The Suggestion Box
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The Suggestion Box
We can't think of everything so we need your input, and this is the place to give us feedback. Tell us what we should add, tell us what you like and even tell us what drives you crazy. You keep giving us ideas, we'll keep making it better.
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![Ben Cahan](/medthumbs/17-370.webp)
Ben Cahan
10 months ago
Suggestions wanted for tweaking member reviews
Folks, I am thinking of making some changes to the reviews here at Talentville, and I would really love it if a bunch of you could chime in on what you would do to make them more effective. More areas to rate with those sliders? A Q&A about how the reader felt about various aspects?
So, comments wanted, this is your opportunity to help us shape how we all review screenplays so everyone gets the most out of them.
Below you will see the new look for the Review entry page, where reviewers can enter their own specific suggestions to the author as how to proceed in rewriting.
So, comments wanted, this is your opportunity to help us shape how we all review screenplays so everyone gets the most out of them.
Below you will see the new look for the Review entry page, where reviewers can enter their own specific suggestions to the author as how to proceed in rewriting.
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Dianne Barnes
- 10 months ago
I have trouble reading this section; it's the light blue print I think (which maybe is the fault of my carrier, my computer, or my eyes)....But, my comment: I have always based my reviews on the Categories we must rate when we do a review. The meaning of the categories are spelled out and have been my guideline. I don't know how others base theirs. If there are better ways to write and post reviews, it may be a positive for the process. Although I don't adapt well to major changes....
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Billie Harris
- 10 months ago
My only comment at this point is that I hope the reviewers will pay attention to "point out the good stuff." All too often I read reviews that really tear a script to pieces, without taking into consideration that you might be discouraging a writer from continuing. Yeah, we want to be told when our script sucks, but just the same, there's a nice way to do it and by giving some positive remarks, it helps make the medicine go down easier.
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![Ben Cahan](/medthumbs/17-370.webp)
Ben Cahan
about a year ago
About AMAs
Folks, do any of you have experience with AMAs? You know, 'Ask Me Anything" events on Reddit or elsewhere? I want to host live Q&A sessions with various experts, with their answering YOUR questions being the main goal. These might be chat-based like our Feed or video-based like a webinar, I am trying to figure out what everyone wants and what might work best.
POST your thoughts as comments to this post.
POST your thoughts as comments to this post.
![George Snow](/medthumbs/10379-636.webp)
George Snow
about a year ago
10 Page Review
It's a good idea and kind of works. It shouldn't change in that respect.
The first ten pages you're showing your characters lives. So, the story hasn't really begun. The inciting incident isn't supposed to come till page 12 - 17 (17 is late, but still viable). If the reader could see 20 to 30 pages, the notes on characters (first ten pages) could be more detailed.
The first ten pages might look right. By page thirty problems in the first ten might stick out.
The reader wouldn't be forced to read 30 pages. They'd just have the option if they desired.
The first ten pages you're showing your characters lives. So, the story hasn't really begun. The inciting incident isn't supposed to come till page 12 - 17 (17 is late, but still viable). If the reader could see 20 to 30 pages, the notes on characters (first ten pages) could be more detailed.
The first ten pages might look right. By page thirty problems in the first ten might stick out.
The reader wouldn't be forced to read 30 pages. They'd just have the option if they desired.
Ben Cahan
- about a year ago
Well, what I did in the ten page reviews was to show 13 pages, with the last 3 having a grey background. So, a reader can read a few extra pages beyond the 10 to try to get context. In that way they can do the review in an hour and earn 4 TalentDollars. It is all a balancing act, George, some scripts are so bad by page 10 that little needs to be said. But, true, others may have complexity and not get to the goods by then. However, if the writing is good and the characterizations are good, the reader would be able to say they would want to keep reading, and that is a good sign for the writer.
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![Paul Argyropoulos](/medthumbs/11863-727.webp)
Paul Argyropoulos
6 years ago
EDITING A REVIEW?
Can I edit my review once I submitted it? I forgot to add script notes to the end of the review.
