dvx scriptfests ?

[Randall_Oelerich]

Can anybody shed light on what the scriptfests are all about here on dvx? I see one for a western is underway. But I do not understand how the scriptfest works. The "rules" for the current one (westerns) does not say where to upload the script, who owns uploaded scripts (do we give away rights/(c) by so doing?), if top 3 placed are announced, if there are any prizes (not expected by me) or if at least someone judges them (and who is that, or are the scripts voted on by users?) and announce a 1st place, 2nd, 3rd place, etc? Could be fun to enter, good motivation and practice for short script writing.

 

[TimCollins]

I don't know about the answers to your questions but I agree that it's good motivation and practice for short script writing. It's fun for a change of pace to be writing for a deadline, since I'm usually writing for personal projects that I have pretty much infinite time to create. Also, it's fun being given guidelines to follow and a page limit. Good practice for if you're ever hired to write something for someone else and they have strict parameters of what they would like.

 

[Nektonic]

Can anybody shed light on what the scriptfests are all about here on dvx? I see one for a western is underway. But I do not understand how the scriptfest works.

Randall, the scriptfests are a lot of fun. I think you would get a kick out of it if you decided to join in. They are also pretty liberal in allowing you to mesh different elements and genres with the theme. The current one, Westfest doesn't have to be just a traditional old western. You could do a space or sci-fi western, modern western, horror or supernatural western, etc.

The "rules" for the current one (westerns) does not say where to upload the script, who owns uploaded scripts (do we give away rights/(c) by so doing?), if top 3 placed are announced, if there are any prizes (not expected by me) or if at least someone judges them (and who is that, or are the scripts voted on by users?) and announce a 1st place, 2nd, 3rd place, etc? Could be fun to enter, good motivation and practice for short script writing.

For all the scriptfests upload instructions are announced a day or two before the deadline. So far all scripts were required to be in PDF format, as they are with the current Westfest contest. The uploading process is quick and painless. It takes a minute or two.

You retain all rights to any scripts you enter. The rules state that each member that wants to participate should only enter one script, although I don't know if you can also have a second unofficial entry or not. I'd PM the mods (Isaac Brody, Larry R) to see about that, or ask them in the scriptfest official rules thread.

As for the top 3, there are no prizes except for the satisfaction of being one of the 3 winners. After the reading and rating period is complete, the top 3 are announced. Last time they also announced who was in the top 10 as well. Rating is done by DVXUSER members. The way it works is that when a member places a rating on your script they can rate it on a scale of 1 to 10 stars. Your final score is then averaged out. It is stressed that we all try to read and rate every script that was entered in the fest. Everyone is pretty good about sticking to that standard.

 

[bwind22]

Out of curiousity, how many scripts were entered last time and roughly how many votes did each entry receive?

 

[Randall_Oelerich]

Thank you Nektonic, that helps clarify some questions I had.
How often do scriptfests happen? Monthly? Does another one start soon after one ends, and generally how long of a pause is there between scriptfests?

 

[nevill]

Westfest will be my first entry and even though Im not expecting to win, I found it a really good experience. Western definfalty isnt a genre that I would normally consider writing but to my surprise it was alot of fun.
So although its only my first script fest, I guess it opened my eyes abit!
Also I was just wondering, what are we suposed to judge the scripts by? I mean I can tell a well written script from a not so well written one, but judging could be quite subjective?

 

[Randall_Oelerich]

Personally if I were judging I would be looking for a story with some classical story elements in it-- a protagonist with a goal, antagonist and/or conflict of some sort to that goal, resolution and even better a surprise resolution; dialog that is not on-the-nose; technically well written script (screenplay format, spelling, grammar/typos). Visually interesting scenes. Things like that. Oh man, I can tell already that what I just said is going to come back and haunt me when I enter a script into scriptfest-- can i live up to my own standards I just mentioned? LOL.

...Also I was just wondering, what are we suposed to judge the scripts by? I mean I can tell a well written script from a not so well written one, but judging could be quite subjective?

 

[Captain Pierce]

How often do scriptfests happen? Monthly? Does another one start soon after one ends, and generally how long of a pause is there between scriptfests?

There's really no set schedule for the Script Fests any more than for the film fests, they just sort of come and go at the discretion of the staff.

