Screenwriting : Hard pass by Jacob Siciliano

Just read scripts and write more. You don’t need people to tell you what’s wrong. You’ll know in your heart when you are getting better.

You are learning what you are doing wrong. Learn. Correct your mistakes and do better the next time.

That's how everything in life works.

Step one is knowing and acknowledging your mistakes.

First, maybe before paying for services again, you may want to have other writers read and give feedback on one of your scripts in exchange for reading one of theirs. Second, you may want to ask yourself, do you really want honest feedback or just want someone to feed you ego. Did your reader just not "get it" or are you "that guy"?

I've read several other writer's scripts and given feedback. A couple were pretty good, most were pretty bad. But I was always honest and provided pointers on how to fix the problems. I only had one guy that went off because I didn't tell him that he had an Oscar winner. Quite the opposite. It was boring, contrite and used several other people's intellectual property. He went on an internet tirade. If another writer told you your script was not up to par and offered advice to fix it, would you accept it or be "that guy"?

Just write another script. Anytime I get a pass or rejection, which as a writer, is literally as common as breathing - I just remind myself that I have to create IP that makes other people think they can make money off of it. If there isn't value in what I'm presenting, then I have no one else to blame but myself. It starts with you first.

Hey Jacob Siciliano - I am the Director of Script Services. Like Nick Assunto - Stage32 Script Services says, we would be happy to discuss all of the feedback you've received. The purpose of the services on Stage 32 are for you to learn and develop as a writer so you are able to shorten your path to success. Criticism of your work - as long as it is constructive - is one of the strongest tools a writer can have to improve. Do not look at a "pass" as a failure or reason to abandon the process. It is a natural part of the process.

Our job is to make sure that when you receive feedback here that it moves your projects forward and your career forward. You're always welcome to reach out to me directly at j.mirch@stage32.com to discuss what you are working on.

Nick - I'm pushin' for an Oscar; I'm trying to set an example for my granddaughter - teaching her to aim high and try, try, try... At my age, it's pretty unlikely but I'll keep tryin'. When I die, I'll still be tryin'

I think I'd fall over in a dead faint if someone bought one of my screenplays, but, oddly enough, I keep writing 'em. Some sort of mental illness perhaps... just can't seem to help myself.

There is much truth in what you say. But it doesn't speak to the frustration about the similar fiction that the scripts that do go into production represent the best of what's out there. Nothing could be further from the case judging by the many mediocre, homogenized, boring, predictable, sometimes downright awful rubbish that makes it up onto the screen. I have gotten the sense over the years that most producers and investors are looking for "safe bets". So they are risk-averse and creatively stillborn, lumping the daring visionaries in with the no-talents and rejecting everything that doesn't conform to their narrow view of what's "bankable."

Eric Paul Chapman you’re correct. There is a lot of shit. So imagine how bad the other stuff is. The stuff that doesn’t pass the “shit” grade.

I would say that people with money get to choose what they spend their money on. Something in that script spoke to them.

Or worse still, it started good and then someone started with the “where is the refusal of the call, we need to add a mentor in the first act, I can find the dark night of the soul”. Tada, we have created a boring predictable script.

It is a collaboration. The blame is apportioned equally.

Remember, many people tell us it’s not our job. So it is also not our fault.

It's a reality we all have to deal with and there's times I want to cry. I also am very proud of my work it's the best opportunity I have to get it seen so I keep going.