Jay Stagnitto
- 6 years ago
Paul, I'd start with the first episode and let people review it and get some feedback on that one. I'm not sure how long you've been developing it or if you've received feedback on the pilot episode before, but if you haven't, the feedback you get on here may end up spurring changes that affect the future episodes you've written. Just a thought. However, if you feel like uploading all of them, then like Billie said, you should upload them as 7 separate files. In the description, you can make it clear that they are episodes in a series. Additionally, you (likely) won't get reviews on them unless you purchase reviews. So, you could upload all 7, but only buy reviews for the first two, as an option.
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Dianne Barnes
- 6 years ago
Paul, take the advice Jay mentioned in his reply. It's probably the best you'll get: upload each separately if you wish, but purchase reviews only for the pilot episode, use the feedback to consider what you might want to change. In that regard, it might be good to simply upload the one episode you want to get reviewed (the pilot episode most likely), rather than all of them in case you want to revise the others before uploading.
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![Allen Gregg](/defaultthumbs/avatar10.webp)
Allen Gregg
6 years ago
Direct link to outside world
As a future option, would it be possible to upload one of my scripts so that I can then post a direct link to that script to the outside world (non-Talentville members)?
As an example, I have uploaded a script written for a current TV series (The Orville), and there are sub-forums on other sites dedicated to that series. It would be a nice option for me to join that forum, and then post my direct link there.
Doing so could increase Talentville membership, as the non-Talentville readers would have the option to peruse this site and possibly join.
Thanks.
As an example, I have uploaded a script written for a current TV series (The Orville), and there are sub-forums on other sites dedicated to that series. It would be a nice option for me to join that forum, and then post my direct link there.
Doing so could increase Talentville membership, as the non-Talentville readers would have the option to peruse this site and possibly join.
Thanks.
Ben Cahan
- 6 years ago
Allen,
You CAN create special password protected links to read your script by outsiders, you will find that on the script's main info page in the Member & Guest Read Access tab (on theright side, its one of the expandable tabs).
When you go there and click on the Create Non-Member Read Access Link... button, the site will create a custom URL after you specify the password needed to view the script when someone clicks on that link. Access links, by default, expire after 10 days, but in that tab, you can also extend the expiration date for any of the guest URLs you create.
Ben Cahan
You CAN create special password protected links to read your script by outsiders, you will find that on the script's main info page in the Member & Guest Read Access tab (on theright side, its one of the expandable tabs).
When you go there and click on the Create Non-Member Read Access Link... button, the site will create a custom URL after you specify the password needed to view the script when someone clicks on that link. Access links, by default, expire after 10 days, but in that tab, you can also extend the expiration date for any of the guest URLs you create.
Ben Cahan
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Allen Gregg
- 6 years ago
Ben,
In case others happen to be experiencing the same thing (not seeing the 'Member & Guest Read Access' option), it's most likely a browser add-on. In my case, a Firefox add-on called Adblock Plus.
When Adblock Plus is enabled (which it always is on my browser), the 'Member & Guest Read Access' option is not visible.
As soon as Adblock Plus is disabled, and the page refreshed, the 'Member & Guest Read Access' option becomes visible.
None of the other eleven options/tabs seem to be affected.
I wish I had thought about that earlier. Anyway, thanks for the reply.
Allen
In case others happen to be experiencing the same thing (not seeing the 'Member & Guest Read Access' option), it's most likely a browser add-on. In my case, a Firefox add-on called Adblock Plus.
When Adblock Plus is enabled (which it always is on my browser), the 'Member & Guest Read Access' option is not visible.
As soon as Adblock Plus is disabled, and the page refreshed, the 'Member & Guest Read Access' option becomes visible.
None of the other eleven options/tabs seem to be affected.
I wish I had thought about that earlier. Anyway, thanks for the reply.
Allen
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![George Snow](/medthumbs/10379-636.webp)
George Snow
6 years ago
Deal With A Reviewer
I have enough talentdollars for a review.
If I find a certain reviewer I'd like to review my script, is there a way I can pay them with the talentdollars?
If I find a certain reviewer I'd like to review my script, is there a way I can pay them with the talentdollars?
