I’ve noticed a trend recently popping up on a few online screenwriting forums.
Writers are posting their material, asking for feedback. Concepts, loglines, the first page or the first few pages of their script. Any and all of them.
On one hand, I can understand the desire to get feedback. You want to know if what you’ve got works, and if it doesn’t, how it could be improved.
On the other hand, you’re asking what is, for the most part, an assortment of total strangers with unknown levels of experience to tell you what they think. Can’t say that I’m too crazy about that.
It’s like walking into a party where you don’t know anybody, standing in the middle of the room and shouting “Hey! What do you think?”
Don’t do that.
As has been stated many times on these pages – networking is key.
Professional relationships are a vital part of this business. They take time and effort to establish and maintain, but are definitely worth it in the long run.
You need to put yourself out there and get to know other writers, preferably in person, but online/virtually works just as well. Both have benefitted me greatly, and could do the same for you.
Here are a few previous posts which might come in handy.
Lattes, lunches & kindred spirits
Hey! Long time no (preferred form of communication)
Now get out there and meet people.
-Two weeks ago, I ran the SoFi Golden Gate Half-marathon with a time of 2:01:16. Not bad, especially considering the amount of uphill.
This Sunday I’ll be across the Bay and running the Berkeley Half-marathon for the first time (it’s also my 5th and final race for this year). The course is a little flatter than San Francisco, so while coming in under 1:55 would be great, I’ll also be happy with anything under 2 hours.
Once again proving that the journey to succeed really is a (half) marathon, not a sprint.
See you at the finish line.
Maximum Z 
I could not agree more. Don’t expect free advise of scriptsmanship to propel you to great heights.
Great reminder and post. Thanks.
Hey, wishing you a great time in the race. Since my leg operations, running is no longer in the plans but I still remember the thrill of lining up in the crowd & waiting for the start & going along, even though I was always a “back of the pack” runner & later walker. I’ve finished races where I walked on hundreds of orange peels left by the hoards who finished before me & in my one marathon, the ambulance, cops & the crew picking up the street cones kept me company to the end BUT I finished & I think we feel the same about our script writing. We keep heading for that finish line.
Well said!