer until you write something.
Here are the earlier projects we’re curious about, and let us know what’s up with them:
Blood and Fire by Karl Larsson
He takes us to the remote jungles of Belize, where we get into a bit of drug related trouble, even as a missionary for the Salvation Army.
Sawtooth by Justin Buettner
A group of teens tracks down a bigfoot in Sawtooth Canyon.
Extraction by James M. Lion
A former Marine captain pulls together a small team of mercenaries who struggle to rescue a kidnapped CARE worker from terrorists in the Afghan mountains.
The Bad News First by Eric Dickson and Simon Colligan
A group of reporters chase all over town in hopes of catching stories before the legit papers do.
Dr. Pill by Ed Nejeschleba
Something about a pill pushing doctor, lol. (This reminds me of why we started to include a logline and synopsis.)
WallyWorld by J. Ryan
Christmas Eve and our sad, lonely crew of grocery store employees can’t wait to punch out for the night. Too bad some “down on their luck” robbers have different plans for the evening.
Gideon Only Believe by Randall Hahn
A preacher gets stuck in a town here one’s badly needed, especially due to past and present racial issues. (Another spit balling from memory line.)
That’s enough of a trip down memory lane for right now, but please, even if you’re not on this list, let us know where you’re at on your writing.
And MOST important, don’t LIE to yourselves. Even if it’s only just a page a day, take the time to sit down and write.
Want to make it in Hollywood? Then write your ASS off.
Hi Guys…Thank you for asking…I am finishing a major rewrite of my Sci-fi “Oasis”, while continuing to write two other scripts…”Z-Mombie”, a dark zombie comedy, and a suspense set in Central America, called “Tourist Trap”….everyday I try to write on one of those depending on my mood and inspiration.
However, I am getting ready to throw all my effort into finishing Oasis now that the other two are at the point where I can leave them for incubation purposes.
I am currently awaiting word from several screenwriting competitions on “Gideon”. But those results won’t be out until Aug/Sept.
I also entered a competition that asked entrants to write the 1st fifteen pages of a logline by Randall Wallace…I think they notify in June sometime…it will be interesting to see where that goes.
So, yes, writing, writing, writing. Oh and when I am done with those 3 scripts, I already have another script to start writing that I just finished the treatment for, called “Old Man”.
And as always, I take the time each day to read your website. It continues to teach and inspire me.
GOD bless….Randall
As the inaugural post Eyes of the Universe has gone through major rewrites using your notes and others and is the story line for my third book I am writing.
Your above notes are also being used to re-write Moment in Time some are basic to all stories. looking forward to your review of moment in time to see if your notes corispond to my rewrite. Thanks
Lauren and Randall,
Great to hear from you both and glad you’re still writing.
@Randall – Wish I had the motivation for all those projects, lol.
Actually, it is not that much. It’s just writing something, even a scene, each day. Being able to work on several scripts helps because it keeps my creative juices hopping from one story to the next, with a fresh take on each. It also helps ward off writer’s block. If I get stuck on one script, I just pick up another one and start writing on that until inspiration hits me for the previous one, then I jump back on that one.
I would like to see Hank review a Roy script and Roy review a Hank script. That’s what I want to read….
I’m actually trying to convince the big guy to do something along these lines.
I found one of the first scripts I’d ever written (I believe it’s my second script) that I wanted to put up and have one day we’d call PAYBACK, where all of you would get to REVIEW ME and then we’d post them.
Tons of problems. It’s a western, flashbacks, characters that show up and are never heard from again, etc.
He’s not entirely sold on the idea, because he thinks it would ruin my credibility here…to which I answered, “What credibility?”
I uploaded a new script on AS – BUZZ AND THE LIGHT AHEAD two weeks ago, then I got swamped with office work so I still haven’t looked at THE ANSWER yet. Hopefully things will be back to normal after next week… I’m even behind on reading WTR reviews. I think my last one was TJ.
Regarding “Extraction”, I’ve been engaged in a re-write based on notes I received from Write to Reel. I’ve also been busy turning this into an animated movie. So the rewrite is emerging from both experiences simultaneously. It’ll come out as a web series. When the first episode is ready I’ll let you guys know. That said, most of the rewriting influenced by Write to Reel impacts the Third Act.
“This week we had the opportunity to check out Classy’s Blaze project. After Roy’s detailed review he, I and even Classy found it extremely interesting that most of the same issues were found in the paid notes Classy received from Script Shadow.
We were interested for two reasons, the first being that those are definitely issues the script needs to address, but second, Roy and I are really onto something here.
Keep in mind, Classy paid for the notes he added into the comments section, and as most of you have said here or otherwise, notes from Script Shadow’s paid service are of high value. They can cost anywhere from $300-600 from a reputable source, and here we are saving you a couple hundred bucks”
Hey guys, just so I don’t piss anybody off I’d like to clarify that the person I paid for these notes isn’t working for ScriptShadow yet, but is a professional script reader who will soon be one of Carson’s reviewers.
I just don’t want to get anybody in trouble and make sure all the facts are straight. That being said, I agree 100% with everything Hank says in this post regarding the incredible value of their service.
Yeah, I guess I misread your comment in the other post, and Roy yelled at me.
Hey Roy, Hank,
Nice idea…
I’ve submitted Blood and Fire to a couple of contests, including the Nicholl. I’d submitted an earlier, radically different draft to a number of contests last year, and it did reasonably well, placing in all but one of them (screw you Page Awards 🙂
But nothing ever came of that – I think the subject matter’s too difficult – so I’ve sold my soul to the commercial devil and am writing a WW2 action horror, which features both Nazis and zombies (kind of). Where Eagles Dare meets Night of the Living Dead, starring Jack Burton.
I’m a little wary of how those two groups are overexposed, but as this will only be my second screenplay, I’m okay with doing something a little more obvious – it’s all part of the learning curve. The next two stories I have lined up will hopefully be both commercial and a little different, combining the best of both worlds.
I’m directing a musical right now, which is taking up all my time, but that will all be over early June after which I can concentrate on writing again!
Thanks again for your review, and your continued good work!
Glad to hear from you all. We were worried some of you fell of the side of the Earth looking for Jack Sparrow in Davey Jones’ Locker.
Hi Roy and Hank,
I’ve put Condesa aside till it decides on a direction and focused on one of my other scripts in progress, Following Sea. ( I have nine in rotation, thus far.) Hopefully my skills at dialog will someday equal the countless ideas rattling around in my head.
I’ll post the newest revision of Following Sea some time next week and I’ll be sure to let you know when the Condesa rewrite is done.
Thanks again for your efforts at making better writers.
HL, sounds great, just watch out for that grammar. You know how picky some people can get about it…
😛
I don’t know if Randal remembers me but I did read Oasis and I loved it and loved the ending!
I do Glenn. Thanks for the shout out…when I am finished with the rewrite I would love to get your take on the new version…actually it was your review that got me to rethink the “reveal” and completely rewrite the team going back after Ahab…so kudo’s to you sir….I am going to send it in here and let them give it the once over….Hope all is well with you and all of your projects(Majestic).
Roy and Hank
“let them give it the once over” is just subtext for “you guys are great and have become an important part of my screenwriting life.” As a reader and a writer I value your input, notes, and opinions and am looking forward to getting my next finished screenplay to you all for another in depth, inciteful, analysis…. : > )