Billie Harris
- 6 years ago
If he's a citizen, ask him and if he's willing, you can pay for a review and he can pick it up.
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![Jurij Fedorov](/medthumbs/11319-562.webp)
Jurij Fedorov
6 years ago
Give users the option to upload a feature film and a short film
I have time and time again marked all boxes for short film features in review assignments and gotten zero results. So even though I want to give feedback on short films I cannot do so because there is no one on the site requesting feedback.
Could this be because the site allows non-paying users to only have one active screenplay at a time?
There at least could be much more activity on the review side of things if non-paying users could just have an option to have 2 scripts active, at least. Right now I visit the site, request reviews, and then am left with zero results much of the time.
Could this be because the site allows non-paying users to only have one active screenplay at a time?
There at least could be much more activity on the review side of things if non-paying users could just have an option to have 2 scripts active, at least. Right now I visit the site, request reviews, and then am left with zero results much of the time.
![Jurij Fedorov](/medthumbs/11319-562.webp)
Jurij Fedorov
6 years ago
Add an option to buy faster reviews for more points
What matters to me is if the site is useful to get feedback on or not. I waited 2 months for a review on my script. For me it's just too long because I'm constantly working on new ideas and writing new screenplays.
What if there could be and option for people like me to pay more for a faster reviews? I'm talking 2 weeks max. 1 week to see if people pick it up without me having the option. And then in the second week I can pay 5 points more to get it picked up that week. Then 3 extra points can go to the reader and 2 points can disappear. This way you can make me spend my points on fewer scripts. This means I do more reviews than I get back but the result is that I am happier. Capitalism at work. This would probably mean that the list of 60 scripts waiting for a review will shrink to maybe 30 scripts as there will be fewer points to spend. More points will just disappear into nothingness. And you will have more people eager to get points because they spend more of them. So people like me will also give more reviews because we need more points.
Right now I have a ton of points I want to spend. But I know that I only will get something in return maybe 2 months down the line. I just want 1 review before I buy more because I want to see if I have some obvious mistakes in the script I need to fix. Also, I have the time and energy to review more but my already high number of points at least demotivate me from doing so, because waiting 2 months for a review make them nearly useless to me. I could go to CoverflyX instead where I already can spend more points to get a review faster. There I can already use this exact system to get fast reviews.
If you are worried about getting too many low level reviews then just make sure to fix the feedback review system. There are easy solutions for that too like for example only letting the script writer see the ratings on the script after he or she rated the review itself. That will get rid of "revenge" 1 star ratings at least and make sure only actual low level reviews get a low scores. This will make them stand out more and easier to catch.
What if there could be and option for people like me to pay more for a faster reviews? I'm talking 2 weeks max. 1 week to see if people pick it up without me having the option. And then in the second week I can pay 5 points more to get it picked up that week. Then 3 extra points can go to the reader and 2 points can disappear. This way you can make me spend my points on fewer scripts. This means I do more reviews than I get back but the result is that I am happier. Capitalism at work. This would probably mean that the list of 60 scripts waiting for a review will shrink to maybe 30 scripts as there will be fewer points to spend. More points will just disappear into nothingness. And you will have more people eager to get points because they spend more of them. So people like me will also give more reviews because we need more points.
Right now I have a ton of points I want to spend. But I know that I only will get something in return maybe 2 months down the line. I just want 1 review before I buy more because I want to see if I have some obvious mistakes in the script I need to fix. Also, I have the time and energy to review more but my already high number of points at least demotivate me from doing so, because waiting 2 months for a review make them nearly useless to me. I could go to CoverflyX instead where I already can spend more points to get a review faster. There I can already use this exact system to get fast reviews.
If you are worried about getting too many low level reviews then just make sure to fix the feedback review system. There are easy solutions for that too like for example only letting the script writer see the ratings on the script after he or she rated the review itself. That will get rid of "revenge" 1 star ratings at least and make sure only actual low level reviews get a low scores. This will make them stand out more and easier to catch.