Also I was just wondering, what are we suposed to judge the scripts by? I mean I can tell a well written script from a not so well written one, but judging could be quite subjective?

I think everybody comes at the ratings from their own perspective. Some people are only interested in whether or not you've told a good story, some get more technical and critique your formatting, and some do a little of both. Honestly, I don't think it matters that much what your criteria are so long as you apply them consistently to all the scripts.

 

[Nektonic]

Out of curiousity, how many scripts were entered last time and roughly how many votes did each entry receive?

For the first two scriptfests (pursuit was the them for 1, while sci-fi was the theme for 2) there were about 40-50 entries. For the most recent one, Pulpfest, there were about 25-27 entries. The writing has been very good all around for all the fests, but Pulpfest didn't really have a bad script at all out of the twenty-five entries. Sure some were not perfect or could use work in some areas, but the level of writing was very good across the board.

As for how many votes each script got, I have no idea. It shouldn't affect your score too much if there are 20 scripts, and yours gets voted on 10 times, while another person gets 17 votes because the voting system averages out all your individual scores. It is encouraged that if anyone is to participate in the fest, that they read all the scripts so that they can vote on them all and give everyone a fair shake. I don't know if everyone does this or not, but looking at the feedback from the previous fests, I'd say everyone does a great job of reading everyone else's entry.

Personally if I were judging I would be looking for a story with some classical story elements in it-- a protagonist with a goal, antagonist and/or conflict of some sort to that goal, resolution and even better a surprise resolution; dialog that is not on-the-nose; technically well written script (screenplay format, spelling, grammar/typos). Visually interesting scenes. Things like that. Oh man, I can tell already that what I just said is going to come back and haunt me when I enter a script into scriptfest-- can i live up to my own standards I just mentioned? LOL.

That sounds like a good list of judging criteria. Judging from the feedback I've gotten, and from what I've seen other scriptfesters getting, I think most of us use pretty much the same criteria you mentioned when rating the scripts. One thing that helps me with judging the scripts is to make up a little rating sheet so that I can easily keep track of things and have a consistent way of judging each entry.

And while we are all pretty flexible on the theme, it is important to stick to it if you want to rate well in the scriptfest. The good thing is that the themes that we've had so far all leave plenty of room for the writer to not feel boxed in or limited by it. Westfest might be the most limiting so far, and even then it allows a lot of interpretation to be done with the genre. You don't have to write a traditional western, just use elements of it if you want to. As long as it feels like a western in spirit, I think that is what they are looking for. And of course, there is the scene requirement too, which is a good challenge.

 

[arroway]

Also I was just wondering, what are we suposed to judge the scripts by? I mean I can tell a well written script from a not so well written one, but judging could be quite subjective?

ideally the criteria would be based solely on the story. however, since the judging system is the polar opposite of blind, criteria is inherently biased. it is the only writing contest i know of that operates like this.

the first few critiques you receive are very important as they set the stage not only for future comments but for your actual score. no one wants to stick out like a sore thumb heaping praise on something everybody else found lacking or nitpicking the hell out of something everyone else found brilliant. as such, i think the vast majority of people read previous comments before writing their own. there is a natural inclination toward consensus that artificially influences your eventual placement. human nature.

when it comes to critiquing remember that you get what you give. if your own critiques are more akin to the blunt and brutally honest banter of say, a story meeting with development execs, well...don't be surprised if you get a few "revenge critiques" or "revenge votes". human nature.

none of this is to say you won't receive good comments or have it be a rewarding experience. enter for the practice and for the fun and go in knowing it's more of a workshop than a legitimate competition.

...IMO

 

[nevill]

The writing has been very good all around for all the fests, but Pulpfest didn't really have a bad script at all out of the twenty-five entries.

I hope mine doesn't disappoint, being my first script over about 6 pages it is little rough around the edges to say the least!
Still its all about the experience I guess!

ideally the criteria would be based solely on the story. however, since the judging system is the polar opposite of blind, criteria is inherently biased.

Well, I think Im going to be looking out for the usual well written dialogue and strong visual storytelling, but also I think use of lively text and correct script layout is important.
As for people being bias, especially towards a first time entry, I say be mean I can take it! (Although im sure I will come to regret that later)
Bring on March 23rd!