Someone has asked to read one of my old screenplays. So I will give it a polish/fix to make sure it reflects current Craig.
This is the most important skill you can develop. The ability to gauge quality in your own writing.
Imagine a scenario where you are hired to write something, but have to pay for coverage before handing it in. They should have hired the coverage writer.
Notes are a great way to learn for many people. But focus on self assessment. This is the most important thing. We can all name things like plot, dialogue, story as being key. But if you cannot recognise them and quality versions of them, they may as well be magic invisible pixies.
Congratulations on the script request, Craig D Griffiths! Great topic! I wasn't able to gauge the quality in my writing when I started screenwriting/a few years into screenwriting. It's a skill I developed by writing scripts, reading scripts, giving feedback, getting feedback, watching screenwriting videos, and reading screenwriting articles/posts here in the Screenwriting Lounge.
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Dear Craig, I think I understand what you mean. So when others asks me to read their screenplays, I do so and try to find both what is best and worst, To better determine what is good and bad in my screenplays.
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I find the feedback of others critical to the writing process.
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Same as any profession where job openings are few: Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach.
WHITE RAVEN is about albinos. Not one myself but find them fascinating
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I read other successful scripts (like Alien) and I compared it to the movie. I had to pay for access to some, but I learned so many valuable lessons.
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Craig, I'm with you when it comes to not wanting to be in a position where if I'm hired to write something, I've got to pay for coverage first.
That's why I try my best to make sure my plots, outlines, etc. work before I turn them into scripts. Reading lots of other people's screenplays/teleplays sure helps!
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That's a great thought. I've been asking for feedback on my screenplays from my friends for a long time, but I've never been plugged in to a film community before, so the story- and industry-knowledge that's present here will help me a lot.
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Not everyone but I believe most new screenwriters believe their first screenplays are good enough. After they have several under their belt they have to go back and rewrite them. At least that was how it was for me.
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Thank you all for your comments. Dan Guardino my first screenplay I was sure would win an Oscar, it was crap.
What I desire now when I ask people to read my work is their emotions, not technically advice. Things like “Why does Harry do that?” or “Judd is a shit, I didn’t like him”. Or good feedback “It fks with your head” why niece gave me that on a thriller I wrote.
That sort of feedback is as close to a test screening as I can get.
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You're welcome, Craig D Griffiths.
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Dear friends, my situation is similar. If you are willing to read my latest screenplay, you can send me the latest you have written yourself. For mutual reviews. I will try to find your worst error.
In 2014, I directed my first movie. 104 minutes long. A no-budget comedy based on a play I had written. Afterwards, two persons reviewed the film. Both reviews "smelled sulfur and brimstone". I sure thanked both reviewers.
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Taika Waititi sometimes writes a script, leaves it for a year, reads it again, throws it away and writes what he remembers (as it'll be the good bits worth remembering). Re-writing is an essential tool for any writer.