Billie Harris
- 6 years ago
You mentioned CoverflyX. What I like about that site is no one's script gets priority while others' sit and wait for a review. You get a choice of two scripts of different genres to select to read and write a review on so it seems like a first-come, first-serve type of program. You don't know the name of the writer nor do you know the name of the reviewer. I have no idea what their waiting period is to have a review done but it does seem to be a fair way to approach the matter.
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Jurij Fedorov
- 6 years ago
On CoverflyX your script gets picked up in a day or maybe two. But the review can take some time I think. A week at most?
Yes, you can pick the script you want to read. And you then also get a certain amount of points for giving a review on it based on what the writer is offering. But the system doesn't fully work because I can't read anything of the script before starting reading it. I also don't see a pitch. The 3 scripts I have read there so far have not been to my liking and I really had to fight to get through them. A pitch would maybe make me not select any of them as that would reveal more of the script. Seeing the first 10 pages would help even more. It also influences the review score you get as if you don't tend to love their script they don't tend you love your review.
On Talentville the waiting period is longer than 1 week precisely because no one can offer more of less for a review. So a top script writer will give you the same amount of points as a beginner script on 1st draft. If we could pick and choose the script and the points then beginners would need to work a bit harder to get help from writers with great expertise. Which is fair as those writers give better feedback but receive lower quality feedback in return from beginners. So writers who usually write amazing scripts and give amazing feedback would not need to pay as much for feedback. And I would always know that I would get a fair amount of points in return. Right now I feel that for some points on this site I have to work really hard. And for others it feels more fair. In the new scenario I always would feel that it is fair. And that would make me start doing reviews en masse again.
Even if we ignore this I still think that some scripts should offer a few more points. Because some scritps are very experimental. No 3 act structure. No clear plot. No real world. Everything is a dream scenario. It would be fair if the writer with that kind of script would offer just a few more points to the reader.
Yes, you can pick the script you want to read. And you then also get a certain amount of points for giving a review on it based on what the writer is offering. But the system doesn't fully work because I can't read anything of the script before starting reading it. I also don't see a pitch. The 3 scripts I have read there so far have not been to my liking and I really had to fight to get through them. A pitch would maybe make me not select any of them as that would reveal more of the script. Seeing the first 10 pages would help even more. It also influences the review score you get as if you don't tend to love their script they don't tend you love your review.
On Talentville the waiting period is longer than 1 week precisely because no one can offer more of less for a review. So a top script writer will give you the same amount of points as a beginner script on 1st draft. If we could pick and choose the script and the points then beginners would need to work a bit harder to get help from writers with great expertise. Which is fair as those writers give better feedback but receive lower quality feedback in return from beginners. So writers who usually write amazing scripts and give amazing feedback would not need to pay as much for feedback. And I would always know that I would get a fair amount of points in return. Right now I feel that for some points on this site I have to work really hard. And for others it feels more fair. In the new scenario I always would feel that it is fair. And that would make me start doing reviews en masse again.
Even if we ignore this I still think that some scripts should offer a few more points. Because some scritps are very experimental. No 3 act structure. No clear plot. No real world. Everything is a dream scenario. It would be fair if the writer with that kind of script would offer just a few more points to the reader.
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![Christopher Grant](/medthumbs/11713-996.webp)
Christopher Grant
6 years ago
Purchasing Reviews
Hey Guys:
Quick question: I have $26 TalentDollars....how do i get them redeemed to purchase reviews?
Thanks!
Christopher")
Quick question: I have $26 TalentDollars....how do i get them redeemed to purchase reviews?
Thanks!
Christopher")
![JIm Valko](/medthumbs/3230.webp)
JIm Valko
7 years ago
Logline and synopsis reviews
The logline and synopsis are as important as the script, and in one sense more important. Without a captivating logline and synopsis chances are that no one will ever read your scripts. So... how about a logline and synopsis review section that is separate from the script review section? A section that is dedicated to reading and reviewing loglines and synopsis only? There are even those in the business that suggest you first write a logline and synopsis, if you can't make them sizzle then writing an entire script is a waste of time. I would love to be able to test out loglines and synopsis by having people review them. I think talentville dollars should be exchanged for this section as well.
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