That is something valuable that the writer does not possess. In a way, the notes can't be wrong because the reader is a fresh set of eyes. They make a mistake with something, find the a place they did the same thing well and compare the two then say something like, "If you make it like you did this part, the whole script will come together much more nicely." Show them what they did right, too.
Make sure you point out the good and be encouraging. So from one reader to another who needed the job to pursue my craft as well, find ways to be honest without sugarcoating but not lecturing. Those sites rely on those writers to make money. The whole system of websites that throw hope at writers all the time is going to create a whole bunch of newbie writers who think they're not being given their fair shot when they just aren't good yet and don't really understand the industry. I know it's frustrating to get complaints, I was a reader for sites for a long time, but that's why it happens.
You note them, they don't know how to take notes yet, they think you're just standing in their way of success, so they give you a bad review. Which entirely skips the learning process of getting better at your craft when that's your mentality. They want a top percent score that they can post on social and try to leverage into being a pro writer. The entire site is designed to convince people that it's their shot to make it big. Writers submit to Coverfly because they think it will help them break in. It's because they aren't paying for help. People in my regular life are not writers or in the industry, so, here I am, bitching to the internet about my frustrations. (No I haven’t sold a screenplay but I am a moderately successful author).
I took this job because I wanted to help likeminded people and feel like my experience is valuable. This is how I support my own creative endeavors as I’m just like all of the writers out here trying to make it, as a screenwriter. How am I supposed to know when a writer wants honest feedback and when they’re just looking for an ego boost? I’m torn between wanting to help and feeling defeated because people who pay for help, don’t really want to hear the truth. Those things get writers upset and I end up with a bad rating, but those are the same things that, if not corrected, will never advance a writer above an amateur level. Now, I’ve never directly said that in notes, but I have done things like correcting basic sentence structure issues, etc.
I’ve been working in the industry since 2011 and I can tell when a script is or isn’t at a professional level. The notes I’m giving your script are actionable, always come with examples of what was wrong and suggestions on how to fix it. But, some writers can’t take constructive advice and take offense to honest feedback. No Sale of Copyrighted Material or Sharing of Confidential MaterialĪs a Coverfly reader I get bonuses for reviews that writers rate as “good” and I am negatively impacted if too many writers rate my review as “bad”. Posts Made by ( u/deleted) Accounts are Subject to Removal Observe Dedicated Weekly Threads for Loglines, Memes, Etc Provide Descriptive/Informative Titles for Posts Screenplays MUST be properly formatted/Do not post your film without the screenplay. No Contest, Coverage or Service AdvertisingĬomplaints About Paid Feedback Must Include Script and Evaluations No Socks, Trolls or Shitposting, Spam or Off-Topic Postsĭon't post personal blogs, personal websites, or unapproved self-promotion. WIKI: FAQS & FORMATTING INFO AND RESOURCESĭo not personally attack fellow redditors respect privacy, be encouraging, use your manners.