Screenplay about marathoner receives accolade in a contest

...and there's the problem. You seem to refuse to take any feedback or criticism so your script and skills never get any better.

Placing in the top 317 out of 800 scripts in a contest puts it just above average for the scripts submitted. It's still worlds away from being picked up by Hollywood.

In running terms, that would be like placing 317 out of 800 in your local turkey trot. Would that be grounds for thinking someone was close to a professional level? Not even close. Especially if they have been training since 2011.

The average marathon in the world last year was something like 4:25. So 4:15 is above average. That's what your script is. A 4:15 marathoner.

Would you tell a 4:15hour marathoner that they have pro potential? That's probably why you get some flack on here. It's a bit like a 4:15 marathoner or 430 miler telling us over and over that they know they are good enough to go pro.

Don't tell people. Show people.

The next step is to improve to a professional level. It's great to have a complete script, but the odds of it getting picked up by a studio are about the same as the odds of Nike signing a 4:15 marathoner to a pro contract.

If you are truly as passionate about getting it made someday, you need to take some constructive feedback and seriously work on your writing and story telling skills. You should be writing a complete new script every 3-6 months. That's what it takes.

You mentioned in your youtube video that you don't really consider yourself a writer, that you don't have any training in it, and that it was basically just a means to an end in order to get the project made. Well.....the people who are winning these contests and getting their projects made don't think that way. You are competing against people whose entire life is writing. People who wake up and write everyday before work. You seem like you want to get a movie made, but not do all the actual work and steps required. Becoming a good writer is one of those steps.

Imagine someone saying they wanted to make the Olympics in the marathon and were really passionate about that goal, but they had never trained and didn't really consider themselves a runner. That they really just ran because it was a requirement to get to the Olympics.

What do you think their odds of reaching their goal would be?

I don't mean to dismiss the effort it took to complete a script. Most people don't make it that far. So, congrats on that. But if you seriously want to see this project succeed, it's important to be realistic about where it's currently at and how much work is needed to reach your ultimate goal.

Otherwise, it sounds a lot like a 4:15 marathoner talking about how sure they are that they are going to the Olympics.

Best of luck.

PS....also read as many successful scripts as you can get your hands on. Read a script a week. 50 a year minimum.

You are completely wrong. I am 100% on the right track. I received very encouraging feedback earlier this week. If you had read the thread, you would have noticed this.

You haven't a clue what it takes to create a tv script.

I feel good about where I'm at and things are only going to get better.

Just.....wow.

Which part of what I said do you even disagree with?

You said 'You seem to refuse to take any feedback or criticism so your script and skills never get any better.'

If you read earlier in the thread, you can see the positive feedback I included.

So what you are saying is incorrect.

I approach my script according to how I feel. I feel good about it. That's what matters.

Do you not understand how your initial response completely illustrates my entire point?

I said:
"You seem to refuse to take any feedback or criticism so your script and skills never get any better."

and your reply was:
"You are completely wrong. I am 100% on the right track."

You understand the irony there, right?

I offered some honest and constructive feedback on your approach to your project and rather than trying to learn from it you just automatically take the stance that I'm 100% wrong and you are 100% right.

You don't seem to understand the importance of acknowledging and learning from an honest constructive critique. A writer will never make it with that attitude.

Here's the thing about only acknowledging the positive feedback: It doesn't make the script any better.

You've been working on this project for over a decade without success in selling it. If you don't address the reasons people aren't interesting in buying it, you are going to keep getting the same result.

Acknowledging only the positive feedback will guarantee it never gets any better.

Imagine you owned a restaurant that only had 2-stars on Yelp and was losing customers. If you only agreed with the positive reviews and just considered all of the negative reviews 'personal attacks' and '100% wrong', you would be out of business shortly. But that's the approach you are taking with your screenplay.

"I feel good about it. That's what matters."-Greg

Not to the person who is going to put up millions of dollars in order to make a movie out of it. That doesn't matter one bit.

It sounds like your goals for the project align closer with that of a 4:15 marathoner, not an elite pro runner that eats, sleeps and breathes running. That's perfectly fine. A 4:15 runner runs a marathon to feel good about it. That's what matters. You should write scripts if it makes you feel good.

However, you might want to reconsider posting about professional ambitions for the project on LRC if you aren't prepared for honest reactions.

If a 4:15 marathoner repeatedly posted about their Olympic ambitions, they would understandably attract a lot of derision on here.

Same goes for screenplays.

If you don't want feedback on your project then stop posting about it. If you actually read what I wrote with an open mind and took it into honest consideration, you might make a giant step forward in your approach.

As long as you dismiss everyone who disagrees with you as 'argumentative,' you will not learn a thing and just keep on repeating the same mistakes over and over and never sell your screenplay. If your current approach worked, you would have already succeeded with it.

Your choice.

You trying to help and argue with logic is like Jack Nicholson in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest convincing his fellow residents that they need to watch the ball game. Ultimately this thing isn't real. It's just a process of interaction. The brojos don't understand that none of this is helping.

Greg, why did you change your username?

Look dude, it's honest from 'you'. I see why you made your points. I think they are valid. I go about my project how I want. You think I have to listen to you. Well, resect my perspective.

I'm not dismissing you. Maybe I will take your points into consideration. I appreciate your intentions. I am well aware of what could - emphasis on the word could - be done to alter my script. It's my choice. 1 day at a time. I feel much better this week than 1 month ago. That's measurable progress.

Thanks man. I thought my music could catch on and receive radio play. 1 station in my city played some of that song a number of years ago.

Alternatively, if you don't like my responses, there's no need for you to give your opinion.
You aren't invested in the project.